By ‘upper’ in this section, we mean - how good these designs are in showcasing the topic of this guide. How original their fantasy motifs are, and how well they play with it in terms of artistry and visual appeal. After all, our list is about unicorn footwear, and it’s only fair that we judge the designs based on their unicorn-ness, no?

This particular aspect can be featured in different ways. Many items here opt for a printed upper, with many, many, many different depictions of the mythical creature. There are stylized drawings, more realistic presentations, smiling creatures, fierce creatures, surrounded by clouds, by rainbows, with a sunset for a backdrop - you name it!

Other than colorful, printed uppers, there is also a different way of bringing the fantasy element to a design, and that is seen in our Ellie Shoes designs. Both the Magic and the Dashing have a different approach to describing this fantasy being, and you can find them in the shape of their heels and the added rainbow-colored mane, in the case of the Magic. These designs are less direct and more abstract, but they definitely get the point across. And they are simply fabulous to wear!

Which design you go for is entirely up to you. As we often say, the ultimate color combination or print choice should be based on your personal preference, as well as on what kind of outfits you plan on wearing with these types of designs. Whichever option catches your eye and appeals to your style, that is definitely the best one! Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise, and listen only to your gut when you’re making your final choice.

Since we have a wide variety of different footwear styles in our list, here we will take a moment and explore each of them, in order to help you determine which one is the best choice for you.

Sneakers

We wear our sneakers pretty much everywhere – to see our friends, family, to run errands, when traveling, sightseeing, shopping, taking a walk in the park, at the gym, and even to work, depending on the office’s dress code.

The sneaker is truly a ubiquitous design, and in our guide, we have encountered two versions of it:

• High Top: High top sneakers are the ones which go over the ankle. They have all the hallmarks of a regular sneaker – the flat rubber soles, the lace-up closures, the comfort, and the sporty design – they’re just a little higher than a regular, low top sneaker.
  The benefit of a high top is that this type of sneaker offers ankle support. In some sports, such as basketball and weightlifting, ankle support is crucial, as it reduces the risk of sustaining an injury such as a sprained ankle.
  Additionally, high top sneakers act like a makeshift bootie – in colder autumn months, especially if they are made of heat-preserving materials such as wool, these can help keep your feet cozy and warm all day long.
• Slip-On: Slip-on sneakers are clean and streamlined in design. They have no obvious closures, no laces, no zippers, no buckles or straps. The way in and out of these sneakers is just like their name suggests – you just slip them on and you’re on your way!
  These are incredibly convenient when one doesn’t have time to bother with putting on footwear, or if for some reason they are having difficulties – such as pregnant ladies and the elderly, for example.

Flats

Ballerina flats have been all the rage in the past decade – they are easy to put on, easy to wear, and adorable to look at. They come in a staggering number of designs and patterns and can have all the silhouettes of a classic pump – round toe, pointy toe, almond toe, and even square toe shape.

While flats are comfortable to wear all day long, they do come with their own set of precautions. This footwear style usually doesn’t have much in terms of cushioning or arch support, which can lead to some foot-related ailments later on. No arch support can lead to flatfoot, or pes planus, while no cushioning can cause a condition called plantar fasciitis.

This is why it is important to look for these features in a flat – an arch cookie and a padded footbed. If by any means the shoe doesn’t have them, that doesn’t mean you can’t wear it! Just be careful not to spend extended periods of time in it, and let your feet rest once in a while in more supportive footwear.

Flip Flops

Flip flops are the perfect beach footwear. They are lightweight, keeping most of the foot exposed, and more often than not they are waterproof, making them a great option for splashing around by the sea or the pool. These designs should be reserved only for the most casual of situations, as flip-flops aren’t considered appropriate footwear for most events.

While comfortable for short-term wear, similarly to ballerina flats they also have the unfortunate quality of being detrimental to foot health in the long run. If you’re looking for a flip flop to wear day in and day out, find one which has a contoured footbed. Support in the arch and a cushioned midsole, such as one made out of EVA or memory foam, is ideal for constant use.

Boots

The go-to footwear for inclement weather, your winter boots could be a great way to express your love for fairytales. Depending on their design and the material they are made of, you can easily wear them all day long, while they keep your feet warm and protected from the elements.

If you’re expecting a lot of snow or rain in the upcoming months, go for all-rubber, waterproof designs. Up to the knee would be ideal, as boots this high not only protect your feet but your legs as well. If the temperatures are freezing, look for fur, fleece or wool lining.

However, if you are looking for a cute, fashionable bootie to complete your autumn look, then you can go for ones which are ankle high, which have a heel to them, and maybe even an embellishment or two, such as spikes or tassels.

