All About Court Shoes: Your Questions Answered

Last updated on August 4th, 2022 at 12:04 pm

In this guide:

• What are court shoes?
• How to choose court shoes
• How to wear court shoes: your style guide
• Court shoes: fit and comfort
• How do I walk in court shoes?

Court shoes are a versatile ladies’ shoe that, with a little guidance, can become a firm favourite of your wardrobe. When you get confident in your court shoes, you’ll be able to pair them with most outfits. If you’re wondering how to wear your court shoes, our comprehensive guide should be able to help.

What are court shoes?

Court shoes were first worn in royal courts hundreds of years ago – this is where the name comes from. Over time, court shoes have filtered into the mainstream and are now popular among women of all ages. There are also indoor court shoes, which are generally worn when playing sports such as volleyball, tennis and squash.

What is a typical court shoe heel height?

Court shoes are usually around kitten heel size and upwards – so they typically have a small-to-medium heel height. The size of the heel can vary from chunky to slim, depending on the style of the court shoe.

How should I choose court shoes?

• If you’re wearing court shoes all day for work, you might want to go for a pair with a lower heel or strap. These will generally offer more comfort and support to your arch. You may also want to opt for modest, simple or plain colours.

• If you’re not used to wearing high heels, a thicker and/or shorter heel is a great first choice. Chunkier and lower heels will provide more stability and balance than a stiletto-type heel.

• If you’re planning on wearing court shoes often, opt for a leather pair as these are usually more durable than other materials.

• If you’re wearing court shoes for a wedding, choose a glamorous pair with classy detailing. The heel might be a little higher and the colours may be a little bolder or brighter.

How to wear court shoes: a style guide

Understanding how to wear court shoes is easy once you appreciate their versatility. You can pair court shoes with most items of clothing, including:

✔ Jeans
✔ Skirts
✔ Dresses
✔ Trousers
✔ Suits
✔ Tights

How to wear your court shoes mostly depends on the occasion. Here’s our guide to how to style them for different locations and contexts.

Court shoes for the office

If you’re looking for court shoes to wear at the office, stick to simple colours like black, white, navy blue and grey as these colours are the easiest to wear. If you’re a pro at wearing court shoes, you could go for a pointed toe. However, if you’re only starting out, curved front shoes might feel better.

Court shoes for a casual look

For casual spring street wear, go bold with yellow, pink, red or floral court shoes. Bright colours are easy to pair with most outfits. If you feel as if your shoes don’t fit with your outfit, try adding a belt or bag in the same colour as your shoes. Find out how to match your shoes with your accessories.

Red, cream and nude court shoes are easy to pair with most jeans. Roll up the cuffs a few times to show off your court shoes and ankles. Then slip on your court shoes, and there you have it: a simple and stylish daytime look. Add a bold blazer to create a sleek evening outfit.

Court shoes for a night out

High court shoes are perfect for nights out or cocktails with the girls. They’ll make your legs look a mile long and go great with a simple dress. Pairing skinny jeans with court shoes is one of the easiest ways to wear them. Nude heels go with all pairs of jeans and can make you look taller.

When you’re comfortable with your court shoes, it’ll be considerably easier to add bold coloured shoes into your wardrobe. Stand-out colours are easy to wear, as long as you feel comfortable and confident wearing them. You could simplify your outfit with softer colours and then liven it up with a bright pair of pink, or gold court shoes.

Are court shoes comfortable?

Recognising how your court shoes should fit is key to making sure they’re comfortable. Court shoes may start to feel uncomfortable after a full day of walking in them, as many people’s feet swell during the day. There are specific court shoes available for people with narrow or wide feet. Selecting the right style for your feet can provide a little more comfort.

What if my court shoes slip off?

If heeled court shoes slip off your feet, consider going down a size or looking at a slightly different style that suits the shape of your foot. Round toes may be a better fit than pointed toes, or vice versa. Everybody’s feet are different, so you’ll need to find the right pair for you. Our women’s sizing guide should help with this.

If you have a great pair that are slightly too big, there are various ways to tighten the fit. Place some cotton wool into the bottom of the shoe. This should create a small amount of padding and push your feet back a little to help the shoe fit better. Alternatively, try a gel pad, insole or heel grip to get the fit just right. Discover more ways to get the right fit.

How do I walk in court shoes?

When it comes to walking in court shoes, practice really does make perfect. Walk as you would in flats. At first, it may feel a little strange and you’ll have to walk a little slower than usual, but after a while, it’ll feel like second nature.

There are lots of different styles and colours of court shoes, so you’re guaranteed to find a pair that suits your style and your personality. Don’t be afraid to go bold with these and select a pair that make you feel great.

For more advice on high heels in general, check out our comprehensive guide to wearing them.