GAAAAHHHHHHH - shoes

[TheWitchCirce]

What shoes can I wear with a glamorous cocktail dress for a black-tie do.
Legs are fine but I have definite cankles and can't wear heels anymore.
I would prefer to wear ankle boots but can they look in the slightest bit elegant?

Observe …

Dear Frances

Miista

Le Monde Beryl

Aeyde (Ankle boots)

Ganni

Thank you - I gave no guidance at all but these are all far more than I would want to pay for one night.

I appreciate you looking for me though, other than Ganni they are not names that I am familiar with.

Yikes. I'd say that's demonstrated why ankle boots at a black tie do is a resounding no.

Can we see the dress OP? Or something similar? Could you do flat strappy sandals? I know you might be self-conscious about your ankles, but I promise you nobody else will really notice them, but they will notice inappropriate footwear.

https://www.carlscarpa.com/Mobile/en/Malnatti-Black-Nubuck-Ankle-Boots/m-m-7435.aspx

I think ankle boots with a dress just cuts off the visual of your legs. Depending on the length of the dress, can you do a nice higher boot, or even a flat ballet or mary jane.

Stick to a neutral colour to not draw attention to your feet.
https://www.office.co.uk/view/product/office_catalog/2,30/5166511705

or a low kitten heeled boot"
V=https://www.zara.com/ca/en/split-leather-kitten-heel-boots-p12012610.html?v1=452701538&v2=2419175

I think ankle boots with a dress just cuts off the visual of your legs. Depending on the length of the dress, can you do a nice higher boot, or even a flat ballet or mary jane.

Stick to a neutral colour to not draw attention to your feet.
https://www.office.co.uk/view/product/office_catalog/2,30/5166511705

or a low kitten heeled boot"
V=https://www.zara.com/ca/en/split-leather-kitten-heel-boots-p12012610.html?v1=452701538&v2=2419175

or these pointed toe neutral ballet flats:
https://www.zara.com/ca/en/pointed-toe-suede-ballet-flats-p11521610.html?v1=454393252&v2=2419160

I love the Ganni boots but I probably wouldn't get much wear out of them.

There are lots of pretty flats around at the moment. Just using Next as an example, you have ballerina flats, pointed toe, strappy, mary janes, kitten heels...

https://www.next.co.uk/shop/gender-women-productaffiliation-footwear/category-shoes-style-anklestrapping-style-ballerina-style-blockheel-style-kittenheel-style-maryjane-style-point?p=1#0

I think it totally depends on the length and style of your dress. Full length swishy yes you can totally wear ankle boots. Full length figure hugging, I think not? Just above or below the knee - possible but much more difficult, and definitely not flat ( I mean for the look I think you are aiming for. Not IRL when anyone can do what they want of course)

(I have assumed you are not wearing trousers, as then boots would look fine, unless the trousers were skinny ankle length).

All of these are hideous!

I've worn these to black tie events before but usually with a jumpsuit... it depends on your dress whether they would work

https://www.hobbs.com/product/lizzie-suede-ankle-boots/0225-MX02-002H070-BLACK.html

They are very comfy - surprisingly so! (I'm not usually a heels person)

Honestly, no-one is going to pay any attention to your ankles. They will however if you wear those god awful flat elf boots.

Glamorous cocktail dress? Presume you already have this? Length? Colour? Fabric?

For something elegant yet comfortable, I'd look at Anonymous Copenhagen https://www.anoncph.co.uk/?tw_source=google&tw_adid=695536195834&tw_campaign=1542183076&tw_kwdid=kwd-355286340210&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1542183076&gbraid=0AAAAADxa8RyM36IdLtEC6qLUi0svVnfIe&gclid=Cj0KCQjwovPGBhDxARIsAFhgkwRTbTE9nVnHUKJ-XwPE2XCSCeuBDsDSQm90Kr-z87ePTu440JV-75IaAm4vEALw_wcB&shpxid=c21525f9-372a-4df2-be81-155d020ea657

They have lots of gorgeous low & flat sandals, & I'd go for something in metallic leather/animal print/a bright colour. Quite pricey but not ridiculous - & they have a sale on. I've bought some on eBay/Vinted before.

If you wear something totally flat, your cankles will be obvious - a low heel is more leg-lengthening. Ankle straps aren't good either.

If your dress is quite classic, I don't think boots would be right - but they might be if it's something more modern. Hard to tell without a photo!!

Did you read the OP, @JaquelineHide?

The links were for the purpose of inspiration, @TheWitchCirce - I’m sure you can find similar shapes at most price points. (Although I had thought you’d want dressy ankle boots to wear for lots of occasions through A/W. I also have ankles made for boots!)

Yes and I agree with PPs that ankle boots aren't going to work with a cocktail dress. So I was saying there are alternatives to heels. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

I'm a firm devotee of flat heels, but I have to admit that for elegant ankle boots I think you probably do need a small, block heel (or possibly an astronomical budget...), so I'd choose flat shoes, where there are plenty of elegant options.

But if you definitely want ankle boots I'd look for suede or patent leather and a pointy toe, to steer away from clumpiness and office vibes. Bonus points for a bright colour, if that works with your glamorous dress. I thought there were some possibles from Gabor (I've tried to order by approximate heel height):
Black suede, slim and elegant
Suede, choice of colours, minimal
Black suede, only if lace-up boots are your style
Dark brown suede, patent detailing
Suede, choice of colours, low cut
Suede or patent, lots of colours, a definite heel

For what little it's worth, I personally would choose one of the first two, probably the second because I like the sleek, minimalist look.

Really don’t think any of those are fashionable enough, or glamorous enough, to be worn as cocktail wear, @MerveilleduJour?

Don't really disagree @TroubledBloodyMary, but if I had to wear ankle boots with cocktail/black tie dress (my preference would be flat shoes or - if determined to hide my ankles - a long dress or jumpsuit, but the OP already has a dress and wants boots not shoes), then on my budget those are options I would consider.

Surely you're not criticising someone's suggestions after the monstrosities you posted? We're all entitled to an opinion, and I'm sure OP appreciates all suggestions, but this is just too ironic.

There are a few here from:

Cos

Very plain and sleek.

Or Topshop has these - also very plain and unobtrusive:

Topshop ankle boots

These might work, depending on the proportions of your cocktail dress:

Mango flat boots

Tried Zara but all their dainty ankle boots are heeled.

Why yes, @owlpassport - I liked the boots I linked (and more pertinently felt they might be ok with a cocktail frock) and presumably other customers of those brands like them too! The fact that others have different tastes doesn’t preclude me from posting on S&B. (That would be quite odd, don’t you think?)

Of course if you feel I should be banned from posting here because you like different things, you’re entirely free to put that to MNHQ …

Yeah, I’d go for flat strappy sandals.

Sorry about being MIA. The event was last night so it was very much a last minute panic GAAAAHHHHHHH.

I did wear boots with a manageable heel that pulled on and sat tight to my leg - same colour tights. It looked fine and as DH said 'no one was going to be looking at my feet'. (I have great boobs!)
I really appreciate everyone going to the trouble for searching for me. I did like the nude Office shoes.

this brand is lovely and they do size 2! I'm tiny

Gosh!! Even my 4'11" pal's feet are a size 3!!! Go crazy on their sale items - or full price! They're truly lovely boots/shoes sandals!!