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Three types of party shoes for those who don't like heels

The height of unpreparedness is not to have thought the shoe situation through - Sarah Brick with thanks to the Booking Office 1869 bar at the Renaissance Hotel, St Pancras.
The height of unpreparedness is not to have thought the shoe situation through - Sarah Brick with thanks to the Booking Office 1869 bar at the Renaissance Hotel, St Pancras.

I was at a wedding last summer where they handed out flip-flops for the evening do. I won’t lie, for the first time ever at a party, I dumped the shoes I’d arrived in.

I feel that climbing down from my heels is close to a dereliction of duty. As someone who constantly writes about how to be sartorially prepared, it seems the height of unpreparedness not to have thought the shoe situation through properly. Also, it can wreck your look. If you’re already small, you’ll be smaller, and whatever your height, your toes will be vulnerable to getting stomped on.

In an ideal world, let’s say we aim to keep the shoes on – in which case, forward planning is required. Camilla Elphick, worn by the Princess of Wales, designs lovely sparkly flats. But if you’re set on heels and plan to dance, a mid-height will be more of an ally than the towering daggers beloved by Melania Trump, Meghan and co. These 6cm Gucci-inspired block heels from LK Bennett (above) are perfect: slim enough to stay on securely, but not too narrow. They’re almost sensible, but saved by the gold – no one wants boring-looking footwear at a party.

Left: Velvet sandals, £245, Russell & Bromley Right: Black embellished slingbacks, £99, Charles & Keith - Sarah Brick with thanks to the Booking Office 1869 bar at the Renaissance Hotel, St Pancras
Left: Velvet sandals, £245, Russell & Bromley Right: Black embellished slingbacks, £99, Charles & Keith - Sarah Brick with thanks to the Booking Office 1869 bar at the Renaissance Hotel, St Pancras

If dancing isn’t on the cards, but there won’t be much chance to sit down, platforms are the way forward. The velvet Russell & Bromleys I'm wearing on the opposite page have an 8.5cm heel that will make maxis and trouser suits look as God intended, while the 3cm platform and wide base make for a happy sole. I’d be cautious about reckless dancing however, as I’ve been known to topple off my platforms just stepping off a kerb. Yes, I twisted my ankle. No, I hadn’t been drinking.

Kitten heels are a third comfort option, provided your feet aren’t extra wide. Rather than wearing them with a feminine dress, which risks looking passé, stick to slim tuxedo trousers cropped above the ankle. If you’re going the slingback or sandal route, keep feet in tip-top condition by moisturising them as assiduously as you would your face. Basix Skin Defence Cream is the business.

Don’t even think about stepping out in new shoes unless they’re thoroughly worn in. If there’s not enough time to walk around in them night and day for a week, consider some wooden shoe trees, which can stretch leather if you get them one size up. They’re particularly useful for widening pointed and almond toes. Oliver Sweeney’s Sherwood Shoe Trees start at a size 6, cost around £49, and will make shoes last and look better for longer – a rather brilliant pressie, come to think of it.

Top image: Left: Lisa wears: Lurex jumper, £170, and lurex-wool skirt, £220, both Cefinn (cefinn.com). Velvet sandals, £245, Russell & Bromley (russellandbromley.com). Rhinestone earrings, £65, Essentiel Antwerp (essentiel-antwerp.com). All other jewellery, Lisa’s own. Right: Gold leather loafers, £259, LK Bennett (lkbennett.com). With thanks to the Booking Office 1869 bar at the Renaissance Hotel, St Pancras.

Try these...

shoes
shoes

Left to right: Leather shoes with 10cm heel, £129, Mint Velvet (mintvelvet.co.uk); Glitter slingbacks with 2cm heel, £195, Camilla Elphick (camillaelphick.com) 

shoes
shoes

Left to right: Leather platform sandals with 7.5cm heel, £278, Reformation (thereformation.com); Embellished bow slingbacks with 6cm heel, £59.99, Zara (zara.com)

foot oil
foot oil

Skin Defence Cream Foot Food, £12.99, Basix (victoriahealth.com) 


Read last week's column: The one dress that will see you through party season


What is your go-to comfy party shoe? Tell us in the comments section below