As Christmas occasions, winter weddings, festive drinks, dinner events, and glitzy nights out start to quickly fill our calendars for the coming months, ideas naturally flip to what to put on. But tempting as it might be to fill your wardrobe with all method of sparkly new get together items for the event, I’m right here to counsel a much more wise—to not point out, sustainable—strategy.
That is: sidestep the one-season-wonder get together clothes, and as an alternative flip your focus to footwear. Now, admittedly, I’m one thing of a footwear obsessive myself, so dressing from the feet-up has at all times been my approach of workinghowever I discover it to be a very efficient hack presently of yr. Allow me to elucidate why.
First up, a superb pair of get together footwear can elevate an otherwise-dull—or purposefully pared-back—appear like nothing else. Take the traditional LBD, for instance: alone, it makes for a fairly unimaginative outfit, however paired with some critically sparkly footwear, it is nothing wanting impressed. Ditto a tailor-made go well with, and even denims and a easy high, that all of the sudden go from on a regular basis to elegant when worn with the proper pair of footwear. There’s one thing splendidly nonchalant, and effortlessly cool, about going low-key along with your clothes however ramping up the glamour along with your footwear, too.
Second: if you are going to a celebration, and plan to not solely keep comfortably in your ft all night time, however truly dance, then arguably your alternative of footwear goes to be the clincher. In this case, you may wish to go for high-quality, well-made heels that will not rub, or considered one of the many high-octane flats and pumps which have flooded the market of late—and are each bit as statement-making.
(Image credit score: Courtesy Jimmy Choo)
If you do go for heels, you—and your chosen outfit—will profit from the added elevation, too. Don’t underestimate the energy of somewhat additional top for trying poised, polished and stylish (to not point out maintaining any maxi types from dragging alongside the ground).
And lastly, in the event you make investments nicely, a terrific get together shoe will see you thru many a festive season in fashion, in addition to working for numerous different events all through the yr. Cost-per-wear-wise, that is a far smarter funding than a standout costume in my opinion, that you will seemingly solely put on a handful of occasions, earlier than retiring it eternally. No one goes to drag you up on sporting the similar (epic) footwear to back-to-back occasions, in spite of everything.
So, that is your PSA to skip the panic-shopping, make do with the garments already in your wardrobe, and easily fashion them up with a recent new pair of fabulous get together footwear as an alternative. Below, my high picks from luxurious manufacturers, the excessive avenue and unbiased designers alike.
Shop the Best Party Shoes of 2025
Alaïa
Crystal-embellished leather-based ballet flats
If you have been eyeing Alaïa’s cult crystal flats for some time now, this would possibly simply be the excellent time to take the plunge. You’ll have the ability to put on them throughout the day with denims, in addition to by night time with tights.