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

The white stuff boots will not work

The Next link worked before but Next must have taken the shoes off their website and so it is going to the home page.

I meant something like this:

www.debenhams.com/product/dorothy-perkins-good-for-the-sole-cerys-comfort-low-wedge-heel-court-shoes_bqq16627

I wouldn't call these fashionable but it doesn't sound like the event you're going to calls for fashion.
www.next.co.uk/style/su507022/al9994#al9994
Smart kitten heels. They'll go nicely with your dress.

I didn't think they'd work with my similar styled dress, but they do. Have loads of compliments whenever I wear them and my feet are very happy.

You are not understanding the point. If they were ill fitting THAT is what caused it.

I bloody hate loafers - especially the tassled ones. Just make me think of used car salesmen from the 70s 😂 I tend to find that kitten heels are just as uncomfortable as standard high heels and I fall off the bloody things all the time. I’d go for a round toed Mary Jane with a chunky heel instead.

Fashion writers have been swooning this year over Sezane's Paula Babes shoes https://www.sezane.com/en/collection/shoes.

I think they are very pretty, and come in lots of delicious colours which you could wear with a black dress and accessorise accordingly. But a warning: I bought a pair of similarly cut shoes from MaxMara some years ago, and had to give them away because the toe-box was cut exactly at the wrong place for me on the bunion joint, and oh, god, the pain. So try at home before you commit to a whole day in these.

@GorgeousLadyofWrestling I like the dress, very classic. Make sure you wear good underwear though, unless you are lucky enough to be super-slim. A classic patent kitten heel in black or a dark jewel tone would look fab. Or a double strap Mary Jane with a low heel. New Look do an awesome copy of the Sezannne Babies style - I have a leopard pair and they look brilliant with black. I would avoid boots - it’s very hard to avoid looking frumpy in boots and a knee length dress.

These are so pretty - a bit low for me (I don't wear anything below 4 inches when it comes to heels) but the red ones are really cute!

@MillyGoat, obviously I don't know the specifics of your MN, and I don't know what treatment options have already been offered to you (so forgive me if you already know about the following). But just thought I'd share this link for a well respected podiatry clinic that does offer treatment (minimally), just in case you weren't already aware. It's in London (no idea if that's anywhere near you), and it's private, which I realise may not be financially possible – but might at least give some extra angles to explore for possible treatment within the NHS. I've had treatment there for another issue (a cyst on my foot) and found them to be very good, though of course you'll want to see what you reckon for yourself: https://mortonsneuroma.surgery

I was told by the dr it’s to do with wearing shoes that don’t work for your own foot shape (rather than a typical type of shoe causes a neuroma). Mine’s so bad now I only wear specific wide toed trainers like Birkenstock trainers. I can’t wear any nice shoes any more ☹️

That dress + heels looks very 'dinner date' to me, rather than professional.

I'd either ground it a bit with some flats (and a blazer), or choose something less slinky to wear with heels if you must have them.

It really surprises me that some of you think the dress is not appropriate. Obviously taste is subjective but I work frequently with global corporate and government agencies and at private events with networking, drinks etc and this is standard attire.

Thank you for everyone’s input! I really like the shoes with the bows - they’re so gorgeous. It’s interesting what a PP said about the event not lending itself to being fashionable - I’d never thought about it like that! I suppose workwear is a kind of uniform that doesn’t lend itself to fashion? Or is it possible to incorporate elements of what’s in fashion into that “uniform”.

I’d wear that dress to work, sone wouldn’t. You know your workwear culture better than we do op. With that, I’d go pointy flats, Mary Jane’s, or kitten heel boots.

I'm surprised people don't think the dress is workwear tbh. Looks fine to me.

I'd go slingback kitten heels. I don't think the dress length is right for knee high or ankle boots.

I know I’m not an expert on fashion but I think kitten heels look hideous on me. Like broken heels, they look ridiculous.

I think it’s possible to incorporate elements of what’s in fashion into work clothes

The shoes you suggested look appropriate and should be relatively comfortable if you wear them in first, I would personally go for a nude heel with a black dress as it lengthens the leg more, I also think that dress may need some shape wear as it looks fairly unforgiving

Hi OP

having looked at the responses I can guarantee the majority of people responding have never worked in banking or the City.
some absolutely awful clueless suggestions.

Thank you! I have ended up choosing a fairly basic pair of nude court shoes with a block heel rather than stiletto. And yes 💯 shape wear!

This has been a very interesting thread. I'm not great with heels and tend to decide on my footwear first, and then organise my outfits around it. If I had a work occasion where I had to be on my feet all day, I would pick an outfit that worked with boots.

I find it easier in the summer, just my personal opinion but I always find sandals/light footwear gives a better range of flats

Try Russell and Bromley sale - I can't afford their full price offers, but I buy when things are on sale - I think this is the only semi-affordable decent shoe shop left in the UK.