Shoes can make or break an outfit, but not all footwear is created equal when it comes to stealing the spotlight. Some shoes demand attention with their dazzling details and bold designs, while others quietly support your look without drawing focus.
Whether you’re posing for social media or just want to know which kicks deserve the limelight, understanding which shoes should star in your wardrobe story (and which should play supporting roles) will elevate your style game instantly.
1. Manolo Blahnik Hangisi Pumps
Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding shoes continue to captivate fashion lovers decades after their screen debut. The jewel-encrusted buckle catches light from every angle, transforming even the simplest outfit into a statement.
Crafted from luxurious satin in a rainbow of colors, these iconic pumps feature a perfectly pointed toe and elegant 4-inch heel that elongates the leg beautifully. Their timeless silhouette has graced red carpets and wedding aisles alike.
Worth every penny of their hefty price tag, Hangisis aren’t just shoes—they’re heirlooms, often passed down or preserved as wearable art pieces that never go out of style.
2. Amina Muaddi Begum Heels
Architectural marvels for your feet, Amina Muaddi’s Begum heels feature that instantly recognizable martini-glass-shaped flared heel. The sunburst crystal embellishment at the toe creates a dazzling focal point that catches light with every step.
Fashion photographers can’t resist these structural wonders, as they provide visual interest from literally every angle. The designer’s signature stability-focused heel shape means these stunners are surprisingly comfortable despite their height.
Celebrity fans include Rihanna and Kendall Jenner, who regularly showcase these conversation-starting shoes on red carpets and social media. Their distinctive silhouette makes them immediately identifiable even in silhouette.
3. Aquazzura Tequila Sandals
Resembling exquisite foot jewelry more than mere sandals, Aquazzura’s Tequila design features cascading crystal straps that seem to float around the foot. The delicate arrangement creates a waterfall effect that catches and reflects light with each movement.
Edgardo Osorio’s masterful design balances the dazzling embellishment with a refined silhouette and sculptural heel. These showstoppers frequently appear in editorial spreads where photographers can capture their multi-dimensional sparkle.
Despite their elaborate appearance, clever engineering makes these surprisingly wearable for special occasions. The thoughtfully placed crystals create a leg-lengthening effect that photographers and wearers alike appreciate for their flattering properties.
4. Maison Margiela Tabi Boots
Fashion rebels rejoice! The iconic split-toe design of Margiela’s Tabi boots creates an unmistakable silhouette that photographers and street style enthusiasts can spot from blocks away. Inspired by traditional Japanese workwear, these controversial boots have become a fashion insider status symbol.
Martin Margiela first introduced this avant-garde footwear in 1988, and they’ve maintained their cult status for decades. The distinctive cloven shape creates visual intrigue that makes them ideal subjects for artistic fashion photography.
Available in numerous heights, materials, and finishes—from patent leather to glitter—they maintain that conversation-starting toe design. Their polarizing appearance guarantees they’ll never fade into the background of any outfit.
5. Mach & Mach Double Bow Heels
Unapologetically feminine and gloriously glitzy, Mach & Mach’s Double Bow pumps have taken social media by storm with their fairytale princess aesthetic. The signature crystal-encrusted double bow adorns the front while a matching crystal ankle strap adds extra sparkle.
Georgian designer duo Nina and Gvantsa Macharashvili created these party-ready showstoppers that dominate Instagram feeds and red carpet moments. Their pointed toe and slim heel create a classic silhouette that lets the embellishments truly shine.
Available in candy-colored satins and metallics, these heels refuse to be ignored. Fashion photographers love capturing them from above to showcase the dimensional bows and the way they catch light from multiple angles.
6. Roger Vivier Belle Vivier Pumps
Royalty for your feet! The Belle Vivier’s rectangular metal buckle has been an instantly recognizable status symbol since Catherine Deneuve wore them in the 1967 film “Belle de Jour.” These architectural marvels feature a distinctive low block heel and squared toe that photographers love to capture.
The geometric elements create strong visual lines that make these pumps particularly photogenic from side angles. Available in patent leather, satin, and occasionally with crystal-embellished buckles, they maintain an air of refined elegance.
