10 Quick Fixes to Refresh Your Footwear Wardrobe

The start of a new year, and it’s common to feel uninspired by the contents of our wardrobes. Your boots might be looking a little tired, and your trainers have seen better days. January is a time for fresh starts and wardrobe planning as the spring collections hit the shelves. Whilst the instinct is to shop, a new look doesn’t always mean heading straight to checkout. Get smart with what you already own. Mix things up and give old favourites a bit of TLC. You might find you already have the shoes you need to banish the boredom and make things feel fresh. Here are a few hacks and selected shopping tips to refresh your footwear wardrobe for the new year.

1. TRY A NEW STYLING TRICK
Give old shoes a new lease of life by styling them up with something different. Think chunky socks with Dad sandals and Mary Janes, split-hem trousers with knee-high boots and sheer pop socks with platform loafers. 

2. REVISIT YOUR AT-HOME SHOES
Working from home, Zoom fatigue, and banana bread baking sprees haven’t gone away in 2021. Make lockdown 3.0 less of a slog by investing in at-home footwear that’s big on both comfort and style. We’re obsessed with The Row’s Sabot leather mules and the It-loafer of the season by JW Anderson. Check out our cosy at-home edit for more ways to make duvet days incredibly chic. 

3. DAYTIME DISCO
The oldest fashion editor trick in the book. Glittering shoes for day will make even the most miserable Monday mornings, and the most basic outfits, feel indulgent. Rescue your old, overlooked Manolo Blahniks and pair with your favourite jeans, or team a rhinestone Amina Muaddi mule with some sophisticated track pants (á la RiRi) for an instant dose of daytime glamour. 

4. INVEST EARLY IN A TREND
Whilst we follow trends lustfully, we’re not slaves to fashion (at least we hope), and we believe in being selective. That being said, a trend-led investment is a sure-fire way to spice up your wardrobe for the season ahead. Pick your favourite for spring/summer, one that you know has wardrobe longevity (and isn’t just a flash in the pan). 

5. UPGRADE YOUR ESSENTIALS
A solid foundation of great basic shoes is the cornerstone of any wardrobe. Use the new year as an opportunity to invest in the classics – because while fashion changes, style remains the same. Just one pair will give you so many fresh ‘fit options. When we say basic, we don’t mean boring. Look to Gianvito Rossi, Bottega Veneta and Jimmy Choo for modern interpretations of classic shoes that make a bold statement. 

6. SHOP SECOND-HAND
If you haven’t braved vintage shoes before, make 2021 the year you take the plunge. Not only can you find one-offs and bargains, but it’s significantly better for the environment. We’ve got an in-depth guide to shopping second-hand shoes online here. Just make sure you know your measurements. 

7. ADD A COLOUR POP
The mid-winter sky is interminably grey, but your wardrobe needn’t be. A cheerful dash of colour – mood-boosting pink Gucci slingbacks or daring green Paris Texas boots – will lift your spirits instantly. 

8. REVISIT THE ‘80S
Set to be a big lewk for 2021, the ‘80s are back with power-dressing vengeance. You might find you have what it takes to channel Madonna already in your wardrobe. Prada is strong in this category, try a pair of kitten heels or a reworked canvas high top worn with mom jeans and an oversized sweat. 

9. UNLEASH THE LATEX
Put a shine on the most mundane January days with latex, PVC and patent boots that add polish to your new year look. We’re not suggesting you go full Karadshian-in-Balmain – a boot is the perfect nod to the rubber trend. See: Prada and Saint Laurent. 

10. CLEAN YOUR TRAINERS (AND BOOTS, AND SANDALS)
The job you never get around to doing, no matter how good your intentions. After a few winter walks your trainers are probably pretty skank. Look ahead to spring, and your sandals could use a sprucing. Get everything clean and ready to deploy, and you’ll find you suddenly have a glut of outfit options.