Arriving With Something: Gifts for the Host, From Candles to Crystal
Gifts to take to a dinner or a weekend away: candles from Trudon and Aerin, glassware from Cabana, Lalique and Baccarat, Creed fragrance, and small leather and silver pieces.
Fashion /
Shoes for the Christmas Party: Velvet, Satin, Crystal and Metallic
Christmas party shoes in the four materials that suit December: velvet, satin, crystal and metallic leather, in heels from Manolo Blahnik, Aquazzura and Alaïa and flats from The Row, Valentino and Jimmy Choo.
By Taiwo AdedayoEvery piece here has been chosen by our editors. We may earn a commission on some products.
Four materials do most of the work at a December party: velvet, satin, crystal and metallic leather. Each catches low light in its own way, and each works with a plain black dress. Here are heels and flats in all four, from £166 to £890, in stock now, with time to break them in.
Velvet 
Soft and dark
Manolo Blahnik’s Tulidor 70 pumps are black velvet, made in Italy, with a string of crystals along the top. They come up small, so check the size notes. £568.
Gianvito Rossi’s 85 pumps are smooth velvet with a sheen, a point toe and an 85mm stiletto, £390. Aquazzura’s Shadow 85 contrasts velvet with satin, like a dinner jacket’s lapel, £775.
Satin and crystal 
For catching the light
Manolo Blahnik’s Hangisli 70 slingbacks are fuchsia satin with the crystal-embellished buckle, £446. Victoria Beckham’s Harlow 100 mules are black satin with a curved banana heel and a peep toe, £550.
Paige’s Silva court shoes are crystal-embellished mesh with a suede toe cap and a crystal ankle strap. £166.
Metallic 
Silver and gold
Alaïa’s 90 pumps are silver metallic leather, made in Italy, with low-cut pointed vamps. £890.
Stella McCartney’s Elsa slingbacks are a metallic synthetic, with silver-tone chains across the pointed toes, £395. Manolo Blahnik’s Pirua 70 mules are gold leather with ruched vamps and fluted heels, £735.
Flat and simple 
Velvet, gold and red satin
Jimmy Choo’s Love ballet flats come in gold metallic cracked leather, £417, or red satin with a sharp pointed toe, £288. Both have a slight heel.
The Row’s round ballet flats are black velvet with elasticated grosgrain trims and a bow at the toe. £830.
How to choose party shoes you can wear all night
Think about the floor and the hours. A stiletto sinks into grass and slips on polished stone, so a block, kitten heel or flat is safer for a long evening. Wear new shoes at home for an hour or two before the night. Velvet and satin mark easily in rain, so carry them and change on arrival if the weather turns.
Watch: party shoes for the season
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