Let’s face it – heels are not always the most convenient shoe to wear all of the time. When your feet need a break, ballet flats are the stylish way to go! A classic style, flats have been popular since the 1950s, most recently remembered by the Audrey Hepburn, Gap skinny jeans advertisement.

Personally, they have been a staple in my shoe wardrobe for years. Great shoes to wear while commuting to and from work in the city, whether you drive or make the mad dash up the stairs from the subways, bus, or train – they store easily and slip on and off in seconds for the quick switch to pumps. For “casual Fridays” they are perfect to wear all day long!

Dressed up, or down, ballet flats go with just about anything from Capri pants, straight leg jeans and slim-line skirts, to sun dresses, prom dresses and even wedding gowns! Dyeable flats make the perfect match for formal gowns and there are unlimited materials from which to choose otherwise, from leathers, to satins, to sequins galore.

Are you a tall girl going out on a date with a not so tall guy? Flats can help to take away first-date awkwardness – at least the height thing. These soft suede flats are perfect for a first date – slim, flattering and feminine.

Prom Night – One of the most important nights in a high school girl's life. The last thing you want to do is to dance the night away in agonizing pain! Consider comfort first when selecting the right style – your feet will thank you at the end of the night.

You want to look fantastic – of course. The right shoes can be as important as the dress, especially if it is short. Full-length dresses can get away with more, but those short numbers need just the right shoe.

Prom shoes can be made to match the color of your dress (dye-ables) – important for both long and short dresses. There are shoe styles that can draw attention away from large or wide feet and draw attention to your legs, if that is what you want.

There are many styles from which to choose, because there are many different kinds of feet, toes and legs in the world! What might look great on your best girlfriend may not be right for you, so keep that in mind.

Go with a style that is complimenting and comfortable. If you are comfortable in high heels, you will probably be fine – if you are not, then wearing them on one special night could end up in disaster. There are so many flattering styles available – high heel, low heel, flats, open toe, strappy sandals, even ballet style flats with stay-put ribbons that wrap up your calf.

Pick a style that best matches your dress, if glitzy and shimmering – go with the same look for your feet. For long dresses, consider shoes that match the color of your dress – if it is an unusual color, you might want to get dye-able shoes and have them colored to match, like this – Dyeables Misty – Women's Refined/Dress .
 

Planning your bridesmaids' attire for the big day? Don't forget about the shoes! Often overlooked, shoes can make (or break) the look you are after.  Most brides consult with their attendants about the style and color of dress to be chosen, taking into consideration each woman’s body type, what they would be comfortable wearing, etc., before making a choice.

Depending on the number of bridesmaids in your wedding, the decision can become very complicated.  Add the choice of shoes to the mix, and the stress level can skyrocket!

The best thing to do, is to keep it simple. An attractive shoe with a little bit of a heel (not too high and not flats) usually works best if your attendants are similar in height - if not, then you may want to consider different heel heights and their ability to wear them. The color of their dress is another consideration when selecting a shoe - their feet should all match and of course, coordinate with the dress.

Unless they are in agreement on the exact style of shoe, selecting a dyeable shoe might be the way to go. At one time, that was a very expensive route to take, however the changes in the dye process have made it more affordable today - and the good (money saving) thing is that they can be re-dyed to another color later, so they are not just a 'one event' shoe!