7 Pairs Of Shoes That Are Totally Worth The Investment

Warning: There are a lotta black boots in here because there's nothing better to wear in the fall!

1. Starry ankle boots to outshine the rest in your closet.

AnaMaria Glavin / BuzzFeed

Whoever said you can’t have comfort and style has clearly never worn these starry ankle boots. The leather is so soft (both inside and out) that I can wear them all day without so much as a pinched toe. I have wide feet, so finding stylish shoes that don’t end with me hobbling can be quite a task.

I was honestly surprised at how well these fit, considering the toes look pretty narrow. I’m telling you, I’ve walked up and down the streets of Manhattan in these puppies without so much of a whimper. Not to mention the leather has remained perfectly intact despite the abuse I’ve put them through. I am notoriously rough on my shoes and am seriously impressed with how great the leather still looks, even on the edges. And these have stood the test of bar floors! Sure, they’re not **cheap**, but they’re paying off. These will definitely ~shine on~ for seasons to come. —Emma McAnaw

Get them from Bloomingdale's for $160 (available in sizes 6–10).

2. Dr. Martens as a gleaming investment that'll be *just* the right amount of punk.

Ignacia Fulcher / BuzzFeed, drmartens.com

I bought my handy-dandy Dr. Marten Chelseas around two years ago and they have honestly changed my life. If you know me, you’d understand that shoes are life...especially *comfortable* shoes. So when it was time to trade in my sneaks for something more fall-appropriate, I just knew I’d need to invest in a pair of Docs to complete my rocker look.

I ordered them on the Dr. Martens site, so I didn’t really know how burgundy the color was going to be, but man — the color is so deep when you get them, they GLEAM in the sunlight. Obviously they’re easy to put on, and when you’re walking in them they feel like a cloud. I wore them once to the Museum of Modern Art (aka a place that involves tons and tons of walking and standing) and my feet didn’t even get sore!

I love pairing them with rolled-up Levi's jeans and a flannel shirt for ultimate bad-girl potential, but honestly the options are endless — these pretty much go with everything. If you’re looking for a good pair of Chelseas that will last you literally forever, look no further! —Ignacia Fulcher

Get them from Amazon for $73.49+ (available in three colors and limited sizes) or Dr. Martens for $140 (available in sizes 5–11).

3. Over-the-knee boots so you can put shorter hemlines on display.

Maitland Quitmeyer / BuzzFeed

I am a midi-skirt addict. I feel extremely dramatic when I feel a full skirt swishing around my shins; it makes me feel like I'm doing something extra and important, even if I'm just getting up from my desk to pee. But I was out shopping with my mom and she convinced me to try these Dolce Vita over-the-knee boots, which are basically begging to be worn with a cute retro minidress. I don't know many mothers who talk their 25-year-old daughters into buying thigh-high boots, but whatever. I was shocked at how much I liked them on, so I got them and immediately set out looking for new minidresses and skirts (in case you're wondering, this dress is from Nasty Gal).

If you're looking for a pair of over-the-knee boots to try out the trend for yourself, I could not recommend these more highly. They're a bit of a splurge, but definitely worth it if you're looking for a pair that's actually going to last you for multiple years. They are nice and plain, free of unnecessary embellishments that can make shoes look dated quickly. They just have three metal studs on the back of the heel for an added touch of design.

These boots hug your leg comfortably, retaining their shape, WITHOUT strangling you. (Pro tip: If any over-the-knee boots are slouching or slipping down your leg, try the Boot Bra.) They're made of a super-thin and soft suede (not stiff pleather) so they won't trap heat and sweat all day. I'm only 5'4", so they perhaps come up a little higher on me than they should. The suede-covered heel is the perfect height, at 1.5 inches. The sole is comfy and lightly padded to absorb shock, and the arch fits my foot perfectly. They don't cut or rub anywhere. Plus, they give my feet a nice break from the chunky high-heeled booties I wear basically every other day. —Maitland Quitmeyer

Get them from Amazon for $139.99+ or Zappos for $139.99 (available in sizes 6–13).

4. Comfy AF boots for shoe lovers who've finally sworn off dealing with pinched piggies.

Elena Garcia / BuzzFeed

If there is one thing I'm known for, it’s a constant stream of complaints about my choice of footwear. The billowing cries about how my shoes are too tight/high/unbearable are basically the soundtrack of my coworkers' lives. But before you give me a big ol’ eye roll (which I know I deserve), you have to understand: I love shoes. I love beautiful, ridiculous, blister-inducing, totally impractical shoes. When I go on the search for a new pair of shoes ::cough cough every day cough:: the last thing I think about is comfort. That is, up until recently.

Chalk it up to getting older, the total waste of money that unbearable shoes are, or my complete inability to walk in high heels, but I just can’t do it anymore. For the first time ever I am frequently choosing sneakers over heels. I’m listening to what my feet like (flats, arch support, cushions, non-synthetic materials) and avoiding things they don’t (4-inch heels, plastic nonsense, shoes half a size too small because they were on sale and the store didn’t have my actual size). So when SAS offered to send me a pair of their super-comfortable Delaney shoes, I was very excited to try them.

