Choosing shoes for every occasion
A well-built shoe wardrobe relies on three or four complementary pairs rather than an accumulation. For the office, a mid-heel pump or a smooth leather loafer will see you through the day. For the city and commuting, ballet flats and Mary Janes and flat ankle boots offer the best balance of comfort and style.
For a ceremony or a wedding, opt for our heeled sandals and our styles in metallic leather or patent leather, gathered in our occasion selection. In summer, flat sandals and wedges take over. As soon as the cold sets in, ankle boots and low boots, boots and over-the-knee boots come back into their own.
Understanding our leathers
The choice of material matters as much as the shape, because it determines the care and lifespan of the shoe.
Smooth leather is the most versatile: it is easy to nourish, develops a patina over time and is suited to everyday wear. Nubuck offers a velvety, matte feel that is very elegant, but needs waterproofing before the first wear. Suede plays on a deep matte finish and warm shades such as camel, taupe or chocolate. Patent leather adds shine, cleans with a simple wipe of a soft cloth and stands up well to rain. Naplack leather combines the suppleness of leather with a slightly satin finish. Metallic leathers in platinum, silver or gold, as well as embossed leathers in python, tegu and croc effects, are reserved for our dressiest styles.
Some finishes have their own dedicated selections: leopard print, gold and silver and denim blue.
Find all the shapes and vocabulary explained in our shape guide, and the right care products in our shoe care range.
Heel heights and shapes
Height isn't everything: the contact surface matters more for comfort. A wide or block heel spreads your weight and makes walking more secure, even on uneven ground. A slim heel elongates the leg and adds an elegance that nothing else can match, but it requires a perfectly fitted size.
Good to know: at Cosmoparis, heel height is measured on the outside of the shoe, on a size 37 prototype. The difference can reach 2.5 centimetres between a size 37 and a size 41, so the same style will look slightly higher in larger sizes.
Finding your size
Our styles come in EU sizes 35 to 42. Our reference foot in size 37 measures 23.6 centimetres. To measure yours, place your bare foot on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall, draw a line at the tip of your big toe and measure the distance.
If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one: it's a guarantee of comfort. If your feet are slightly different sizes, go for the size of the larger foot. Each product page also gives fit advice: runs small, true to size or runs large. Find all the details in our size guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose shoes for the occasion?
Start from how you will actually wear them. For the office, choose a mid-heel pump or a smooth leather loafer. For the city, a ballet flat or a flat ankle boot. For a ceremony, a heeled sandal or a metallic style. For winter, an ankle boot or a leather-lined boot.
Which leathers does Cosmoparis use?
We work with smooth leather, nubuck, suede, patent leather, naplack, grained leather, glazed leather, metallic leathers and embossed leathers in python, tegu and croc effects. 64% of our styles use leathers from tanneries certified Leather Working Group "gold", the highest level.
How do I care for leather shoes?
Dust them after each wear with a soft cloth. Nourish smooth leather two to three times per season with a cream matched to the shade. Waterproof nubuck and suede before the first wear, then regularly. Always let them dry at room temperature, away from any heat source, and use a shoe tree to preserve their shape.
Are Cosmoparis shoes comfortable?
Comfort is built into the construction: comfort padding is placed between the insole board and the sock lining, and all our linings are made of leather, a breathable, supple and non-irritating material.
