Oh, Labor Day — nothing says celebrating the nation’s workers like sales and shopping.

One of the more redeemable aspects of 2020 was the nationwide appreciation for essential workers. This year, however, despite the still raging pandemic, things are mostly back to normal — so much for the “new-normal” of yesteryear.

So Labor Day wrought the sales that Labor Day does, with less talk of our nation’s workers and more efforts to entice us to append our lockdown savings on things we definitely don’t need but somehow try to justify.

Of all the purchases I couldn’t justify making during the pandemic, shoes were on the top of the list. Although I tried to find rationale for each new pair I wanted, I would always come down on the questions: to go where? To do what?

Of course, my fantasies had answers to those questions, trying to come up with new reasons to add a bookmarked pair of shoes into my cart.

When this is all over, you’ll go on vacation to Europe, and you’ll regret not buying those espadrilles, I told myself. Or, you’ll wear them to the gym, I said to myself as I procrastinated doing any home workouts.

And now that summer is officially over, transitioning into fall offers up a whole new slate of reasons I try to convince myself to shop. Winter is coming, I tell myself, I need to enjoy the outdoors before everything is covered in snow or it gets too blisteringly cold to leave the house.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by choice, I have been perusing the internet for the best shoes for the season, the kicks that will take you through the end of summer and into fall with style and comfort.

Reebok Club C 85

The vintage style of the Reebok Club C never goes out of style. Pair it with almost anything for an effortlessly cool look. And with countless design iterations, it’s easy to find colorways that suit your personal style. The classic chalk color is less precious than a white sneaker, so don’t fuss about keeping these clean. Nothing encapsulates the carefree vibe of summer like a white sneaker, and they’ll crispen up your fall look all through the season.

Suicoke Shearling Sandals

For a more unique alternative to Tevas or Chacos, try Suicoke sandals. The stylish brand has designer collaborations under its belt, as well as a wealth of inventive colorways. Their platform style makes them extra padded for the most comfortable sandal ever that you’ll want to wear everywhere. Their shearling lined sandals are the perfect transition shoe. Their lush faux-fur lining makes them warm and cozy, but they’re still a sandal — best of both worlds.

Nike Air Zoom Superrep 2

One of the coolest Nike shapes to hit the market recently is the Nike Air Zoom Superrep 2. The innovative sneaker is an elegant combination of a lifestyle and workout shoe. It is one of the weirdest and most unique Nike sneakers we’ve seen in a while — so, par for the course, we’re obsessed with it. Ergonomically it’s a performance shoe, made with air cushion technology we barely understand beyond the incomparable comfort. Aesthetically, it can be worn for the “ath” or the “leisure” sides of your life. Ethically, it’s made of sustainable materials and includes a recycled sole. Show it off while you can, you deserve it.

JJJJound x New Balance 992 Green

Okay, a girl can dream. In a world in which I had over a grand to drop on sneakers, the JJJJound x New Balance 992 Green would be my choice. The cool, crisp olive green colorway brings a freshness to summer, while being undeniably fall-ready. The suede material adds a sophisticated edge, balanced by the necessary casualness of the Dad Shoe as a type. There is so much to say about JJJJound as a brand, their careful design ethos and minimal intentionality, but these shoes say it all. I end up dreaming about them every autumn for the rest of my life, probably.