2021 was all about the “dad” sandal, and 2022 is turning out to be the year of the mule. Riding the wave of the ’90s fashion revival, designers have been offering up styles in an array of colorways and heel heights. However, my personal favorite is the white mule with a heel height of three inches or less. (When it comes to footwear, there’s nothing worse than hard-to-walk-in shoes.) Of course, the flatform mule is a strong contender for the summer sandal top spot, but with event dressing having made a return to our calendars, I can’t stop looking at the moderate-heeled iterations out right now.
In a nutshell, the white mule is a wardrobe superhero. Read on to learn who makes the best ones and make an investment you won’t regret.
Price range: Under $200
Schutz
If you fancy yourself a stiletto, consider Schutz. For those who aren’t familiar with the brand: it’s the affordable line of world-renowned shoe designer Alexander Birman that offers everything you could imagine, including white mules.
Price range: $200 to $750
BY FAR
BY FAR’s white mules are simple yet stylish ad infinitum. Generally, I love the designer’s mix of sleek silhouettes and white finishes, which women can team with billowy dresses, prim midi skirts, and more.
Stuart Weitzman
Stuart Weitzman has a great selection of femme silhouettes and finishes in white, which women can wear effortlessly with so many summer looks.
Price range: $750 to $1,500
Bottega Veneta
When it comes to shoes, Bottega Veneta is at the heart of the square-toe trend, making its shoes, including its mules, instantly recognizable. They can also tie any look together; the pared-back design ethos means they’ll go with nearly anything.
Jimmy Choo
To say the offerings from premium retailer Jimmy Choo are decadent wouldn’t be an understatement. But oh my, they’re so irresistible. Its strappy white mule styles are no exception. Be it the Maelie 70 Leather Sandals in off-white leather or the angular Zania 6 Mules, you’re bound to look super chic—each style is on-trend and crafted with the best materials.
MACH & MACH
Fit for a fashion fairytale, MACH & MACH shoe styles are for a modern fairytale. Its white satin, open mules have squared-off toes and are topped with the signature crystal-encrusted double bow embellishments.
Manolo Blahnik
Carrie Bradshaw may have made Manolo Blahnik’s Hangisi pumps a style for the ages, but there’s also a case for shaking things up with other designs from the label. Gable 70! Jadarona 70! Laalita 50! Lurum 90! However, if you are in love with the Hangisi aesthetic, you can get the best of both worlds with the white Hangisimu mules.
Ready to invest in a pair of white mules?
A great summer footwear collection will help you set, or perfect, all of your looks. Unlike your latest date night top or dress-of-the-moment, a shoe like the white mule can take you the distance by staying with you long after trends have come and gone. These high-quality picks are distinctive, as they’ll make it through the wear and tear that would destroy their lesser counterparts.
Style-wise, consider your personal taste and lifestyle needs. While you can’t go wrong with a simple slide, a more dramatic pair can really make a look for summer days (and, in some cases, for spring and autumn, too) stand out. So long as it’s well-made and versatile, whichever pair you choose will be a smart purchase you’re not ever likely to second-guess.
As always, these are just guidelines to make an informed purchase. With over 20 years in the fashion industry, Esquivel takes pride in being a valuable resource for shoppers. To learn more about our collection of white mules or any other products we offer, send us a message through this link. We’re here to help you find the best shoes for you.
George Esquivel
George is a Southern California-based designer and craftsman who designed his first pair of shoes in 1994 and began honing his craft thereafter. For over 20 years, he’s operated his namesake brand, Esquivel, which specializes in handmade shoes and accessories. In the last decade, George served as Creative Director of renowned luxury bag and luggage brand Tumi Inc. and as Creative Consultant for Italian heritage brand Fratelli Rossetti and has collaborated with many others for his brand. George was a 2009 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist and has been a CFDA member since 2010. When he’s not working alongside his team of artisans at his atelier, Esquivel House, in Downtown Los Angeles, George is enjoying time with his wife and high school sweetheart, Shelley, and their three grown children. He also loves mountain biking and hosting good friends for dinners and fêtes.