Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer party season.
To paraphrase the words of Marilyn Monroe with a smidgen of creative license, a great pair of shoes has the ability to transform not only your wardrobe but how you feel. Ahead of the festive period which involves endless social affairs, it’s vital to ensure your confidence is unwavering. Our secret weapon? A pair of killer party shoes to see you through to the New Year.
Party shoes are undoubtedly the most fun branch of footwear to shop. Sparkles, sequins, and velvet are all very much part of the equation when searching for that statement shoe to slip into. Not forgetting the inescapable wave of Y2K detailing such as butterflies and crystals which have adorned the feet of A-listers across the board.
You don't have to look far for inspiration while planning your party attire. A quick glance on social media and you’ll be instantly faced with a legion of high heels. From Dua Lipa’s Versace Crystal Butterfly Metallic pumps to Beyonce and Rihanna’s beloved Amina Muaddi mules, there’s a party heel around every corner of Instagram to covet.
Since the 1950s when the stiletto was born, high heels have been an emblem of female sexuality. Not only are they uber-flattering, carving out the leg muscles and lengthening the limbs, but they also add a few inches of height in something of a power move.
Naturally, high heels became a subject of feminist debate due to their connations of sexual prowess. Women’s office dress codes often required women to wear high heels, which represented a somewhat contradictory binary of being both professional and desirable. Feminist activists even likened the shoes to instruments of torture which appeased the male gaze.
On the flip side, high heels are also considered an assertion of female attitude and authority. Take Barbie’s candy pink heels or The Devil Wears Prada’s Andy Sachs’ heeled thigh-high Chanel boots for example. Both characters chose to wear the shoes in order to make known their sartorial status - and it worked.
During the 1700s, high heels were solely reserved for men - King Louis VIII kickstarted the trend in the French courts. The nobility sported the silhouette to imply their upper-class status as members of society who could afford such extravagant footwear.
Fast forward past the 1829 invention of the sewing machine, the dawn of the modern high street and the commercialisation of luxury, et voilà, party heels are available for all. Women have gone on to reclaim the party heel as a personal choice, one through which they can show off their style on a night out.
Sex And The City’s Carrie Bradshaw famously went against tradition in the most stylish way possible, accepting an electric blue silk Hangisi Manolo Blahnik stiletto as a proposal rather than a classic rock. Clearly, the party pump’s influence is not to be undermined.
After all, when the clocks go back and the days are darker, what better day to brighten life up than with a dazzling pair of party heels? Winter is the ideal time to inject your accessories collection with some flair, be it via a metallic hue, a sprinkling of diamante or a plume of maribou feathers. In our book, more is always more.
Read on to find your perfect pair of glass slippers there’s no chance of leaving behind.
Shop now
Amina Muaddi Henson 95 Chain-strap Suede Sandals
Amina Muaddi's Henson 95 Chain-strap Suede Sandals exude a dreamy decadence. The black suede pumps are elevated with a fine gold chainmail strap, which merges Y2K details with gilded glamour.
Buy now £530.00, Matches
Versace Satin-finish Block-heel Sandals
Refresh your shoewear arsenal with Versace’s finest. The brand’s iconic block heel sandals, which are beloved by the stars, will rejuvenate your wardrobe with a minty fresh finish.
Buy now £550.00, Farfetch
Saint Laurent Simone 90 Crystal-buckle Satin Mules
Satin and crystals wrapped up in a kitten heel mule? Must be Saint Laurent. The French house’s dainty heels harken back to glitzy Nineties style with their diamante detailing and minimalistic shape.
Buy now £850.00, Matches
Bobbies Iva Heels
Opt for a touch of futuristic fashion with Bobbies’ Eva heels in metallic silver leather. The refined slip-ons adopt a slingback style fused with a classic point toe.
Buy now £185.00, Bobbies
The Attico Devon Metallic Crinkled-leather Mules
The Attico's Devon mules will attract the eye of any passerby. The shoes are set on pyramid-shaped block heels and feature sleek square toes in a honey-toned shine. Note the crinkle effect which adds some textural charm to the Gatsby-eque pieces.
Buy now £354.00, Net-A-Porter
Alaia Cabaret 115 Patent-leather Sandals
The most extravagant pair on our list, Alaia’s epic Cabaret 115 pumps are truly spotlight-stealing. Black leather straps sit atop a pair of gold, leg-shaped heels, inspired by Parisian cabaret dancers.
Buy now £1190.00, Matches
Burberry Shearling Step Rose Sandals
We’ve never wanted a pair of shoes so badly. Available in violet and sulphur schemes, these rose-clad heels showcase a leather structure complete with velvet rose motifs and fur trims.
Buy now £890.00, Burberry
Ted Baker Kayvi Velvet Bow Platform Heeled Sandals
Make the most out of Barbie-mania and add a new pair of perfectly pink heels to your online shopping basket. Showcasing a rich raspberry tone, these skyscrapers are not to be missed.
Buy now £145.00, Ted Baker
Free People Say Yes Pointed Heels
Elegantly slip into a pointed pair of mules which can be teamed with a black suit for a suave style statement. For more casual affairs, simply pair with some baggy jeans and a crisp white shirt.
Buy now £168.00, Free People
Versace Medusa-head 120 Metallic-leather Platform Mules
Versace reigns supreme when it comes to partywear. The Italian label’s Medusa-head mules are front and centre of our mood board, thanks to their pale pink colourway and punkish platform heel.
Buy now £355.00, Matches
Circus NY Hadie Fluff Heels
Get the party started with some disco-ready mules complete with a delightfully fluffy pom pom applique and an all-over silver sparkle. We also love the brand’s befeathered blue slip-ons.
Buy now £88.00, Free People
Charles & Keith Michelle Recycled Polyester Platform Sandals
Flared heels are all the rage and for good reason. The contemporary silhouette is an It-girl staple, and these zesty lime offerings which feature the unique shape are firmly on our wish list.
Buy now £109.00, Charles & Keith
Steve Madden Trixie-R Sandals
Take your sartorial status to new heights with a helping hand from Steve Madden. The brand’s Trixie-R pumps boast a towering platform, a block heel and a generous swathe of twinkling rhinestones. Now, where’s the dancefloor?
Buy now £68.00, Steve Madden
Whistles Adella Diamante Slip On Mule
A sprinkle of diamante will elevate your evening look to new heights. Step out in Whistle’s glimmering mules and sark disco fever wherever you step.
Buy now £129.00, Whistles
