4 min readIf there’s one thing Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen know well, it’s that a good look doesn’t require a shoe with a hefty price tag. The child stars-turned-creative directors have been the subject of stylistic fascination practically since their teens, thanks to their daring fashion statements on the red carpet, and in their daily lives. Who could forget their many Met Gala looks over the decades, or their winning turns at the CFDA Fashion Awards, of which they are frequently attendees? That being said, in recent years, the Olsen sisters have shied away from the spotlight, tending to give us glimpses into their chic wardrobes mostly through rare street-style appearances.
Even in just these brief moments, though, the Olsens continue to inspire. No one styles a statement hat, or wraps an oversize scarf quite like these two (and they’ve seemingly acted as a blueprint for many other stars, too).
Time and time again, the Olsens have proved to be fashion chameleons, yet one thing in their style remains consistent: They love an affordable shoe.
Of course, they still turn to more luxurious pairs from brands like their own label, the Row, from time to time, but more often than not, the Olsens rely on a low-cost sneaker or sandal for their outings. They masters of high-low dressing, they tend to style high-fashion pieces with quite practical and economical footwear (I’m talking shoes that cost less than $100).
Ahead, we’ve rounded up 10 times the Olsen twins wore affordable shoes, as well as where you can get a pair of them for yourself.
1. The Classic Dad Sneaker
Nothing says fall quite like an Olsen outfit. For this October outing in 2022, Ashley paired a black overcoat with a matching beanie and pants, while her chunky knit socks were tucked into some gray New Balance 574s—a popular silhouette that is often on sale.
Now 25% Off
2. The Sleek, All-Black Runner
While some use their sneakers as colorful accents, Ashley uses hers as a tool to keep things monochromatic. Last fall, when she was spotted out and about in New York City, the designer decided to punctuate her gloomy-chic look with a pair of inky Nike V2K runners—the perfect footwear for a woman who loves all black.
3. The Low-Profile Slip-On
Vans are an American classic for a reason. They’re simple, sleek, and can journey straight from the skate park to an evening out. For her part, Mary-Kate likes to style them with a few trusty staples from the Row, and perhaps a pop of color, like a red statement scarf.
4. The Sporty Workhorse
Mary-Kate solidified her title as the queen of high-low dressing back in October 2022, when she stepped out with a large crocodile handbag from the Row, while wearing a pair of black Adidas Sambaroses on her feet. Real luxury is all about the accessories that can do the hard work, seven days a week.
5. The Summer Sandal
No Olsen is immune to the power of a Birkenstock. Like fellow celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Tracee Ellis Ross, Mary-Kate and Ashley have turned to various silhouettes from the popular German-based brand, but perhaps their favorite is the Gizeh thong sandal.
6. The Canvas Flat
In 2011, the Olsens unveiled a new collaboration between their label the Row and Toms, the philanthropy-based footwear brand founded in 2006. “For every pair of Toms + the Row shoes sold, a child in need will receive a new pair of shoes,” Ashley said at the time. “Toms + the Row customers will have the ability to give back and create change with a single purchase.” Not only did the sisters team up with Toms, but they were also seen proudly touting the product on a number of occasions.
7. The Braided Water Shoe
Never before has the crunchy aesthetic looked so chic. Back in 2019, Mary-Kate was spotted on numerous occasions wearing the Teva Voya Infinity sandals, a shoe that’s built with summer hikes and canoeing trips in mind, but one which easily translates to city walking, as demonstrated quite effortlessly by this Olsen twin.
8. The Rubber Rain Boot
Even in the world of the Olsens, it can’t all be sunshine and open-toed footwear. Luckily, they have another low-cost solution. Back in 2019, Ashley helped popularize the tall Hunter boot when she was spotted on a number of occasions wearing the rubbery, waterproof shoes.
9. The Skinny Flip-Flop
July 18, 2018.
If you’ve ever been to Copenhagen Fashion Week, then you’ll know that Havaianas have become all the rage in Scandinavia; not mention, flip-flops in general have been getting the stamp of approval from stars like Jennifer Lawrence to Rosé. So it should come as no surprise to learn that the Olsens were early to the trend. Let’s not forget when Ashley was seen sporting this classic rubbery pair all the way back in 2018.
10. The Retired Olsen Relic
While the Olsens devote the majority of their attention to the Row these days, they are also the founders of a secondary label called Elizabeth and James (named after their younger sister and older brother, respectively). Founded in 2007 as a contemporary fashion label with more affordable prices, the brand became exclusively available at Kohl’s in 2019, but seemingly disappeared following the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, there was a time back in the late 2000s when Mary-Kate couldn’t be caught without her pair of Edge gladiator sandals from Elizabeth and James. If you’re lucky, you might be able to find a pair of the no-longer-produced shoe on resale sites like Poshmark or eBay.