What Kind of Shoes Should Women Wear to Formal Events?

Depending on your event, you will likely wear a cocktail dress, a full-length gown or a chic suit, and your outfit will dictate your shoe choice. If it's an evening event, each of these outfits work well with a strappy heel. For a daytime event, or an ultra-conservative business gathering, a pump is often the best choice.

Metallics such as gold, silver and bronze add that special sparkle that elevates an ordinary, everyday shoe to the more elegant look that complements formal wear. Silver is especially sophisticated with both black and white outfits, while gold and bronze compliment most every other color palette. When in doubt, however, black can be counted on to make a subtly elegant statement.

Satin, metallic and patent leather are good selections for formal shoes as opposed to suede and flat leather which are generally too informal to blend well with formal attire. Up the ante on your shoe's material, and your footwear will look like an extension of your dressy ensemble.