by Heidi Labron

Created on: May 09, 2008

Can we ever really have too many pairs of shoes? If you're like most young women, the answer is simply...no! But even though our closets might be stuffed with pair after pair of great shoes, when it comes to the prom, we never have the right pair to go with our new dress. So, what should you know about buying a pair of shoes for the prom? Three things.....Style, comfort and price!

#1. Your shoes should never be the focus of your outfit. That only works if you are a clown. If you want to put together a look that says you went to a stylist, understand the style of the dress you have picked and find shoes that will complement, not detract from, your dress. For example, if you have chosen a really vintage dress, keep the shoes simple to make the look fresh and modern. No over-the-top chunky heels, just something low key and yet maybe with a bit of sparkle. If your dress is very elegant and modern, possibly strapless, a great heel in the same color can work wonders. Remember, the shoe color should not overpower the dress. Don't choose black if you are wearing a pink dress, for example. Keep the color scheme all in one tone....light with light, dark with dark.

#2. Go for comfort! I don't care if those 6 inch heels are the perfect shade of red to match your dress. You have to dance in these things all night, and if you aren't planning on keeping your shoes on to dance, then why buy the heels to begin with? Go with something that won't make your feet wish they could go home. Stick with a shoe that might even be a half-size larger for real comfort. Your feet will swell if you're on them for hours, so your toes will thank you for that bit of extra room.

#3. Don't spend more on your shoes than you would on a coat. Remember, you'll probably only wear these shoes a few times and then they'll just sit in your closet. You don't need to spend $300 on a pair of shoes that no one will really notice. After all, you're not going to end up in a fashion magazine like the movie stars do when they go on the red carpet. be realistic and shop in discount shoe stores or online. You'll often find something very similar to a high-end style at a fraction of the price. And no one has to know you only paid $25. Until you are earning six figures, keep the shoes costs below $50 and you (and your parents) will be much happier.

So, have fun looking for a great pair of shoes for that gorgeous prom dress. Just remember, it is one night of your life, and you can look beautiful, feel great and not spend a lot of money by planning ahead and keeping the focus on you, not the shoes.

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