The main thing to examine when looking for new footwear is the style. What do you need the shoes for? Will they become an everyday option you want to sport when out and about on the regular? Or are they for a special occasion that you will wear only a couple of times? Knowing exactly what you need from your footwear can make a huge difference when it comes to your satisfaction after purchase. There are a few styles to consider if you’re not entirely sure what you are after:

Sneakers

• Athletic
  This is a footwear type that most people wear for exercise or to the gym. As of late, they have become a staple in daily wear thanks to a rise in the popularity of gym wear for everyday life. They have a traditional look with thick rubber soles, mesh or leather uppers, and laces. Gym shoes in purple will add pizzazz to your workout routine and could possibly make running errands not so tedious. Or so we could hope.
• Casual
  Casual sneakers are more low key than athletic sneakers. You see many styles and types of these as they are convenient and comfortable. They are designed for aesthetics, not so much purpose in terms of mimicking traditional athletic footwear. While some may opt to wear these in the gym, it is not advisable, seeing that casual sneakers lack the support and cushioning you need for more strenuous activities. Casual sneakers can be more associated with a preppy look. They make a great choice for everything from work to school, young and old alike.

Boots

• Combat
  Originally designed to be used by soldiers, combat boots have quickly gained popularity with everyone else thanks to their great features. Some people like the warmth they provide. Others enjoy them for their protection while working. The combat boot is rugged but still stylish. It can be worn with jeans, dresses, and more. It is a great choice for people that need a boot for any reason.
• Cowboy
  Cowboy boots aren’t just worn by cowboys. They are loved and adored by country music fans, rustic photographers, and more. They are a great choice for boots if you need them for style or functionality. They can be considered a work boot. However, they are generally intricately designed and most people would choose not to wear them solely for work. Cowboy boots are a great choice if you are looking for a boot to keep your feet warm and/or protected.
• Dress
  Dress boots are boots that could be worn for more fancy occasions, such as dinner parties and weddings. They could also easily be worn to work and not look like a sore thumb sticking out. Dress boots typically will have a nicer sheen to them. For women, you will find them in many varying heel heights, from flat all the way to 6 inches. For men, the basic flat will do. Also, shaft height will be greatly varying. Some boots are ankle height, while others come up to past your knee level.

Sandals

• Flip-Flops
  Almost everyone owns at least one pair of flip-flops. They are probably a close tie with sneakers as everyone’s favorite design. They are open so your feet can breathe, and they go with any type of clothing you want to pair them with; dresses, shorts, jeans, khakis, etc.
• Sandals
  The difference between a sandal and a flip-flop is the toe strap. A flip-flop is considered a sandal but a sandal is not the same as a flip-flop. Sandals can have any range of straps to secure the foot into place inside the design. A flip-flop has the traditional “Y” strap that goes over the foot and in between the big and second toe. Sandals are also considered to be more dressy overall than a flip-flop. Sandals are also accepted in more places, such as work or church, as appropriate attire over flip-flops.

High heels

• Stilleto
  Stiletto heels are either completely loved or miserably hated by women around the globe. If you love them, you not only love the way they look, but you are a huge fan of how they make your legs look, how wonderful they affect your posture, or how well they develop your leg muscles when you walk in them. If you hate them, you find the heels too hard or too uncomfortable to wear. A stiletto is defined as a design with a very thin stiletto spike to walk on under the heel. Some stilettos have heights topping 6 inches!
• Wedge
  Wedges are easy to put on and they are relatively comfortable to walk around in. You can get the benefit of the high heel in terms of posture and a leg workout, all without the worrisome walk in stilettos that takes much practice to get the hang of. Wedges are usually highly acclaimed for being comfortable for all-day wear.
• Pump
  A classic pump is best recognized by a lower and thicker heel than a stiletto. The heel is not so tall and usually hovers around the 1″-3″ mark for height. These type of heels are a great alternative to those that still want to be dressed up but tend to get uncomfortable wearing high heels. The pump allows you to feel more secure when walking.

