Stylish Shoes That Can Handle 10,000 Steps Daily
Stylist Deborah Sheridan-Taylor is championing a new approach to footwear that moves beyond basic trainers, offering stylish alternatives that can become your everyday shoe while supporting an active lifestyle.
The New Wardrobe Essential
The ultimate wardrobe achievement has shifted from towering heels to shoes you can wear from morning until night. The ideal shoe now must withstand meetings, errands, unexpected detours, and remain comfortable even when your step count reaches five figures.
Celebrity stylist Deborah Sheridan-Taylor believes the key lies in rejecting the outdated notion that practicality and style are mutually exclusive. "Comfort doesn't have to mean compromise," she explains, "but you do need to be thoughtful about your choices."
Trending Styles That Deliver Comfort
One of Sheridan-Taylor's favorite current styles is the "glove" shoe. These sleek, sculpted flats represent the latest evolution of the popular ballet pump trend. "They're designed to hug the foot in a barely-there manner," she says, making them perfect for busy days when you want something slightly more sophisticated than slim trainers.
Sheridan-Taylor recommends pairing glove shoes with pleated-front tailoring, such as pressed jeans or seamed trousers. "Whether you're rushing from the Tube station or wandering through a gallery, you'll appreciate the glove-like foothold." For additional support, she suggests adding gel inserts at the ball of the foot, noting that "extra cushioning makes all the difference on long days."
Practical Footwear for British Weather
When rain is forecast, Sheridan-Taylor advises thinking in terms of "commuter shoes." She clarifies, "Not Melanie Griffith in white Reeboks," referencing the iconic Eighties film Working Girl, "but let's be realistic—sometimes you need a spare pair to change into."
For genuinely wet days, she advocates for wellington boots. "Call me crazy, but wellies really work." At the luxury end, she points to rubber styles from Céline that have appeared on runways, while brands like Tretorn have transformed rubber into something smarter than traditional farming gear.
A sleek black or deep brown rain boot can complement tailoring beautifully. "I love wide-leg trousers nonchalantly tucked into the top of boots," she says. When wearing boots with skirts, she suggests ultra-sheer tights—around seven denier—to create what she calls an "aristocratic chic" effect that feels "far more 2026 than countryside cliché."
Elevating Practical Shoes Through Styling
Trainers, loafers, and Derby shoes can easily become purely practical items. Sheridan-Taylor argues the difference lies in how you style them. "I start every outfit with shoes—they dictate everything," she explains.
Instead of defaulting to predictable combinations like suit trousers with trainers, she recommends embracing a more preppy aesthetic. Try lace-up Derbys paired with a long A-line dress, chunky knit, and leather blazer. Heeled loafers can also bridge comfort and sophistication—Sheridan-Taylor says a two-inch heel is enough to elevate your look.
Worn with a leather pencil skirt and Argyle tights (another autumn/winter trend), loafers feel cool rather than utilitarian.
Trainers That Don't Look Like Gym Wear
In what Sheridan-Taylor calls our "post-Sambas era," trainers have become even slimmer, blurring the line between sports shoes and ballet flats. She highlights the rise of the "sneakerina"—a hybrid between sneakers and ballerina pumps that offers an easy way to upgrade your trainer collection.
Color and finish play crucial roles. "Bright red, lilac suede, or stark white can steer a sporty shoe into something more fashionable," she explains. She references red patent trainers from Dries Van Noten's spring/summer 2026 show as an example of how bold color can transform a shoe's entire vibe.
Regarding styling, "trainers work best with stark contrast," she says. Fluid midi skirts with long trench coats, or oversized trousers with simple T-shirts and suede bombers, help blur the line between sporty and styled.
