The Silver Mules We Keep Coming Back To

Silver mules occupy a strange, useful space between a flat sandal and a proper evening shoe, and the good ones earn that position rather than assume it. What separates a mule worth owning from one that will sit at the back of a shoe rack is the finish of the metallic itself. A true silver should read closer to brushed pewter or liquid mercury than to disco foil, with a leather or fine grain base that catches light without throwing it back in sheets. Cheaper versions tend to use a plasticky laminate that cracks along the toe within a season, so it is worth checking that the upper has some give to it, a bit of a matte hand rather than pure shine, and that the metallic is a dye or foil finish on real leather rather than a coated synthetic standing in for one.

Fit matters more than people expect with a backless shoe. A mule that is even slightly too big will slip at the heel with every step, so the vamp needs to sit snugly across the top of the foot, with enough structure in the sole that the shoe does not fold in half when you walk.

A low block heel or a sculpted kitten heel tends to outperform a stiletto here, simply because mules already ask the foot to work harder to keep them on, and a wider base makes that effortless rather than effortful.

Styling wise, silver mules work best as the one cool, slightly reflective note against something warmer or more textured. They cut through a floaty summer dress in a way that a tan sandal never quite manages, and they do interesting things with denim, particularly a wide or cropped leg that lets the shoe show properly.

Bare ankles suit them better than tights in most seasons, though a fine, sheer black tight can push them into evening territory. For occasions, think drinks that start early and run late, a wedding where the dress code is smart but not black tie, or any daytime outfit that needs one element of proper polish. They read as considered rather than dressed up, which is exactly the point of a good metallic flat.

Top Picks

SILVER MULEHAMPDEN CLOTHINGMule

$680.00 HAMPDEN CLOTHING

SILVER MULEFLORALKINIFaux Leather Open Square Toe Platform Block Heeled Mule Sandals - US 7/EU 38 / Silver

$53.99 FLORALKINI

SILVER MULETHREDUP (US)NY&C Mule/Clog: Silver Checkered/Gingham Pattern Shoes

$25.99 THREDUP (US)

MARISSA COLLECTIONSHaribal Mule $995.00 MARISSA COLLECTIONS

CERQULARDR SCHOLL'S Womens White Leather Mid Heel Mule Sandals UK 5 Comfortable Slip On $38.99 CERQULAR

ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Swayzy Mule Sneakers $165.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)

LARROUDECharli Box Mule In Burgundy Leather - 9.5 / Burgundy $105.00 LARROUDE

CERQULARRIEKER Womens Black Leather Mule Clog UK 7 Comfortable Slip On Summer Footwear $53.29 CERQULAR

FLORALKINICrystal Embellished Satin Open Toe Platform Mule Sandals - US 11/EU 42 / Silver $76.99 FLORALKINI

HAMPDEN CLOTHINGMule $680.00 HAMPDEN CLOTHING

LARROUDEDew Drop Mule Silver Specchio Vinyl - 10 / Silver $99.00 LARROUDE

LARROUDECharli Box Mule In White Leather - 6 / White $105.00 LARROUDE

LARROUDEJasmine Hi Mule In Silver Specchio - 10 / Silver $99.00 LARROUDE

SIMON MILLERF112 Kicker Tee Heel Mule in Glitter Multi $215.00 SIMON MILLER

THREDUP (US)Talbots Mule/Clog: Silver Metallic Pattern Shoes - Size $84.99 THREDUP (US)

SHOEMALL.COMJohnston & Murphy Ali Perfed Bit Mule Women's Silver Slip On 10 $147.95 SHOEMALL.COM

FLORALKINIFaux Leather Open Square Toe Platform Block Heeled Mule Sandals - US 7/EU 38 / Silver $53.99 FLORALKINI

THREDUP (US)Madewell Mule/Clog: Silver Shoes $37.99 THREDUP (US)

MARISSA COLLECTIONSWelch Midi Mule $495.00 MARISSA COLLECTIONS

GLAM AND GLORIA, LLCAll Right Now Black Studded Mule Booties - 8 / Black $59.90 GLAM AND GLORIA, LLC

