Shi Daihui (Fashion Blogger) – Comfort First
"I have shoes filling three walls at home, but only wear a few pairs repeatedly"
Many people might wonder if fashion bloggers accept all the clothes and shoes sent by countless brands or if they are selective. For me, the answer is the latter. Because I clearly understand my personal style, which falls between neutral and 'spicy girl' aesthetics, I choose items I truly love and that suit my style. Even though I have shoes filling three walls at home and need to match various clothes and shoes for work, I still reach for the same few pairs when going out daily.
Outside of work, I love exercising so much that I feel uncomfortable if I don't exercise for a day. Consequently, my requirements for shoes have become comfort first, followed by style. I'm also not sensitive to heat, so even in summer, I mostly wear sneakers and single shoes.
Shi Daihui's Summer Shoe Ranking
Top1: PUMA H-STREET
This PUMA shoe offers comfort comparable to pure sports shoes while maintaining a stylish appearance. The black and silver color scheme on the upper enhances daily outfits with Y2K and functional aesthetics, making it highly versatile for various styles. Speaking of this shoe, I recall my business trip to Wuxi when I was running late – it became my perfect partner for sprinting to catch the high-speed train.
Top2: VEGABOND Black Ballet Shoes
Probably the most niche pair among my collection, VEGABOND is a Swedish brand meaning "vagabond" in Chinese. In my understanding, if even "vagabonds" can wear them, they must excel in comfort – and they do. Unlike most ballet shoes that become uncomfortable after extended wear, these black ballet shoes perfectly meet my comfort requirements. Every time I wear them, fellow bloggers ask for links – truly everyone's favorite, and a brand collaboration I couldn't refuse.
Top3: BREAD TREE White Platform Slippers
The reason for recommending BREAD TREE is simple: they're comfortable and, most importantly, don't rub between the toes like many other slippers. As height-increasing platform slippers, they practically eliminate the need for photo editing at work, as they naturally elongate the legs.
Shi Daihui's Shoe Matching Tips:
I think it first depends on outfit color, then style. For example, since I prefer neutral styles – pairing loose T-shirts with cropped or capri pants in summer – I choose shoes in similar colors, limiting to two colors maximum for cohesion.
Roxy (Film Directing Student) – Appearance First
"I only buy shoes that catch my eye"
I'm Roxy, 20 years old, currently a sophomore running my Xiaohongshu account. I receive various clothes regularly, so most of my monthly budget goes to shoes and hats. When it comes to buying shoes, I'm a total "appearance judge" – only purchasing those that truly catch my eye.
In daily life, I love following Korean bloggers. When I see shoes unavailable domestically, I check Xianyu (Chinese闲鱼). For Korean designer brands like OPEN YY, prices are much more reasonable in Korea, and I've even found brand-new pairs at great prices – nothing beats the joy of scoring心仪 shoes affordably.
Roxy's Summer Shoe Ranking
Top1: The Soloist x OOFOS Collaborative Slippers
As a student, these black collaborative slippers are my favorite on campus. They're incredibly comfortable and one of the few pairs with height-increasing features in my collection. After constantly buying beautiful but uncomfortable shoes, these represent the pinnacle of human-centric design. Their slip-on style perfectly suits rushing to class or grabbing meals.
A memorable incident: recently, I forgot my bag after getting out of a taxi and hurried back. The driver started moving before I closed the door, and the tire nearly rolled over my foot – which was wearing these slippers. I emerged unscathed, just feeling a tingling sensation. Since then, they've rightfully claimed the top spot for both practicality and comfort.
Top2: Dries Van Noten Green German Training Shoes
I fell in love with these shoes when they first launched. They came in multiple colors, and I initially wanted brown for autumn/winter but hesitated due to the price. Much later, they released this striking green version. Though worried about matching challenges, I still hesitated until discovering a blogger with similar taste who also owned them – we became friends after bonding over our shared love for these shoes. Their green upper with yellow laces perfectly embodies summer's colorful spirit.
Top3: Vibram FiveFingers Shoes
I discovered Vibram's five-toe shoes when a friend sent me photos from a Japanese boutique, calling them "too abstract." Instead of finding them ugly, I was fascinated by their uniqueness and immediately ordered a pair.
My first pair covered the entire foot, and I wore them daily for a week despite friends teasing me about their appearance. Recently, a viral post about "young people on Shenzhen Metro Line 2" featured someone wearing similar shoes, prompting friends to tag me asking when I'd appear on Shanghai Metro Line 2. The recent sighting of Jennie wearing them at the airport finally made me feel my unique aesthetic was validated.
Roxy's Shoe Matching Tips:
Since my outfits are mostly basics, shoes become the focal point. I usually decide on shoes first, then select pants and tops. As a superstitious person, I also check my daily lucky color on fortune-telling apps. If green is recommended, I'll choose green shoes and coordinate clothing colors and materials accordingly – harmonious matching always puts me in a good mood when going out.
Aki (Advertising Creative/Trend Editor) – Vintage Shoe Collector
"Good-looking shoes get a pass even if they hurt"
After three years as a fashion media editor and now working in advertising, my lifestyle and shopping habits remain unchanged – I browse fashion content by day and shop online by night, funneling my salary right back into the industry. Ironically, despite creating recommendation content professionally, I'm often the first to be influenced.
