Mules, thongs and tabis: Fashion people share the shoes they wear to summer weddings

“They have sunk into all types of event venue terrain, been plunged into puddles and kept me up dancing all night and still, somehow look brand new.”

The closer we get to summer, the more the social calendar begins to fill. Melbourne Fashion Week is days away, work Christmas parties are just around the corner and wedding season is kicking off. It’s no surprise to hear that November is the most popular month for weddings in Australia, either. The days are warmer (but not too warm), nights are longer and all the best flowers are in season.

Of course, with the increase in social invitations comes the need for a versatile wardrobe (there’s nothing worse than the last-minute ‘what-should-I-wear’ panic). When it comes to good footwear, you want something that feels formal, works with different outfits and can last a night on the dancefloor. It’s a tall order.

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Whether you have a wedding or formal event on the horizon, or you just want to be prepared, now is the time to start planning. For some inspiration, I asked five fashion people to show me their favourite wedding-appropriate shoes and how they like to style them.

Bianca Wittner, brand manager

I pinched this sample of Twoobs The BFF+ earlier this year and have barely taken it off since, even for weddings! Flip flops are having such a moment right now but I love how the platform instantly elevates these ones, so they work just as well with a slinky dress as they do with jeans. Like all Twoobs styles they’re unbelievably comfortable, so I can dance all night without even thinking about taking them off. I’m so excited for this style to officially launch this November.

@i.am.bianca.mp3

Lucinda McGarrity, digital curator

My go-to shoes for any cocktail party or wedding are my metallic orangey-gold platform heels from Husk (which I scored for $35 at one of their warehouse sales a few years ago). Weddings can run for hours and there’s often some grass involved, so a blockier heel is a must! A pop of colour is a great way to jazz up a simple dress for a special occasion, making them the perfect elevated shoe choice, striking the balance between statement and comfort.

@cindamcgarrity

Courtney Joe, stylist and writer

I’ve had these pointed-toe See by Chloé slingbacks since 2017. My shoe wardrobe isn’t a diverse one (every single shoe is black) and I had long been in search of a pair lighter in tone for the summer season. I was working on a project with a consignment store at the time, spied the heels on display and took them home with me immediately. Safe to say they have served their purpose and become my go-to wedding guest heel. They have sunk into all types of event venue terrain, been plunged into puddles and kept me up dancing all night and still, somehow look brand new.

@courtneyjoe_

Kostantina Vlahos, creative director

Edited in Tezza with: Exposure, Brightness, & Highlights

All the weddings I’ve been going to lately have been in winter, so warmth and comfort have definitely been top priorities. I’ve been wearing boots because they add that extra layer of warmth without compromising style. They’re super comfy, perfect for dancing all night and look effortlessly chic with pretty much anything.

@k.ostantina

Grace Corby, vintage curator

I recently acquired these 2004 hand-painted Margiela Tabis. They pair with pretty much anything and make it look elevated. They’re the perfect shoe for an all-day event as they’re comfy, sturdy and a great heel height.

@gracecorby

Daisy Henry, Fashion Journal‘s Assistant Editor

These St. Agni woven mules have got me through some of my trickiest outfit dilemmas. Before formal work events (like in the photo above), weddings or birthdays, I know I can reach for them at the last minute, safe in the knowledge they’ll go with anything. The small heel feels dressy enough but still comfortable for a night of dancing, and the woven style adds some texture, especially if I’m wearing something fairly plain. I’m a big believer in investing in shoes that will last the test of time and these have been with me for years. Sadly they’re not still in stock (I did buy them in 2022, after all), but you can peruse the brand’s site for something similar.

@daisyhenry_

For more wedding guest styling inspiration, head here.