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There comes a point every summer — usually around mid July — where I find myself completely over sweating through my clothes and longing for the crisp breezy days of fall. Fast forward to mid October and it’s finally cool enough in New York to wear a light jacket or team a cardigan with a soft T-shirt. Theoretically I should be looking forward to getting dressed and this should be my season to sartorially shine. However, I now find myself overwhelmed by putting together autumnal outfits. Ensuring the colors and silhouettes of all of the necessary extra layers jive together feels like so much extra work in the morning or ahead of a night out. Thankfully, choosing a pair of mules as my shoes allows me to cut a corner or two.
The easy, versatile footwear are essentially effortless to put on. You just slide in your foot and go — no socks required, that is unless you want to wear them. What’s more, there are so many styles of mules to choose from, whether you’re in the market for a comfortable kitten heel to wear out to dinner or fall events or you need a flat that will get you through a day of running errands.
Ahead, I’ve searched the internet high and low for the best mules to complete all of your outfits during this transitional weather season.
Wally Mule
Staud
The easiest way to participate in the current leopard print resurgence? A pair of mules. They’ll add visual interest to neutral fall ‘fits, whether they lean casual or are for going out.
The April Ballet Flat Mule
Madewell
A whole new meaning to twinkle toes. I love the idea of wearing these darling metallic slip-on flats with a pair of slouchy crew socks. Who said balletcore has peaked?
Satin Mules
Prada
Square-toe shoes are having a moment, and what better way to dip your toes into the trend (quite literally) than a pair of the internet-famous Prada mules? The kitten heel adds a little lift without sacrificing comfort while the chocolate brown satin screams fall.
Campo Mary Jane Mule in Calfskin
Loewe
Mary Janes-meets-mules? I’m sold. I’ve embarrassingly spent more time than I’d like to admit struggling with shoe buckles. Plus, the emerald green colorway is incredibly sleek.
Lug Sole Mule
Jenni Kayne
My fall vision board includes weekends at cozy cabins in upstate New York. I don’t know anyone with property up there, but if I did, I’d be teaming my cozy sweaters with these Jenni Kayne lug-sole mules. That said, they make for practical footwear for running weekend errands in Brooklyn.
Kalinka Heeled Mule
Reformation
Take the mesh shoe trend into fall with a pair of lipstick-red mules. The optimal heel height won’t leave you with throbbing feet at the end of the night.
Women’s Princetown Slipper
Gucci
For those days when you want to wear an elevated outfit while putting in minimal effort, the mule version of Gucci’s beloved horsebit loafers are your best bet.
Pierced Mule
Tory Burch
It seems like virtually every fashionable person on the internet has fallen for Tory Burch’s unique pierced mules. And for good reason – they’re a statement piece yet simultaneously practical. This plum hue feels especially autumnal.
Otto Studded Leather Slippers
Khaite
The allover silver studs add edge to an otherwise classic silhouette. Slipping these on instantly turns your favorite jeans and sweater into a statement-making look.
Tabi Leather Mules
Maison Margiela
Slip on a pair of metallic Tabi mules, and your ‘fit will instantly rival the coolest fashion girl you follow on TikTok or Instagram.