I’d heard of the brand because my grandma swears by them, and while going on her on her once-a-decade shoe-shopping trip, she’d refuse to even try another brand. I guess I always associated the brand with just that — grandma shoes. Until I actually looked at what they had: tons of cute shoes and boots, many of which are Italian-made with genuine leather. Now, they aren’t cheap. But you legit get what you pay for! They’re so comfortable, don’t pinch or hurt your feet, give amazing support, and once winter hits, I won’t have to worry about how I’m going to trek to work without busting my head open! I used to buy two or three pairs of cheap Zara boots every year, only to throw them out when their soles gave out after a few months. With these, I know that a big investment will last years. —Elena Garcia

Get them from Zappos for $299.95 (available in smooth black and saddle, sizes 6–12, in two widths).

SAS sent me these boots to try free of charge, but I wasn't obligated to positively review them.

5. Marc Fisher booties you'll want to buy in every color.

Dan Chen / BuzzFeed

I’m really picky about shoes. I love a stylish pair of pointed-toe booties, but they're almost always too narrow for me. I tried on a dozen pairs before finding my one ~shoe~ love — the Marc Fisher LTD Yale Chelsea boots. I’ve been wearing them nonstop since I got them. As soon as I put these on, every outfit looks 10 times better, and the other shoes in my closet just can’t compete.

I can’t survive an hour in high heels, but I like to look put-together — and with a 1.5” heel, these are the perfect height for daily wear. The pointed toe seems to elongate my legs, and the textured leather makes these boots look more expensive than they actually are. Plus, the elastic panel on the sides make them easy to slip on and off. I’m 100% comfortable wearing them to work, but they're also cute enough to wear to weekend brunch.

I’ve worn these regularly for a year and a half now and they still look incredible, so I can assure you they are worth the price. I’ve walked in them for eight hours straight without any pain, which is pretty amazing. Other people seem to love them too, because Marc Fisher keeps bringing this style back every year. I adored the leather ones so much, I bought the black-suede version as well (which, unfortunately, has been discontinued). Now I’m adding the patent-leather version to my Christmas wish list. They’re not cheap, but they are a great investment piece that will last for years. Moral of the story: If you’re looking for a pair of versatile, always-in-style booties that you’ll get a LOT of wear out of, give these a try. —Yi Yang

Get them from Zappos for $179 (available in black leather and black patent, sizes 5–11), Lord & Taylor for $179 (available in dark red and gray leather, sizes 5.5–10), or Marc Fisher for $143.20 (available in four suede colors, limited sizes).

6. Everlane loafers that'll make your whole damn outfit look more polished.

Jessie Gaynor / BuzzFeed, Everlane

At least 30% of the clothes I wear every day are from Everlane. Well-made basics are my jam, and their stuff is beautiful, classic, and easy to wear. It's not cheap, but it's well-priced for the quality of the pieces. Case in point: the Modern Loafer. I think the loafer has a bad rap as a boring, stuffy shoe, but anyone who has ever laid eyes on the Modern Loafer knows that in the right hands (or feet), loafers are seriously stylin' (and yet when I talk about them, I still sound like a '50s narc). It's all in the details: the structured seam, subtle stripe on the heel, and toe that's not too pointy, not too rounded.

These boys come in six lovely colors, and whenever I wear my navy pair, my whole outfit looks more polished. I won't lie, they took a minute for me to break in, but once I did, they were quite comfortable. I do recommend ordering a half size up, though, as they run narrow. I've worn them hard for two years. I recently had to get them resoled (does anyone else love cobblers as much as I do?), and now they look better than ever.

If you're on the lookout for a pair of shoes you can wear to work no matter what your office's dress code — and pretty much anywhere after work, too — I highly recommend investing in these. —Jessie Gaynor

Get them from Everlane for $168 (available in six colors, sizes 5–11).

7. Gorgeous Manolo Blahniks set to gain legendary status as the pair that *finally* made you freeze your credit card.

Ignacia Fulcher / BuzzFeed

I LOVE EXPENSIVE SHOES! Now, before you roll your eyes and think, YOU’RE NUTS, know that 1) I am nuts, and 2) I have absolutely no qualms about spending all of my pennies on shoes. It’s my vice, it’ll be my downfall forever, and I don’t give a s#!%. Shoes, especially those of the Italian-made variety, bring me a sense of happiness I cannot explain. Every time I get my hands on a new pair, it feels like a tidal wave of pixie dust engulfs me and lifts me up into the heavens. It’s straight-up magical, and despite what anyone thinks, they’re worth every damn cent! Especially my go-to, gorgeously crafted Manolo Blahniks.

I first noticed them when I was strolling through my favorite shoe department. But like most trips down the shoe aisle, I ended up going home empty-handed. Then, along with thousands of women across the country, I became mesmerized with them after a certain Ms. Bradshaw slipped them on in the Sex and the City movie. After that...I couldn’t stop thinking about them. So I saved up, and decided they would be my next big "investment."

Now have them in three colors, and if I ever NEED to wear high heels, these are, obviously, my go-to. They are as comfortable as 4-inch heels can be, go with everything, and are absolutely timeless. My favorites are the black ones — they're like a fancy tuxedo for your feet. Mr. Blahnik was even kind enough to autograph the bottom of them for me (!), which some might think would stop me from wearing them — but no. I love them too much. Now I’m saving up to buy the flat version because I’m wearing heels less and less these days, but I don’t want to stop wearing this style! —Elena Garcia

Get them from Nordstrom for $965 (available in seven colors, sizes 4.5–12).

Want to see more shoes we've tested and we love? Check out our picks for the best everyday sneakers on BuzzFeed Reviews!

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