I often get asked what are the best shoes to wear for an outdoor wedding or event, so I know it can be a concern for many of you. Even if your event isn't fully outdoor, there will no doubt be a part of it where you'll be outside- perhaps for photos or reception drinks- and you don't want to be worrying about your shoes! So what are the best heels for outdoor surfaces? With the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in full bloom this week it seemed the perfect time to give you my thoughts...
Block Heels
Okay so first up is the most obvious answer- good old block heels. No longer seen as uber modern or alternative, block heels are now a staple of our shoe wardrobes and with good reason. A block heel has a larger surface area at the base of the heel, meaning it's less likely to sink into soft grass or get caught in between paving slabs or cobbles. And they don't have to be super chunky either and block heels now vary from relatively slim to super wide, straight to tapered, so you can find the perfect style for you.
The advantage of wearing a block heel to an outdoor event is that you don't have to do anything else- just pop your shoes on and forget about them. The slightly wider base also gives you a little bit more support if you're perhaps not used to wearing a heel all day and want to be on the safe side. I can highly recommend our Celine block heel court, which comes in a range of versatile colours.
Clean Heels
Having said all of that I know many of you still prefer a classic slim heel or stiletto, and the good news is- that's okay! You can still wear a slim heel to an outdoor wedding or event, you just need to be a bit prepared in advance by getting hold of a pair of Clean Heels to protect your shoes from incurring any damage as you enjoy your day. You may have heard of Clean Heels, or even seen them in photos of celebs at the races, but basically they're transparent little sleeves which push onto your heels and stop your slim heels from sinking into grass or getting caught in between paving slabs. Not only does this prevent your shoes getting wrecked, it also adds a little more surface area to your heels, therefore giving you a little bit more stability- genius!
Kitten Heels
Whilst Clean Heels make it possible to wear pretty much any slim heel on grass or uneven outdoor surfaces, I'm also a big fan of the good old kitten heel for this. A classic kitten heel tends to be slightly flared at the base, giving it a naturally suitable shape for outdoor wear. For example, our Sapphire metallic leather slingbacks have a subtly flared low two inch heel, enough to give you a nice lift whilst you stay feel super stable and comfy throughout the day.
Flats
Last but by no means least, flat shoes are always a great option for an outdoor wedding or event. Gone are the days where flats are seen as 'not dressy enough' and casual and you can now absolutely finish off an occasion look with a stylish pair of flats. With no heels to worry about you won't have any trouble navigating cobbled streets, wonky paving or soft grass so you can just put them on and know you'll feel comfy and secure all day and night. Flats can still get wrecked though, especially with so much of the shoe coming into close contact with the ground, so it's worth using a protector spray before you wear them. Try our elegant Willow flats, the sister version of our bestselling Isadora.
Have you got a outdoor wedding or event coming up? What kind of shoe will you be going for- block heels, clean heels or flats (why not take a look)? I'd love to know, and as ever if you have any questions you know where I am!
Love,
Rachel xx
