I Wore 8 Brand-New Shoes Around NYC for an Entire Day, and These 5 Won Me Over

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

Buying shoes online has never been easy, but thanks to associate editor Sierra Mayhew, now it is. She zips around the stores of New York City, trying on all the trending shoes to report on their comfort, fit, and style so you never have to make a return again.

When it comes to shoes, I get attached quickly. Although I probably have over 50 in my closet, you’ll find me in the same five to 10 pairs almost every time you see me. Why? Because these shoes are broken in, meaning I can be on my feet all day when wearing them. Comfort is of the utmost importance to me, so while I love pulling the trigger on pretty styles I can only wear for a few hours at a time, I keep coming back to the best of the best.

As someone who spends a lot of time on my feet, when I was tasked with walking around New York City for an entire day in a few brand-new pairs of shoes. I knew it would be a challenge, but I was excited. This ended up being an opportunity for me to get out of my shoe comfort zone and find pairs stylish and comfortable enough to keep up with the demands of the city. After many days spent on my feet, I found five pairs of shoes stood out above the rest. These shoes provide the necessary support for standing all day but also look great with my outfit. Below, find the winners that I highly suggest buying into before summer.

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

If you live in New York and have left your apartment within the past 30 days, you’ve likely spotted someone wearing a pair of Sambas. There is cult-like fanfare around Adidas shoes every few years, and it’s happening all over again with the love that cool fashion people have for these sneakers. My favorite thing about trendy sneakers is that they can be worn to run almost any errand on my calendar, no matter how far. Having trendy sneakers like this in my closet is a must-have for summer.

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

These were the shoes that I was most excited to try. This striking shade of red was seen on the soles of models who walked the runways during New York Fashion Week just a few months ago, and I have been dying to try them ever since. Ballet flats are the trend to know this year, but the traditional style is a bit overdone for me, and I wanted to try something that felt different. When I posted these shoes to social media, a friend at Vogue told me she had them and thought they were the best. My purchase was justified.

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

Ancient Greek Sandals is a brand that’s known for comfort-first shoes. The quality of craftsmanship behind everything they create is golden. Minimalist ‘90s-inspired sandals are all the rage right now, so I had to get my hands on these shoes ASAP.

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

It’s rare for me to find a pair of heels I can step into and wear all day, but I made that happen the first day I stepped into these Reformation heels. That’s honestly why I go crazy for a block heel, and you should too. They’re so comfortable and make the experience of wearing heels 10 times better. Plus, the denim colorway goes with everything in my closet. 

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

The shoes from Neil J. Rodgers have felt like my little secret for years, even though I talk about them at any opportunity. The styles they carry are so fashion-forward yet timeless and comfortable. I’ve never gotten a blister from one of their shoes. These backless loafers were next on my list and made a very simple red dress look more elevated. I was impressed.

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Up Next: Nordstrom Has 21,000 Pairs of Shoes—I Tried 22, and These Are the 12 Best

Associate Editor

Sierra Mayhew was always destined to work in fashion, but she didn't know it at first. Growing up with no choice but to wear a rotation of school uniforms and activewear, her love for fashion really blossomed when she moved away for college and was able to finally define her very own personal style. Shortly thereafter, she interned at Elle magazine and instantly knew that editorial was for her. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, she worked for ShopBazaar, contributing regularly to Bazaar.com, and finally made her way to Who What Wear, where she is an associate editor. When she’s not working, you can catch her always trying to catch a flight, rollerblading through New York City traffic, or exploring the latest luxury vintage boutique.