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?

I don't wear heels to evening/Black tie events any more. Comfortable low heeled patent pump, Clarks have a sweet Mary Jane at present, and our local wedding dress shop sells very comfortable satin shoes that I sometimes have dyed to match a dress. Not rainbow club which are as hard as board.

The other thing you might consider is wearing a more feminine brogue and threading with silver or gold ribbon laces.

Is it actually a foot problem op or a style problem? Embarrassed to say but Hotter do a dressyish heel called Donna - might have been updated and called something else which is a spin on a character shoe but handy for more formal occasions. Other thing for foot problems are to check out the formal dance shoes at dance outfitters which are very very soft albeit not for outdoor wear.

It’s not a foot problem per se (heels do just hurt, though, don’t they?), it’s more that I have no sense of balance at all (I incline towards vertigo on DD’s step stool) and don’t want to risk wobbling off a stiletto.

Primark sell lovely faux suede pointed slingbacks, in a variety of colours. Though your orange block heels sound like they would be a fabulous accent!

If you don't have a strict budget, try:

www.harveynichols.com/brand/valentino/443010-valentino-garavani-french-bows-black-leather-flats/p4066133/

or

www.harveynichols.com/brand/atp-atelier/384749-andrano-black-suede-flats/p3780522/

or

www.harveynichols.com/brand/aquazzura/421307-bow-tie-10-black-cut-out-suede-flats/p3956275/

Medium budget

www.harveynichols.com/brand/bobbies/433369-lena/p4007755/

Close budget

aldoshoes.co.uk/collections/women-footwear-flats/products/doredda-black-13189051

aldoshoes.co.uk/collections/women-footwear-flats/products/fellan-black-13189186

(PS I know the Valentino is very OTT but that's kind of why I love it.)

Not if it's a work do, no.

The Orange shoes sound better, but you'd have to tie them in somehow.

What's wrong with flat strappy sandals? I bought some in a sale last week.

Something like this?

www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-spring-mid-heeled-shoes-with-bow-in-green-velvet/prd/22983339?affid=16746

DD has a pair of silver brogues for occasions like this.

No...last black tie do I went to I wore jewelled, gold, thong sandals...

Flat ones

www.dancedirect.com/brands/roch-valley/rvritz-roch-valley-ritz-derby-style-mens-ballroom-leather-shoe-1-2-inch-heel

These come in a four. 💃🏽

Agh, just remembered the no leather criteria.

Totally raced on by the no leather rule.

But the last pair I posted aldoshoes.co.uk/collections/women-footwear-flats/products/fellan-black-13189186 are 'textile' and rubber, so work.

These are also synthetic: aldoshoes.co.uk/collections/women-footwear-flats/products/grymaw-black-13189075

Also, if you want a pair of vegan leather brogues for any reason: www.wills-vegan-store.co.uk/products/vegan-oxford-brogues-womens?variant=39851816911012

www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-wide-fit-lewin-pointed-mary-jane-flats-in-silver-glitter/prd/22999747?colourwayid=60442973&SearchQuery=silver+flat+shoes

Next online, might fit the bill.

Maybe these? If your size is still in stock... www.clarks.co.uk/c/Hamble-Oak/p/26151470

You can wear strappy heels and take your converse for later when the drinking and dancing starts, no one will notice by then. What's your budget.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

@HereComeTheHolidays those green ASOS ones are LOVELY but sold out in my size!

@Nancydrawn The Wills brogues are actually my go-to for daily wear in the spring and autumn! But everyone sees me in them all the time 😁

Not for black tie, no.

What size are you? I have loads of shoes of varying height and formality.

A size 4, with mid-forties veiny feet and a ridiculously high instep.

Aha! They're fab.

In that case, what about a pair of their loafers?

www.wills-vegan-store.co.uk/collections/vegan-womens-shoes/products/vegan-slip-on-loafers-womens

The Jaquard ones could possible look phenomenal with the blue dress, dependent on shade, and the black ones are great.

Or a pair of plain slingbacks with a half inch heel? www.wills-vegan-store.co.uk/collections/vegan-womens-shoes/products/vegan-slingback-flats-womens

Or of course simple ballet flats, if you'd prefer www.wills-vegan-store.co.uk/collections/vegan-womens-shoes/products/vegan-ballerina-flats-womens?variant=39851833131172

Ballet flats?