Mules are the backless shoes that can look either beautifully edited or as if you left the house halfway through getting dressed. The difference is usually the shape of the vamp and the amount of support under the foot. I want a mule to have a reason for being open at the heel. Leather makes the shape crisp, suede makes it softer, and a flat sole keeps the whole thing relaxed. The range here starts with the Kurt Geiger London Maddison Slides at $68 and ends with the Bottega Veneta Rosita Wedge Mules at $1,490. That spread matters because mules are often bought as a mood rather than a need. I would choose one for trousers, one for bare legs, or one for the ease of slipping it on at home, but not all three unless each pair looks genuinely different. Check that your foot does not grip with the toes to keep the shoe on. Below, the mules I would buy, divided by material, sole, and the amount of drama they bring.

Gucci has made the mule a house conversation, and the range works because it does not present every version as the same shoe. The Castello Slides at $990 are the clean entry point, while the Princetown Horsebit Mules at $990 are the recognizable classic. The Horsebit Shearling Mules at $1,090 are warmer and more specific, and the Original GG Soft Slides at $780 are the easiest casual choice. The Regent Snip Toe Green Wedge Heel Mules at $1,650 are the statement pair, with a price that only makes sense if the colour and shape are exactly what you want. Gucci is strongest when you let one mule lead and keep everything else uncomplicated.

Leather is the most convincing mule material because it gives the backless shape enough structure. The Marc Fisher LTD. Jaynie Leather Mules at $150 are the sensible starting point, while the Jeffrey Campbell Goddard Leather Loafer Mules at $185 add a little more weight. The JUDE Date leather mules at $590 are the refined middle ground, and the Christian Louboutin Fanny 85 leather mules at $995 turn the category into an evening shoe. The JW Anderson woven leather mules at $790 bring texture, but woven leather still asks for careful storage. Check the vamp for pressure and walk without curling your toes. If you have to grip the shoe, the heel height is irrelevant.

Suede is the softest way to wear a mule, and it suits the relaxed shapes in this group. The UGG Goldenstar Evelina Suede Clog Slippers at $175 are the casual answer, while the Zadig & Voltaire Santa Fe Suede Clogs at $268 have more attitude. The Isabel Marant Malvin Suede Moccasin Mules at $990 are the polished bohemian option, and the Valentino Garavani Rockstud suede mule at $950 makes the finish more pointed. The Prada Nubuck Flatform Mules at $1,320 give suede a cleaner, heavier line. I would choose suede for an unhurried wardrobe and keep a brush nearby. It looks rich when cared for and tired when abandoned.

Flat Soles are the reason to buy a mule if you want ease rather than height. The Kurt Geiger London Maddison Slides at $68 make the category accessible, while the Steve Madden Rafe Penny Loafer Mules at $110 are the more tailored option. The Sandro Lovely Slides at $245 are simple enough to wear often, and the Tory Burch Ines Sport Slides at $300 bring a practical contrast to dressier clothes. The Fendi Feel Satin FF Slides at $895 are much more of an occasion choice. Flat does not mean invisible. Look for a clean upper, a sole that bends, and enough coverage to keep the shoe from turning into a shuffle.

The Shopping List is for the mules with a distinct point of view. The Birkenstock Boston Chunky Platform Clogs at $155 are the dependable casual choice, while the Sorel SUNPEAK™ Studded Wedge Slides at $128 add a little hardware. The Maryam Nassir Zadeh Ballet leather wedge mules at $580 are the elegant middle ground. At the top, the Balenciaga Alaska Platform Mules at $850 and Bottega Veneta Rosita Wedge Mules at $1,490 are both bold, but they ask for different wardrobes. Buy the one whose silhouette you can describe without using the word versatile. Specific shoes are often worn more than supposedly universal ones.

Mules need an honest fitting session. Walk at a normal pace, notice whether your toes clench, and check that the upper does not cut across the widest part of the foot. Suede and shearling need more careful storage, while a flat leather mule is easier to keep in rotation. I would start with one simple flat, then add a heel or a platform only if it serves a separate outfit. The backless shoe is already a statement about ease, so it does not need extra fuss everywhere else. Phoebe