This roundup of things we liked this week originally appeared in the April 18, 2024, edition of the Secret Strategist newsletter, a weekly email where we share the stuff our staff — plus a rotating cast of writers, design-world people, and various others with very good taste — would otherwise keep to themselves. If you want to get our picks straight to your inbox each week, sign up here.
Warm(er)-weather shoes roundup, recommended by people we’d like to copy! For obvious reasons! (It’s finally getting warmer in New York.) —Katy Schneider & Simone Kitchens
This Week’s List
* Alexis Page, beauty consultant: I haven’t worn heels since the ’90s, but I suddenly had a vision of myself clacking around the East Village in an old Celine kitten heel that I bought during a Barneys shoe sale and have only worn once. I dug them out of my closet just last week and feel like they work better now than ever. If they give me a blister, well, there’s a product for that. This is the only link I could find.
* Su Wu, curator: This is such a specific New York fashion memory, being in the Trademark store in, like, 2015 with a Vogue editor, and her turning to me and saying, “This brand is ahead of its time.” And I didn’t get what she was saying then, because this is her genius and also the pieces were so classic seeming, but now I really do, with my saved searches for decade-old (!) mules by the dearly defunct line — the gingham, the grosgrain, the pom-poms, all of it. They can be had for crazy bargains if you find them, like here and here.
* Sam Herzog, founder of Systemarosa: I’ll be pulling back out my trusty Sophie D’hoore slides. And then I actually love these from J.Crew. Weirdly, they’ve been doing good stuff lately. I’ll probably get them in silver or black. Also, I’m a big Kobarah girl; I have the heel in two colorways, but they also just released a flat.
* Bonnie Morrison, writer of Is It Okay?: Walking so much in the city means any flats quickly get trashed, but nice weather means outfits that merit a little more consideration than my go-to Stan Smiths or Nike Challengers (and these streets are way too dirty for sandals to be a realistic option for me). A pink Clarks Wallabee gives the comfort and practicality of a sneaker but with a more refined silhouette and a pretty color.
* Anna Polonsky, creative director: For the everyday, I’ll go with the black Margaux Demi-Jane for spring and the Susan in gold nappa from Emme Parsons for summer (both new to my closet). And vintage low-heeled Ferragamo for spring and summer evenings. The Emme Parsons ones I’ve been eyeing forever, but the gold version is constantly out of stock. Jumped on the restock alert earlier this week, and I sense that it’s going to be a great investment. They’re like the 4x4 of summer sandals, good with jeans at work or with a dress at a wedding. The Ferragamos are the perfect pump for summer events in all their variations: feminine but not precious; a good heel height; not too high not too low; great with skirts as with pants; and ridiculously affordable on all vintage sites because of decades of supplies! I got something similar to these (and these) earlier this year.
* Kai Avent-deLeon, founder of Sincerely, Tommy and Che: My spring shoes are my Vibram sneakers right now. They’re so comfortable and weird looking, and I love that combo.
* Teddi Cranford, hairstylist: I buy a new pair of these rubber Ancient Greek Sandals every year. These, from the Row, I will be wearing again. And I’m splurging on these loafers.
* Nicole Cari, brand consultant: This spring, I’m taking these Drogheria Crivellini for Attersee slip-ons in navy out of my closet.
* Bo Yeong, Mohawk General Store co-founder: Loq Granada sandals. The perfect flattering shoe to go with anything in your wardrobe. It can be dressy or casual. And it’s sexy but also low key.
* Djuna Bel, stylist and creative director: I can tell you that I’m ready to say goodbye to a puffy sandal, and I am ready to give a mesh ballet flat in place of the sandal one more season because I find them to be very cute and very utilitarian. I’m loving an elevated metal detail. Nothing new, but the Amanu sandal with the metal toe is so chic. It’s easy to wear day to night.
* Daphne Javitch, founder of Doing Well: Every summer I rely on my Emme Parsons Cecilia sandals. They’re simply perfect. And easy to pack! And lately I’m loving these Christopher Esber mesh flats, which are like foot jewelry. They balance well with jeans and a T-shirt.
* Kathleen Sorbara, founder of Chickee’s Vintage: I purchased The Row’s Almond kitten heels last spring and wore them all summer.
* Jane Herman, writer of Jane on Jeans: I’m putting away mary janes in favor of Jamie Haller Double Buckle sandals. I wore the Walking Sandals last summer, and these will be my update. They go with every jean — straight leg, slouchy, cropped, cuffed, barrelled, wide leg — believe me, I’ve tried it all. And I’ve walked enough miles in Jamie’s shoes to know they’re worth the price.
Check These Out Too
* The Primary Essentials, our favorite table setter, is selling these pleasing plaid bean-bag-like trivets from Atelia Colza.
* Layla, an appointment-only store on Atlantic (incidentally, only a few doors down from the Primary Essentials) has great pajamas, summery linen shirts, bedding, vintage jewelry …
* And across the street, Outline is selling La Reunion’s excellent striped throw pillows, a category that is hard to nail and can sometimes evoke too much personality.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
