Your 20s are a great time to get playful with your wardrobe — especially when it comes to shoes, and especially in 2019, when so many nostalgic trends are coming back again [1]. While it's never the wrong time to make a statement with your footwear (no matter how old you are), most of us spend time hanging out with friends, exploring new bars, and brunching it up in our 20s, so check your slides, girl!
We rounded up a handful of fresh silhouettes here that are somewhat trendy — YOLO, you better try those PVC mules out now [2] — along with tons of bright colorways that have the power to stop traffic. It was just the other day that Hailey and Justin Bieber went out matching in rainbow trainers [3], inspiring us every step of the way.
Don't worry, we're not calling any of the shoes you already own [4] boring; we're just inviting you to take a walk on the wild side and invest in the damn cowboy boots you've been eyeing for what feels like years now. Read on to check out the 10 shoe styles that made our list, read about why you should own them right now, and then pick out the pair that speaks to your personality.
Shoes Every Woman Should Own in Her 20s: Bright Heels
Whether yours are as extreme as neon or are made up of fun pastel straps, you should have free rein to work these with everything from your brightest separates to an LBD.
Zara Mid-Heel Leather Slides
Zara Mid-Heel Leather Slides [6] ($70)
& Other Stories Strappy Knotted Heeled Sandals
& Other Stories Strappy Knotted Heeled Sandals [7] ($129)
Cult Gaia Kaia sandals
Cult Gaia Kaia sandals [8] ($458)
& Other Stories Strappy Knotted Heeled Sandals
& Other Stories Strappy Knotted Heeled Sandals [9] ($129)
Topshop Rhapsody Strappy Sandals
Topshop Rhapsody Strappy Sandals [10] ($100)
Shoes Every Woman Should Own in Her 20s: PVC Shoes
You may want to splurge on Chanel PVC slides [11] if you're fully convinced of vinyl's staying power. Or, on the other hand, you might want to test the waters with something more affordable. Either way, you'll be delightfully surprised by how these clear shoes elongate your legs.
Chanel PVC & Lambskin Mules
Chanel PVC & Lambskin Mules [12] ($975)
pull&bear Chunky sole vinyl sandals
pull&bear Chunky sole vinyl sandals [13] ($45)
Alexander Wang Kaia Sandals
Alexander Wang Kaia Sandals [14] ($325, originally $650)
Zara Geometric Heeled Vinyl Sandals
Zara Geometric Heeled Vinyl Sandals [15] ($50)
Melissa x Vivienne Westwood Brighton Slingbacks
Melissa x Vivienne Westwood Brighton Slingbacks [16] ($195)
Shoes Every Woman Should Own in Her 20s: Colourful Sneakers
Have fun mixing and matching colours in your wardrobe with the help of rainbow trainers. Coordinate with a friend or SO (like Hailey and Justin Bieber [17]) for extra style points — and don't be afraid to wear yours with a fancy silk dress [18].
New Balance 997S sneakers in multi
New Balance 997S sneakers in multi [19] ($120)
Nike - + Undercover Daybreak shell, suede and leather sneakers
Nike - + Undercover Daybreak shell, suede and leather sneakers [20] ($160)
FILA UO Exclusive Disruptor 2 Sock Mesh Sneaker
FILA UO Exclusive Disruptor 2 Sock Mesh Sneaker [21] ($75)
Cole Haan GrandPrø Downtown Sneaker
Cole Haan GrandPrø Downtown Sneaker [22] ($150)
Nike Air Max 200 Sneaker
Nike Air Max 200 Sneaker [23] ($120)
Shoes Every Woman Should Own in Her 20s: Pool Slides
Even though you can keep things literal and kick it by the pool in these slides, you'll love the way they feel on a casual denim day with a bucket hat, too.
Gucci Senior GG Canvas Slide Sandal
Gucci Senior GG Canvas Slide Sandal [24] ($620)
Birkenstock Arizona EVA Sandal
Birkenstock Arizona EVA Sandal [25] ($40)
Converse One Star Sandal
Converse One Star Sandal [26] ($28, originally $40)
Zara Metallic Low-Heeled Padded Sandals
Zara Metallic Low-Heeled Padded Sandals [27] ($50)
The Wolf Gang Como Fringe Slides in Amazon
The Wolf Gang Como Fringe Slides in Amazon [28] ($99, originally $188)
Shoes Every Woman Should Own in Her 20s: Trendy Shoes
The hit shoe of the moment may be trendy, but if you really love it, there's no time like the present to splurge and show it off. YOLO, that's what they say, right? Bottega Veneta's mesh pump is currently on our wish list, and that's why you'll be seeing the material used on all your favourite shoe styles soon.
