Dressy alternatives to high heels for the festive season

I'm not a high-heels person. What are some dressy alternatives for the festive season?

High heels are usually the go-to shoes for holiday parties and other festive occasions. But if you are not a high-heel person - or plan on really getting your groove on and do not want to totter around - dressy flat shoes are good alternatives.

Some sort of embellishment is an easy way to elevate your daytime footwear to evening soiree-worthy shoes. Whether it is a metallic finish, glitter or actual jewels, shiny shoes can put people in a party mood.

Take these sandals from Miista (photo 1, $209, from P.V.S at 02-05 Cathay Cineleisure). Cut in basic black, they would look like regular 1990s-inspired chunky sandals. But made in silver, they give off a fun, futuristic feel perfect for dancing.

Glitter is another way to push up the wow factor. These Lucy Choi ballet flats (photo 2, £68 or S$142, from www.theoutnet.com) come coated with glittery tinsel and crystal accents. They will be sure to steal the limelight on any occasion.

For the tomboy, sneakers come coated in magpie-bait glitter these days. Italian sneaker brand Superga even offers its lace-up kicks in several shades of glitter (photo 3, $89.90, from Superga at B2-04 Wheelock Place).

Flat sandals with jewellery-like embellishment are good options too. This River Island pair (photo 4, $85, from www.asos.com) is reminiscent of Marni in its simple but blinged-out shape.

Lastly, if shining as brightly as a Christmas ornament is not your style, I would suggest a pair of flats with ankle straps. A style detail more commonly found in high heels, the ankle strap gives the flats a feminine, sweet and dressy touch, as this black New Look pair shows (photo 5, $59.90, from B2-34 313@somerset).

This article was first published on Dec 12, 2014.
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