For girls, fashion is this humongous part of prom, and the shoes you choose to wear are a crucial aspect of piecing together the perfect outfit. There are many types of shoes to wear for prom including:

Low-heel: Shoes with a low-heel height are better suited for individuals who feel less comfortable walking in sky-high shoes and are looking for more functionality. For a pump to be considered to have a low-heel height, it should be between one to 3.75-inches.

High-Heel: High heels usually consist of any pair of shoes with a heel-height above four inches. While these kind of heels are super sexy, they are also not the most practical choice for everyone. If you feel comfortable walking in high-heels than all the power to you, but if you haven’t in the past than it’s probably best not to start by wearing them on prom night.

Stiletto: Stilettos are high-heels only with a more pointed heel. This type of shoe is harder to walk in and if you’re inexperienced than prom is probably not the best place to be wearing this style of heel.

Flat: Flat shoes have no heel and no platform, they sit completely low to the ground. Many people think that flat shoes aren’t good enough to wear to occasions that require dress attire, but that just isn’t true. There are lots of stylish flats that look as good as a pair of heels only offers much more practicality.

Open-toe: A open-toed shoe can be any of the above styles, this simply means that there is no material covering your toes.

Closed-toe: A closed-toe shoe could also be any of the styles mentioned above only with a piece of material covering over your toes.

For boys, there are quite a few style variation of prom shoes including:

Slip-on: Slip-on shoes are the most popular choice of men for prom. This style of dress shoe has no closure system and is easy to slip on and off.

Lace-up: Some men’s dress shoes include a lace-up closure system. This makes for a much more custom and cozy fit and can also add a sophisticated style, although laces are not necessary.

Zippered: Men's dress shoes can have a zipper on the side, front, or back which is usually ore for style than functionality.

Flat: Flat shoes have no heel or platform. Some find these dress shoes challenging to wear, in part because their pants may drag along the floor.

Heel: When we use the term ‘heels’ about men’s shoes we aren’t talking about the same kind of height as with women’s heels, but rather between a one-to-two-inch chunky heel.

Another style consideration is the height of your shoe’s platform. Opting for a low platform is a better choice for those who are less comfortable walking high in the air and is better for people who are taller. A lower platform will give you better control over your footing and prevent accidental slips or falls from happening and let’s face it, no one wants to slip and fall down on prom night.

Comfort is a significant factor to consider when choosing a pair of shoes for prom. Both guys and girls will spend the better part of the night up on their feet dancing to their favorite beats. While this is all fine and dandy, it can become a severe problem if the shoes you’re wearing start to hurt your feet. Sore feet can quickly ruin a prom and make you regret not considering comfort when selecting your footwear.

Things like a padded footbed, or soft lining materials will help prevent fatigue and limit the chances of rubbing which leads to painful blisters. It’s also essential that your shoes fit correctly because shoes that are too big will flop and can cause blisters, while ones that are too small can pinch your toes and cut-off circulation.

Try opting for a pair of shoes made from synthetic materials which are soft and breathable as these will cause fewer problems down the road. Synthetic materials are also more breathable and will keep your feet more cool and dry, which can help to prevent slips caused by moist feet that slide around in the shoe. A cushioned footbed is always recommended when possible to prevent foot fatigue and pain. You should also beware of the type of straps and closures your shoes have, making sure that they do not rub or press in a particular area that could lead to cuts or blisters.

It’s important to factor into your final decision, the wearability of a shoe. Prom night involves a lot of dancing and will be spent mostly on your feet; therefore, you don’t want a pair of shoes that are going to leave you unable to move around on the dancefloor. For example, if you’re uncomfortable walking in shoes with a high-heel than don’t opt for a pair just because you think that they’ll look right, this will leave you unable to enjoy yourself and move about freely because you don't know how to properly walk in high heels.

Likewise, if a shoe has a very narrow toe, you might think they look like something from a fairytale but in reality, could end up being your worst nightmare. If you have more full feet than opt for an appropriate shoe that is going to provide your toes with the room they need to not cramp and pinch them, doing so will save you all sorts of pain. If you absolutely must wear a pair of sky-high heels with itty-bitty toes, then at the very least bring yourself a pair of flats to slip into now and then. Bring a pair of comfortable shoes to escape into from time to time can save you quite a bit of grief and can allow your feet enough periodic reprieve that they should be okay for the better part of the night.

Choosing a pair of shoes that have a closure system such as laces, or a buckle can also help your shoes to stay in place which will lessen the chance of slipping, as well as, lower the probability of getting a getting an unpleasant blister.

When it comes to fashion and footwear, the brand behind the design plays an integral role. Everywhere you turn these days including newspapers, magazines, and on television, we see celebrities and Hollywood’s A-listers, wearing exquisite footwear. In music lyrics and rap songs, we continuously hear the artist make mention of fashion giants like Gucci, Prada, and Louboutin. It’s all about flaunting your fancy things. So with this sort of influence, it’s only natural for kids to want to fit in and to be a part of this lavish lifestyle.

However, they are just kids, so splurging on a high-end designer brand isn't always in their (or their parent's) budget.

The pairs featured on this list are perfect for prom in that they look fashionable while maintaining a price tag that won't break the bank (we'll go more into that in our next section).

Kids won't feel like they're missing out when they choose from one of the pairs on our list. You can rest assured that we've looked for the best brands for this price range and have taken into consideration a high schooler's opinions and budget.

The last criteria that we would like to share are regarding the value. Here’s the deal, no one wants to spend above their budget on a shoe, especially one they might only wear once. So, when we were evaluating items, we really took into consideration a few different things when it comes to price. Primarily, we really wanted to focus on sharing brands and products that offered a blend of a good price tag with great value.

To do this, we looked at the price range and came up with an average or an estimated market value. This number was then used in choosing the best products. For example, we would look at a product and ask ourselves:

No matter the type of shoe you are planning on purchasing, by asking questions like above, it can really help to ensure you are receiving your money’s worth for a purchase.