These are the only five shoes every woman needs

Style isn’t something that stays fixed in our lives. We wear new pressed shirts, thrifted miniskirts and accessorise our outfits with battered bags throughout our lives. While our wardrobe may change between seasons, a great pair of shoes will be used throughout the whole year. You don’t need your wardrobe to be overflowing with shoes; there are just five staple styles that should help you in every fashion event that may be headed in your direction.

How many shoes the average woman owns is quite debated. In 2025, it was estimated by Footwear Magazine that the average woman in the US owned 19 pairs of shoes, whereas Canadian women owned an average of 15 shoes and British women owned between 24 and 35 pairs of shoes.

That may seem shocking, but the footwear industry is predicted to reach a revenue of US $550bn in 2026 as more of us run to designers and department stores for shoes. They’re the feel-good, stylish and practical parts of our accessories that are just as essential to our daily use as underwear.

There’s no shame in enjoying a healthy and thriving shoe collection, as long as you’re actually wearing them. Although buying another pair of shoes can be a great payday indulgence, the expensive price tag can quickly leave you short of cash. If you’re looking to invest in footwear that will help you on every occasion and in every season, you’ve come to the right place.

The five shoes you need to invest in

1. Trainer

Your trainers may be the everyday item that you first choose to wear. They can be colourful or muted, embroidered or reflective. There are so many ways that trainers can have their style reinvented, from their fastenings and material to the arch support they offer underneath your feet; there’s likely a pair of trainers waiting to become your new favourite pair of shoes.

If you’re looking for a trainer to match your fitness routine, opting for a pair that specifically mentions arch support and breathable material should be your priority. A stylish, flatter rubber sole won’t help your feet recover after a long run, and it could even cause you unnecessary pain by using the wrong equipment.

Why not try:

Chunky trainer
Material trainer (e.g. suede, pleather, rubber)
Alternative fastenings (e.g. Velcro, ribbon, slip-on)
Fitness trainers (e.g. running, athletics)

Gathered recommends: Reebok Green Trainers (Marks & Spencer, £84.50)

2. Boots

Nancy Sinatra sang These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ because she recognised the power a great pair of boots can give to a mediocre outfit, and it’s a rule we still live by for a reason.

Knee-high or ankle-grazing, boots provide an extra level of support that you may not get from your typical trainer. You can choose their length, heel height and width, colour and pattern to match your favourite items in your wardrobe. They can be flamboyant or stripped back, amplifying your clothes or even being the showstopper that you’re wearing.

For the more adventurous, a hiking, walking or Wellington boot may be a better fit around your lifestyle. They’re practical, durable and normally waterproof to protect your feet from every muddy terrain that you walk on.

Why not try:

Knee high
Cowboy boots
Flat or heeled boots
Chelsea boots
Hunting boots

Gathered recommends: M&S Collection Leather Pointed Knee High Boots (Marks & Spencer, £140)

3. Low heel

Heels may be the first image that comes to mind when you think of a pair of shoes. Over centuries, they’ve been designed, reimagined and reinvented as pieces of portable art that we lovingly tread around cities in.

If you’re feeling braver, add some extra inches to that heel. There’s no limit, or at least, none that we’ve found so far, to what height your favourite heel can reach. For beginners, though, or those who choose to avoid heels at all costs, a low heel can be more comfortable and less terror-inducing to wear.

Why not try:

Kitten heel
Slingback heel
Mary Jane

Gathered recommends: Esska Flora Leopard Platform Heels (Oliver Bonas, £160)

4. Sandal

Sitting on a beach, with the sand in between your toes, is a relaxing feeling. Carrying back half of the beach with you home is not.

A great sandal is breathable and supportive. It may have a slight heel in a wedge, or it may be flat to prevent you from falling over any sand dunes. They should feel comfortable on your feet, showing more of your foot than your typical trainer or laced-up boot. Paired with a great pedicure, a sandal balances a relaxed and comfortable look without compromising on style.

Why not try:

Thong sandals
Mules
Wedges
Flipflops

Gathered recommends: Dune London Kules – Black (Dune London, £99)

5. Flats

While flat in height, a flat shoe is anything but boring. They elevate your jeans and a t-shirt into a put-together outfit, swapping a beaten-up pair of trainers for a touch of colour or metallic edge. If you’re wearing a neutral outfit, this can especially be the exciting breath of colour into your style.

Why not try:

Ballet pumps
Clogs
Loafers

Gathered recommends: Dana Metallic Mary Jane Ballet Flats Gold (Monsoon, £39)

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