When you’re chasing a fantasy theme such as this one - especially if it’s for a cosplay or a costume party of some sorts - then it’s easy to overlook one of the most important aspects, which is comfort. No matter how fantastical a design is, it still needs to be comfortable enough for you to wear it for hours on end, especially if you are looking for an easy, casual option that you can wear every day.

There are several different features that you should pay attention to in terms of comfort, and we will expand on them a bit more in the following list.

• Footbed: The footbed of the design is crucial, as it comes in direct contact with your foot sole. It should be firm but cushy, and not too soft. If it has shock-absorbing properties, such as those made from EVA, then even better!
  Shock absorption makes sure that the force of of you heel strike doesn’t travel up your leg and cause damage to your joints; rather, EVA, and other shock absorbing materials, such as memory foam, evenly distribute this force through the shoe, and thus protect you from pain and long-term joint issues.
• Materials: The materials of a design don’t only determine its comfort, but also its durability, breathability, flexibility and similar qualities. When it comes to comfort, you want the upper of a design to be supportive, but not stiff. It needs to hug your foot gently, and not cause you any blisters or rub you the wrong way. If you feel even the slightest discomfort when trying on a design for the first time, chances are it will only get worse the longer you wear it, so keep that in mind while you’re making a decision.
• Fit: We always say that footwear should fit you closely. This means that it shouldn’t be so loose that your foot or ankle is sliding around in it, but it should also not be so tight to be cutting off blood flow. Some designs might become more comfortable over time and stretch out more, but this is mostly reserved for options made out of genuine leather, which isn’t any of the ones we have on our list here.
• Heel: Since the topic of heels and heel comfort is a pretty broad one, we have dedicated an entire section for this, and thus read on to find out how to choose a comfortable heeled design.

The most elegant, most formal of choices is high-heeled footwear. These are great for almost any occasion where you’re required to look presentable – the workplace, where comfortable, closed-toe low heels are the norm; a party, where high heels add a touch of playfulness and flirt; a wedding reception or a prom, which are all about elegance and poise.

Of course, it is a given that high heels are not the most comfortable of styles. People complain about them all the time – the pain in their feet, the cramps, the numbness of their toes. However, we all still wear them because they make us confident, sexy and because they visually elongate our figures.

In order to make the most out of your heels, to feel as comfortable in them as you can, there are three key factors you should look for on your next shopping trip:

• Low Height: It stands to reason that the higher the heel is, the more difficult it will be to walk in it. Anything up to three inches in height – think kitten heels – is comfortable enough to wear for the entire day, and probably even into the night as well. Heels over three inches, and especially over four inches in height, will start hurting after only a couple of hours of wearing them.
• Chunky Heels: With blocky, chunky heels and wedge-type heels you will have the most stability in your steps. These heels provide a good foundation, and they minimize the unsteady movements of your ankle, reducing the risk of stumbling and falling. In contrast, stiletto heels are too narrow – in them, all of your weight is shifted forward onto the ball of your foot, which can cause you pain.
• Cushioning: Even if the heel is high and narrow, you can still have some relief in the form of cushioning in the footbed. This bonus padding provides impact absorption, which in turn lessens the strain on your heel as you walk. If for any reason the shoe you fall in love with doesn’t have built-in cushioning, you can always buy extra comfort pads and gel inserts to put inside the heel.

We all like our footwear to last for as long as possible. After all, since we invested money in it, it is only natural that we want it to serve us well for a long period of time. How durable a design is depends on what it’s made of, the type of its construction, how often you wear it and in what conditions, how well you take care of it, and other similar factors.

The main feature here are the materials, as they are the ones which have to be resistant to scuffing, to wear and tear, and which put up with the most abuse over the lifespan of a shoe.

The items on our list are made from a wide variety of materials. There are lightweight options, such as canvas and fabric; there are faux leather ones, like the Cute to the Core Critter; there are spandex options, as well as those made from polyester materials.

In terms of durability, the least durable is canvas, since this a thin material prone to scuffing and fraying. Synthetic leather is not nearly durable as genuine leather, as it becomes flaky relatively soon - these designs will last about a season, a couple at most.

The material which stands out, however, is definitely polyester. It is not as long-lasting as genuine leather, either, but it is pretty durable, and can withstand a lot in terms of wear and tear. Polyester is also incredibly colorfast, meaning that the colors it’s dyed with will remain vibrant and saturated for a long time to come, no matter how much you wash your footwear.

It also stands to reason that the options you wear every day will wear out more quickly than the ones you wear only for special occasions. That is a completely natural occurrence, and while it is maybe unfair, it definitely doesn’t mean that you should refrain from wearing your new unicorn shoes as much as you want!