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Dressy Shoes to Wear For When You’re So *Over* Heels

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at CU Boulder chapter.

There’s this age-old French expression that says, “Il Faut souffrir pour être belle,” which translates to “one must suffer to be beautiful.” In other words, beauty is pain. It sounds ridiculous, but if you think about it, it’s actually true. Still, it doesn’t mean you should sacrifice comfort for beauty. In fact, beauty shouldn’t have to be painful at all. 

Heels are just one of the many examples that fall under this expression, and while they make the perfect accessory to finish off any outfit, sometimes being comfortable is just better. If you’re anything like me, who majorly struggles to walk in heels, finding the perfect pair of dressy shoes (that aren’t heels) to wear is even more important.

Here’s my list of 5 dressy shoes to wear for when you’re so over heels.

Wedge Booties 

This is a perfect alternative to wearing high heels if you’re looking to wear some dressy shoes in the winter and/or fall season! Wedge booties offer the perfect amount of height just like traditional heels would while keeping your toes warm.

Strappy Sandals

Strappy sandals are by far the most relaxed alternative there are for heels. There are a ton of options for strappy sandals, and they can be as fancy or casual as you want. So whether you’re looking to dress up a casual outfit or a more dressy one, you’ll be able to find a pair that will work. Metallic or embellished sandals are great for dressier outfits, while slide on or woven sandals are better for more casual outings. 

High Top Sneakers 

Chances are, you probably already have these shoes lying somewhere in your closet, which makes it an easier option already. These shoes are more suited for dressier pieces that are more on the casual side but it works just as good as all the other options. I recommended going for a pair of white high-top sneakers when it comes to these shoes because it’ll go with virtually any outfit you choose and give it a little bit of streetwear edge. 

The Classic Flat

You can never go wrong with a classic pair of flats. There’s a reason why they’ve been around forever. They come in a variety of styles and colors, which means you’re bound to find a pair that matches your personality and outfit. You can choose from pointed styles, suede (which is similar to loafers!), sparkly ones,  strappy ones, or an embellished pair.  

Espadrille Sandals 

Espadrille sandals are insanely comfortable and are great for days where you are walking around a lot. They’re perfect for the summer and spring season, and they offer major versatility. These shoes can be paired with almost every outfit including jeans, shorts, dresses, or rompers!

Pointed Loafer

Loafers are starting to become a huge trend this year! They’re super easy to slip on and off, and they can add a sophisticated touch to any outfit of your choosing. It’s best to stick to neutral colors (black, brown, or grey) when it comes to loafers, but you can opt for a pair of leopard printed ones if you’re wanting to add an extra accent to your outfit.

There’s no denying that heels are a major go-to pair of shoes when it comes to dressing up, but it isn’t too long before the dreaded pain that we all know and “love” starts kicking in. Switch out your 5-inch stilettos for these six heel alternatives instead, and you’ll be well on your way to lookin’ and feelin’ stylish & comfy!

 

 

Jessica Nguyen

CU Boulder '21

Jessica is currently a senior at the Leeds School of Business and is majoring in Marketing with a certificate in Creative Technology and Design. She is a big lover of all things art and music, and when she’s not in class or hitting the books, you’ll most likely find her petting other people’s dogs, making a baking disaster in the kitchen, or daydreaming about Paris.
Sko Buffs!