Perfect Wedding Shoes for Brides Everywhere
There’s never been a better time to get married in vintage. Thanks to the influence of icons like Princess Beatrice, it’s now a mark of elegance to look to the past for your wedding style. Very often, vintage pieces are crafted from gorgeous materials with exceptional quality, and they also carry a unique history that new pieces simply lack. What’s even more meaningful is that you’re making a statement about our planet's ecological future by choosing pre-loved for your big day.
Today, wedding attire is becoming less formal, leaving room for more freedom with exciting styles to adopt from across different eras. And after your wedding day, you can make the most of your vintage pieces by reselling, upcycling, or passing them on as a family heirloom. So, as a follow-up to our definitive running shoe guide, Vestiaire Collective is here to fill you in on the wedding shoes every bride should know about.
The Oxford Shoe for Brides
The typically male-oriented Oxford shoe is said to have originated in the 17th century when the Duke of Richelieu, known for his elegance, gave his name to this style. Two centuries later, the Oxford transformed into boots specially ordered by Queen Victoria for her husband Prince Albert when they stayed in their Scottish countryside retreat at Balmoral. Some say the shoes originated in England in 1825 when Oxford University students started wearing the low-cut style shoes with knee-high socks for a more comfortable alternative to the usual high boots. This chic yet masculine shoe has now become a fashion classic quickly adopted by women and an integral part of the gender neutral wardrobe.
The Oxford is classically refined without overdoing it and comfortable without looking casual, leaving the perfect shoe you can wear to any occasion — even with a wedding dress. The androgynous lace-up shoes are much more pleasant to wear than sky-high pumps and offer an unexpected finishing touch to a dress.
A true must-have style, you can wear them even after the wedding, to the office, or with basic everyday outfits. Not only a practical choice but an eco-friendly one as well. The perforated white leather Oxfords by Church's is one of our favourite styles for an original look that pairs with almost any ensemble. Choosing your pair second-hand on Vestiaire Collective is a sign of your commitment to the planet. And, as an added bonus, a pair of white shoes is a modern essential for both men's and women's wardrobes.
Flat shoes for the wedding day
Over the past several decades, the bridal look has evolved to represent one’s personality and individual taste. Many women are opting for the comfort of flat shoes instead of wearing high heels. Flats match everything and work perfectly with a long or short dress, a trouser suit or even combined with dramatic tulle or delicate silk designs. One of our favourite flats are the light and supple ballerina, which is ideal for moving around with the ease of a dancer. French brand Repetto has continually created beautiful, handmade ballerina flats since its first model was released in 1947.
The Repetto fits the foot like a second skin and highlights the ankle. Let your personality shine through your choice of colour and material. We love both complementary pastels and contrasting shades. White shoes are no longer a must! Especially if the rest of your outfit is white, it can be nice to add a pop of colour with your shoes.
At Christian Louboutin, the range of flat shoes is equally enticing albeit slightly more daring. The Parisian brand offers a kaleidoscope of options from leather sandals, sheer ballerinas with rhinestones, fishnet mules, and even trompe l'oeil loafers. Christian Louboutin's ultra comfortable, signature red-sole shoes will be the centrepiece of your eye-catching bridal look. By investing in a pair of exceptional flats, you are sure to enjoy them for life. We encourage all Fashion Activists to adopt pre-loved shoes in their wardrobe to prevent the harmful environmental side-effects of new fashion production. Download the Vestiaire Collective app and browse our extensive selection of wedding flats at great prices.
The unconventional bride shoes
Prefer to stand out from the crowd and not look like every other bride? Add a touch of excitement to your bridal look while making it your own by opting for statement shoes. When it comes to your wedding day, a little originality equals a lot of style. Pair a comfortable streetwear-inspired sneaker with your dress to amp up the individuality. Our favourites are sneakers with thin, smooth soles like the essential Superga, the cult Stan Smith from Adidas, or the timeless Converse All-Star. Karl Lagerfeld anticipated this trend before anyone else when he styled the bride in his Haute-Couture spring-summer 2014 show with workout shoes. Not only will your walk down the aisle be a breeze, but you can dance the night away with no pain at all! Don't forget to choose a style that you love so you can wear them for years to come while enjoying a little sartorial reminder of your unforgettable day.