Fashion historians consider them one of the most influential shoe designs of the 20th century. Their timeless appeal has made them favorites of everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to modern influencers seeking that perfect balance of classic and statement-making.
7. Saint Laurent Tribute Platform Sandals
Standing tall since 2004, the YSL Tribute sandals remain among the most photographed shoes in celebrity street style. Their towering 5.5-inch heel (balanced by a 1-inch platform) creates dramatic height while the intertwining straps form an elegant cage around the foot.
Fashion photographers particularly love capturing these from the side, where the bold proportions and distinctive T-strap design create a powerful silhouette. The high-shine patent versions reflect light beautifully, making them pop in images.
Despite their height, clever engineering makes these surprisingly stable. Available in a rainbow of colors and materials, they’ve maintained their icon status through multiple fashion cycles—the true test of a camera-worthy design.
8. Versace Medusa Aevitas Platform Pumps
Maximalism reigns supreme in Versace’s Medusa Aevitas platforms, which feature a towering block heel, ankle strap, and the brand’s signature Medusa medallion. These architectural powerhouses command attention with their exaggerated proportions and baroque detailing.
Fashion photographers gravitate toward these statement makers for editorial shoots where drama is required. The substantial platform (reaching 6+ inches in total height) creates an almost sculptural quality that photographs beautifully from any angle.
Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Dua Lipa have all been spotted in these attention-demanding shoes. Available in velvet, satin, and leather with various embellishments, they exemplify Versace’s more-is-more aesthetic that refuses to fade into the background.
9. Bottega Veneta Stretch Mesh Heels
Modern art for your feet, Bottega Veneta’s mesh pumps feature a distinctive netted upper stretched over a sculptural, architectural shape. The innovative design creates fascinating negative space that photographers love to capture against different backgrounds.
Daniel Lee’s revolutionary design for the Italian house transformed these into instant must-haves among fashion insiders. The squared toe and geometric heel create strong visual lines that photograph beautifully from multiple angles.
Available in Bottega’s signature vibrant colors like parakeet green and bright purple, these statement makers pop against any backdrop. Their innovative construction represents fashion-forward thinking that makes them natural subjects for editorial photography focusing on design innovation.
1. Basic Round-Toe Black Flats
Wardrobe workhorses that prioritize function over flash, basic black flats with rounded toes deliberately avoid stealing attention. Their simple silhouette lacks the architectural interest or embellishment that makes other shoes camera-worthy.
These reliable standards certainly earn their keep in everyday wardrobes. They pair with virtually everything and provide comfortable all-day wear when more photogenic options would cause pain.
Fashion stylists often use these as supporting players during photoshoots when the focus should remain on clothing or other accessories. Their visual neutrality serves an important purpose in balanced outfits, but they’re rarely the subject photographers want to highlight in detail shots.
2. Generic Wedge Sandals with Cork Soles
Neither fashion-forward nor classically elegant, middle-of-the-road cork wedges occupy that awkward space between practical and stylish. The chunky silhouette lacks the refined lines that make for compelling visual imagery.
Comfort-focused design elements like cushioned footbeds and adjustable straps serve functional purposes but don’t create the visual drama photographers seek. The natural cork material, while practical for summer wear, tends to recede visually rather than pop in photographs.
Often found in neutral tones like beige and tan, these shoes intentionally blend in rather than stand out. While they’re vacation staples for many, they rarely make it into fashion editorials where more visually distinctive footwear takes precedence.
3. Plain Canvas Slip-Ons
Functional to a fault, basic canvas slip-ons prioritize ease and comfort over visual interest. Their flat silhouette and minimal design elements create a shape that lacks dimension when photographed.
Often seen in neutral colors like white, beige, or navy, these shoes intentionally fade into the background of outfits. While they serve an important purpose for casual everyday wear, their visual simplicity means they rarely become focal points in fashion imagery.
Photographers typically avoid featuring these prominently in editorial shots unless specifically highlighting casual, understated style. Their deliberately unassuming design makes them perfect for days when you don’t want your footwear to compete with statement pieces elsewhere in your outfit.