Best Shoes For A Student Night Out

Planning your night-out shoes can be stressful. Let's face it: when it comes to clubs and bars, putting together an outfit that's comfortable, fashionable and right for the dress code is a faff, and it can take the fun out of the night before it's even started.

If you’re wondering what shoes to wear on your student night out, here’s our complete guide to night out shoes for students and what to wear regardless of the dress code for a comfortable and fashionable night out. And of course, don’t forget that you can save so much money on shoes with Schuh imperfects ex-display.

Casual night-out shoes

Trainers

For a casual night out, you can't go wrong with a pair of trainers, just be warned they'll probably get dirty pretty fast. Nike Air Force 1s, New Balance and Vans are popular picks that stay comfy all night long, and the bonus is they're versatile enough to wear every day too. So make sure a pair makes it onto your list of shoes to pack for uni.

Air Force 1 07- Office, £110

Air Force 1s are a classic for any occasion. They make great going-out shoes because they're comfortable, stylish and go with pretty much everything. Just be warned: they will scuff and mark quickly if they're your everyday-and-every-night pair.

New Balance 574 – Office, £100

A great option for bars or more low-key nights out (where there's no sticky dancefloor to worry about) is the New Balance 574. It comes in loads of colourways and works with almost any outfit. We're obsessed with the alpine green shade for a pop of colour.

Get a student discount at Office

Vans Old Skool- schuh, £70

Vans Old Skool are a pair every student should own, for both daytime and nighttime. Vans have a solid reputation for being easy to clean and comfy to wear all night, so they're well worth adding to your rotation of going-out outfits.

Get a student discount at schuh

Converse

Converse are a student favourite for a night out. Not only are they comfortable, they're canvas, so they're easy to clean and wash if they get grubby.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Ox Trainers in White- ASOS, £60

The white low-top Converse is a classic, and it looks great with skirts and dresses as well as jeans. If they get dirty (and trust us, they will), a spin in the washing machine has them looking good as new.

Get a student discount at ASOS

Black & White All Star Hi Trainers- schuh, £65

Black high-top Converse have been a wardrobe staple for years, so if you're eyeing up a new pair of night-out shoes, put these near the top of your list. The best thing about Converse (especially the black pair) is that they'll last you years.

Boots

Boots are a great middle ground when you're not sure what to wear. From Dr. Martens to heeled styles, a pair of boots should be a staple in your student wardrobe for those casual-but-slightly-smart nights out.

New Look Chunky Chelsea Boots – £39.99

These New Look boots have a chunky heel, so they're the perfect mix of smart and casual. The heel isn't too high, so they won't wreck your feet on the dancefloor, and they look great with jeans, skirts or a dress.

Get a student discount at New Look

Dr Martens 1460 Smooth Leather Lace-Up Boots – Dr Martens, £170

Buy a pair of Dr. Martens and they'll last you for years. They're an investment, but a chunky pair are a brilliant alternative to heels with a dress or jeans if heels aren't your thing, and they make ideal night-out shoes.

Get a student discount at Dr Martens

Smart shoes for going out

Chelsea boots

Chelsea boots are a smart pick for clubs and bars with a dress code, or when you're wearing something a bit nicer than usual. They're also comfortable and built for walking, so you can wear them all night with no issues.

Amara Clean Sole Chelsea Boots- Office, £56.99

You can't go wrong with a classic pair of smart black Chelsea boots like this pair from Office. The ultimate versatile going-out shoe.

Heels

Wearing heels is always a bit of a gamble because they can hurt after a while, they can be tricky to dance in and they can even unexpectedly snap. However, let’s face it, there are some outfits and some occasions where heels are the only answer. Luckily you can get good quality, inexpensive heels from places such as ASOS, EGO and PrettyLittleThing, so you can grab a few pairs for your big nights out.

Lena Barely There Perspex Block Clear Heel – EGO, £26

EGO has lots of styles of heels to wear to clubs and bars with a dress code. These perspex heels are simple to team with a dress or jumpsuit and would look great for a fancy lunch or dinner or drinks at a bar.

Get astudent discount at EGO

Black Wide Fit Round Toe Faux Suede Block Heeled Sandals – PrettyLittleThing, £24

If you want one pair of heels that will go with absolutely everything, this is the pair for you. These heels are the classic night-out look you need thanks to the fact they will literally go with everything. They’re timeless, classic and simple, so you’ll get plenty of use out of them.

Get a student discount at PrettyLittleThing

ASOS DESIGN Wide Fit Native strappy heeled sandals in gold – ASOS, £26

These gold strappy heels will add a touch of glam to any outfit. Thinner and higher heels elevate any outfit. Plus they’ll make sure that you’re not stopped at any entrance for not following the dress code.

Club shoe dress codes

Clubs sit somewhere between relaxed and formal. On the whole, most student clubs and student-union events won't have a strict dress code, while other venues may expect you to dress a certain way. Nobody wants to be turned away at the door, so check whether the club you're heading to has a dress code before you go.

Some clubs are casual most of the time but run certain events where you'll be expected to dress your best, so make sure you know what you're getting yourself into before you plan your night.

For most student nights you can get away with trainers, Converse or comfy boots, but if you want to go all out in heels or smarter shoes, no one's going to stop you.

Bar shoe dress codes

You can usually gauge a bar's dress code from the type of bar it is. Student bars and pubs won't have one, so trainers are good to go. Heading somewhere fancier? You'll probably need to follow a dress code.

The dress code is normally on the bar's website or socials, so double-check whether you'll need your heels or whether trainers will do before you head out.

Remember to wear what you're comfortable in

Uncomfortable heels can honestly ruin a night. The key is a pair you can actually walk in (inside and out), and making sure they're broken in first, because that's the biggest mistake people make when going out in heels.

A smart dress code doesn't always mean heels, either. If you'd be more comfortable in flat sandals or boots, that'll still tick the box. A night out is meant to be fun, so wear what you feel good in and try not to stress about it.

How to make heels more comfortable

The golden question. If you’re struggling with uncomfortable heels, try wearing them around your house to break them in before wearing them out. There are sprays you can buy that help to make heels more comfortable. Gel pads and cushions are also cheap and can help to take some of the pressure off.

How to clean white shoes

Shoes destroyed from going to clubs? If a baby wipe won’t do, try mixing a tablespoon of hot water with a tablespoon of white vinegar and a tablespoon of baking soda. Mix them together to form a paste, then apply to your shoes using an old toothbrush. Leave to air for a few hours then brush off the paste.

What trainers to wear with dresses

If you’re going to team trainers with your dress, try and choose a neutral or plain colour of trainers such as black or white. Nike Air Force 1s, Converse All Star Hi tops and Vans make great shoes to team with a smarter dress.

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