BEWARE ANKLE BOOTS
BELT UP
FOOTWARE FOR WORK
COLOR CODING
BE BOLD
MATCH LIGHTNESS
HEEL KNOW HOW
TRY THE TOE TEST
PICK THE PERFECT HEEL
PUMP UP THE VOLUME

Boots that stop just above the ankle can be difficult to wear with dresses or skirts as they cut off the leg at the slenderest point. Unless you are very thin and the shoe is very form-fitting, your best bet is to go for lower-cut shoe boot.

Although shoes and handbags don’t have to match to look good these days, belts and shoes do tend to look better if they coordinate. A black belt with a brown pair of shoes simply looks as if you’re not trying. They don’t have to be the same colour and fabric but aim for the same colour family.

are the most universally flattering style and a good option to wear with trousers, skirts, dresses or suits for work. Because they are sophisticated, yet a touch sexy, they are the perfect choice for the career woman who wants to still feel and look feminine.

Although we all need a few pairs of neutral shoes in our wardrobe, forget the rule that says shoes always have to match your handbag. Matching colours can be a bit tacky but do make sure your shoes go with your outfit and are not too dark or too light in tone. A good rule is to match them to one of the less dominant colours in your outfit, be that a swirl of colour in your skirt print or even a bead in your earrings.

Take risks: if you like looking edgy you can clash your shoes with your outfit – for example, wearing red shoes with a pink dress. But be warned: it takes a sure hand and plenty of confidence to carry this off.

Strappy sandals are the favourite choice for formal eveningwear where even open-toe or peep shoes will look too heavy. If the look is light – your dress is floating or exposing – your shoes should reflect it. Bronze, silver or gold sandals are good choices, but make sure you match the metallic colour to your jewellery and any hardware on your bags.

The ticker the heel tip, the more comfortable and stable the shoes will feel. Small heels, especially stilettos, will wear down more quickly.

With closed toes, make sure you can still wiggle your toes. If you can’t do this, the shoes are too tight and may cut off your circulation – leading to numb toes by the end of the night. Tight shoes can also lead to ingrown toenails and bunions.

Even if you’re a little on the short side, don’t be tempted to go for killer heels all the time – they can make you totter and look as though you’re trying too hard. Instead, try wearing medium-sized or kitten heels, which provide the ideal combination of height to give you confidence and elegance to elongate your legs.

Flat shoes such as ballet pumps look lovely when worn with short skirts and minis, but never wear them with longer skirts. Flat shoes can appear to add weight to the leg, but this is counterbalanced by exposing more area of the leg.