I used to think shoes were a tricky gift to give. What size? Are they comfortable? Will they actually want to wear them? But after receiving a few pairs of shoes as gifts myself, I can concur: shoes are one of the best gifts to receive. The gift-giver will sometimes choose a pair you may not have otherwise tried on yourself, and then bam, new favorite pair. And now I give shoes to people as gifts! So when bride-to-be, Melissa, wrote us with a shoe-inspired question, I swooped in to help. She wants to give bridesmaid shoes as gifts, but she’s not sure it it’s “weird”.
She writes,
“Emmaline, I’m wondering what to give my bridesmaids as gifts and I was thinking shoes. But cute flats, like a pair they can wear all the time or even to my wedding (it’s more casual). Do you think bridesmaid shoes are a good gift idea? Or is it weird? Thanks for your help.”
Bridesmaid Shoe Gifts
Hi Melissa! Not weird at all! You know your bridesmaids best, and if you think a fun pair of flats or other pair of shoes fits the bill for gifting, go for it. Shoes are a practical gift they’ll get use out of, which is saying more than many of the bridesmaid gifts we’ve seen in the past. Moreover, if they’re going to wear their shoes to the wedding, it’s even better! It’s one less thing your bridesmaids will need to pay for.
Consider these tips when buying shoes to give as bridesmaid gifts.
Tips for Purchasing Bridesmaid Shoes
Comfort
When choosing bridesmaid shoes, it’s important to prioritize comfort. Giving a pair of shoes that hurt their feet is really like wrapping up a nightmare. ;) Ha! No one wants shoes that hurt their feet.
Practicality and Style
You mentioned flats, which make great shoes as bridesmaid gifts since you can wear flats more often than heels. Choose a pair of which you know she’ll get plenty of use.
The Perfect Fit
Also, be sure to know your bridesmaids’ shoe sizes, whether they wear shoes that are wide, narrow, or average.
Heel – or No Heel?
Lastly, find out whether they like a heel or not. In your case, you’re considering flats, but for anyone else reading this, it’s important to note heel height. Some people simply cannot handle a heel and that’s OK! There are plenty of flats out there. I did some digging to find you the best ones. Let’s check ’em out.
Types of Bridesmaid Shoes to Give as Gifts
Here are the best flats for bridesmaids that make excellent gifts to help as you decide which type to get. The comfort level on all three of these brands is remarkable. I have pairs of each type myself and I would wholeheartedly buy any of these for my bridesmaids to wear. Plus, these are a little more luxe than they might buy themselves, thus making them a perfect giftable item. :) The first is built like a slipper, the second is foldable, and the third? Machine washable. Yeah, these are pretty great.
We’ll cover:
• Bridesmaid Flats That Fit Like Slippers
• Bridesmaid Flats That Fold
• Bridesmaid Flats That Are 100% Washable
Let’s go!
First and foremost, let’s begin with a shoe brand I’m obsessed with… Birdies. These fit like a slipper.
Shoes That Are Secretly Slippers
If you’re not familiar with Birdies yet, prepare to be amazed. They’re my favorite shoe brand, period. I like them because they’re built like a slipper in terms of comfort, so it’s like wearing slippers out-and-about that are incredibly stylish. (No one’s gonna know!)
It’s nearly impossible for me to pick just a few from their collection, as I love them all. However, here are some examples of shoes as bridesmaid gifts.
These rounded-toe vintage gold ballet flats are one of my faves. The bow is the finishing touch!
They offer many woven styles, especially for spring and summer. Here are a few:
These woven slides are perfect for summer. They’re named “The Dove“.
And these flats are pointy – my fave!
► Browse ALL the shoes here.
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Next, let’s talk about these stylish, modern flats that fold up and fit in your purse. Cool idea, right?
Comfortable Bridesmaid Flats That Fold
Are you familiar with Tieks? Giving a pair of flats that are comfortable, stylish, and fold up and fit in her purse is next level gifting. I like them because they stretch and mold to your feet, something most other ballet flats don’t offer. And they are super comfortable, as they don’t pull on the backs of your heel like other shoes I’ve tried.
These options are available at Tieks, known for their versatile ballet flat that is ultra comfortable (and easy for travel). You can browse more styles here. These bridesmaid shoes are available in every color of the rainbow, so there’s a style for everyone – and to coordinate with your wedding color palette.
► See more options here.
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Finally, let’s talk flats that bridesmaids can put in their washing machine.
Bridesmiad Flats That Are 100% Machine Washable
Yep, Rothy’s are known for being machine-washable. Isn’t that awesome? I love my Rothy’s. :)
Here are some of the styles I think will work famously for your bridesmaids, and I might be adding some to cart myself. Ha!
And here are some pointed toe flats that have stolen my heart:
Along with some Mary Janes:
Lastly, here are some cute wrap-around square-toe ballet flats. In a word: perfection.
► See all the styles here.
As I discussed here, there are plenty of bridesmaid shoes that work well for gifts. I highly recommend any of these pairs, especially because they each have a unique twist. One is built like a slipper, one is able to fold up, and one is machine washable. I bet your bridesmaids won’t have anything like it, and that’s what makes it a perfect gift. Thanks so much for writing, Melissa, and I hope it helps!
SHORTLIST:
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ON TO YOU: What type of shoe do you like above? Do you prefer a cloud-like comfort, a foldable flat, or machine-washable magic? Tell me in the comment box below. I’d love to hear from you.
Chat soon!
xo
Emma
