- 13 Oct 2017
Spring Racing Heels: The Comfiest Picks of the Season
The spring racing carnival is an excuse to dress up and let your true colours shine.
Whether it’s bright and bold, monochrome, feminine or understated, there is a race day for every style choice.
When selecting your shoes to suit your outfit, it can be a shock to step into strappy heels that feel unstable or awkward, but fabulous footwear doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. Even Australian model Jesinta Franklin says her number one tip for a stylish racing season is wearing comfortable shoes!
Some tips for selecting comfortable and fabulous heels for a race day outfit:
- Choose block heels or wedges for stability and support on grass.
- Pick a colour or theme for your outfit and coordinate your accessories.
- Mix and match textures and patterns - the races is your time to be bold!
Here are our top five style ideas for head-turning heels at the races.
Modern Monochrome
L-R: JORJA - BLACK SUEDE $279.95, DEVA - MARSHMALLOW $249.95, DARCY - BLACK $259.95 all by Ziera
The perfect pair of Derby Day shoes should be classic and effortlessly stylish. When going monochrome at the races, select blacks or whites that are crisp and sharp. Textures, patterns and details are your friends when choosing your Derby Day outfit and accessories.
The Jorja by Ziera in Black Suede has mesh cutouts and lace-up detailing to really set off your outfit in style. The Deva heel by Ziera in Marshmallow is the perfect white heel. Not too bright, but not too nude, she’s got a stacked heel and adjustable straps to give you the perfect fit and support. The Darcy by Ziera in black leather has a contoured inlay to cradle your foot, an adjustable heel strap, and has an edgy cutout on each side for a boot-meets-shoe style.
Fabulous Florals
L-R: SONDRA - EMBROIDERED LAVENDER $645.00 by BeautiFeel, JESSICA - ROSE GOLD $279.95 by Ziera, SONDRA - BLACK EMBROIDERED RED. Other favourite picks: SECRET - RAINY DAY $279.95 by Ziera, SATIN - MARSHMALLOW BILBAO $249.95 by Ziera
For Oaks Day, it’s all about feminine details and fabulous styling. Your race-day shoes should be ladylike and delicate with a touch of vintage from a bygone era. Embroidery, prints and silky, flowy fabrics are a sure way to turn the style stakes up.
We just couldn’t go past the Sondra by BeautiFeel, with the embroidered detailing and old-world feel in a choice of two colours for the embroidery; red or lavender. Crafted from Italian suede, this shoe has a cushioned insole and anti-slip heel tip; your feet will thank you at the end of the day.
For an understated look, you can’t go past Ziera. The Jessica is a stylish heel you can wear all day long, in a perfect shade of rose gold to subtly add elegance to your outfit. Secret in Rainy Day has cutout detailing in a silvery shade that’ll complement pastel colours and florals, with an adjustable ankle strap for the perfect fit. Satin in Marshmallow/Bilbao is the epitome of vintage style, with a classic T-bar strap and peep-toe design - perfect with a flouncy skirt ready to dance the night away.
Block Colour
L-R: SHEENA - POINCIANA $219.95, EXCITE - ESTATE BLUE SUEDE $199.95, JOHANNA - POINCIANA $259.95 all by Ziera
For the race that stops the nation, you’ll want your shoes to do the same. Melbourne Cup fashion is the perfect opportunity to make a statement with bright and bold colours.
Ziera has you covered for all your bright colour needs this season. The electric shade on the Excite mule heel in Estate Blue is bold and beautiful, with a block heel and an easy slide-in style. Johanna in Poinciana reminds us of the tropics with its gorgeous knot detailing at the toe and adjustable ankle straps for comfort. For a low-heel choice that’s still bright and beautiful, the Sheena in Poinciana is the shoe for you. The sleek design and fruity hue means this pair of shoes will definitely be a stylish addition to your race-day outfit.
Summery Neutrals
L-R: CATE - TAN $219.95 by FRANKiE4, KIMBRA - SUMMER TAN $239.95, SHEENA - NUDE $219.95 all by Ziera. Another favourite: ELECTRA - NUDE $229.95
Understated, relaxed and fresh is the call of the day for Stakes Day. The perfect youthful race-day heels are crafted from natural fabrics such as leather in earthy tones.
The Cate in Tan by FRANKiE4 is such a versatile, easy to style shoe with a block heel, plus added support and cushioning. Sheena in Nude by Ziera is a lovely addition to your wardrobe, with classic styling that will take you from day to night. The Electra by Ziera supports your feet in all the right places, with a stylish block heel for support and a contoured footbed for comfort. Another gorgeous heel from Ziera is the Kimbra, with gorgeous tan leather straps and wooden wedge heel for the ultimate in understated, casual style.
High-shine Metallics
L-R: G62.843 - SILBER (JUTE) $250.00 by Gabor, G65.633 - PLANTINO/BRONZE by Gabor, OPAL - ROSE GOLD $239.95 by Ziera
Inject some subtle sparkle and shine to your day at the races with metallic heels. Day or night, these add a special touch to any outfit, and you can easily dress them up or down to suit the mood.
The G65.633 by Gabor is casual sling-back shoe with a low heel for understated sparkle. If you’re going for a more polished look, the Opal by Ziera is a lovely choice crafted from soft cow leather that will mould to your foot. If you want to really make a statement, the G62.843 by Gabor has upped the fashion-dial to eleven; the wedge heel and textured sole makes it a perfect choice for outdoor wear, and the high-shine silver straps are ready to sparkle in the sunshine.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that a fashionable pair of heels means painful feet; style can come comfortably! Each day at the races is themed and styled differently, but we know you’ll find a few choices in the Ian’s Shoes range to suit the fashion stakes.
Explore the range of stylish, comfortable heels in the new Spring/Summer 2017 Ian’s Shoes range, including top brands such as Ziera, FRANKiE4, Gabor and BeautiFeel, and style your spring racing outfit with ease.
For expert advice on the perfect fit, visit one of the Ian’s Shoes stores and speak to our friendly staff.