If you want to wear a cocktail dress with flats, I am here for you. From foot ailments and sprained ankles to rocky terrain and a general intolerance for discomfort, many of my clients are requesting dressy flats (aka evening flats) for their party looks this season. When it comes to wearing flats with a cocktail dress, it’s all about picking the right dress length and complementary flats for the occasion. Let’s get to it…
Can You Wear Flats With A Cocktail Dress?
We all love that lean long line a high heel gives us, but you can in fact wear a cocktail dress with flats and still achieve a slim silhouette. The key to pulling off a cocktail dress with evening flats is the dress length. The dress either needs to be a maxi dress or a mini dress. A mini dress will make your legs look loooong. A maxi dress will give you that long line too as well as partially hide dressy flats and take them out of the spotlight. When wearing dressy flats with a maxi dress, you want to wear the simplest of the dressy flats below. You don’t want an embellishment catching on the hem of your dress.
Requirements For Chic Dressy Flats
Wearing flats with a cocktail dress or fancy pants can go terribly wrong if you choose the wrong flats. They really have to be an excellent pair. When picking your flats for evening wear, choose ones that have:
- A pointed toe, peep toe, or elongated square toe
- A rich color or shiny texture
- A smooth or seemingly smooth texture
To see these requirements in action, scroll down and behold your choices.
Bonus Tip: For extra comfort, you can even have a cobbler replace the soles of your flats with a more comfortable, non-slip option or add supportive insoles.
Evening Flats With Dress Pants
You don’t always have to wear dresses to parties and formal events. I am constantly putting my clients in dressy ankle pants or ankle-length jumpsuits for events. I say ankle length because longer pants are not flattering with flat shoes. And you generally want to have a slim pant leg rather than a wide pant leg. If you do prefer a wider pant leg, go for a cropped look with your dressy flats, and keep in mind a pointy toe flat is always more flattering than a rounder toe. If comfort requires you to wear a rounder toe, a slim ankle length pant will look best versus a wider pant leg or a dress.
Steve Madden Elina Crystal Bow Ballet Flat
Available at Amazon.
Sizing: 5.5-11M
Material: Textile upper, synthetic lining and sole
Prada Loop Bouquet Pointed Toe Flat
Available at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.
Sizing: 5-11M
Material: Leather upper, lining and sole
Rothy’s The Point in Solid Black
I am a big fan of Rothy’s flats and this shoe in black is my go-to dressy flat (the other colors are usually too casual looking for a cocktail dress code). On top of having such a chic pointed toe, they’re made of recycled plastic bottles and are machine washable. I recently paired them with a lady’s tuxedo for a client and it was the perfect dressy, yet comfortable flat. Read my full Rothy’s review, here.
Available at Rothy’s.
Sizing: 5-13M, runs small; order half size up
Material: Knit with 100% recycled materials
Franco Sarto Racer Ankle Strap d’Orsay Pointed Toe Flat
Available at Nordstrom and Zappos.
Sizing: 5-11M
Material: Synthetic upper and lining, rubber sole
Badgley Mischka Fergie Pointed Toe d’Orsay Flat
Available at Amazon and Zappos.
Sizing: 5-11M
Material: Textile upper, synthetic and textile lining, leather sole
Dee Ocleppo Pretty Velvet Crystal Bow Ballerina Flats
Available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Farfetch.
Sizing: 5-11M
Material: Leather outsole and lining
Rebecca Allen The Skim Flat
Available at Nordstrom, Amazon, and Macy’s.
Sizing: 6-10M
Material: Leather upper, lining and sole
Zigi Bibiana Flat
Available at Nordstrom.
Sizing: 6-10M, whole sizes only; for 1/2 sizes, order the next size up
Material: Leather upper, lining and sole
Sam Edelman Wanda Pointed Toe Flat
Available at Amazon and Zappos.
Sizing: 5-12M
Material: Synthetic, textile or leather upper, synthetic lining and sole
Linea Paolo Diana Slingback Pointed Toe Flat
Available at Nordstrom and Amazon.
Sizing: 4.5-13M
Material: Leather upper, synthetic lining, rubber sole
Rothy’s The Point in Black Shimmer
Available at Rothy’s.
Sizing: 5-13M, runs small; order half size up
Material: Knit with 100% recycled materials
Here’s another pair of Rothy’s with a subtle shimmer that will go beautifully with a cocktail dress or dressy pants. Read my full Rothy’s review, plus tips on how to wash them, here.
Badgley Mischka Collection Natalia d’Orsay Flat
Available at Amazon.
Sizing: 5-11M, runs small, consider ordering a size up
Material: Leather
Dressy Flats For Cocktail Dresses From Years Past
I originally wrote this post years ago and update it regularly due to its popularity. I’ve left these photos below for nostalgic purposes. Whenever I update older posts, I love to hold on to a collection of images as a bit of a time capsule so we can watch how our style evolves.
Jessica Rich Women’s Alea Pointed Toe Slip On Flats
These flats are available at Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom.
Sizing: 5-12M
Material: Mesh fabric upper and lining, leather sole
Bells & Becks Lia Pointed Toe Flat
Sizing: 6.5-10M
Material: Leather upper, lining and sole
Margaux The Mesh Pointe
Sizing: 3-14, available in medium, narrow or wide
Material: Mesh upper with Italian suede trim and leather lining
Nine West Blaha Half d’Orsay Pointed Toe Flat
These flats are available at Macy’s, Nine West, and Nordstrom.
Sizing: 5-12M
Material: Leather upper/synthetic lining and sole
Santoni Slingback Pointed Toe Flat
Sizing: EU35.5-41M
Material: Leather upper, lining and sole
Aeyde May Pointed Toe Flat
Sizing: 6-12M
Material: Leather upper, lining, and sole
Badgley Mischka Collection Saga Embellished Slingback Flat
These flats are available at Zappos, and Bloomingdale’s.
Sizing: 6.5-10M
Material: Satin fabric upper, manmade lining, leather sole
Sarto by Franco Sarto Tracy Flat
These flats are available at Nordstrom, Zappos, Franco Sarto, Dillard’s, and Amazon.
Sizing: 4-13M
Material: Leather upper and lining, synthetic sole
Naturalizer Kirsten Asymmetric Pointed Toe Flat
This flat is available at Naturalizer, DSW, Macy’s, and Zappos.
Sizing: 6-12, available in medium and wide
Material: Leather, metallic leather or suede upper with a pointed toe
Linea Paola Niche Pointed Toe Flat
These flats are available at Nordstrom and Amazon.
Sizing: 4-13M
Material: Leather upper, synthetic lining, rubber sole
Beverly Feldman $111
Costume National $477
Vera Wang $96
Vaneli $124
Gabriella Rocha $52.47
One Response
Loving the Vera Wang shoes, they are so stunning. Great Post