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The Best Shoe Shopping in NYC

New York is a walking city where tootsies sport everything from red-soled Louboutin stilettos to drugstore flip-flops. Here are our favorite spots for the best shoe shopping in New York City.

Marmi Shoes

Marmi Shoes opened its first specialty boutique in 1986. The NYC location, at 519 Madison Avenue, gives women a way to combine fit with fashion in a comfy, boutique space that boasts genuinely helpful salespeople. Marmi sells boots, shoes, sandals, and dressy footwear in wide, narrow, medium, slim, and super-slim widths so there's ample choice no matter your hoof needs.

Want great boots that also help feed the hungry? The Frye Company works in partnership with Feeding America (under the rubric "Give Hunger the Boot"). Their products go way beyond classic cowboy boots, although they still sell those, as well as all manner of boots, shoes, and accessories for men, women, and kids. Frye goods are pricey but well-crafted and wear forever. 113 Spring Street.

Uggs at Shoe Parlor

From sneakers to dressy, handmade fine Italian leather shoes and boots, Shoe Parlor has everything—along with exemplary service. You can find footgear ranging from itty-bitty Ugg boots for babies to Eileen Fisher pumps for women to Sebago loafers for guys at decent price points that drop even further during sales. The NYC store is at 851 Seventh Ave. between 54th and 55th Streets.

If yours is an "active life," Jack Rabbit is the place for your feet. The passion here is a perfect fit for a perfect run whether your goal is a casual jog or the wish to crush your next 12K. Brands like Brooks, Nikko, Mizuno, Hoka One One, and scores of others, as well as walking shoes, sandals, and other casual styles are sold here. Head to the store at 42 West 14th Street at Union Square.

Coclico sources materials in Europe aiming to meet the highest standards of environmental responsibility—a place for footgear combinging modern minimalism with traditional quality. At 275 Mott Street, women will find elegant flats, clogs, heels,  and wedges as well as booties and boots. Welcome spring and make any outfit sparkle with the Oahu Slide in blush Italian kidskin suede with open toe, or the Arya Bootie with open sides and belted detailing.

Whether you dance with the stars or at your local Y you can find the right shoes at Worldtone, 580 Eighth Avenue between 38th and 39th streets. Check out shoes for competitive ballroom, salsa, Latin dance, and swing, as well as theater needs from practice to the perfect look for a performance. In addition to providing footwear for actors and dancers, get advice on where to repair dancing shoes, or find dance programs. Go forth thinking Fred or Ginger.

For huge variety and low prices, amble through DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse for a lot of shoe love. Selection—largely for women, but men and kids get their share—changes fast. It's not glamourous shopping but options are plentiful with clearance footgear that's even less expensive than the already-discounted prices. If you shop here often, join the rewards program for extra-special perks. Locations throughout the city.

The motto of John Fluevog is "good soles leave small prints," which means eco-friendly foot stuffs using vegetable-tanned leathers and water-based glues whenever possible. It also means unusual designs teamed with a determinedly campy attitude. If you want to buy or sell previously owned Fluevogs, the store can help. For guys, there is the Sid, a 'brogued' lace-up wingtip with a 2" EVA foam platform and signature Angel soles or the ultra-cool 6-eye lace-up BBC boot. Divas dig Trivialis, a fancy Mary Jane with wiggly lines, a one-inch heel and rubber soles. 250 Mulberry Street. 

Siegerson Morrison

Since 1991, Sigerson Morrison has built a cult following of women who crave its clean, modern aesthetic, luxury materials, sophisticated details, and expert craftsmanship. Unlike some high-end shoe crafters, there are flats here as well as heels, booties, mules, and wedges. The Wenda Wedge pump features a pointy toe and scalloped top-line silhouette; the Rhoda Cross-Cross mule comes in many appealing colors of suede with a covered block heel. 861 Madison Avenue, right in ladies-who-lunch land.

About the Author

Mari S. Gold is a freelance writer whose work has been published in The New York Times, American Profile, Go Nomad, www.newyorkarts.com, Stratton Magazine, Go World Travel, and other outlets. A lifelong New Yorker and avid traveler, she also writes on food, theater, and other cultural events. Her blog, But I Digress…can be found at www.marigoldonline.net.

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