Converse with cocktail dress at black tie dinner?

[BabCNesbitt]

I expect to get flamed for this, but I’ve got a work black-ish tie event coming up (for staff only) and I I’m going to wear a royal blue knee-length 60s cocktail dress. Can I get away with wearing a pair of gold Converse hi-tops with this? I do think it’d look good, but perhaps not appropriate. What other alternatives are there to heels with a dress like this?

No
Definitely not

Flat strappy sandals?

The more traditional look would be a sling back, or think Betty Draper in Mad Men. Lots of ideas on Pinterest.

For black tie? Definitely not.

I’d go for strappy sandals if I wasn’t wearing heels

I tried this once, with gorgeous new Converse, as I’d bust my ankle… it wasn’t allowed.

I wore some flat sandals instead.

Does anyone have any suggestions for shoes that are avaiable to buy at the moment? I might be able to manage a kitten heel (initially typed “kitten hell” which seems about right). No leather or suede, no Swarovski crystals, nothing wildly expensive. Thanks!

(Would brogues also be a no-no?)

Men can wear smart black brogues (or indeed another colour) to black tie so you certainly can.

There is no reason you should feel that you have to wear a high or kitten heel, but there is some middle ground between heels and converse.

Could you hire a pair, OP? Or find a pair of shoes in a charity shop, wear and re-donate? I mean, what's here is here and may as well be used.

Dress codes are touchy about rubber soles - I've been turned away before. But that was at my Dh's London club. Your work do sounds like it might be more flexible.

No reason why not. You could argue that heels hurt you.

Why is your workplace having a staff only dinner? A lovely way to ensure you will all be self-isolating. Have you suggested it be postponed?

These? Or something like them. A flat sling back to fit in with the era of the dress?

www.asos.com/prd/22911381?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

I’d love to be able to find something in a charity shop but unfortunately I just don’t have time to scour them at the moment.

“ there is some middle ground between heels and converse.” Yep. What does it look like, and what’s both appropriate and not going to break my ankle or make me look like my preschooler’s got at me with the sequins?

Flat shiny strappy sandals are fine if you don't want traditional heels, they had nice ones in Sainsbury's 2 weeks ago. Personally I would wear 2.5-3inch heels though for black tie

Could you avoid the dress if you don’t want to wear “girly” shoes? I’d opt for brogues, suit, shirt sort of idea.

The standard flat choice is a nice pointy flat. Completely appropriate unlike the converse (and I say that as someone who has sequinned converse).

Something like one of these: Shein, Jones, lightinthebox.

www.next.co.uk/style/st458938/844985#844985

I have on many occasions worn flat ballet style shoes from primark to black tie events. Velvety sort of material, I have them in black and nude. Completely flat.

Just wear the Converse

@Oldraver Tempted

Thanks for everyone who posted links. Are block heels acceptable for black tie? I have a pair of orange faux suede sandals with a block heel that I can just about walk in, but I thought they’d be too clunky.

www.next.co.uk/style/st458933/679755#679755

What about a men’s opera pump, for a formal, quirky statement?

bespokeunit.com/shoes/styles/opera-pumps/

I hate heels too, but I love wearing formal men’s shoes. I live in a pair of Loake Chelsea boots in the winter.

ASOS have got lots of flat shoes in non-leather that would would be perfect. Something like these: www.asos.com/prd/23078957?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

A flat pointy number would work really well with a 60s inspired dress and look super chic.

@TheLeadbetterLife I do like those, but I’m a size 4 in shoes so I’ve resigned myself to never being able to wear men’s (awesome!) shoes!

@B1rdinthebush I do like these! It’s not really my colour but I’ll look and see if ASOS do similar in other colours.

Oh, that’s a shame. I wear a 41, as does my husband, so we share many of our shoes. Very handy!

Dune Nasa sandals are pretty but flat.