Chic Shoes You Can Party All Night In
As a former event planner with several marathons worth of trade show routes under her belt, I’ve become well versed in finding shoes that are both extremely comfortable and stylish enough to fool people into thinking they’re not. Here’s my oft-shared-on-a-bar-napkin list of those shoes, for your bridal consideration, from three brands that I can 100% stand behind.
Disclaimer: Everyone’s feet are different, so these are just what have worked for me.
Loeffler Randall
($200-$500)
Jessie Loeffler-Randall and her husband founded their namesake brand in 2004, but it’s only in the last few years that I’ve seen it explode… to the point that (poorly made) dupes are everywhere. Trust me when I tell you that the real thing is worth the investment. I bought my first pair about four or five years ago, just before the brand’s big boom, and they are still in near-perfect shape and comfortable as hell. I wore them often when I lived in New York City, and it took a lot for me to dub a pair of shoes ‘comfortable’ when running around the city, or a convention center in Orlando in ninety-degree heat. Since then, I’ve bought several pairs, whether for special occasions or just to have a chic, reliable, well-made shoe - especially in the summer. It seems that brides now consider Loeffler Randall a go-to brand as well, something I suspect has driven the brand’s addition of many styles in pearly whites, versatile platinums, and elegant blues. A pair of these stunners will set you back at least a couple-hundred dollars - a good pair on sale might dip below $200, and full-price range from $300-500 - but I will die on the hill that they’re worth every penny. Plus, the brand donates substantial funds to amazing causes and puts an immense amount of thought and effort into actual craftsmanship when designing and making their shoes — an art I think is being lost, and thus worth supporting. The fit of their heels are pretty true to size, although with any heel I almost always size up at least a half size depending on the style. I will also add a disclaimer that I pretty much always recommend a heel with at least a small platform to save the sole of your foot, but I’ve found most of LR’s shoes to be comfy enough that it’s not a big issue. Plus, we all know that wedding receptions end up with everyone barefoot anyway.
Here’s a few of my favorite pairs available now:
NOTE: Almost all of LR’s styles come in multiple colors, including gold/champagne, cream, and blue - many styles also come in black and red.
2. Sarah Flint
$400-$600
This is another brand for whom I will die on the hill of “spend the money, it’s worth it” (if you can, of course). I distinctly remember walking around New York City one night - at least 2-3 miles - in their pumps, and despite some wear and tear to the end of the stiletto piece, my feet felt great and the shoes took it well. These were my go-to for super long days of events, especially after long flights. Sarah Flint is another woman-founded and run company, and their shoes are all 100% made and crafted in Italy by true artisans who are experts at their craft. You can absolutely feel the difference in quality in these shoes, and they will last a long time. Sarah Flint does have a bridal collection, but I’ve picked out a few favorites below from both the bridal and signature collections. Personally, I have worn the Perfect Pump 80 in a few colors and I can vouch for it being the MOST comfortable heel I’ve ever worn.
3. Betsey Johnson
Under $200
The kooky, colorful, creative Betsey Johnson has one of my favorite lines of bridal shoes out there, it’s true. Complete with a Tiffany’s-blue sole, the looks range from classic to statement-making, and are super comfortable. While I haven’t worn Betsey Johnson heels myself, I have worn other styles and can attest to their dance-floor-ability, and have heard great things from brides. Plus, they are a GREAT price point, especially if you’re considering multiple pairs. Here’s a few of my picks.
