Evening shoes come in many shapes and styles. There are looks for both men and women, ranging from a fairytale ballet flat to a sultry stiletto or masculine monks to handsome oxfords. No matter your tastes or personal style, there is an option to match with any outfit.

Men:
Yes, men need evening shoes too! Luckily there is a huge assortment of styles available that are totally ready for sundown. Whether you’re heading out for a beer with the boys or for a sizzling date night with your significant other, there’s a pair that’s perfect for any occasion. Five of the most popular choices are:

• Oxfords: Oxfords are made for classy events and offer a formal appearance that’s dressy by nature. Oxfords are available in almost any color, with neutrals like black or brown being the most popular. This type of evening shoes is best matched with dress pants but should be avoided when you’re wearing denim.
• Loafers: Loafers are a slip-on style that’s comfortable, versatile, and stylish all at the same time. The sleeker in design a loafer is the more dressy it’s considered and they come in every color under the sun.
• Monk Straps: No, this isn’t the footwear of monks! A monk strap is actually a dress shoe that has a buckled strap in place of shoelaces. They’re usually made from leather and are available with one to three straps.
• Dress Boots: Dress boots are a professional look that’s sleek in design. Feel free to wear them with jeans, slacks, or even suits and enjoy choosing from the tons of colors available.
• Wingtips: Wingtips are considered to be one of the classier men’s dress styles. A “wingtip” is designed with a toe cap that looks like wings outstretched across the front.

Women:
Women love their footwear and, when it comes to a night out, looking your best is a must! As with any kind of apparel for ladies, there are tons of variations available. So if you’re headed out for cocktails with the girls or for a romantic dinner with your significant other, try one of the styles described below:

• High Heels: Heels come in a multitude of variations, from low kittens to towering stilettos. They are a staple in the women’s fashion industry and are widely regarded as being one of the sexiest choices of evening shoes for females.
• Flats: When it comes to flats for wearing after dusk, it’s all about solid colors or metallics. Some options have glitter or rhinestone accents, which makes them appear more dressy. If you’re going to a professional gathering, opt for a solid neutral tone.
• Boots: Ladies' boots are a great choice for dusky outings! Ankle or knee-high lengths are usually preferred and can be paired with pants, dresses, and skirts.

No matter if you’re shopping for men’s or women’s, evening shoes should be classy and stylish. Looking your best when the sun goes down is as easy as finding the perfect pair that can enhance your look in all the right ways. Keep in mind, however, that clubbing requires a very different choice of footwear than you would wear to a classy black-tie event.

When the sun goes down it’s time to turn up the dazzle when it comes to your evening shoes. Many styles are made using glitter or rhinestone accents that dazzle under dimmer lighting. Depending on where you’re headed, this look may or may not be desirable. Professional get-togethers are usually more suited to neutral solid tones, whereas casual outings are the perfect place for some added sparkle.

Glitter: Glitter is popular for special occasions or holiday events, but it can also be great for clubbing with friends. Heels or flats are a good style for glittering, though you may want to opt for a pair that’s not fully glittered. There are different sizes of glitter, ranging from dust to three millimeters in diameter and each size presents a unique effect. Small glitter flecks are brilliant when viewed from farther away as they are reflective to light.

Rhinestones: Another popular method of enhancing evening shoes is adding rhinestones to the mix. Rhinestones come in many shapes, colors, and sizes, making them a versatile detail. Pumps look great with a rhinestone accent heel, while flats are super cute too. Men’s styles are less likely to feature rhinestones, though there are a few options that totally rock the colorful stone look.

Closures: Evening shoes come with all kinds of styles of closure. Depending on personal preference and style, you may have a favorite or find that there’s one that’s more comfortable than another. The variations are:

• Zippers
• Buckles
• Laces
• Slip-on

Zippers are popular for their ease of wear and for their stylish appearance but they don’t allow for much customizing in tightness. Buckles are adjustable to preference, which is a selling point for many. Traditional laces are very popular but less so for dressy footwear, and slip-on styles are a favorite among men.

