Evening Shoes for the Holidays

With the holiday party season fast approaching, this is the best time to invest in a pair (or two, or three) of new evening shoes! The selection is unbelievable; with so many styles and colors to choose from, you are guaranteed to find the perfect pair for your holiday wardrobe. When you are choosing evening shoes, there are couple of things you need to keep in mind. First, consider the heel height; many women overestimate what they can handle in terms of vertical elevation. Unfortunately, gravity is something we need to consider and if you really can't walk from one end of the room to the other in those sexy 4" stillettos, you're probably not going to last through your party. Instead of height, go for sass factor. Sometimes a strappy 2-3" tapered heel embellished with rhinestones and a sexy ankle strap is a lot more effective in getting that perfect poised look than wobbling around all evening in too-high heels. If you have the legs to carry it off, you can also go for a shorter kitten heel that is incredibly comfortable, but very sophisticated. Next, many evening shoes are known to be strappy. Figure out what types of straps work for you (if at all). Evening sandals usually come in a few basic shapes: slingbacks, ankle strap, slides or t-straps. Sandals with ankle straps usually provide better support and keep the sandal firmly in place, while slides are more comfortable if digging straps are a problem. While sandles that tie around the ankle look great on women with longer legs, be careful if you have slightly shorter legs; choose sandals without ankle straps, as they provide a cleaner line and elongate the legs. Of course you don't necessarily have to have evening sandals; if the weather outside is nippier where you live, you're better off going with some sexy pumps or close-toe slingbacks. To avoid being repetitive, try two-piece pumps or even some cute open-toe pumps. The fantastic thing about closed evening shoes is that they not only keep your footsies warmer, they are versatile enough to wear skirts, dresses, gauchos or pants. The final issue is the question of hosiery: to hose or not to hose. It's completely up to you, really. If you feel comfortable wearing hosiery, there are a million different styles available, including open toe stockings (which are perfect for sandals and other open-toe footwear), toe stockings (for slides and closed-toe slingbacks), as well as traditional stockings. Of course, it is perfectly acceptible these days to go au natural. Here are some of the latest styles in dress shoes, all available at Shoebuy.com! PUMPS J. Renee Precious - This beautiful, rhinestone-embellished pump by J. Renee is an elegant evening shoe that looks fantastic with a black cocktail dress or a dressy suit. It features silky satin with a contrasting silhouette design and a sexy cut out on the side. The 2 5/8" heel and lightly padded insole provide comfort and class. Steve Madden Donatela - This edgy open-toe pump by Steve Madden is equal parts sass and class. Guaranteed to up the bling-factor on any outfit, this silver-metallic shoe features a fancy criss-crossed strappy vamp, a 3 3/4" stiletto heel and leather uppers. Perfect for the holidays and beyond. Pair it with gauchos or a great dress for a sexy look! SLIDES Chinese Laundry Jet Set - For those who prefer an open heel, this high-heeled slide in an elegant mink satin is pure perfection. The Jet Set features a 3 1/2" heel and 2 rhinestoned buckle straps, one over the vamp and one over the instep. Great with skirts and dresses, and also available in a black satin, pewter satin and a flaming scarlet satin. Touch Ups Peyton 601 - A sandal slide with a lower, tapered heel (2 1/4") in black satin. Features a front band decorated with sparkling stones and instep straps with bow trim. The soft and lightly cushioned midsole, smooth leather footbed and the flat leather outsole all provide a comfortable experience for your feet. Also available in white satin. SLING BACKS Dyeables Prestige - The Prestige is quite the prestigious shoe for your special day! This buckled sling back pump in black satin has a pointed toe with a beautiful rhinestone ornament over a cut-out in the vamp. Like all Dyeable shoes, it includes a fully cushioned insole and a flexible leather sole. The tapered heel measures a conservative 2 1/2". Also available in white satin and silver. Nina Camille - One of the most popular styles at Shoebuy, this glamorous, 40's inspired, peep-toe sling back is a must for every fashionista's shoe collection. The Camille features a silver satin upper with a buckled sling back for perfect fit. A series of criss-crossing crystaline studs over the open-toed vamp gives these shoes just a touch of sparkle. Looks breathtaking with a vintage cocktail dress, or even a simple pair of dress slacks. Dress them up or dress them down; either way, you'll look fantastic! Heel measures 3 1/2" and this shoe is also available in black, gold and powder sand. ANKLE-STRAP Dyeables Passion - Another great piece in the Dyeables collection, the Passion features a rhinestone studded ankle strap with an adjustable bow in the back. The closed heel and ankel strap provide comfort and stability, as does the padded insole and sturdy band over the vamp. The tapered heel measures 3". Overall, the Passion is the perfect shoe for the holidays! J. Renee Broadway - An aptly-named silver/clear strappy sandal, the Broadway oozes with style, sophistication and sex-appeal. These gorgeous t-strap sandal features an adjustable ankle chain, straps over the instep and vamp, both embellished with sparkling rhinestone details. The narrow heel measures 3 1/8" and this number is also available in gold with multi-colored jewels. HIGH-HEELED STRAPPY SANDALS Caparros Zimba - This exquisite high-heeled slingback sandal by Caparoos has just the right look for an evening event. With an understated three-strap vamp covered with black beads and sequins, this black peau sandal is a definite wardrobe staple. Features a 3 1/2" high heel and is guaranteed to look great with just about any outfit! Also available in platinum silk. Touch Ups Nadine 430 - This lovely silver strappy sandal features a heel sling with an adjustable metal buckle for the perfect fit. The straps over the instep and vamp are adorned with sparkling vines for that added flash. The smooth leather footbed contains a soft and lightly cushioned midsole, while the outsole is made of flat leather. The tapered high heel measures 3". LOW-HEELED STRAPPY SANDALS Coloriffics Lindsay - For women who know they're going to be on their feet the whole evening, this low-heel, comfortable strappy sandal by Coloriffics is perfect! Pretty and versatile, this dress sandal features a cross-strap over the vamp with a matching adjustable ankle strap that fits low on the ankle for the best in comfort. The fully lined, lightly cushioned comfort footbed has matching fabric toe; the outsole is made of smooth dress flat leather. The low tapered heel measures a comfortable 1 1/4". Touch Ups Lynn 259 - A beautiful gold sandal with zigzagging slim straps on forefoot and low fitting ankle strap with metal buckle for adjustment. The soft and lightly cushioned midsole with a smooth leather footbed is comfortable enough for those long nights, while the smooth, flat leather outsole has a stable 1 1/4" heel. Also available in white crepe luxe, white satin and silver.