We Think These Luxury Shoe Brands Are Worth the Hefty Price Tags

According to Kostis, choosing the perfect luxury shoe is all about considering both reason and season. 

“When you’re choosing between a designer shoe and a more wallet-friendly find, I love to think about where you’re going in the shoe, what the occasion is, and how important having a keepsake or higher-end shoe is to the situation,” Kostis says. “When you’re shopping for shoes for a special occasion such as your wedding, an important event, it’s a great time to consider spending a little more to achieve the look you want, add a great piece to your collection, and add something fun that you can potentially pass down or save to remind you of something special. Another reason you might consider buying luxury is craftsmanship. Oftentimes when we don’t think about how long we’ll be standing on our feet and opt for something without considering the real cost: comfort!”

Kostis notes that if you’re planning to spend all day in a pair of shoes, then spending money on a carefully constructed pair is going to be worth it. The other things she says to consider are season and resale value. 

“Investing in a shoe that will stay ‘in season’ or never go out of style is always a smart move and makes you feel better about spending a little more,” Kostis explains. “A great time to buy a designer shoe is in the off-season. If it’s a style you know you’ll take out when the time comes, you can typically find them on sale if you buy them out of season. One last thing to consider is resale value. I always recommend investing in a great designer piece that might be hard to find down the road, as the value can increase and it becomes an asset you can turn around and resell one day. There’s always a season for sustainability, so if you’re going to spend your hard-earned cash on a great shoe, [it makes sense to be] smart about it.”

To truly take care of luxury shoes, Kostis suggests focusing on proper storage first and foremost. Not only should shoes have their own space in a closet to stand upright, but they shouldn’t be touching other shoes as this can cause color transfer (particularly when patent leather is next to patent leather, she explains). 

“Keeping your shoes separated by color and material with enough space in between them is super important,” Kostis says “Do the best you can to keep them in a dust-free zone and never pile your shoes on top of each other in the closet. In some cases, certain shoes do well in plastic bins and it’s a great way to prevent handling them too often or getting them dirty. When traveling, always pack your shoes in a dust bag and try to make sure they aren’t crushed by things around them.” 

In addition to taking steps like adding a rubber sole to the bottom of shoes for protection (Kostis suggests using a cobbler for this, of course), and using Scotchgard to preserve materials like suede, it’s also a good idea to take care of your shoes by paying attention where and when you wear them. 

“Watch out for barstools when wearing heels,” Kostis warns. “If you’re resting the back of your heel on a bar stool while sitting, it can damage the stiletto sometimes, making it hard to repair. Try and rest the shoe at the ball of the foot to prevent grinding the heel. Another tip is to wear a driving shoe or slide when you’re driving to prevent marking up the back of your heels. Oftentimes driving will cause staining that might not come out, so if it’s not a designer sneaker you can clean, really think about your shoe choice, and plan accordingly. 

Lastly, consider the surface that you’ll be walking on. “If you’re roaming the cobblestone in Italy or walking on grass you might sink into at a friend’s wedding, it’s best to choose the shoe that will withstand the situation,” she says.