I'm Forever Loyal to a Chic Black Shoe Style—5 Standout Picks I'm Eyeing Right Now

fashion outfit collage of three style influencers Emilie T, Sylvie Mus, and Marina Torres wearing stylish looks with black shoes like loafers, slingback heels, and Mary Jane flats

There is nothing like zeroing in on a hero closet piece that you can rely on time and again. One such piece for me is a chic black shoe style. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find any other color in my shoe collection, save for a stray leopard-print option or lighter-hued sneaker. I can't help but be loyal when a great black shoe goes with just about every look and aids in making my outfits look more elevated and put-together.

This season's black shoe offerings are especially chic, and there are five styles in particular that I am eyeing right now. Ranging from classic ballet flats and timeless slingback shoes to sleek boots and standout loafers, I rounded up a selection of favorites from each style category for you to peruse and shop below. Note, most are affordable picks that are not only stylish but comfortable as well. Good luck picking out just one style.

Black Ballet Flats

female fashion influencer poses on a city sidewalk wearing a butter yellow leather blazer jacket, white tee, white linen pants, brown shoulder bag, and black Mary Jane flats

(Image credit: @marina_torres)

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Black Slingbacks

female fashion influencer and stylist Sylvie Mus poses on a Paris sidewalk wearing a brown trench coat, white button-down shirt, a black belt, gray straight-leg jeans, sheer black tights, and black slingback heels

(Image credit: @sylvie_mus)

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Black Boots

female fashion influencer Anouk Yve poses for a mirror selfie wearing a black quilted coat, cardigan sweater, straight-leg ankle jeans, mini black tote bag, and black pointed-toe boots

(Image credit: @anoukyve)

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Black Loafers

female fashion influencer Emilie T. poses outside a green SUV wearing an oversize black blazer, open striped button-down shirt, white pointelle t-shirt, white boxer shorts, white ankle socks, and black loafers

(Image credit: @emilie_tla)

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Black Sandals

British female fashion influencer Brittany Bathgate poses on a Copenhagen sidewalk weainf a black cape top, black clutch bag, black belt, tan wide-leg cropped pants, and strappy black flat sandals

(Image credit: @brittanybathgate)

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Jennifer Camp Forbes
Contributing Editor

Jennifer Camp Forbes is currently an editor at Who What Wear, where she has worked in a variety of capacities for over a decade, including creative director and various editor roles. She’s well-known as a shopping expert that’s sought out for advice and insight on the latest trends, outfit ideas, and fashion picks thanks to her thoughtful shopping roundups, digital moodboards, and extensive knowledge of up-and-coming brands, plus the new arrivals sections of the chicest retailers. Jennifer has had a lifelong interest in fashion which led her to intern at Harper’s Bazaar as an undergraduate. Later, while working towards her masters degree in psychological counseling at Columbia University, she founded two digital fashion publications: Le Fashion and Olsens Anonymous. The popularity of both sites grew and after graduation she decided put her plans to become a therapist aside to pursue a career in fashion. While she has called Los Angeles and New York City home in the past, she currently works remotely from Massachusetts. When she’s not obsessing over and writing about her latest fashion finds, she is delighting in raising two little ones with her highschool sweetheart, perusing TikTok religiously, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, creating abstract photographs, and eating the best Mexican food she can get her hands on.