Shoes in shops are boring - the styles haven't changed for years. Ideas?

[Clotheswoe]

I've been trying to find some new shoes this season.

It struck me that the selection in shops hasn't really changed for years. It's all the same styles - loafers, trainers, ankle boots.

Have others found this?

Granted the mary-jane shoe style is new, but I can't make them work on me.

I am after some casual stylish shoes made of leather or suede - not trainers.

Any help for places to look would be much appreciated!

Joya Riga Nubuck Leather Women's Clogs Shoes

Birkenstock Buckley Oiled Leather Unisex Clogs Sandals

Clog style shoes are back in fashion at the moment!

Mary Jane styles are not new and they're awful in my opinion.
I really like the shoes/boots in All Saints and French Connection.

Have you looked (online) at:

Grenson

Hereu

Lanx

Miista

Penelope Chilvers

Camper might appeal (can be a bit Marmite)

I agree. Chelsea boots, sigh.

Trainers, sigh.

Strangely, DMs are never boring when on.

Really

Really

Really

Hideous!!!

But you can wear a chunkier loafer with socks so you might have traditional loafers but not this season’s loafer.

It's far too loose a brief for anyone to go on.

"I am after some casual stylish shoes made of leather or suede - not trainers"

What is stylish in your opinion OP? What is your overall style? Preppy, classic, wild, gothic, rocker.
What is your budget?
Do you want plain work shoes or a pair that screams, "Wow, where did you get those"?

https://www.irregularchoice.com/ 🙂

I probably can't help much op but I do sympathise. I actually like flat, chunky, stompy shoes and boots - I've worn them for years, well before they became fashionable - but I'm bored now with seeing them everywhere I go.

One of my new year goals for 2024 was to up my shoe game but I've made no progress whatsoever. The only things I've seen that I like are cowboy boots but so far they've always felt both too loose around the ankle and too tight at the toe.

I’m eyeing up a pair of chukka boots from Solivar. Still ankle boots but not so ubiquitous as the Chelsea boots I bought recently. Blundstones, but I don’t think that’s what you’re after.

I saw some lovely brogues too in Lanx or possibly Grensen. They’d be great with jeans, smarter trousers or woolley tights fits for winter.

Echo Penelope Chilvers too, especially if you’re after something a bit more quirky.

Fairfax & Favour also do great shoes and boots.

I was going to post the Chie Mihara site for more unusual shoes.
It was the word "stylish" that stopped me.

I saw a young woman in a pair of green shoes I liked. They were almond toe flats with a fine, diagonal strap from the outside of the big toe to outside of the ankle. They didn't look Mary Jane'ish at all.

I share the frustration. In fact, I have hardly seen anything this season that makes me want to try it on... I did buy some new bras, which was overdue. Other than that, we recently had to clear out our beloved DM's clothes, so I have inherited some lovely sweaters and a pair of biker boots that she decided were too heavy. A wardrobe refresh I didn't want -- but saving me spending money!

@CookieMonster28 I never said they were stylish, just different 😂😄

Thanks @CapaciousHag . I have been keeping an eye on Grenson. In fact, I love some cream lace up leather shoes from there which went into the sale, but they sold out in my size.

I have recently seen a lot of ads for Lanx and I like some of their shoes. I hadn't heard of them till recently - are they an established brand? Have you tried them?

I will check your others out - thank you!

Hi @PiggyPigalle . I like casual or smart-casual shoes. A classic style with a bit of flair - fashionable but not something that people stare at. I like a good sole - the shoe is good if it's chunky, but not too chunky.

The last pair of shoes I bought was 18 months ago. They were from Russell and Bromley - they were chunky fisherman sandals. They were perfect for me and I've worn them most days over 2 summers, and I hope they will last many more.

Ideally I'd spend around £100, but I would pay more - up to £300 - for some amazing shoes that I can wear loads for years and years.

Thank you!

Thank you everyone for the ideas!