Colors: Colors are important when it comes to evening shoes. Pale pastels, dusky dark hues, and solids are always a good choice, whereas neons and bright yellows or oranges are best avoided. Reds can be quite nice, though it’s best to opt for a darker shade to tone down the brightness. Blacks, blues, greys, and pastel pinks are a safe choice and will look good with most outfits.

The comfort of a pair of evening shoes depends on many things: how well it’s made, the kind of cushion it has, and how supportive it is, to name a few.

If you’re shopping for heels, keep in mind that their height affects how comfy they are to walk in. Higher heels are much more difficult and put more strain on the arch of the foot. Lower options, like kitten heels, are easier on the feet and back, causing fewer problems overall.

It’s important that the materials be breathable and lightweight to prevent sweat and odors from occurring which can become very uncomfortable. When feet sweat, odor-causing bacteria begin to grow and once this happens it won’t be long before the inside of your shoe starts to stink. It will be very hard to get the smell out and it can totally ruin your evening shoes for good.

If you feel uncomfortable walking in higher heels, then opt for a kitten style or for a flat. This will prevent a world of discomfort later in the night and will keep you quick on your toes all through the eve. For those with wider feet, it’s good to opt for a rounded toe which offers more room than a square or pointed. Don’t try to squeeze into something that doesn’t fit properly because this will lead to blisters and can make it impossible to walk for the rest of the night.

Cushioning is a big contributor to your comfort. Inadequate padding puts more pressure on the sensitive sole of the foot, which can cause pain in the arch and heel. The cushion also acts as a shock absorber, preventing waves of impact from traveling through the foot and up the leg.

It would be quite embarrassing to be out with some friends, on a date or performing at a fashion show and, all of a sudden, your evening shoes snap/break from underneath you. This is why one of the most important aspects of choosing the best evening shoes for yourself has to be their durability.

Durability is determined by many factors, namely the quality of the materials that go into the design, the type of construction it underwent, how you use the shoes, how often you wear them etc.

In terms of materials, evening shoes made from genuine leather and suede are definitely the most durable. These natural materials can withstand wear and tear, and with a little bit of care, they will last you years to come. Thinner materials, such as textiles and satin and mesh, are less durable and will thin out or fray over time.

Synthetic leathers, while being animal-friendly and less expensive than natural ones, are also not as long-lasting. They tend to crack, flake and show signs of wear much sooner than expected.

So in terms of durability, if you wish for a truly great pair of evening shoes to wear year after year, then invest in genuine leathers.

We must emphasize here that, in general, evening shoes tend to last longer than casual or everyday footwear. The reason is simple: you wear your evening shoes much less than you wear your casual sneakers or flats. This is why, overall, you shouldn't limit yourself too much in terms of durability. You are buying footwear for special occasions, and even if it's not made of the most premium materials available, it will still last you at least a few seasons.

When it comes to value, it is important to understand that it is not only about the price tag. Yes, the cost of a pair of evening shoes factors into their value, but there are other things as well, such as the quality of their make, their visual appeal, longevity, even versatility.

A value of a design answers the question of whether or not it is worth purchasing; whether or not its cost reflects its quality.

That is not to say that the more expensive the design is, the more value it has. We looked for a good balance between the two, where a pair of evening shoes isn't too expensive, but where its quality, construction, and design speak far more about its value.

So if you want to be able to find valuable evening shoes by yourself, consider the following: the type of material the design is made of, how long you expect it to last, whether or not it is fashionable or meeting your aesthetic standards, if you'll be able to wear it to other events, not just the special one you're attending... and whether or not all of that is worth the price it carries.

When you answer all of these questions, you will find yourself with a pair of stylish evening shoes of good value that you are bound to enjoy for quite a long time to come.