You can also take your wedding outfit up a notch by wearing Doc Martens for a touch of punk rock without going overboard with your entire look. We recommend choosing a style in white with woven leather or floral detailing to tie in the wedding theme.
You can even customise your Doc Martens by having your name, a symbol, or a favourite phrase painted on the leather, or you can replace the classic laces with beautiful white satin ribbons. Every detail of your big day is important and sends a message about who you are and who you want to be. If you want great style but don't want to contribute to the polluting practices of the fashion industry, finding your unconventional bridal shoe second-hand on Vestiaire is a great place to begin.
The dream bride shoe
Aside from perhaps heirloom jewelry, shoes are undoubtedly the highlight of your wedding outfit. The most dedicated shoe lovers may even match their dress to their dream pair. Transform into a modern day princess and enhance your look in a pair of pumps, stilettos or high-heel sandals. If you're like many of us, you've had your dream wedding shoe in mind for years. To ensure you find your perfect pair, turn to the luxury brands that offer dreamy embellishments like jeweled detailing, gold heels, fur insoles, satin straps, stone inlays, and more.
The bridal shoe collections from Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo will make you feel like Cinderella. Both designers have been making wedding dreams come true for decades, offering styles in nude, creamy white and candy pink, punctuated with pearls, crystals, or silk bows. The great Italian designers such as Valentino or Gucci also present creative and bold designs stunning enough to bring your partner to their knees. For an alternative to pastel, metallic is versatile enough to match any dress style.
For a head-turning style with a modern twist, we can't get enough of the signature pyramid-shaped heels by Amina Muaddi. The designer's Gilda model in transparent PVC with crystals highlights manicured feet while ensuring comfort and stability. For the logomaniac, Dior's signature J’Adior slingbacks are a must. Discover our selection of second-hand designer shoes on Vestiaire Collective, where you will easily find your dream bridal shoes to cherish as a collector's item for years to come.
The classic bride shoe
Shoes were once an afterthought, but are now a necessity in every bride's look. The classic wedding pumps are still a standard, but the salomé is making a comeback. This versatile shoe is halfway between a ballerina and a pump, featuring T-shape straps that hold the foot securely in place. The salomé, also known as the "T-bar," can also be found in an open-toe sandal version from Miu Miu or Gucci. This timeless style has defied trends since it first appeared in the 1920s for Charleston dancing. The shoe’s elegant silhouette offers a boost of height while stabilising the arch of the foot. You can wear them barefoot for spring and summer, and with sheer socks for a fall or winter wedding.
Another classic wedding shoe we love is the Mary Jane, which can transition to one of your wardrobe staples after the big day. This style falls somewhere between a baby-doll and neo-bourgeois look, and can be paired with trousers or a long dress. Their sturdy square block heels make them a charming shoe in which to greet your wedding guests and dance all through the night.
The Vestiaire Collective app gives you access to thousands of shoe styles from the world’s greatest designers, both past and present. Instead of buying everything new for your big day, why not choose a pre-loved shoe and help reduce the environmental impact of production? Beautifully made, high-quality modern or vintage shoes from Vestiaire will put you on the right footing for a magical (and conscious) wedding.
The bridal shoe has never been as versatile as it is now with eccentric, androgynous, classic and luxurious styles. You can stay traditional with white or nude or break the mould in a brighter tone; whatever your heart desires can be yours on your special day. If white is your dream but doesn't fit into your casual wardrobe, the newest luxury is to have your satin shoes dyed after your wedding to any colour or pattern you choose. Another enticing option is to have them covered with the fabric of your choice at a dressmaker or shoemaker so you can incorporate your wedding shoes into the rest of your wardrobe. If you prefer to keep your coveted pair as a prized possession, remember to clean your white shoes in the days following the ceremony to prevent stains from becoming permanent.
At Vestiaire Collective, our mission is to make fashion accessible to everyone while respecting the planet. Our easy-to-use app and global community of over 10 million Fashion Activists makes this possible. Opting for vintage and pre-loved clothing and footwear extends the life of a piece and is a vote for the circular fashion movement. If you have a conscious outlook and a desire to reduce carbon emissions and ecosystem decline, second-hand shopping allows you to have all the style you crave while preserving the earth. With our constantly evolving selection at Vestiaire, finding the perfect pair of shoes for your wedding has never been more fun. Long live the bride and groom, and long live sustainability!