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The Best Wedding Guest Shoes That Are Both Comfy And Chic, According to ELLE Editors
Styles you can wear all day and dance in all night.
There’s a lot of stuff out there, and not all fashion pieces are created equal. Luckily, the ELLE editors know their way around a shopping rail, and when it comes to helping you find those perfect wardrobe building blocks, they’re up to the task. From the new and niche brands worth knowing to high-street hits of quality, and a few vintage treasures too, our ELLE Edits showcase the very best of the season.
Wedding guest dressing can be a tricky affair, between trying to gauge what is and isn't 'appropriate', hitting that right note between formal and fun, taking comfort into account, trying not to twin with another attendee, and preparing for all weather eventualities to boot. Suffice it to say, there's a lot to think about – though our guide to styling and shopping the best wedding guest dresses will help sort you out on that front.
Which brings us swiftly onto the second most pressing matter: which shoes to wear. In fact, given most weddings require guests to be on their feet for a good few hours at least, I'd argue that the choice of footwear is even more important than the outfit itself.
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There are a few things to take into consideration when it comes to choosing the right shoes for the celebrations. Firstly, location: if there's likely to be uneven terrain like cobblestones, grass or sand, you should probably avoid any kind of stiletto situation if you want to keep your ankles intact. Consider the weather, too – any hint of rain, and materials like satin or suede are likely to get ruined, so you might want to leave your most precious styles behind. The general vibe of the wedding will also dictate your footwear choice, with more formal and traditional ceremonies requiring a smart heel, while a nice sandal or flat is usually acceptable for a more laid-back event.
Then, there's your own comfort to think about. Tempting as it may be to use a wedding as an opportunity to show off your fanciest, most on-trend footwear, it's important to ask yourself whether or not you're actually able to stand in them for hours on end – let alone dance. No matter how good-looking the shoe, there's nothing less chic than being the only person not on the dancefloor because their feet are too sore, or spending more time worrying about your blisters than having fun with your loved ones. And speaking of blisters, we'd recommend avoiding wearing a brand new pair of shoes without at least road testing them a bit beforehand, too...
With so much to think about, it's easy to feel overwhelmed – so we've enlisted a selection of seasoned ELLE editors to do the hard (and sometimes painful) work for you. Having attended countless nuptials over the years, they've personally tried and tested sky-high platforms, fashion-forward wedges, slingbacks, mules and fancy flats aplenty to bring you their failsafe guide to the best wedding guest shoes to get you through the season ahead.
ELLE editors on the best wedding guest shoes that are both sensible and stylish:
'After years of stubbornly drinking, dancing and wobbling like Bambi through wedding season in a pair of spindly stilettos, I'm slowly coming round to the idea that practicality counts for something. However, I'm only willing to compromise to a small degree (I'm 5 ft 3 and need something to stop those hems trailing on the floor). Investing in Bottega Veneta heels is something that feels Carrie Bradshaw-level indulgent, yet the grippy rubber-injected signature sole means I've at least dipped a toe into the sensible realm. Trust me: these are the most beautifully made, brilliantly comfortable, easy-to-walk-in heels you'll ever add to your wardrobe.' - Roberta Schroeder, Senior Ecommerce Editor (Luxury)
'Without alcohol as a painkiller, the absolute only way I can survive a wedding nowadays is in flats. Lily Hanbury is supremely elegant and, via her brand Le Monde Beryl, makes some of the best in the biz.' - Laura Antonia Jordan, Acting Features Director
'You can always find me at weddings in platforms, and to be quite honest, the same goes for all manner of occasions. Maybe because I’m a girl who came of age at the end of the Noughties when the platform resurgence was at its peak, but these are the shoes that get me through the day. The higher the better, I say. My favourites are by Hedi-era Celine and Miu Miu, but I’m also partial to Zara’s and still hold my old Topshop ones in high esteem. I’m very fussy about the gait and love a very high pitch shoe. If I’m not wearing platforms, it’s a dainty kitten heel mule.' - Naomi Pike, Commissioning Editor
'I wore a pair of Loeffler Randall Camellia bow heels to my wedding last year and can honestly say they’re incredibly comfy, thanks to the block heel and height, and hands-down the most versatile shoes I own. I’ve since worn them to several weddings, and love the feeling of reusing a pair of heels that have a sentimental value at other people’s big days.' - Katie O'Malley, Site Director
