Fashionable smart heels?

[GorgeousLadyofWrestling]

What’s fashionable now for heels?

I have a work event in February - a private corporate event with very senior banking leaders. I am partly running the event so will be on my feet a lot. I will be wearing a knee length black pencil dress. I don’t want to wear flats but I don’t want high high heels like I used to be able to wear. Are pointy shoes more fashionable now?

Thinking these - are these ok?

www.next.co.uk/style/su304486/e82960

I bought these and they are comfy for high heels, I feel a bit more sturdy in a block heel.

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/slingback-shoes-with-bow-detail-p12210410.html?v1=410580969&utm_campaign=productShare&utm_medium=mobile_sharing_Android&utm_source=red_social_movil

Personally if I was going to be on my feet for a long time I'd wear black high waisted trousers, a nice top and some fun flats - ballerina style.

I think they are fine. I only wear kitten heels occasionally but find them very comfy and can wear them all day easily.

I have to say, I second the wedges nomination. Deichman

I also prefer a block heel for long events and I stick a comfort gel in the front of the shoe to help ;)

Summat like this

Granted, the square toe is awful imo - I would go for round.

Still, on the plus side I now have a number of boots and shoes coming back into fashion or can sell on Vinted 😂😂

Kitten heel sling backs. Wear them in for a few days beforehand and have some compeed plasters to hand.

For the love of God do not follow the suggestions made by @GodRestYouMerryGentlewench. There's nothing out of date about a nice dress and heels.

Please don't get the ones you've suggested (from next) they look like Minnie Mouse shoes. The other suggestions are a lot better.

I have these in both black and navy and they look very elegant. Heel isn’t too high if standing for a long time and they’re really comfy.

https://www.gaborshoes.co.uk/womens-c1/shoes-c2/court-shoes-c82/giselle-ladies-court-shoes-p50902#attribute%5B1%5D=5510

I bought these last week, they have not arrived yet. Here is the link:

www.vivaia.com/item/round-toe-chunky-heels-p_10011923.html?gid=10011938

I am not into fashion at all, so apologies these might be way off what is cool but I had a few good reasons:
I read that a different colour tip on shoes is more elegant (a French woman said this)
Thick heel (you can apparently run in them) I gave up heels years ago because of sore knees but I hope these might be ok
I think I will get wear out of them with jeans as well as skirts (I hope!)
and they also reminded me of my granny

I am a total blind optimist and fall for marketing things so feel free to disregard all of my reasons, I had birthday money and it was burning a hole in my pocket.

Do you have a pic of the dress OP? You ask about fashionable shoes but the dress sounds like it’s maybe not so fashionable - if you care about that. If not ignore me!

I would go for something like these in a colour pop or metallic https://www.sezane.com/en-en/product/elodie-mary-janes/patent-garden-green?CHEQ&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Hors_Marque&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADROyDLJxluo13xYfC4NTV3-OTfHD#size-3

Boots also a great shout https://www.clarks.com/en-gb/edina-tall/26181485-p?gadsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD6sYkHcTYFF77WL7GM5Ao9dMMP87&gclsrc=ds (make sure the hem of the dress is below the top of the boot showing no leg)

Another vote for seeing a pick of the dress!

Esska you can guarantee comfort
https://esskashoes.com/products/lina-dark-brown

As you can with campers - although maybe not so “party” but versatile so useful for the future
https://www.camper.com/enGB/women/shoes/helena/camper-helena-20202-088?gl=11gfcye3upMQ..gsMQ..&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2LLnq5jdigMVIpZQBh2V1CGkEAAYASAAEgKeRvDBwE&gbraid=0AAAAADmwPQ8y1ZXZIDk3w9QRgF0Xs-Oad

Or treat yourself to Tracey neules in the sale ? Couple of colleagues wear them at work events for the dual comfort and style and I always admire them

OP, you need ESSKA! They are seriously comfy, you could walk in even the highest ones all day. I was at a few Christmas parties and a wedding recently and worn them all day and could still walk with zero discomfort at the end of the night. They are amazing!
I’ve a few pairs now and I think these will be next for me, and they might fit the bill for you too?
worth every penny in my opinion as good quality and very wearable.

I love the Zara slingbacks linked above, they're lovely.

I think a pencil skirt and heels still looks great and is kind of timeless, if not high fashion.

Thanks so much for everyone’s suggestions! Much appreciated. Probably would help if I shared the dress: https://www.next.co.uk/style/ls439290/e04616#e04616

I get what everyone is saying about running around in heels - for clarity, it’s not a big trade event. No way would I consider heels for something like that, and they generally tend to be much more causal. This is a small private event of around 50 people in a private conference room sat at tables listening to speakers. I will be helping set the tables up, making sure speakers have what they need, introducing the panel, sitting listening to the speakers but also up and down making sure catering is ready etc etc. Very senior banking and governmental attendees so the expectation is very smart.

@GorgeousLadyofWrestling I don't want to undermine your decision, but you absolutely sure about that dress? It doesn't read as 'very smart' to me (senior corporate and law experience), even with a jacket over the top.
Are you there as a senior member of the team? Or as an assistant such as a EA or PA?
Maybe we could help with the dress as well?
If you are set on wearing it Hobbs always have a selection of perfectly normal, not too far out, heels that would work perfectly in a professional environment.

Actually, @GorgeousLadyofWrestling , I've just checked the price of the pair you linked in your OP. Hobbs are going to be over budget.
I wouldn't be worrying about fashionable shoes in this context, just something smart and reasonably comfortable. M&S might be a good place to look.

@DameCelia I’m senior leadership at a tech start up but I worked in corporate for years prior. We’re hosting this event for networking purposes. Despite being paid well, children and debt mean I don’t have much spare at the end of the month, sadly. Would love to afford Hobbs but Next is much more my price range.

I’m short and a size 14 but hourglass figured so dresses suit me much better than trousers.

I had to have smart shoes for a recent interview and bought medium chunky healed Mary Janes (wide fit) they were very comfortable wore them for 5 hours. Please don’t wear boots if you want to look smart unless ankle but even they don’t really look smart. If it’s for a tech start up surely chunky loafers would be smart enough?

We’re a tech start up but the event is for our customers, who are senior banking/ UK export types. I am possibly over thinking it. I don’t really want to wear loafers with a smart fitted dress.

the mary janes will not work

Get these and you are sorted

www.clarks.com/en-gb/freva-55-court/26174873-p

swooon at these red

I do find forever comfort actually work and I can wear heels and run up stairs at work

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su105916/q90083#q90083

I'm going to be honest, I don't like the dress.

If funds are an issue, this is available on Vinted. £20, brand new Hobbs.

Just picked one at random, there's loads of brand new office wear on Vinted.

I get all my work dresses and jackets from there.

Vinted black Hobbs dress size 14 BNWT

I struggle with heels and got a pair of block heel ankle boots to wear with a dress that's very similar to yours - which is lovely by the way as sounds perfect for your figure. (I'm and sure why a PP is suggesting a sleeveless dress for February.)

These are the boots in leather (I have a suede pair). I get loads of compliments whenever I wear them. They give the height you need without the heels and are cut to show your ankle so don't look clumpy.

www.whitestuff.com/p/4121/willow-leather-ankle-boot/PURE_BLK

The link just goes to the Next homepage?