Great Shoes for Proms and Pageants

For many high school juniors and seniors, the height of the social scene for the entire year is prom. Girls spend countless hours choosing a dress and all the accessories that go with it to achieve the perfect look – and it does take some considerable accessorizing strategy to create the total “prom package.” The same goes for attaining a winning look for glitz pageants and pageant dresses.

After the right gown, the next most important element in your look is probably your shoes. Close your eyes and picture a beautiful girl in a gorgeous gown. Her makeup is flawless, and she has a great formal hair style. Now, scan down to her shoes. Imagine her wearing an ugly pair of “old lady” low-heeled pumps…kinda ruins the whole picture, doesn’t it?

Do people really notice your shoes? Absolutely. This is especially true if you’re wearing a short prom dress or a long dress with a side slit. Even when you wear a long dress without a slit, your shoes will be visible when you walk, and even more visible when you hit the dance floor at prom. If you’re choosing shoes for a pageant, believe me, your shoes will be noticed by the judges. As a certified pageant judge, I can attest to that!

So what kind of shoes are best for proms, pageants, cocktail parties, and other formal and evening events? Most teen girls and young women prefer strappy sandals. The heels range in height from a modest three inches to elegant five-inch spikes and stillettos. Some like the spike heels, while others – especially younger teens – will find a blockier heel easier to walk on stage in. I’m sure this kind of heel would also provide more stability while dancing. Even so, many older teens stick with the spikier heels because they feel they look sleeker and sexier. They just slip them off if they need to do so in order to dance.

As for color, it’s all up to individual preference. Some girls get shoes that can be dyed to match the dress. Some like the gold or silver sandals. The most popular of all, however, for both pageants and proms, is the clear sandal or the clear open-toed slide. This is often referred to as a “Cinderella shoe.”

You can look stunning for less by shopping online and comparing prices. In the hub below, you'll find great gowns for under $100. With a great price like that, along with a big discount on inexpensive shoes, you can actually enjoy a cheap prom and still look amazing! To save even more money, purchase a simple dress and shoes and add your own stones. I included a hub about how to do this, which you'll find below.

You can find appropriate footwear for formal events in several locations, but as prom season gets closer, the best shoes will get harder and harder to find, especially if you have either a very popular shoe size or a very unusual shoe size. One of the best places to find great shoes at great prices is online! Check out the deals below. Most of these shoes are available in several colors, and the white ones are dyeable so that you can have them tinted to match your gown exactly! These would also be great shoes for bridesmaids or other members of a wedding party.