'It's taken me far too many years, destroyed heels, close-call accidents and missed dancefloor opportunities to finally give up on the idea of wearing stilettos to weddings. As great as they look in the photos, the often-painful and uncomfortable reality is just not worth it. Instead, I've been wearing Dear Frances' silver Balla flats to weddings this season, and I've never had so many compliments – or looks of envy! The sparkling crystals make them feel as dressed-up and party-ready as any heel, and it helps that mesh flats are bang on trend right now too.' - Clementina Jackson, Acting Site Fashion Editor
'SHUSHU/TONG has become my go-to for occasionwear that feels dolled up, but still cool. I wore these shoes with a matching cherry-red bag from the brand with a floor grazing sheer gown from Vespertine and felt so at ease. Comfort, after all, is key for weddings and these heels truly saw me through in style. They are subtle but statement with their blink-and-you’ll-miss-it bow on the heel, and black means they’ll go with everything. I’ve since worn them with a crisp shirt and jeans for dinner – so they're well worth the investment.' - Natalie Zannikos, Senior Fashion Coordinator
'For an elegant wedding that guarantees no grass, mud, cobblestones or sand in sight, I'd opt for these beautiful red heeled sandals from Florrie London. They have that cool-girl, minimalist vibe down perfectly, while also being deceptively comfortable to wear thanks to the modest 75cm heel and sleek straps that support both the side and back of your foot, ensuring you stay put all night.' - Clementina Jackson, Acting Site Fashion Editor
'You’ll always find me wearing a high heel for a special occasion. So, when it comes to wedding season, I often reach for an old pair of vintage gold metallic platforms. Gold goes with almost everything, while the support of the platform means I can wear them all day and still dance long into the night.' - Tamison O'Connor, Fashion Features Director
'These funky kitten heels just scream Y2K, in all the best ways. The zebra print has the power to zhuzh up even the simplest of wedding guest looks – though I'd probably wear these with a brightly coloured mini for maximum impact – while the tiny heel and ankle strap will keep feet happy too.' - Clementina Jackson, Acting Site Fashion Editor
'Wedges are a clever way of wearing heels to a wedding without risking sunken stilettos or toppling over on uneven surfaces – though I'd steer clear of anything too vertiginous, just in case. This season's coolest wedges are sleek, minimal, ultra-modern, and reassuringly sturdy, and this snake-print Reformation style is the perfect example.' - Clementina Jackson, Acting Site Fashion Editor
'My go-to wedding shoes are a pair of black suede Manolo Blahnik pointed-toe stilettos. As a rule of thumb, I think black is a fail-safe option for neutral-hued or monochrome outfits, and they’re the comfiest heels that’ll see you from ceremony to dance floor come 1am.' - Katie O'Malley, Site Director
'If you want to buy just one pair of wedding guest shoes to see you through the whole season (and beyond), look no further than these classic beige suede strap sandals. The neutral shade means they'll go with everything, the straps will keep your foot firmly put, and the block heel adds height without compromising on stability. They're not exactly a standout shoe style-wise, but that's exactly their appeal – and you can let the rest of your outfit do all the talking.' - Clementina Jackson, Acting Site Fashion Editor
'Apart from the vintage gold platforms I mentioned above, my other go-to wedding guest shoes are Amina Muaddi slingbacks. They are super comfy and add a bit of joy and sparkle to my look. The fluted heel is also great as it gives the stiletto vibe but won't sink into grass.' - Tamison O'Connor, Fashion Features Director
'Personally, I've never been the biggest fan of espadrille wedges – too traditional country wedding, not enough chic – though I can certainly understand why they make such excellent wedding guest shoes. The lightweight jute platform adds height without compromising on practicality, ribbon ties secure wobbly ankles, they feel summery yet smart, and they're affordable to boot. I recently spotted someone wearing this pair by Castañer at a wedding, and I don't know if it was the sleek all-black colourway, clever pairing with a floaty boho printed dress, said guest's super-tanned limbs and generally cool vibe, or all of the above, but I have now been officially converted.' - Clementina Jackson, Acting Site Fashion Editor
Clementina Jackson is Acting Site Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, working across news and features, trends, e-commerce and SEO. She was previously Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health, and Acting Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, where she was named as a PPA 30 Under 30 award winner for her work on size inclusivity. An experienced fashion, travel and luxury lifestyle journalist, Clementina has also written for Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveller, Tatler, Red and Italy Segreta.
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