When it comes to footwear, college girls are definitely primed and ready to hit the town. From graduation ceremonies, frat parties, interviews, and even weddings, it seems as though we have a different pair of shoes for each occasion. Let’s face it, an outfit is never complete without a fantastic pair of heels or ballet flats that make our feet look petite and match our dresses. No matter the season, the parties just keep on rolling by, which is why I decided to write about the different types of shoes that are perfect for special occasions, be it winter or summer.
1. Ballet Flats
Flats are by far the most versatile shoe you can own and are a must for the college girl’s shoe shelf. They are perfect for walking around Pitt’s hilly streets in search of the right address of the fifth frat party of the week, yet help you manage to look cute and feminine at the same time. Ballet flats come in all colors and styles and can be worn under a bridesmaid dress just as easily as with the shortest LBD in your closet. Best of all, flats don’t cause calf pain and strain to our leg muscles and ankles like heels do. We collegiettes need to run around all day, especially at Pitt, where going to class can be as bad as hiking the Alps (has anyone tried running up an icy Cardiac Hill? Don’t try it.). And when it comes to nightly wanderings to parties, flats can save our poor feet the pain.
Some places in Pittsburgh’s South Side that sell ballet flats include Forever 21 ($17) and H&M ($12). However, look for them in any department store or shoe store. You can’t miss out!
2. Kitten Heels
Not quite as torturously high as dear old high heels, kitten heels are sleek and give you just the right amount of added height to stop you from tripping over those maxi skirts (then again, I might be one of the few people who actually wears maxis). Worn with a short dress or skirt, they can enhance your legs while not hindering drunken wanderings up by Sutherland Hall. Additionally, they are dignified enough for interviews or holiday parties, be at home or at college. Open-toed heels give a more elegant look while close-toed heels offer the classic pump look that never goes wrong. Personally, when I shop for heels, I always go for kitten heels. My coordination level drops to rock bottom once I strap myself into high heels or pumps, making even the greatest of outfits look downright ugly once I realize I am wobbling like a panda on a unicycle (hint: pandas are very bad at riding unicycles).
Most shoe stores and department stores carry a large selection of kitten heels. I recommend Macy’s for a good pair that will last a while and aren’t as expensive as some of the more select boutiques around Oakland. Prices range from $22.90 to the mid-$100s (Macy’s in Downtown Pittsburgh).
3. Tall Boots
Perfect for winter weather, boots offer comfort and style in one suave swoop! Not only do they look sexy when paired with a short skirt or dress, but they fit perfectly over jeans and provide a grip on the icy pavements. Practicality blended with style – boots really are straight from heaven! Additionally, boots can be heeled or flat; I suggest keeping at least one pair of each for different occasions. Tall boots with heels are weather-approved while maintaining that air of elegance that we try for at college parties. Flat-bottomed boots are a must-have for braving the winter weather. Boots also can be fur-lined on the inside (Uggs, anyone?) and can extend anywhere from knee-length to calf-length. Ankle boots also exist, but more on them later.
Once again, Macy’s never fails to provide. Tall boots (Karen Scott Women’s Harloww Tall Boots, $31.60) and riding boots range from $30 to $40, while heeled boots (Style&Co Marteen Tall Boots, $43.60) are slightly pricier. But shoes are well worth the money when they protect our feet from the elements while promising to complete any outfit!
4. Wedges
Wedges, as defined in Priya’s Dictionary for the Clueless Shoe Shopper, are “high heels with the pointy heel replaced by a wide chunk of wood that, despite sounding awkward, manages to look elegant while supporting your entire body weight.” Yes, wedges are a godsend for those of us who want to achieve that additional height but are terrible at balancing in stilettos. I am a card-carrying member of the Wedge Club, and why not? Wedges come in a broad range of colors and the heel comes in a variety of thicknesses. When paired with a sundress, they look girly and casual. But, with a formal suit, they complete the formidable aura we exude. They work just as well on jeans and on shorts.
I think by now I’ve advertised Macy’s enough. Payless Footwear has cheap wedges, but honestly, department stores are my go-to for this specific type of shoe. There’s enough choice to keep me in the shoe aisle all day.
5. Ankle Boots
Ankle boots are the shorter relatives of the tall boots I covered earlier in this article. Fashionable and foxy, they are the perfect height to wear with jeans or tights. Ankle boots, also known as booties, give the look of a boot without the bulkiness of those knee-high boots. I personally love pairing ankle boots with knee- or thigh-high socks and a shorter skirt or dress. Practical yet shapely, ankle boots allow for movement and speed while enhancing the shape of your legs.
6. Flat Sandals
I’m one of those girls who loves being barefoot, which is why I advertise sandals so often. They’re the closest I can get to being barefoot (sadly, bare feet are not acceptable in civilized society). But, putting my preferences aside, flat sandals are cute and summery, perfect for the first few months of the fall semester and the last month of the spring semester. I’d like to think of flat sandals as the better-looking cousins of flip-flops- both are just as comfortable, but sandals are the more elegant option. While not ideal for chemistry labs, sandals are perfect for parties or dates. They might not add extra height, but they make you look petite and somehow always manage to make even the largest hobbit feet look dainty. Plus, they offer support and cushion the balls of your feet during a night on the dance floor. Yes, the open toes might make getting your feet trampled a reality, but really, who wants to stumble around in heels when you could maintain an air of classy poise with flat sandals?
Sandals compliment every outfit (except snowpants…don’t go there), and are found in a wide assortment at nearly every clothing store. Forever 21 has some cute sandals ($9), as does H&M ($8). And, of course, I can’t forget Macy’s.
Shoe shopping can be stressful, but spending time on a great pair of footwear can be the difference between a mismatched and a classy outfit. I spent most of my high school years wearing either flat sandals (in every month that didn’t end with “-ember” or “ary”) or sneakers (I was that short Indian girl in the size 7 Nike running shoes and a sundress… I’ll be the first to admit it). This list is meant to be a compilation of the most necessary shoes for dressing up an outfit. Catered to college students (sorry, Grandma, this might not be the best article for you; try Easy Spirit), this go-to guide can make shoe shopping an easier, more fruitful process. Happy shopping!