There's nothing quite so great to have around than as classic style that really works, and that's the first thing I'd say about these lovely Lulu Guinness heels.
In classic LG style, the very traditional and ladylike look has been given just the gentlest, subtlest twist to make it into something far more fun that's every bit as wearable: in this case, that gorgeous, shimmery leather.
£119 (was £215) at Koodos
American Idol star Katherine McPhee was seen making the most of a pair of heavy-bottomed skyscraper heels as she balanced from one foot to the other outside Vanity Fair's pre-Oscars party last week. While talking to a friend, she repeatedly kicked her heels, which emphasized her already jaw-droppingly long legs.
The question we're all asking is: was she simply enjoying showing off her stunning shoes, or was she desperate to make a dash for the ladies'? Either way, she's given us a good demonstration of how chunky stems can look great - as long as your own 'stems' are up to the job...
Related: Yay or Nay: Chunky stems
These shoes take the basic court shoe and inject a majorly playful element. Dune have taken the classic court design and really gone to town by adding a slash of contrast colour along the ankle and heel, and following this through in the inside sole. The mix of burnt orange and grey is a really fresh take on what's normally considered a serious office shoe, and the cut out detailing on the ankle adds a little intrigue to the standard shape.
The heel is 4.5 inches, and with a name like Rave suggests you'll be enjoying plenty of dancing time with them!
£85 from Dune
When I hear the word Dita I think of ruby red lips, corsets and carefully teased black hair. Quirky shoes which combine textured gold and cream leather don't really feature in that vision, but these babies from the KG range are luxurious enough to redefine the term.
The combination of the three colours works really well together and the interesting choice of turquoise ( the Pantone colour of the year) gives it that extra sparkle. I love the mix of textures as the embossed cream and textured gold give the shoe a dramatic feel and a distinctly catwalk vibe. These shoes would easily get you through this tricky transitional period and would work equally well bare legged or with tights.
£140 from Kurt Geiger
These boots are the epitome of desert island chic, and I love their chunky styling. The friendly mid heel will suit most people, and they're available in beige and blue- but I think the beige version will be more useful for accenting your summer wardrobe.
They're very versatile as they can be worn with slouchy jeans in the day or dressed up with ankle socks and jewellery for a night out. They remind me a little of the velveteen shoes seen on the Michael Van der Ham catwalk, and they effortlessly fuse chunkiness with femininity.
£120 from Carvela
In recent years Next has thrown off its fusty image and become a shopping destination which features some of the most stylish shoes around. I'm very taken with the Vamp Citrine Shoes, £35 as the mixture of lemon and grey is very attractive and the peep toe style adds a high fashion element to the pair. The structure of the shoe should provide enough ankle support to see you dancing through the night, and the sleek finish will mean they're easy to keep clean.
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For those of us 'blessed' with wide feet, finding dainty and desirable party shoes is always a bit of a minefield. Anything strappy, or without sufficient structural integrity is out, and you can forget about D'Orsay's. But thankfully we have stores like New Look, which bring out affordable and fun wide-fit styles like this one.
Available in a black/white or black/pink combo, the shoes are a little bit Chanel and super trendy. They're also a wallet-friendly £20.
£20 at New Look