Author and style expert Andrea Pflaumer wrote today’s post on what your shoes say about you! Enjoy, darlings!

What we wear on our feet speaks volumes. It conveys who we are! It shows how well we know our style and how much we value ourselves. Plus, it indicates how well we understand what a complete outfit is and how to create it. Shoes play a significant role in your overall appearance and are often among the first things people notice about you. Any accessories will make or break an outfit, and no accessory does that more than our shoes.

First Things First

No matter how cute or sexy a pair of shoes are, if they are not comfortable they will show in the way you walk and in your expression. There’s nothing attractive about hobbling around in pain!

Equally important is the condition of your shoes. Worn out shoes, such as those with worn-down heels, scratches, rips, and broken or missing details, can ruin your whole look. Someone will notice these imperfections, trust me. Researchers have found that people size us up within the first seven seconds of meeting us, and the shoes you present can say a lot about your personality and attention to detail.

So keep your shoes in good repair! Keep them polished or treated at the beginning of the season and renew them with a stain guard, especially for finer surfaces like suede or fabric shoes. Replace any worn-down soles or heels, and keep them away from moisture and sunlight. It’s also a great idea to keep the shoe shapers that come with new shoes when you store them. The brand of your shoes can also influence the impression you present to others, as certain brands may signal personality traits, social status, or financial background.

Different Style Archetypes = Different Style Shoes

To understand what else our shoes say about us, we’ll look at them through the lens of the commonly accepted style archetypes (I write about these in my book.) I prefer to think of them as personal style facets. I like the word, facets. It suggests the facets of a diamond. As multi-faceted creatures, we like to dress for how we feel on a particular day. So we often have many different types and styles of shoes to suit our different moods. Different shoe styles can also reflect a wide range of personalities, from outgoing and bold to calm and understated.

But understanding the elements of each facet helps us to understand what to look for when we want to convey a certain mood. Now, there are many different shoe styles (e.g., boots, loafers, flats, sandals, high heels, etc.) that will work for every style archetype. It’s the specific details of those shoe styles that will vary. So we’ll start with a brief description of the archetypal style facets, and then look at specific shoes and explain what they say. The wearers of each archetype express their unique traits and attitudes through their footwear choices, making their shoes a reflection of their individuality.

The “Message” Conveyed By Each Style Archetype

In general, this is what the basic styles express.

• Dramatic: I have a big personality and like to live large.
• Natural: Nothing is more important to me than being comfortable and unpretentious.
• High Spirited: Life is an adventure; don’t take it too seriously.
• Classic: I’m conservative, trustworthy, and careful, and I attend to details.
• Romantic: I am the epitome of sensuality and value personal connection above everything.
• Youthful: I’m unassuming, guileless, playful, and like to have fun.
• Angelic: I was born for another, more idyllic time.

A woman’s shoes can reveal important details about her personality and style, reflecting her emotions, lifestyle, and even social status.

If you apply those ideas to the textiles, embellishments, and details of a shoe you can pretty easily identify what it conveys. Let’s look at a few examples.

Stiletto Over-the-Knee Purple Metallic Boots

I picked this as the first example because it is so obvious. “Ultra-anything” suggests Drama. The highest kind of heel, highest shaft of a boot, and shiniest textile all say, “ultra.” These boots can literally transform your look and the impression you make. You have to have a lot of Drama in your personality and your wardrobe to carry something off like this.

Suede Birkenstock Sandals

This is another no-brainer. Thicker or rougher hewn leather or suede is Natural. Anything down to earth is farther away from Drama. A thick sole, especially of cork, is Natural. Birkenstock sandals are often chosen as a practical necessity for those who value comfort and function. Everything about this shoe says, “I’m a Nature girl.”

Pearl Studded Loafer

OK – So now we get into something that requires a little more thought. Loafers can be Classic or Natural. The currently popular lug sole ones suggest the Natural style facet (although High Spirited types love them as they are kind of “costumey.”) But the basic design is Classic. There is a fine line between classic and playful styles in embellished loafers, as subtle design choices can shift the overall impression. Now, when you add some kind of embellishment that is fundamentally different (shoe designer Stuart Weitzman often does this) you are sending a mixed message: I may be Classic, but I can also be youthful and a bit playful (pearls, being round, suggest this style), High-Spirited (again, playing with identities) or even a touch Romantic.