Slip-On

• Ballet Flat
  These grew to popularity as a fashion choice over the past 10 years. They are a nice break from high heels as they are flat and allow for proper splaying of the bones. Ballet flats are considered dressy or casual depending on what you have them paired with, outfit wise. They are a good choice for people that do not feel comfortable walking in high heels.
• Mules
  Mules are another great alternative to high heels. The mule is popular amongst young and old, men and women alike. Usually, mules have a very good sole traction that prevents slipping. These are a popular choice among nurses and other professionals that require stability.

After you have picked a design based on the style that you like, the next biggest criteria milestone to evaluate is the comfort levels of the footwear. There are a few things that help to evaluate how comfortable the design is going to be.

First, flexibility. The construction and material type will determine the design's flexibility. For the best possible wearing experience, look for footwear that allows you to naturally move, without constricting you or hindering you in taking a proper step in any way.

The second most important factor in the performance of any type of footwear is the sole. Protecting the feet and cushioning your steps, it has the purpose of protecting you both from the surface underfoot, as well as the excess shock that is generated with each of your steps. Make sure that the design you're getting - whether it's a high heel, a sneaker, or a ballet flat - has the right amount of cushioning for you. Molded, or contoured, footbeds are also a plus, as arch support will help prevent foot fatigue and correct ailments such as overpronation.

When trying to pick out the most comfortable option for yourself, make sure that the design you put on for the first time doesn't dig into your skin or cause friction in any way. Even the slightest of discomfort on the first try may grow into something more serious as you walk for longer, such as blisters or lacerations.

The material of the upper plays a big role in the comfort levels of design, as well as its breathability and durability. There are numerous options when it comes to materials, but here are the pros and cons for some of the most popular ones used in constructing footwear:

Leather – Leather is a material that is very durable. In fact, it has been used for thousands of years for the same reason. Before simple production methods of today, leather was used because of its unmatched durability, comfort, and warmth. For the same reasons, leather is still widely used today. It makes a very strong and durable shoe. It is also preferred by many because it is easy to clean. Finally, many people prefer leather for the sheer look of it compared to mesh or other materials. Additionally, leather is also amazingly breathable, allowing air to freely circulate in and out of footwear, and keeping your feet dry and cool.

Canvas – Footwear made from canvas has an easy-breezy appeal to it. Canvas designs are lightweight and look good with many different styles of clothing. Canvas is generally easy to clean and can last a long time when properly cared for. It also promotes good breathability and airflow. Therefore, your feet will stay cooler in canvas footwear than they usually would.

Suede – Suede is a popular choice for footwear because of the soft, plush feeling it provides. Suede is also a flexible material, so if you are looking for a flexible and sharp-looking design, this might be your winner. However, suede is harder to maintain than regular leather, and it tends to stain very easily.

Mesh – This is a material that is widely popular and used in many designs. Mesh is bendable and makes for great material in sneakers especially. It is also very breathable and promotes good airflow. It is also a quick-drying fabric so should it get wet, it will dry in just a short time.

Affordability is a two-fold street. A design can be affordable but if it doesn’t last, then that is not a smart purchase either.

Having to replace one pair of shoes every three months is no smarter financially than just buying a more expensive pair in the beginning. This is not to say that because an option is lower-priced it is not durable. Durability is a quality that depends on many different factors, including the construction of the design, its materials, and how frequently you're using it.

If you wish for something that will last you quite some time, then always opt for genuine leathers. Leather and suede are incredibly durable materials, especially if they are layered thick. Moreover, if the design is made using the Goodyear welt construction method (such as Dr. Martens 1460), then you can be sure that you will be able to enjoy wearing it for years to come.

We ranked the best purple shoes on our list according to their durability so that you have an easier time finding just the right option for yourself. Good luck!

Even if you find the perfect style and it has all the comfort characteristics you are searching for, ultimately, for most people, it comes down to affordability. Everyone has a price threshold based on their individual budget.

If a design is out of the price range the customers are looking at, they will not buy it - plain and simple. They will move on to the next runner-up and go through the other criteria again.

We searched through hundreds of options and one of the criteria we used to narrow down the list by was the price. It is important to include a wide variety of items within a shopping budget that almost anyone can afford. Even if that means they have to save for a few weeks to purchase their favorite pair.

Fortunately, most of the options on our list are quite reasonably priced, and you shouldn't have any problems treating yourself to the one which suits you the best!