Shoes for Women

Last updated: 15 September 2026

Shoes for women in South Africa

Something Pretty Boutique, the luxury womenswear boutique founded by Tasneem Ismail in 2015, sells a carefully curated collection of European Fashion to women across South Africa, and stocks shoes online and at three Cape Town boutiques: Constantia Village, Cavendish Square in Claremont, and Piazza St John's in Sea Point. Every pair is chosen by hand in Europe and arrives in small numbers, which is why the choice here is deliberately short rather than endless. A shoe earns its place only if it works with the dresses and denim already hanging in the store.

Where to start: the three routes

Ladies shoes divide into three jobs, and most women only need one pair doing each. Start with the job rather than the shoe, because a wardrobe fails when it holds six versions of one job and nothing for another. Each route below has its own edit, with fit, care and styling detail specific to that shoe.

• Sneakers for women for the days that start early and change twice.
• Sandals and slides for a Cape Town summer, from the market to a long lunch.
• Comfortable shoes for the days you are on your feet and still want to look considered.

Which shoe for which occasion?

The mistake is choosing the shoe by colour. Choose it by how long you will be standing and what the invitation actually asks for, then let colour pick between the options that survive. Every pairing below has been tried on a real customer in the fitting rooms at our stores, with the dress she came in for.

The day	Shoe type	Why it holds up
School run into coffee	Slim soled sneaker	Reads dressed rather than sporty when you stay out longer than planned
Summer lunch, Winelands	Flat sandal	Handles gravel and grass, and stays comfortable seated for three hours
Office or a full day standing	Supportive flat or low block	Support without an orthopaedic look
Evening function	Metallic slide or low heel	Catches evening light without committing you to a stiletto
Travel day	Sneaker, worn on the plane	The bulkiest pair should never go in the suitcase

How many pairs do you actually need?

Four pairs cover almost every South African wardrobe: one sneaker, one flat sandal, one dressed evening shoe, one supportive everyday flat. Buy those four properly and the rest is preference. Sizes arrive in small numbers, so a size on the shelf today may not be there in a fortnight, which is the honest reason to buy the pair you will wear weekly rather than the pair you might wear once. See what has landed in new arrivals before it goes.

How does sizing differ between shoe types?

Take the larger size in a closed shoe, the smaller in a slide, and your true size in a sneaker. Closed shoes need room across the toes because feet swell through the day. A slide that is even slightly loose slips at the heel and rubs within an hour. European shoes tend to run narrow across the board, so check the size guide before ordering. Fitting in store settles it in a minute.

What makes a boutique shoe different from a chain one?

Three things you can check by hand: the sole is stitched or bonded rather than only glued, the lining is leather rather than printed textile, and the shape holds when you press the heel counter between two fingers. A chain shoe usually gives on at least one. Something Pretty buys from small European makers, so a style rarely returns once it sells through, and the same eye runs through the silk edit.

Pair with the rest of the look

Shoes finish the outfit, so choose them last. They should agree with the jeans and linen pants you reach for on a normal week, not only with the one dress you bought for a wedding. Add necklaces in gold, carry one of the small handbags, and keep an eye on the summer dresses and occasion dresses the shoes will have to carry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy shoes for women in Cape Town?

Something Pretty sells shoes for women at three Cape Town boutiques: Constantia Village, Cavendish Square in Claremont, and Piazza St John's in Sea Point. Every store lets you walk in the shoe before you buy, which matters more with footwear than with anything else in the boutique.

What shoes should every woman own?

One sneaker, one flat sandal, one dressed evening shoe and one supportive everyday flat cover almost every occasion in a South African year. Buy those four in good materials before adding anything seasonal. Most wardrobes fail because they hold six versions of one job and nothing for another.

Are boutique shoes worth the price?

Yes, if you buy the pair you will wear weekly rather than the pair for one event. A stitched sole and a leather lining last several seasons and can be resoled, where a glued textile shoe usually cannot. Cost per wear settles the argument faster than the price on the shelf.

What shoes are best for a South African summer?

Flat sandals and slides in leather or raffia handle the heat, and a slim sneaker covers the cooler mornings and travel days. Keep one metallic pair for evenings, since it dresses up a plain outfit without adding weight to a suitcase.

Do you deliver shoes across South Africa?

Yes. Something Pretty delivers shoes across South Africa with tracking on every order, and delivery is free on orders over R1,500. Sizes run in small numbers, so a size showing today may not be there next week.

Can I exchange shoes if the size is wrong?

Yes, if you request it within 72 hours of delivery. The shoes must be unworn, with tags, in the original box, and a R155 fee applies to returns and exchanges. Sale items cannot be returned or exchanged. Try them indoors on carpet first, because a marked sole cannot go back. Full terms are in the returns policy.

What shoes work with jeans?

A slim sneaker suits a straight or barrel leg, and a low heel or platform keeps a wide leg from shortening you. Try the jean with the shoe you plan to wear before deciding on the hem, and pack the reversible pair when you want one denim to cover two looks.