Party brogues and cocktail sneakers: the shoes you can wear all night long
Photo is of Rogue Matilda Sky High gold shoes
I’ve said this many times before but it’s worth repeating: no-one ever looked glamorous when their feet hurt. Shoes that you can actually walk in are a crucial part of the grown-up’ wardrobe. Gone are the days, when as a fashion editor, I would carry my kitten heels on the commute (or leave them under the desk at work) and regularly do the sodding Shoe Switch-up. Today, it’s all about 9-to-9 style, having an outfit that takes you from coffee meeting to cocktails. And I do believe that fancy flats are here to stay. This week I spoke at the Precious Boutique Christmas event and the store was full of elegant women, the majority of whom looked comfortable and modern in their flat or low-heeled shoes and sneakers. Cocktail trainers, luxe loafers and party brogues are perfect with jeans and a glitzy top, perfect with a jumpsuit and tuxedo jacket; and all you need to be the last woman standing on the dance floor.
For those who live in London, maker of fabulous flats Rogue Matilda has a pop-up shop in Chelsea this weekend (Saturday and Sunday at 121 Sydney Street SW3).
Step this way for even more festive flat-tery:
*Please note affiliate links in this post may generate commission.
Discussion (19 Comments)
Karyn says:
All such beautiful and sensible footwear! I too am a flat shoe believer! Comfort comes first for me. Thank you for all this great inspiration, Alyson!
maudie says:
Flat shoes all the way! Those Rogue Matilda gold brogues are to die for – do love a gold shoe. Only last week I (sadly) bagged up ALL my shoes that are no longer comfortable or fit properly and donated them to the charity shop. An obscene amount of shoes! Tried not to mentally tot up how much money I had spent/wasted over the years and did the drop (!) like ripping off a plaster. WHY do feet get bigger and wider as we age? My skinny size 6’s are now quite wide size 7’s and forget any kind of heel. Flat, arch support, shock absorption from the evil pavements etc. is the only way literally forward for me now. My footwear might look more ‘sensible’ (but probably more ‘on trend’) but my face isn’t contorted into a gurning, agonised fizzog of pain!
Angela Stewart says:
If we have children we’re subject to the effects of a hormone called relaxin that’s released late in pregnancy to relax the ligaments around the pelvis ready for a head to pass through! That hormone also acts on other ligaments in our bodies, noticeably those in our feet.
I went from an Australian size 7.5 to a broad size 8 after my bundle of joy arrived! And, yes, the smaller heels were evicted from my wardrobe, too, to the delight of family members! I hope that helps. XThanks – I knew those three big babies many years’ ago had a lot to answer for! I might bill them for some new shoes!
Hi Maudie,
I’d give them a wish list of really HOT brogues for Christmas – they owe you!!
Hugs,
Angela
Patrish says:
What a fabulous assortment. I wish Rogue Matilda were available in the States. They are beauties. Thanks for yet another inspiring
post.Isobel says:
I’ll be wearing my gold leather sneakers to the work Christmas do, probably with navy wide leg trousers, but the top will depend on the weather on the day.
Update: have decided on an aqua and white paisley print, silk-cotton shirt for the mild to warm forecast for the day… it feels like a pretty combination and I haven’t had to buy anything new!
themis says:
I’d been looking forward to this post! Last year I bought the orange velvet v-vamp mules from LK Bennet on your recommendation, and they have swept in more compliments than any other shoe. This year the glitter Tory Burch flats are calling my name. Cheers!
Julie Bowland says:
Just taken delivery today, of the black Collet Crystal sneakers from Fitflop, and on a Black Friday deal! Can not recommend them enough, so comfortable and will see me through the festivities in sparkling form.
Christa says:
And yet there is a joy to wearing heels, something feminine and graceful. I have always adored flats, from the first Clergerie lace ups in the 80’s that my mother said made me look like a nun, to the Vans and Tods I wear today. Nonetheless I will continue to search for high heels I can bear to wear and I will wear them occasionally to feel pretty and listen to the click clack as I walk and show off my still not bad legs. I might be over 60 but, although I carry flats in my bag, I am not giving in… yet!
Susanna Singer says:
Love a fancy flat shoe with great support! I have a pair of black patent (real patent) Italian leather oxfords that I picked up for one third the list price. I can walk many city blocks in them, and I am cherishing them carefully, so they will last me for the foreseeable future of opera and parties.
Mrs Tonia says:
Some enticing looking shoes featured here. I especially like the metallic leather ones. Time for me to fish out of the cupboard my silver and gold lace ups and patent pumps for the forthcoming season.
Like those writing in above my feet seem to have enlarged with time along with an intolerance for discomfort and tight shoes which rub anywhere or cause blisters. Need to weed the impractical hardly worn ones out of my wardrobe and find them a new home clearly.After spending last year’s Christmas party in agony due to uncomfortable heels I’ll be taking the sensible option this year. My feet have changed so much over the last few years – painful bunions and dropped arches mean I wear trainers most of the time now…and I have so many pairs of beautiful heels!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.comApparently our feet can increase half a size every decade over 40! Don’t overthink it if like me you started at a size 6 and a half!
Christine Rae Woodley says:
I just bought a fierce pair of party brogues by Camper. They’re sort of a tortoiseshell with black and bronze etc. Gorgeous and, more importantly, absolutely comfortable. I get comments each time I venture out in them.
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Wow, Alyson, there are some mean dancing shoes there ! Thank you for such a well chosen display.