My top 5 College Approved Shoes

We all know how important shoes can be in expressing our style. Do we want to come off as athletic or comfy? Femine or edgy? Dorm life adds extra pressure to us shoe lovers who won’t admit to ourselves that we cant bring all 50 pairs of shoes we own. Not only do we have to downsize our shoe collection, we have to consider the different footwear needs that result in living on campus. The shoes we own need to be comfortable enough to walk to all of our classes, functional for the different seasons we encounter, and fashionable enough to express our unique styles. I for one understand the struggles of figuring out which shoes to bring for school. I brought around 15 pairs of shoes to wear my freshman year of college and ended up wearing only about five. With this experience in mind, I’ve made my suggested list of shoe essentials to bring to college!

1. Sneakers

Every college student needs at least one pair of reliable sneakers that they can easily slip on and run to class in. These shoes should have a sole that gives enough support to walk quickly, but also is squishy and comfortable. I suggest either a pair of converse or vans. These shoes are very similar in build, with a rubber base and breathable canvas material for the rest of the shoes. The rubber base with allow you to walk comfortably while also offering a bit of water protection from any shallow puddles you might step in. Both brands offer a wide variety of fits and colors that allow you to personalize them to your own taste.

2. Sport sandals

Sport sandals include brands such as Chacos or Tevas. These sandals are very on trend right now and are extremely practical for wearing at college. The strap styles allow you to walk quickly and comfortably, while also adding a cute outdoor/sporty vibe to your outfits! They’re great for day to day wear, but also are sturdy enough for other outdoor adventures on the weekends.

3. Athletic Shoes

Sometimes the Freshman 15 sneaks up on you. That’s why you want to make sure you bring a great pair of athletic shoes to college! You can wear them with super casual outfits to go for the “athleisure” style and use them as a motivation tool to get up and go do something that gets your blood pumping. Halfway through my freshman year, I bought a pair of running shoes that made me feel cute and athletic and they motivated me to stay in better shape. Hopefully this works for you too!

4. Flip flops

Flips flops will be your savior if you are living in a dorm. Communal showers can get pretty gross, so having a simple pair to toss on when you go to shower will prevent you from stepping in any gross hair or mystery goo. Additionally, sometimes you will want to toss on a pair of shoes to run an errand and not want to tie them. Flip flops are a cheap and flexible shoe to bring to school.

5. Dress shoes/heels

Although most of your college experiences won’t have a dress code, I still recommend bringing a solid pair of black dress shoes, whether they be heels or flats. As a business major, I have had several occasions where business casual or professional clothing was required. If you have a job interview or a presentation that requires dress clothing, investing in a good pair of dress shoes will give you an extra boost of confidence.