Fashionable shoes that will stand up to lots of walking without breaking down?

• Female urban walkers: please recommend to me some stylish shoes that i can pound the pavement in, without the shoes falling apart after five or six months of wear. I'm ready to spend the money to buy some shoes that i can love for at least a couple of years! I live and work in downtown toronto, and as such, I walk a lot: at minimum, i walk 3 kilometers home from work every day, plus i walk to/from most of my errands and social events. Every single fall season, i bemoan the fact that my comfortable and esthetically pleasing shoe from the year before needs to be replaced because they're falling apart. (While i own tons of shoes, i tend to have a couple of basics that i wear 80% of the time.) I then get annoyed at the process of finding comfortable yet attractive shoes, yet again. I want to slow that cycle by buying shoes that will last! I also don't want to assume that more expensive = better quality/durability, because i've been burned by that assumption before. I'm sorta picky with my style. In general, i like simple/minimalist shoes, with a low (but not flat) heel or wedge. Comfort is important, but it's not paramount - i'm going to be wearing these to work and out and about, and they've got to live up to the rest of my outfit :) (For an idea of the esthetic i like, if not of the style requirements i'm asking for see http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=diesel+peche+sandal&start=148&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1262&bih=664&tbm=isch&tbnid=Wo8vOmbTdARmYM:&imgrefurl=http://reviews.pricegrabber.co.uk/womens-sandals/m/875110822/&docid=5h1W8ByZSOblkM&itg=1&imgurl=http://i.pgcdn.com/pi/87/51/10/875110822_125.jpg&w=125&h=125&ei=7csxUKqtIsKJ6AGzjoG4DQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=581&vpy=350&dur=428&hovh=100&hovw=100&tx=113&ty=39&sig=104000985495182766952&page=7&tbnh=100&tbnw=100&ndsp=29&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:148,i:181, http://www.endless.com/dp/B007M6E4TS/ref=asc_df_B007M6E4TS2143016?tag=dealtend-22456-20&creative=395033&linkCode=asn&creativeASIN=B007M6E4TS, http://www.shopbop.com/adele-flat-boot-kors-michael/vp/v=1/845524441945218.htm?folderID=2534374302159515&fm=other-shopbysize-viewall&colorId=12867, http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=diesel+peche&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1262&bih=664&tbm=isch&tbnid=ZyJSVxgmnL2w7M:&imgrefurl=http://www.webmarchand.com/sandales.htm%3Fmarks%3DDIESEL&docid=-G6QsYXxU12_cM&imgurl=http://csimg.webmarchand.com/srv/FR/29028624di1fzw019999/T/340x340/C/FFFFFF/url/diesel-peche-sandales-noir.jpg&w=340&h=340&ei=rsYxUN7sAqTF6wG324CQBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=598&vpy=141&dur=2228&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=137&ty=129&sig=104000985495182766952&page=1&tbnh=149&tbnw=166&start=0&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0,i:79http://www.zappos.com/elizabeth-and-james-sean-black-leather, and http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=nine+west+booties+2011&hl=en&client=safari&sa=X&rls=en&biw=1262&bih=664&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=ypU_DMJKK28dvM:&imgrefurl=http://intheircloset.com/camilla-skovgaard-a10008-saw-tooth-ankle-booties&docid=_rdQJgrztN4RvM&imgurl=http://intheircloset.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/nine-west-pinktop-wedge-ankle-boots-black-camilla-skovgaard-a10008-knockoffs.jpg&w=310&h=320&ei=BMgxUN3UDeSV6wGy8YDQCA&zoom=1. (I actually own that last pair, they are awesome but do not qualify as good "walk around all day" shoes at all.) I'd love to get recommendations for brands of shoes that will last and look good. I'll spend up to about $400, but i'd be happier to spend less. Brands that are available in the Toronto area are plus. (Also, not to be a negative nancy right off the bat, but: i know that mefites love to recommend Fluevogs, but personally Fluevog style isn't my thing.) (And finally, cuz i know it'll come up: yes, i spray my shoes with salt protector, yes, i take my shoes to be resoled/repaired, and yes i wear proper snow boots when needed!) Thank you in advance!

• Answer:

  A lot of women around here (Philly) wear sneakers to work and change into their good shoes when they get to work. Sneakers are usually more comfortable and durable for the long walk, and your nice shoes will last so much longer.