We've all been there: those heels that the salesgirl swore were comfortable are grazing heels and pinching toes before we've even reached the party. And yet, so many of us suffer the same pain this time of year. We want to go all out, and the pleasure of wearing fantastic shoes is an important part of that.
However, it doesn't have to be this way. This is a great season for pain-free party footwear. Perhaps it's a case of designers reading the post-pandemic room and realizing that women no longer want to suffer for style, but there are fewer skyscraper heels around. Instead, they are at most mid-height and not spindly either: chunky block heels are the predominant shape, often with a bit of platform, giving extra height and reducing the slope.
Flats are also in: music to the ears of those who simply don't wear heels. Sparkling ballerinas or velvet Mary Janes look very chic with tapered trousers.
Take the example of the Strictly Costume department: the dancers always wear shoes that properly enclose and support the foot. If you are wearing tights, you may also want to spray the inside of the shoe with hairspray to keep your foot from slipping.
The key, says shoe designer Camilla Elphick, is to identify what works for you. "I'm often the last to leave the party, but my shoes always stay on," she says. "The secret is to find a style that suits your foot shape, and a length that you can feel confident in all night long."
Rule number one here is to never buy anything that fits less than perfectly. Not constricting, nothing too tight or too loose, nothing so high that you wobble rather than walk.
Rule two? Wear them at home. New shoes may not rip your feet to shreds, but new leather can irritate the skin a bit. If so, apply a band-aid right away before it turns into a blister. Old-fashioned cloth bandages are the way to go because they don't budge. Once the leather softens a bit, you should no longer have any problems wearing them.
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Gel insoles offer some relief from painful feet; while Sharon Stone once told fashion director Lisa Armstrong that she uses a local anesthetic spray if she has to wear heels for hours. However, the jury is out that this is a solution, because pain is the body's mechanism that tells us to take off those damn shoes.
And if just the thought of bare toes in December makes you shudder, try Elphick's suggestion for party boots: "Heeled boots are an effortless way to make a party outfit look cool."
Here are the six party shoe trends you can try this year...
The jazzy Mary-Janes
As seen on: Naomi Watts
Whether it's jewel-toned satins or glossy patent finishes, the Mary Jane style is at its best as a comfortable party shoe option. Opt for a block heel style, as seen on Penelope Chilvers, or make like Sarah Jessica Parker's SJP Collection flats. Naomi Watts went tonal when she recently wore a pair: silver shoes that matched her dress.
Jewel buckle flats, £369, SJP at John Lewis; Black patent leather shoes, £90, Clarks; Honey Velvet, £239, Penelope Chilvers
The velvet platforms
As seen on: Lauren Laverne
The best thing about wearing platforms to a party is that you get the extra height of a pair of heels, with less pain, because the front of the foot is elevated. Rich velvet fabrics look particularly good in this shoe silhouette and nod to any festive theme in a chic way.
The tinsel heels
As seen on: Julia Roberts
There are party shoes, and then there are party shoes. Julia Roberts stepped out this week in a pair of glittering Gucci shoes that resembled chandeliers on the feet. You can follow suit with crystal embellishments, or opt for sequins, tassels, or tinsel-like textures.
The cool boots
As seen on: Riley Keough
Even if the rest of your outfit was really boring, a pair of statement boots would make you look party-ready in an instant. The trick to finding a truly comfortable pair is to choose your heel height and heel width wisely. An ankle boot with a higher block heel might suit some, while others would go lower, but with a neat kitten point. However, the difference between day and evening boots is the fabric. Look for gold, crystal studded or velvet for truly fantastic feet.
The tight slingbacks
As seen on: Alexa Chung
Slingbacks are everywhere on the high street this year, and with heel heights to suit everyone. Choose from metallic finishes, satin and brocade fabrics, and styles with statement buckles and jeweled closures for the best party-worthy effects. Alexa Chung opted for an almost flat high-gloss polish pair, with a large gold horsebit decoration. And yes, this is a comfortable shoe style that looks great with tights.
Slingbacks, £295, ME+EM; Glitter Slingbacks, £255, Camilla Elphick; Leather slingback Mary Janes, £295, Russell & Bromley
The party trainers
As seen on: Sarah Ferguson
If you really can't bear the thought of wearing heels to a party, why not wear sneakers? Not just any old worn-out suede samba, mind you. They still need to be suitable for cocktails, and that's where metallic and sparkling finishes come into their own. Sarah Ferguson wore her glittering Gucci sneakers with an evening dress to a formal gala event in London - and blended in with the black tie crowd. The trick? Never wear them with other casual items, such as jeans.
