If you enjoy making after-work plans to make the most of your evenings, you’ll need a versatile footwear option to take you from day to night. From a date night with your partner to dinner with friends, choosing an ensemble suitable for work and leisure is important to ensure you feel comfortable and confident throughout the day.
Several elements can affect which shoes you wear for work, including your clothing, the weather and your employer’s dress code. As there are various shoe styles you can take from day to night, we recommend curating a selection of your favourite go-to styles so that you always have a suitable pair for any occasion.
Our guide to the best day-to-night shoes will help you to find versatile footwear styles that can be dressed up and down easily. Whether you feel your best in a pair of smart shoes or prefer more casual styles, Gabor has plenty of options that are suited to your taste. Read on to learn more about the most popular day-to-night shoes and how to style them.
Contents
1.1. Court shoes
1.2. Ballet pumps
1.3. Sandals
1.4. Boots
1.5. Trainers
Day-to-night shoes we love
If you’re tired of changing your shoes during the day to suit your various commitments, choose a shoe style from the list below and embrace practical footwear that can be worn for smart and casual occasions.
Court Shoes
Court shoes offer an excellent way to add a touch of sophistication to any outfit. They typically feature a minimal aesthetic with a low-cut upper, no fastening and a low to mid-height heel. Their glamorous aesthetic allows them to dress up any outfit, so whether you want to elevate your office attire or make your favourite jeans look a little smarter, a court shoe is a must-have for your wardrobe.
With different colours and styles of court shoes to explore, you can easily create your desired look. While neutral tones blend perfectly with a formal work dress or trousers, brighter hues can transform your look ready for the evening. Their enclosed toe and supportive heel make them comfortable for all-day wear.
Callow Womens Modern Cross Strap Court Shoes
Ballet Pumps
Ballet pumps are a great alternative to heels if you prefer a more comfortable footwear option that doesn’t compromise style.Their simple but chic designs never go out of fashion, and they are practical enough to be worn with smart and casual outfits.
Pair your ballet pumps with a midi skirt and tights or full-length tailored trousers, and add a smart shirt for an office-appropriate look. Ballet pumps can also be worn with leggings, denim jeans, casual skirts and more, so you can also wear them to all your after-work plans.
We recommend wearing plain, minimal footwear designs if your workplace has a formal dress code. However, if your employer allows you to adhere to a smart-casual dress code or to wear whatever you like, you have more freedom to experiment with the designs of your ballet pumps to find a pair you love. Ballet pumps can be purchased in various fabrics and colours, with many designs featuring gorgeous embellishments such as bows, embroidery and metal detailing.
Sandals
A casual workplace dress code gives you more freedom to wear your favourite footwear styles, regardless of how smart or casual they are. As the temperature rises during spring and summer, you’ll likely want to wear lightweight day shoes that allow your feet to breathe.
Sandals are an excellent choice for warmer weather, and there are plenty of ways to dress them up and down. We love the laid-back aesthetic of platform and wedge sandals, as their height incorporates a smartly structured element to your look, making them an excellent choice for the office. They are also versatile enough to be worn from day to night, so they are ideal for after-work dinners and drinks.
Whether you opt for a neutral or bright pair, you can wear your sandals with everything from tailored trousers and jeans to structured dresses and flowing skirts. With various designs, including slip-on, wedge, toe-post and heeled sandals, there are plenty of options to try that are guaranteed to upgrade your outfit. Choose a comfortable, supportive pair to ensure they are built for all-day wear.
Boots
A sophisticated pair of boots make the ultimate autumn/winter staple. While they are a practical footwear option designed to protect your feet from the elements, there are plenty of smart casual styles you can wear for various occasions.
If you’re looking for a pair of boots for day-to-night dressing, we recommend choosing a simple style such as ankle or knee-high boots in a neutral colour to complement various outfits. Ankle boots and black tights make an excellent combination for your work attire, and knee-high boots can be worn under a long midi or maxi dress during office hours.
To dress up your boots to suit your evening plans, you’ll need to add a smart blazer, a chic clutch bag and layered jewellery to incorporate a touch of glamour to your corporate look. This outfit suits any environment, whether heading out on a date or catching up with friends. Choose luxurious leather and soft suede to find your perfect day-to-night boots.
Gabor Boom Ladies’ Ankle Boots
Trainers
Trainers have become increasingly popular in the workplace and are a must-have for those that benefit from a relaxed dress code. They are comfortable, supportive, and ideal for all-day wear.
Whether you enjoy experimenting with brightly coloured casual styles or prefer to stick to minimal designs that can be paired with any outfit, you can wear the trainers you love at workplaces that allow casual dress. If your employer prefers a smart-casual dress code, it’s best to stick to more traditional trainer designs to ensure your outfit complies with this.
Trainers can be worn with anything, so you can style your favourite pair however you wish. Embrace chic workwear by pairing lace-up trainers with a blazer and matching trousers, or go casual with a sweatshirt and jeans for a stylish look. There are many types of trainers, including bold embellished options, perfect for any night out.
Styling your day shoes for evening wear
Looking for the perfect day shoes that are also appropriate for the evening can be challenging, especially if your workplace has a specific dress code. Fortunately, most footwear types can be dressed up and down to suit various occasions by changing clothing and accessories.
While you might wear your smart heels to the office, they can easily be dressed down with a casual pair of blue jeans or comfortable trousers and a t-shirt. Similarly, trainers are typically considered leisurewear, but if you embrace smart, minimal designs, they can become much more versatile and be styled with your smart-casual outfits.
Be sure to stick to comfortable, versatile shoe styles you don’t mind wearing all day, as there’s nothing worse than having sore feet after a long work day. If your after-work plans are likely to last longer than a few hours, it’s best to avoid wearing heels and embrace flats instead, as wearing heels for long periods can cause pain and discomfort to your feet.
Whether you choose to enjoy the summer evenings or see out the winter season, there’s a pair of shoes to suit every kind of after-work plan.
Day-to-night shoes at Gabor
At Gabor, we pride ourselves on offering our customers the most comfortable, supportive and long-lasting footwear styles. Our shoes have luxuriously cushioned soles and are expertly crafted with high-quality materials to achieve the perfect fit.
From sophisticated heels to elegant sandals, there’s a pair of shoes to suit every season and occasion, so it’s never been easier to style the outfits you love. Whether you’re looking for a standard or wide fit, our collection has it all.Browse our extensive collection today and discover shoes, trainers, sandals, and boots suitable to suit your taste, and experience the ultimate comfort without compromising on style. We also offer an array of stunning handbags ideal for accessorising your day-to-night outfits, so why not treat yourself to the latest styles?
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