When it comes to shoes, I prioritize stylish sneakers that complement high-fashion pieces – appearance over practicality, meaning comfort isn't always guaranteed. However, good-looking shoes get a pass even if they hurt. I also collect vintage shoes and often encounter size issues, solving this by wearing larger sizes – I've even worn size 40 despite being a size 36.
Aki's Summer Shoe Ranking
Top1: Nike x Maha T90 Shox
"Got T90 Shox because I love both T90 and Shox"
I want to share these trending Nike football shoes with heels – they're my newest pair and still feel fresh. I first saw them on an IG influencer closely collaborating with Nike. Their black leather upper makes them suitable for semi-formal occasions, and following my love for "contradictory" styling, I pair them with lace pieces, dresses, or black blazers.
I previously owned flat T90s which were too narrow and uncomfortable, so I sized up by two sizes this time – they fit better, though comfort isn't their strong suit.
Top2: Nike Rift Split-Toe Shoes
Split-toe shoes remain popular, and unlike Maison Margiela's iconic designs, Nike's Rift offers a more "rough" aesthetic – less fashion-forward but highly versatile with workwear and vintage styles. Despite polarizing reviews, after seeing Carhartt's styling lookbook, I find them incredibly versatile.
Top3: Vans x Liberaiders
"My first slip-on shoe"
This inaugural collaboration between Vans and Liberaiders features a front design reminiscent of traditional Beijing cloth shoes with Liberaiders' military influence – perfect for ethnic and vintage outfits. Sent to me by my former editor-in-chief, these shoes hold special sentimental value.
Aki's Shoe Matching Tips:
I personally love creating contradictions – pairing sneakers with dresses instead of leather shoes, or vintage clothing with new footwear. These subtle conflicts make outfits more interesting. As a pear-shaped person, I prefer leg warmers for their slimming effect and often layer sheer over athletic socks – even in summer, if it looks good, I don't mind the heat.
Cocoonics (DJ/Electronic Music Producer/Journalist) – Comfortable and Versatile
"Love tiptoeing while DJing, also love comfortable sneakers"
Considering my work environments – clubs, fashion parties, and store events – I need comfortable, versatile shoes that match different event vibes, just like selecting music for various occasions.
My shoe rack is filled with comfortable sneakers – no high heels or pointed-toe boots. Since I love tiptoeing while DJing, narrow shoes compromise balance (I fell recently), so I avoid styles that squeeze toes together.
Cocoonics' Summer Shoe Ranking
Top1: Camper Mary Jane shoes
Looking back at performance photos, these Camper Mary Jane shoes appear most frequently this summer. Replacing laces with kids' Velcro makes them convenient while offering more skin exposure and styling options than sneakers.
Top2: Nike Air Pegasus Wave
I participated in Nike's campaign for these shoes this year and created a song for the launch party – making them extra special. As a fan of bright colors, my wardrobe contains mostly basics and bold hues, perfectly complemented by these shoes' neon green accents.
Top3: KEEN JASPER
I own two pairs of Keen shoes – water shoes and hiking boots. The hiking boots better suit DJing since water shoes aren't ideal for performances. DJing involves constant movement and tiptoeing, requiring comfortable footwear. Keen's wide toe boxes respect natural foot shape – a feature I truly appreciate.
Cocoonics' Shoe Matching Tips:
I often use different socks to transform shoe styles – pairing sneakers with over-the-knee socks or leg warmers creates a boot-like effect, even suitable for summer wear.
Sizumillin (Fashion Design Graduate) – Flat Shoe Enthusiast
"Won't splurge on expensive clothes, but will invest in good shoes"
I'm Sizumillin, recently graduated from London College of Fashion's womenswear program. My fashion education has trained me to prioritize appearance when shopping. I've always spent more on shoes than clothes since they offer daily wear and versatile styling. With luxury brands, I rarely buy clothing but never hesitate over coveted shoes.
Sizumillin's Summer Shoe Ranking
Top1: Ashley Wiliams "Trash" Decorated Shoes
I immediately purchased these after seeing them on the runway – irresistibly cute with irreplicable craftsmanship. I expected uniformity but discovered each pair contains unique "trash" decorations and sizing is strictly fixed – you can't buy your desired style if they don't have your size. The upside? Receiving a truly one-of-a-kind piece.
Beyond their adorable design, I particularly love the transparent matte sole with embedded logo – adding extra charm.
Top2: Sizumillin's DIY Hairpin Shoes
My graduation design features these DIY shoes incorporating childhood haircut memories and my hairpin collection. Each shoe contains approximately 10 functional hairpins secured with beads. Currently a one-of-a-kind piece with limited practicality, I'm considering mass production if I develop a more stable construction method.
Top3: Kiko Kostadinov Ballet Shoes
These purple shoes from two seasons ago remain beloved. Their special feature – a logo-engraved metal pendant on the laces – creates a bell-like sound while walking, adding delightful auditory charm perfect for summer. I fell in love during a London shopping trip but hesitated due to high prices, finally purchasing them during a boutique sale.
Sizumillin's Shoe Matching Tips:
Socks play a crucial role – I currently prefer thin white, gray, and black styles that highlight shoe designs, ideal for summer. I match colorful shoes with colorful outfits, keeping clothing simple when shoes feature minimal color.