Bottega Veneta Stretch Pumps in Mesh and Berry Calf
Bottega Veneta Stretch Pumps in Mesh and Berry Calf [29] ($890)
Zara Heeled Fishnet Mules
Zara Heeled Fishnet Mules [30] ($50)
BY FAR - Kendall suede-trimmed mesh slingback pumps
BY FAR - Kendall suede-trimmed mesh slingback pumps [31] ($460)
Neous - Bophy mesh mules
Neous - Bophy mesh mules [32] ($670)
BY FAR Kendall 40mm mesh slingbacks
BY FAR Kendall 40mm mesh slingbacks [33] ($418)
Shoes Every Woman Should Own in Her 20s: Western Boots
Channel your inner cowgirl, and make a statement in embroidered or two-tone booties that you style with a dress. Croc-effect finishes are everywhere, which is a subtle way for you to tap into the trend.
Toga Pulla Western Booties
Toga Pulla Western Booties [34] ($590)
Topshop Mercy Western Boots
Topshop Mercy Western Boots [35] ($180)
& Other Stories Knee High Cowboy Boots
& Other Stories Knee High Cowboy Boots [36] ($299)
Nicole Saldana Nico/Cow-Printed Haircalf Boot
Nicole Saldana Nico/Cow-Printed Haircalf Boot [37] ($520)
Golden Goose Wish Star Low embroidered textured-leather boots
Golden Goose - Wish Star Low embroidered textured-leather boots [38] ($990)
Shoes Every Woman Should Own in Her 20s: Statement Shoes
You can rock two-tone shoes to stop traffic, choose a geometric heel that essentially looks like a building block, or wow passersby in standout animal-print mules. This is the shoe you need when you want to revolve your entire outfit around your footwear — and that's always a fun task to take on.
Yuul Yie Paola Pumps
Yuul Yie Paola Pumps [39] ($390)
ASOS DESIGN Santiago mis-match mid heels in white
ASOS DESIGN Santiago mis-match mid heels in white [40] ($48)
ASOS DESIGN Scarlett western black heeled mules in cow print
ASOS DESIGN Scarlett western black heeled mules in cow print [41] ($48)
Jacquemus Les Portofino D'orsay Sandals
Jacquemus Les Portofino D'orsay Sandals [42] ($690)
Attico - Tina leopard-print calf hair mules
Attico - Tina leopard-print calf hair mules [43] ($880)
Shoes Every Woman Should Own in Her 20s: Mules
Mules will always be appropriate, but some of the iterations we're seeing today have crazy chunky heels, embellishments, and buckles. Look for the standout options if you want to be known as "the gal with the coolest mules."
Topshop Roux Neon Cross Strap Mules
Topshop Roux Neon Cross Strap Mules [44] ($68)
Topshop Richmond Platform Mules
Topshop Richmond Platform Mules [45] ($80)
Mango Buckle leather shoes
Mango Buckle leather shoes [46] ($50, originally $100)
Loeffler Randall Penny Knot Mules
Loeffler Randall Penny Knot Mules [47] ($395)
Zara Metallic Woven Heeled Mules
Zara Metallic Woven Heeled Mules [48] ($50)
Shoes Every Woman Should Own in Her 20s: Sporty Sandals
Velcro straps and cushioned soles are the details that make up the "ugly sandal trend," [49] but we're totally into it. These shoes aren't only functional for getting around, many of them have platforms that give you a boost, and they look great with biker shorts, if you're trying to come up with ways to wear yours.
pull&bear Neon sports sandals
pull&bear Neon sports sandals [50] ($40)
Teva Hurricane Drift
Teva Hurricane Drift [51] ($40)
Nanushka Yola Puffed Sandal in Rose
Nanushka Yola Puffed Sandal in Rose [52] ($413)
Villa Rouge Skylar Sandals
Villa Rouge Skylar Sandals [53] ($99)
Melissa x Fila Sandals
Melissa x Fila Sandals [54] ($79)
Shoes Every Woman Should Own in Her 20s: Strappy Stilettos
This strappy stiletto should make you feel confident and sexy, and it definitely shouldn't be painful. So even if that means trying a few different styles until you land on the one you want, make sure you feel confident when you're standing tall in it.
Unravel Project Stiletto Pumps
Unravel Project Stiletto Pumps [55] ($886)
Zara Multicolored Mid-Heeled Strappy Sandals
Zara Multicolored Mid-Heeled Strappy Sandals [56] ($50)
Malone Souliers + Roksanda Camila 70 leather sandals
Malone Souliers - + Roksanda Camila 70 leather sandals [57] ($635)
Mango Leather straps sandals
Mango Leather straps sandals [58] ($40, originally $80)
Alexandre Birman 75 strappy sandals
Alexandre Birman 75 strappy sandals [59] ($256, originally $511)