Tonight, we’re making the case for shoes (yes, shoes) as a gift. Plus:
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| Calzuro, Adidas, Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter; illustration by Con McHugh for NYT Wirecutter |
Who says shoes don’t make a great gift? |
 | By Erin Neil Erin is a newsletters editor. She has asked for shoes for pretty much every birthday since she was a teenager. |
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If I could have a superpower — and I’m being serious here — I would get dressed every morning, point down at my toes, and the perfect shoes (in fit and in style) would appear on my feet.
When I find a single pair of shoes that go with nearly everything I own, it feels like magic. It also means I’m going to wear them down to their tattered, mangled death. That’s what happened with my beloved black loafers. After five years — and hundreds of miles — of sporting them at the office, the airport, dinner with friends, and through all kinds of weather, it was time to say goodbye.
Then, in early June, in anticipation of my birthday, I scoured secondhand sites for a new (to me) pair. It was the best gift I could’ve possibly given myself.
So, yes, shoes can make excellent gifts. And no, not just to yourself because you know exactly what you want. Like any wardrobe staple, the right shoes transcend aesthetic differences — and can make for classic, versatile, and thoughtfully-chosen gifts. (But, of course, you’ll need to know your giftee’s size.) Here are a few pairs that my colleagues and I would be happy to wrap up — or, ideally, have wrapped up for us — for any occasion:
- Other than my loafers, the most-worn shoes in my closet are my black Mary Janes (they don’t sell my exact model anymore, but these come pretty close). But in the thick of summer they’re like a sauna for my feet. I’ve been eyeing this pair of Margaux flats as a hot-weather alternative. The woven, see-through style is having a moment, but these have a timeless silhouette. I have visions of wearing them with an all-white ensemble on my next beach vacation.
- Speaking of beaches: My holy-grail flip-flops have held up on every shorefront I’ve stepped foot on this summer. But this elevated wedge pair that both head of newsletters Sofia Sokolove and writer Hannah Frye adore would make an excellent gift for any stylish gal on your list. Sofia recently wore hers with a lacy white slip skirt and Knicks championship tee (because duh). Most importantly, she says, “they were 10 out of 10 on comfort.”
- More for the Great Flip-Flops Resurgence: These classic leather ones have an at-the-ready bottle opener embedded in the sole. And we have it on good authority — aka happy Gen-Z recipients — that these bubbly rubber slides are fire. I’m thinking about picking up a pair for my boyfriend ahead of our beach getaway at the end of this month. (Hopefully he’s not reading this.)
- There’s something about mules that just scream Cool Girl to me. Maybe it’s the effortlessness of a slip-on shoe — that “I woke up looking chic” energy. I’ve been thinking about this monochrome rubber platform version ever since gifts editor Hannah Morrill put them on my radar. The almond-shaped toe feels polished without looking stuffy. I’m particularly drawn to the red — a neutral, in my book!
- More mules: Many of my colleagues, Sofia included, swear by these handmade leather ones that feel almost like a structured pair of slippers. Sofia’s undyed pair has developed a beautiful patina that gives them a sophisticated golden hue. She wears them with everything from dresses to wide-leg pants, and everywhere from the office to the beach.
- For something a little sportier, these lithe, minimalist trainers are sleek enough to wear in place of flats. Our style expert loves pairing hers with voluminous balloon pants and slinky midi skirts. I’m fond of the sage green and off-white colorway, for what it’s worth.
- And finally, when comfort is the priority above all else, how about clogs? These Crocs look more elevated than the brand’s most beloved and much-maligned design, without sacrificing the famed squishiness and comfort. When style expert Alexander Aciman donned them, his wife compared him to an “Italian architect from the 1930s,” if that’s your thing. Personally, I’m very into these made-in-Italy rubber clogs that come in bright, cheery colors. They would be great for the gardener in your life — or for anyone simply yearning for a relaxed pair of slip-ons.
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More of our most stylish gifts |
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What to give: A new doctor in the family |  |
I want to get my younger sister something that is significant enough to mark the occasion of earning her doctorate in the health-care field, but also practical. Her job requires her to be in scrubs most of the time, so I was thinking of getting her jewelry, but she gets uncomfortable with gifts that are too expensive, or too much of a statement piece — which is good for my budget, but limits my options with regards to materials. — K.C.
Congrats to your sister on her graduation — and on picking a career in health care. There are so many low-key jewelry options that are special but also go well with scrubs and latex gloves. I plan to give this minimalist personalized ring to my daughter when she gets her nursing degree in two years. There’s a color and price for everyone — it comes in solid silver, gold, or the more affordable gold-fill — and you can have it engraved with numbers, letters, or a combo of the two.
These sparkly little huggie hoops with pavé diamonds can be worn 24/7 with zero fuss. And, if you love a theme, this 14-karat gold stethoscope charm is right on the nose (but she’ll need a chain).
For meaningful gifts that aren’t jewelry, you could document her life up until graduation in a nice photo book for a kind of “look how far you’ve come” vibe. Or you could get her custom scrubs with her new title (that’s doctor sister to you!) embroidered on them. Best of luck to both of you.
Have someone who’s impossible to shop for? Submit your question here.
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One last on-sale (!) shoe for you: Our style expert loves the sleek, low-profile silhouette of these satin sneakers. We found them for $45 off right now.
You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you.
