Every pageant girls needs a good pair of heels she can count on, and picking the wrong pageant shoes can distract from your perfectly planned outfit, and ruin your confidence on stage. Here are my top 5 picks for pageant shoes, with a few top tips to help you along the way.
Comfort
Pageant shoes need to be comfortable. We all know how long pageants can be, and long hours on your feet can be unmerciful, so it is important to pick a shoe which is comfortable and secure. I recommend wearing your shoes in beforehand, whether this is simply walking around the house, or taking a very glamorous trip to the shops, breaking your shoes in will save you the pain and aches on the important day.
Height
One of the biggest misconceptions in pageantry is that the bigger the heel – the better. This is simply untrue. Height is not a criteria the judges will judge you on, therefore I encourage you to pick a heel you feel confident to walk in, even if it is slightly lower.
Colour
Those bright pink shoes may have stolen your heart, but unfortunately bright coloured shoes on stage can be off-putting, and can draw attention away from your all-important outfit. Pageant heels should be kept simple and elegant, with a nude, gold or silver heel, acting as an extension of your leg, elongating and adding height, without distracting the judges.
Age Appropriate
Heel height chosen should also be relevant to your age division. Of course, there are no rules against this however from experience and previous judge’s comments, I would advise Juniors and Teens to opt for a lower or a block heel.
My top 4 picks:
Kurt Geiger Sammy Blush, Kurt Geiger £79
www.kurtgeiger.com/women/shoes/stilettos/sammy-metal-combination-synthetic-kg-kurt-geiger
A chic blush stiletto heeled platform sandal with ankle strap to hold your foot comfortably in place. These are my all-time favourite and most reliable heels, having worn them myself in several pageants including Miss International in Japan.
Comfort rating: 9/10
Size availability: UK 3-8
Heel height: 5 inches
Product code: 2748424979
Mirror Silver Chinese Laundry Teaser 2 Tippy Top, Chinese Laundry £90
The Teaser2 heel from Chinese Laundry features a slightly thicker heel, with an iconic criss-cross strap detailing and adjustable ankle strap. With a 5.5 inch heel, I would recommend these heels to the more experienced walker. If you’re not so confident in your walk, I advise giving these a miss, as a confident walk is so much more important.
It is important to note these shoes are notorious for ‘toe creeping’ whilst walking on stage, so keep this in mind when making your decision. They are also available in half sizes.
Comfort rating: 6/10
Size availability: US 5-10
Heel height: 5.5 inches
Platform height: 1.5 inches
Leah, Marc DeFang $69
With a lower and block heel for extra stability, these heels are a great option for teens, or those who are not so confident in walking in higher heels. I have not personally worn these heels, however they are adored by my juniors. They are also available in half sizes.
Size availability: US5.5 -10.5
Heel height: 5 inches
Platform height: 1.5 inches
SKU: FS-2045
Block Heel Delicate Sandals, Next £30
www.next.co.uk/style/st417154/628753#628753
These sandals are designed with a delicate strap and adjustable buckle fastening for the perfect fit. Next are a great place to find shoes with a wider fit option, for more comfort and support, whilst adhering to a tighter budget.
Comfort rating: 10/10
Size availability: UK 3-9
Heel height: 3.3 inches
Product code: 628-753
Nostalgia Vintage Pattern Platform Nude Patent Leather £75
Seen on sale at £35
The Nostalgia Platform Heels are a higher heel at 4.7 inches, however the adjustable strap and slight platform will provide extra stability. I have not worn these shoes before, but my previous experience with office shoes have all been positive.
Comfort rating: 7/10
Size availability: UK 3-9
Heel height: 4.7 inches
Platform height: 1 inch
Style number: 2574686047
