Night Out Dress Codes: Choosing the Right Going-Out Shoes for Your Big Night!

5172

Find out how to choose the right going out shoes for your night out with advice from Wynsors.Christmas party season is upon us and most people are putting a little more thought into their wardrobe choices than they do for a run-of-the-mill night out.

So, you might be surprised to learn how many of us will be turned away from the after-party venue due to our painstakingly-selected footwear. While the modern man or woman might think that box-fresh, new-season fashion trainers make a smart statement in a bar or club, we can only wonder why some bouncers don’t seem to see the style value in a sleek pair of adidas Originals.

1 in 5 People Have Been Turned Away from a Bar or Club

We asked 2,000 people in the UK if they’ve ever been denied access to a bar or club because of something they were wearing.

As many as one-in-five people (20%) said yes!

Interestingly, men’s ensembles seem to be under more scrutiny, with 28% of gents having been turned away at one time or another compared to 12% of women!

We can also see in which areas you’re most likely to be extradited for falling foul of the rules, with London taking the majority with 26% of residents admitting they have been refused entry to a bar or club on a night out. Is it surprising that a city renowned for producing ground-breaking fashion designs and taking trends to daring new limits would also seem to have the strictest dress codes? We’d say so.

One-in-five people have been denied entry to a club for wearing clothing or shoes that defy the dress code.

But how do we ensure that our evening out doesn’t take a turn for the worse and end with early Saturday night TV and a takeaway? Is there a technique for choosing going-out shoes and clothing that is sure to make it past the barrier?

We’ve collaborated with two of our favourite fashion bloggers to produce a set of sure-fire tips that will help you to nail smart casual style and avoid getting the boot.

What Does Smart Casual Actually Mean?

Whether you are looking at an event invite or browsing a new club’s website, the term “smart casual” seems to pop up all the time, but it can be a source of anxiety for people who fear over or underdressing. So what does it actually mean?

Michael Adams, the owner of Michael84 fashion and lifestyle blog, says it is a resting place between the two extremes:

“For me, smart casual is exactly how it sounds; not as formal as a suit, but not as casual as relaxed sportswear. The best way of getting this right is to keep things simple with colour choices and smarter but informal pieces.”

Kristen from Highland Fashionista also warns against veering too close to the casual aspect, though for her the expression is more about the way you wear your outfit, rather than what you wear. In her words:

“Once upon a time, ‘casual’ would have meant chinos and a jacket, or maybe a day dress for women, but nowadays people’s interpretation of what ‘casual’ is extends to everything from sweatpants and baseball hats to cashmere.

 “To me, ‘smart casual’ is less about that than it is about how you are put together. So casual can mean anything from jeans paired with a really lovely silk blouse to a flirty dress with a pair of Converse. It’s all [about] how you own it.

“I do think, however, that as few guidelines as there are for something like ‘smart casual’, we need to leave the sweatpants and the baseball caps out of it.”

In short, we agree with Michael and Kristen. Smart casual is about getting the right blend of styles; to play down very formal pieces and dress up more relaxed items.

Stylish Going Out Shoes for Playing it Safe

If you aren’t sure how to apply the smart casual code to your footwear, there are some stylish options that are sure to be deemed acceptable almost anywhere.

For men:

Michael knows the value of a classic, well-designed shoe made from quality textiles. For something you can wear all season-long without a hitch, choose traditional shades:

“To play it safe I would wear shoes; nothing outlandish, a simple pair of black or brown Oxford, Derby or brogues.”

Explore quality leather styles from Wynsors that won’t pose an issue with the guys on the door.

Business-Class-OakHX-London-EppingHush-Puppies-Craig

They’ll match seamlessly with your smartest suit and look suave with a tailored jean and a checked shirt too.

For a guy who’s used to relaxing in his sneakers, a dress shoe might feel over-the-top even at your Christmas do. In that case, suede or leather desert boots are stylish and smart but you won’t feel too straight-laced wearing them.

Ben-Sherman-LaurenceBen-Sherman-Laurence-Brown.png

For women:

Kristen knows how to strike a balance between trying too hard and feeling like you missed the black-tie memo, particularly if you aren’t sure where the night is going. Will dinner and drinks end in your local pub, in the most popular bar in town or in a new club?

As Kristen points out, you can’t go wrong with a chic pair of heels, some flattering jeans and a sharp jacket:

“Starting a night out without knowing what you’re getting into can be tricky, but in today’s casual world, in most situations, I think it’s a safe bet to pair a pair of great fitting jeans with a sexy pair of heels, a camisole, and a ‘tuxedo’ style blazer.

“You can take the jacket on and off to show more or less skin, the heels keep things elevated and sexy, and the jeans keep it from looking like you’re trying too hard.”

See a couple of our favourite styles below, ideal for getting into the party spirit and receiving the A-OK when you walk into the party.

Anne-Michelle-KaylaDolcis-Alair

Should heels not float your boat, a block-heeled boot makes a dressy statement and will present less of a challenge for unpractised feet.

Apache-EmmieWynsors-NataliWynsors-Westie

Take the Plunge and Wear Your Trainers Anyway

If you’re dead-set on donning the sleek new trainers you bought on Black Friday, you can always take the plunge and wear them anyway – particularly if you’ve been to the venue before. After all, fashion has evolved over time and many places have relaxed their entry rules.

As Michael put it:

“If you’re going somewhere you usually go and know they have a relaxed dress code then you should be fine with smarter trainers. 

“Smart trainers are becoming more acceptable in bars; dress codes have become more relaxed and it’s definitely not uncommon to see a pair of Converse or Vans on a night out.”

To avoid possible remonstrations, we’d recommend choosing your favourite black or navy pair.

Vans-Era-59Converse-All-StarAdidas-Gazelle-OG-NavyAdidas-Gazelle-OG-Black

When you’re going somewhere completely new, you can research the dress code online or ask your friends. In the end, it depends on how much the night out means to you. Will you feel the fear and do it anyway? On your head be it, but you’ll definitely look great for the taxi ride home either way. 

Shop fashion trainers at Wynsors.

Find smart, stylish going out shoes for women and men here at Wynsors and make sure you’re fully prepared for your jam-packed social calendar this season. Shop today.

 

Previous article#WalkWithWynsors Competition Winner Announced! Find Out Who Won a Family Activity Pack Worth £500!
Next articleNew Year, New You – 5 ways to get fit for less

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.