Flat Soled Gladiator Sandals in Silver

Let’s look at the elements of this shoe. It has fairly narrow lacing, not wide strapping. It’s flat. It doesn’t have much structure at all. It draws attention up the leg. Ok – so what do each of those elements mean? Well, first of all, thin vs. wide lacing or straps suggest more delicacy. That’s an Angelic quality. It’s completely flat, which makes it Natural. It has very little structure and reveals a lot of the foot, which adds a Romantic element. And it draws attention up the leg, so – yeah, Romantic again. But when we think of this type of shoe, it recalls a previous historical time. And the fact it is shimmery silver both say, “Angelic.” So, if you are a Natural/Romantic crossover and have some ethereal nature to your look, this is your shoe! The moment you decide to wear such a standout shoe is a bold expression of confidence and adventure.

The Secret Language of Shoe Colors

Have you ever considered that the color of the shoes you wear might be telling your story before you even say a word? The shades you choose for your favorite pair—whether it’s bold red ankle boots, classic black ballet flats, or earthy brown loafers—can speak volumes about your personality, lifestyle, and personal style.

Bright and daring hues, like those found in statement sneakers or vibrant ankle boots, often reveal a confident, outgoing spirit. If you gravitate toward such shoes, you’re likely not afraid to stand out and let your sense of self-expression shine. These colors can reflect a zest for life and a willingness to embrace fun and adventure, making a strong impression wherever you walk.

On the flip side, if your closet is filled with more subdued tones—think beige loafers, navy ballet flats, or soft gray slip ons—you might be someone who values practicality, emotional stability, and a down-to-earth approach to life. Such shoes convey a detail-oriented and emotionally stable personality, someone who appreciates simplicity and timeless elegance over fleeting trends.

The psychology of shoe color is fascinating. For example, slipping on a pair of bold red heels can instantly boost your confidence and project a sense of boldness and sophistication. Wearing neutral shades like brown or taupe, on the other hand, can signal reliability and a strong sense of self, making you appear approachable and grounded.

First impressions matter, and the color of your shoes can play a pivotal role. Expensive shoes in classic tones or high heels in deep jewel shades often suggest elegance and a refined sense of style, while combat boots or flip flops in playful colors might hint at a more casual, adventurous, or even rebellious side. The context is key—what you wear to a formal event versus a weekend outing can reveal different facets of your personality and lifestyle.

In fact, a study from the University of Kansas found that people can correctly guess up to 90% of a person’s characteristics—including personality, income, and lifestyle—just by looking at their shoes. This remarkable finding underscores how much our footwear choices, especially color, can reveal about us.

So, the next time you slip on your favorite pair, consider the message you’re sending. Are you projecting confidence with bold hues, or signaling your practical nature with classic tones? Whether you prioritize comfort, fashion, or a bit of both, your shoes are a powerful tool for personal branding and self-expression. Let your footwear reflect who you are and the life you want to lead—one stylish step at a time.

Wishing You Stylish Walking

I think you get a general idea. Any shoe style that falls into a particular archetypal category can be changed with the change of a textile, bling, heel height or shape, etc. The possibilities are endless! The key is to simply ask yourself if the shoe you choose for an outfit balances, harmonizes, and reflects what you want the entire outfit to say. If it doesn’t, go back to the closet, or to the shoe store!!!

Some people choose shoes like slippers for rest and relaxation at home, while others may opt for running shoes as a reflection of their active lifestyle and personality—even when not used for running.

I’d love to know about your favorite pair of shoes and what Archetype you label yourself as! Do your shoes match your Archetype? 

 

 

About the author:

Andrea Pflaumer is the author of two books: the Amazon best-seller Shopping for the Real You: Ten Essential Steps to a Perfect Wardrobe for Every Woman: Fashionistas, Fashion-phobes, and the Over 50 and She’s Got Good Jeans – a guide for how to shop for and where to find the perfect jeans for your body and budget.

She does in-person and online wardrobe and shopping consultations for women worldwide and blogs at Shopping for the Real You. Her free course, Lazy Person’s Guide to a Perfect Wardrobe is available on GoHighbrow. Andrea hosts two video series: Vital, Vivacious, and Visible after 50 and Shopping for the Real You: Expert Edition. She interviews women in the areas of fashion, beauty, and wellness on her Shopping for the Real You YouTube channel. She is a regular contributor to several national and international publications for women over 50.

 

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