FAMOUS FOOTWEARFranco Sarto Women's Jayda Mule Shoes (Silver Faux Leather) - Size 10.0 $119.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR

ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Agent Suede Mule Heels $155.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)

EGO (US & CA)Kora Thong Buckle Strap Heeled Mule In Black Croc Print Faux Leather, Women's Size US $42.00 EGO (US & CA)

FAMOUS FOOTWEARJournee Women's Tiarra Pointed Toe Mule Pump Shoes (Silver/Sparkle) - Size 10.0 $85.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR

SIMON MILLERF112 Kicker Tee Heel Mule in Black $125.00 SIMON MILLER

EGO (US & CA)Lammy Thong Strap Kitten Heel Mule In Silver Faux Leather., Women's Size US $36.00 EGO (US & CA)

THE WEBSTERLidia Mule 105 Silver $745.00 THE WEBSTER

CERQULARWomens Brown Leather Mule Clog Shoes UK 5 Classic Wooden Buckle Comfort Slip On $37.69 CERQULAR

THREDUP (US)Mule/Clog: Silver Metallic Pattern Shoes - Size $40.99 THREDUP (US)

THREDUP (US)Schutz Mule/Clog: Silver Shoes $55.99 THREDUP (US)

THREDUP (US)Urban Outfitters Mule/Clog: Silver Shoes - Size $32.99 THREDUP (US)

THREDUP (US)NY&C Mule/Clog: Silver Checkered/Gingham Pattern Shoes $25.99 THREDUP (US)

W CONCEPT (US)Pom Pomee Mule Silver $250.00 W CONCEPT (US)

THREDUP (US)Tory Burch Mule/Clog: Silver Shoes - Size $71.99 THREDUP (US)

THREDUP (US)Pedro Garcia Mule/Clog: Silver Shoes - Size $62.99 THREDUP (US)

W CONCEPT (US)Cherub Mule [Silver] (BF5APU13SV) $258.00 W CONCEPT (US)

W CONCEPT (US)Mule Point Ring $155.00 W CONCEPT (US)

W CONCEPT (US)3cm Ribbon Emma Mule (CW0088SV) $106.00 W CONCEPT (US)

W CONCEPT (US)Grace Mule [Silver] $286.00 W CONCEPT (US)

W CONCEPT (US)Juana Strap Mule Sandals $277.00 W CONCEPT (US)

W CONCEPT (US)Aisa Square Sandal Mule (5cm) $84.00 W CONCEPT (US)

W CONCEPT (US)Mesh Flower Dot Mule (4COLOR) $361.00 W CONCEPT (US)

−65%

FAMOUS FOOTWEARFranco Sarto Women's Tavana Mule Shoes (Silver Faux Leather) - Size 10.0$114.23 $39.98 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR

−65%

FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Tavana Mule Sandals (Silver Faux Leather) 6.5 M Slip On Fit, Square Toe, Slip$114.23 $39.98 FRANCO SARTO

−59%

FAMOUS FOOTWEARNaturalizer Women's Apple Mary Jane Mule Shoes (Silver Faux Leather) - Size 10.0$109.73 $44.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR

−48%

FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Franco Marlina Mule (Silver Faux Leather) 6.0 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip$115.35 $59.98 FRANCO SARTO

−48%

FAMOUS FOOTWEARFranco Sarto Women's Marlina Mule Shoes (Silver Faux Leather) - Size 10.0$115.35 $59.98 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR

−69%

EILEEN FISHERDana Mule$222.58 $69.00 EILEEN FISHER

−27%

NATURALIZERNaturalizer Apple Mary Jane Mule Shoes, Silver Faux Leather, 7.5W$109.58 $79.99 NATURALIZER

−9%

STEVE MADDENSteve Madden Women's Alexi Sequin Mule Heels - Silver - Size$109.86 $99.97 STEVE MADDEN

−48%

EILEEN FISHERWashed Organic Cotton Poplin Split Neck Dress$229.62 $119.40 EILEEN FISHER

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