A sneaker is great for hitting 10,000 steps, but sometimes an occasion calls for something that isn't rubber-soled and designed to go faster. How can you telegraph your sense of humour on a first date? Perhaps a spike-heeled boot that means business. What about a job interview where the persona you're pitching is dynamic yet dangerously organised. A neat ballet flat sans bow could be the way forward.
Luckily, a handful of cult footwear brands are prioritising shoes with personality. The trick is finding the one that speaks to yours. So whether you're looking for the 2025 equivalent of a kinky boot or a well-crafted flat that, whisper it, will carry you 10,000 steps (and beyond), these are the eight that come influencer-approved.
Jude
Beloved by some of the best shoe tastemakers in the business—including Tracee Ellis Ross, Chloë Sevigny and Selena Gomez—Jude should be your go-to for party heels this season. Its Date peep-toe mules, are all you need to update last year's festive outfits.
With a sculptural 10.5cm heel, Jude's Fame pump is a celebrity-favourite for good reason.
The peep-toe Date mules come with an elegantly-rounded toe and are fast becoming a cult sell-out style.
A party heel doesn't exclude the category of ankle boots, especially when they come with as much attitude as Jude's.
Amarium
Created and executed in Italy, Armarium's shoes have become a byword for a certain kind of talking-point heel, whether it's a scrunched-upper loafer or a high-shaft boot with a knife-sharp pointed toe.
Armarium's heeled loafer comes with an extra scrunched upper, plus a stiletto heel.
Positioned between a court and a slingback, Armarium's mesh-sided heel couldn't be more of a talking point.
With its high shaft, and pointed toe, these knee-high boots will fast-become your favourite heeled pair.
Neous
Founded by Vanissa Antonious, Neous prioritises an oft-overlook category in the world of footwear: a shoe that is both simple and interesting. Her Egyptian heritage, as well as a childhood spent in Australia, informs her designs for "the modern realist" (think mid-length boots with a striking flatform sole or a glove-like ballet flat with an almond toe).
This pull-on suede boot has a squared-off toe, plus a micro heel, that means it walks the line between function and fashion.
This elegant slingback, complete with a square toe, will be the simple-yet-interesting finishing touch at the end of ankle-length tailored pants and dresses.
This flatform boot has a sense of sleekness to its design that's often hard to capture with a stompy-first sole.
Aeyde
Based in Berlin, Aeyde has become the stealth-wealth brand to know if you like your shoes to be minimal in mood. From pared-back heels to elegance-first flats, there's something for every occasion—as long as you like no-muss, no-fuss footwear.
Proof that a knee-high cowboy doesn't have to be extra but a minimal proposition.
These T-bar pumps are polished but ultimately pared-back when teamed with indigo denim or grey wool.
Aeyde's tan ankle boots have a pointed toe but minimal heel which, together, equals the perfect everyday footwear.
Toteme
Stockholm's Toteme isn't strictly a shoe-only brand, but its attention to detail, bearing in mind it's a minimalist's world, is unparalleled. This means its shoes have become as worthy of attention as its stitch-edged scarf coat, particularly the squared-off detail that is featured on flats, boots and heels alike. If that's your silhouette of choice as opposed to a rounded toe, Toteme is the only place to buy your most prised footwear.
Toteme's croc knee-high boots continue to be a favourite season after season. The comfortable heel and durable croc finish make a winning combination.
These shearling-lined boots prove that a square-toe can finish a comfortable design.
A square toe plus mock-croc finish equals the perfect boot in my humble opinion.
Paris Texas
Paris Texas is the brand for sexy footwear that doesn't hold back. Want to accessorise your chainmail dress with something equally tantalisingly? Its vertiginous satin mules couldn't be more appropriate. Want to elevate a simple yet stratospheric miniskirt even further? Consider the brand's scrunched knee-high boots with 10/10 swagger.
Paris Texas is the ultimate when it comes to barely-there sandals with bite.
Pointed and heeled, Paris Texas boots have plenty of attitude.
Despite being a go-to brand for striking stiletto heels and boots, Paris Texas also makes some of the best every day ankle boots. The Bettina ankle boots have the perfect every day stomping heel whilst the streamlined finish is what sets them apart
Le Monde Béryl
If your shoe personality is strictly flats-only, Le Monde Béryl should be on speed dial. Founded in 2016—and taking inspiration from three footwear signatures, Venetian gondolier slippers, ballerina shoes and riding boots—it's become the only place to shop for perfectly-crafted flats. It's got everything from clogs to ballet pumps to Mary-Janes, all finessed so they'll last in your shoedrobe.
Suede and shearling-lined, this ballet flat defies the notion that you can't wear the shoe past November.
The Mary Jane is one of the brand's signatures for good reason, with a low vamp but high strap giving the foot an elegant silhouette.
Le Monde Béryl's version of the driving moccasin is one of the chicest we've seen.
Khaite
Khaite requires no introduction in terms of its clothes, but its boots are definitely worth a browse if you're partial to something that makes a statement (Tina Leung's thigh-high trouser boots? They're completely sold out.)
Slouchy but sexy, Khaite's take on the half-cowboy, half-pirate boot gets our unanimous vote.
With a printed toe cap of hyena spots, there's nothing average about these heeled ankle boots.
This might seem like a suede ankle boot, but the elongated toe will give your foot a serious glow-up (trust us).
