These Shoes Were Starting to Feel Dated, So I'm Replacing Them With These 6

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(Image credit: @josie_francis)

Being the style person that I am, you can bet that I never miss a chance for a good closet cleanout. With spring finally knocking on the door, I figured it was the perfect time to do another audit and purge some items that now feel outdated to me. My focus this time around? Shoes.

I've pinpointed six shoes, in particular, that no longer feel like they're the most stylish or practical option. From heels to slides, there's a specific style I'm purging from each category, and I won't lie, it's because I'm looking to fill that new space with some pretty (and pretty affordable) footwear from our very own Who What Wear line. Yep, our line is stocking many of the easy and chic silhouettes my shoe rack is craving right now.

Since sharing is what I do best, I figured I'd go ahead and highlight the exact six shoes I'm getting rid of and the new ones I'm eyeing to add to my closet, so with that, keep reading to read about my latest wardrobe refresh to hopefully inspire your own.

Phasing Out: Glove Pumps

Replacing With: Kitten Heels

I used to have a fascination with glove pumps as a leftover obsession with all things from Phoebe Philo's Céline era and even added a few styles to my own closet over the years. Well, these days I'm not reaching for traditional pumps nearly as much (if at all), and instead looking to kitten heels with interesting details to get my fill of modern heels.

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(Image credit: @taylasnts)

Phasing Out: Low Block Heels

Replacing With: '90s Mules

Remember "grandma" heels? Those low block heels that the fashion crowd was enamored with in 2019 are finally starting to feel as dated as the name suggests. I'm phasing them out of my own closet to make room for '90s mules. They're also trendy, yes, but delightfully easy to wear and go with a number of things from jeans to dresses. 

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(Image credit: @emmanuellek_)

Phasing Out: Floss Heels

Replacing With: Thong Sandals

While I don't think strappy heels will ever be "out", I've definitely noticed fashion people veering away from those barely-there "floss" heels in place of elevated thongs—and I'm with them there. Thong heels with a cool sculptural heel especially our Syndey slides in mauve, feel very of the moment.

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(Image credit: @josie_francis)

Phasing Out: Sporty Slides

Replacing With: Simple Slides

There's nothing the fashion crowd loves more than a good high-low mix, which is why we've seen those rubber flip-flops, pool slides, and Teva's soar into the spotlight. That being said, my closet is craving staples that skew more timeless and less trendy which is why I'm replacing sportier sandals with these simple slides that come in a range of pretty, spring-ready hues.

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(Image credit: @JORDANRISA)

Phasing Out: Embellished Shoes

Replacing With: Croc-Effect Shoes

Like so many other fancy items that would otherwise have been perfect for a night out, embellished shoes just no longer fit my current lifestyle or more casual approach to getting dressed. I still want my outfits to have the same elevated feel, though, which is why I'm leaning into shoes with a snake or croc-effect texture because they're easy to wear but give that extra polish I'm looking for.

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(Image credit: @BYFAR_OFFICIAL)

Phasing Out: "Dad" Sneakers

Replacing With: Classic Sneakers

Sneakers with a clunky, grandpa-style sole (you know the ones) had their moment in the spotlight, but like all out-there trends, it eventually came to an end. Taking their place, at least in my closet, are classic kicks, especially these low-top basket sneakers in white and off-white shades that are made to withstand whichever trends may come and go.

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(Image credit: @aimeesong)

More shoes I'm eyeing:

Up next: 6 Cheap and Chic Spring Basics I'm Buying to Dress Better This Season.

Senior Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.