Best of Philly

Best Shoes

2022 Best Hand-Painted Shoes

Loyalty Leather

Talk about fancy footwork: This Black-and-LGBTQIA-owned South Philly business dresses up full-grain leather loafers and Chelsea boots with a few well-placed strokes of colorful paint, creating one-of-a-kind pieces of walking art. Cheryl Ellzysmith and wife Kyra started the brand with bags in 2018, then expanded to shoes when a Spanish cobbler reached out after seeing their pieces on Instagram. A potential new addition? Hand-painted heels, for next-level style. Read More »

Website

2019 Best Women’s Shoes

Head Start Shoes

You don’t survive 40 years of corner retail by skimping on design, quality and customer service, and that’s exactly why this mainstay — filled with Italian-leather durable-and-a-little-something-extra heels, boots and flats — soldiers on. Read More »

126 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-567-3247 | Website

2017 Best Women’s Shoes

Zoë

Yes, you’ll need to trek to Princeton, but it’s worth it: The discounts are steep, and the designers are covetable. Proof: A wear-with-everything pair of The Row loafers was slashed by 40 percent during a recent jaunt. Read More »

11 Hulfish Street, Princeton, NJ | 609-497-1019 | Website

2016 Best Handmade Shoes

Mason Dixon

The cutest footwear we've ever seen comes from Mason Dixon, a collection of kids' booties and derby shoes by Fishtown's Heather Holiday. Hand-cut leather laces, hand-sewn soles, whimsical color pairings and adorable styles make you wish she made them in adult sizes. (Wish granted: She finally does.) Read More »

, Philadelphia, PA Website

2014 Best Party Shoes

Last Call

The best (and, frankly, only) reason to hit the Franklin Mills Mall: the Jimmy Choos and Lanvins at this Neiman Marcus outlet. The clearance section will take your breath away. Read More »

1634 Franklin Mills Circle, Philadelphia, PA | 215-637-5900 | Website

2014 Best City Walking Shoes

Head Start Shoes

Every shoe in this stalwart's cobblestone-friendly footwear collection almost entirely handmade in Italy is capable of handling years of city stomping, and has a cool Euro-girl flair. Read More »

126 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-567-3247 | Website

2012 Best Women's Shoes

Bus Stop Boutique

The quirkiest, coolest collection of footwear around, from the teeteringly high (Jeffrey Campbell) to the bow-and-flower-bedecked (Irregular Choice) to the sensible(ish) (Matiko). In short: footwear worth leaving your Loubs for. Read More »

727 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-627-2357 | Website

2011 Best Shoes

Saks Fifth Avenue

We adore our independents. But sometimes a girl just needs her Manolos and Atwoods and Loubies and Choos and Mius and Loefflers, all in one place. The way God intended it. Read More »

2 Bala Plaza, Bala Cynwyd, PA | 610-667-1550 | Website

2010 Best Shoes

Nordstrom

Just a touch smaller than KOP's, Nordstrom's shoe department on the Jersey side is reliably stocked, and feels just a little less rushed and more boutique-y than its older sibling. Plus, the parking is much, much easier. Read More »

King of Prussia and Cherry Hill malls Website

2009 Best Shoes

Vivi G. Shoes

Before youre actually captured by the covetable selection of footwear, youll be supremely charmed by how, well, pretty the store is: all creams and ivories, with large, cushy sofas and banquettes, and spaced-out shelves not crammed with inventory. Youll feel inspired to browse leisurely and try on thoughtfully, and heartened to buy that pair (oh, lets be serious those pairs) calling your name. And the selection? Pucci. Marc by Marc. Betsey Johnson. Kate Spade. Juicy. Rafe. Cancel your appointments. Youre gonna be here a while. Read More »

See website for locations Website