Shoes - Prom, Pageant, Bridesmaids, Formals

Shoes for Prom, Bridemaids, Pageants, or a night on the town!

Bronze metallic leather has made quite an impression; the color matches up perfectly with one of the hottest trends for 2010... animal print! Bronze is also a hue that can extend beyond formal and into everyday fashion. Paired with jeans for a night on the town, bronze is multi-functional! Patent leather peek-toe pumps in electrifying colors like emerald, cobalt and bright yellow are a hit when paired with a multi-colored gown. Dyeing shoes to match is out, ready-to-wear color is in! Oversized jewels from decades past have made a huge comeback this season, adorning gowns and shoes alike. The stones, in round, oval and square shapes, accent the ultra strappy creating a look that is super chic. Black is the ultimate in classic, unless you go nude! Nude shoes, that is. A tan or flesh-colored sandal can be worn with virtually any gown to create an effortlessly coordinated ensemble.

When choosing the perfect shoe, considering the length of your gown is vital. Short gowns like cocktails should always be paired with a high heel. A flat or barely-there heel will give any girl, no matter her height, a dumpy appearance. Floor-length gowns allow you to experiment with a lower heel, even a flat! If comfort is the goal for your formal affair, its best to stick with a lower heel and less straps. You will get more support from a completely closed in shoe, a pointy pump or a peek-toe perhaps. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to achieve high fashion and comfort in the same shoe!

While acrylic shoes are a trend of the past, designers are integrating the synthetic plastic into their metallic leather designs to create a strappy look without sacrificing support. Embellished with rhinestones, the acrylic creates the look of floating stones and straps.

Though a skinny heel, usually about three to four inches high is the most popular, a girl that plans to spend little time sitting down should probably opt for a heel with a wider base. It is not necessarily the height of the heel that trips most girls up, it’s the width. A heel with a wider base will allow for a more stable strut. Keep all the night’s events in mind when shoe shopping to avoid ending up barefoot a few hours in! Wedges have burst onto the formalwear scene! Wedges, made popular in the era of the hippie, have made a huge comeback in this decade and are now a fashionable alternative for formal gowns. Wedged heels in metallic colors or even a dyeable version are a fashion forward choice for the girl that wants a wider heel for support and comfort.

Designers offer a wide variety of formal footwear options. Some of the more cutting edge choices are laced ankle boots or sky-high platforms with clear compartments that allow you to pour in glitter, rhinestones or even goldfish! Those alternatives may be a little extreme, but no matter what your own personal style, finding a shoe to reflect that should be a cinch! Have fun with your shoe selection, accessorizing the perfect gown is the most essential step in your prom process! It’s true, the shoe should complement the gown not vice-versa, but some of this season’s must-have looks are definitely scene stealers!