These Shoes Were Made for Walking: Stylish Shoes for Travel

I am constantly searching for shoes for travel (and life in general) that are both stylish and fashionable. I mean why is it so hard to find a fabulous pair of shoes I can walk five miles in? (You can read more about how important shoes are when you travel here.)

Over the years, I have discovered what shoes work for me when I travel, and since I get a lot of questions about this very topic, I thought I would share what has worked for me in the past and what I plan on wearing this winter and spring in Italy.


Hunter Tour Wellies
I bought my first pair of Hunter wellies in London. Let's just say I was unprepared for London weather and quickly learned how handy wellies are. But my first pair were the tall original gloss (in black) and they were very heavy. By the end of a full day of walking London, my legs were very tired and sore. So when Hunter introduced a light weight, packable rain boot, I pounced. I tried them out at home first before taking them abroad (which you should always do). The Tour boot proved to be perfect for a long day of walking in rain or snow (although I suggest adding their boot sock for snow). And since they roll for packing, they don't take up a lot of room in your suitcase. I have never regretted packing them!


Converse Slip On Sneakers
Regular Converse sneakers destroy my heels. But the slip on Shoreline doesn't! The lower profile of Converse sneakers makes them more versatile for travel, since you aren't limited to jeans and pants. They also look great with dresses, skirts, and shorts! Plus, virtually everyone in Italy wears Converse sneakers, so I feel like I fit in. I will also be bringing my favorite Superga slip on sneakers, which I wore all summer. Unfortunately, I don't think they make this style anyone, but I was able to score a navy replacement pair before they sold out.


Melissa Doris Flats
I first discovered Melissa shoes in Florence two summers ago. My friend Anna and I were browsing the great summer sales when we spotted a cute pair of plastic sandals (yes all Melissa shoes are plastic). We were a bit skeptical about how comfortable plastic sandals would be, but after a couple wears, they quickly became our go-to travel shoes. We wore them all summer and, as it turns out, the plastic really cushions your foot and absorbs shock. I swear these are the only shoes I can stand in a museum all day in! So when I saw these gorgeous flats at Shopbop, I knew they would be perfect for this winter/spring in Italy. They are stylish, work great with tights, have a slight wedge-heel, and the plastic material makes them virtually indestructible! Who knew plastic shoes could be so amazing?

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Clarks Boots and Booties
Clarks is a brand devoted to comfort and quality. I will admit that sometimes their styles can feel a bit conservative or dowdy, but every now and again they nail it. When I saw the Ciera Pier bootie in the window at the mall, I knew they would be a great fall shoe. And because they are Clarks, I knew they would be comfortable and well made. I also love that they come in this great burgundy color so they go with both black and brown. I like shoes that do double duty, which means I have to pack less!


I am sure I will pack more than these five pairs of shoes for my 7 months abroad, but these are the ones I know I can count on. I'd love to hear your suggestions, what shoes do you swear by for traveling (specifically in cooler months)?

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