Welcome to Addressed, our weekly column where we tackle the highs (and occasional lows) of getting dressed. We’ll explore runway trends, street style favorites, chat with people whose looks inspire us, and—most importantly—answer your burning fashion questions. To submit yours, download the Vogue app and head to the Style Chat section.
A Vogue editor asks:
Spring is my favorite season—except for those awkward weeks between boot and sandal weather. I need fresh ideas for stylish yet practical transitional shoes. I live in pants and jeans, and no, I won’t be wearing ballet flats (not even Alaïa’s crystal-embellished ones, thanks).
Ah, the eternal shoe dilemma of early spring! By March, we’re desperate to ditch our winter layers, no matter what the stubborn “feels like” temperature insists. We’re over lugging around heavy boots, but it’s still too soon for flimsy sandals.
Ironically, the answer to this reader’s problem is what I call the working woman’s shoe—the anti-ballet flat. Think loafers, oxfords, or even Mary Janes, but with a tough leather sole built to endure daily wear (and eventual trips to the cobbler). These are shoes you’ll keep for years. They’re typically flat but can have a modest heel—not a dainty kitten heel, but one designed for comfort or a subtle lift (no more than two inches). The key? They work with or without socks, making them perfect for unpredictable weather. There’s something undeniably liberating about a bare ankle peeking out under cropped pants—a small joy that never gets old.
Luckily, there are plenty of options this season. On the runway, I loved Coach’s sharp winklepickers (great with socks and a dress or wide-leg trousers), Bally’s studded T-strap Mary Janes (a sandal-WWS hybrid), and their almond-toe Mary Janes (my personal favorite—flattering with any pant silhouette). Prada delivered too, with quirky painted loafers (best shown off with slim ankle pants) and their iconic foam-and-espadrille oxfords (go for a non-black shade to feel spring-ready). Luar’s pointed lace-ups with their ornate “L” detail are instant outfit elevators, and if you’re not over Margiela’s Tabis, they’ve got great transitional styles.
Off the runway, Spanish brand Hereu consistently nails the WWS aesthetic with designs that feel both timeless and intriguing. I’ve had a pair of their dark brown T-strap Mary Janes since I started at Vogue—three years later, they still pull my looks together. And really, what more could you ask for from a shoe?