I am done with the notion that beauty is pain. I’ve worn barefoot shoes to weddings, funerals, cocktail parties, the theater, and every single dressy event I’ve attended for the last 8 years. Not once did I look or feel out of place next to the other guests. In fact, my shoes were frequently the envy of others because I wasn’t stumbling around or hurting. I believe you too can be both comfortable and elegant, and that we can push the boundaries of what’s sexy beyond high heels.
Here you’ll find my personal top picks for dressy barefoot wedding shoes – for the bride, wedding party, and guests! Replace your high heels with these and thank me later.
Yes, Women’s Wedding Shoes Can be Comfortable!
What better way to enjoy a meaningful occasion than in shoes that let you move freely? I fully believe that confidence is the sexiest thing a woman can wear. So get out there on the dance floor and flaunt those healthy feet!
And if you’d like to have the foot shape but but with more cushion or support, you can play around with insoles to modify the options here to your needs.
Looking for fancy barefoot dress shoes for other members of the family or other dressy occasions? See my other articles here:
- The Best Barefoot Dress Shoes for Men
- 2o Barefoot Dress Shoes for Kids
- The 10 Best Women’s Barefoot Dress Shoes
- The Best Women’s Pretty Sandals
- The Best Barefoot Ballet Flats
Now let’s check out my top women’s barefoot shoe picks for weddings.
Barefoot Wedding Sandals
Sandals can be very dressy looking. And my personal favorite part – after your event you can wear these barefoot sandals in your everyday life too!
Grecian Sandals (Etsy) -This is my personal favorite for weddings. They are on the affordable side compared to other barefoot dress sandals, and are just so elegant. I’m linking to the Vibram sole collection (they’re more flexible) and my favorite strapping styles are the ones shown in the image here. The ones with straps that go straight across the toes are not as wide fitting. True to size.
Shapen Sandals – Shapen is my 2nd top pick – they have several styles of dressy sandals that are really pretty. And they come in two widths! So if you have an extra wide foot, this is the place to look. In general we find they run on the large side.
Use code ANYA5 for 5% off shoes and accessories, but note that they don’t accept returns outside the EU. We also carry the Petal sandal at Anya’s Shop in the US (our spring 2025 restock coming soon)!
High Feels – These are supposed to be coming back this year! I don’t know exactly when, but I’ll be keeping an eye out because they are gorgeous and sexy. I have two pairs from a few years back, before they temporarily closed. True to size.
Be Lenka Sandals – These are understated and classic looking, easy to pair with a lot of things! And the quality is nice too. Iris & Claire fit narrower than the others and I don’t personally recommend them unless you have a slim foot.
US/Canadians can order the Grace sandal from Anya’s Shop! The rest of the world can find these directly from Be Lenka and save 5% with code ANYASREVIEWS (returns are only accepted from within the EU and USA).
Zeazoo – Zeazoo has lots of sandal options in metallic or glittery leather perfect for special occasions! They have a high volume fit, so are nice for people sensitive to straps rubbing. You can use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off.
And we carry the Siren at Anya’s Shop in the US with worldwide shipping available!
Juuri Sandals – These beauties can be mixed and matched with ties of many different colors – find one that matches your dress and have fun tying them! They are very soft and comfortable.
Also available at Anya’s Shop in the US!
Crupon Sandals – I particularly like the Norma in this beige color for fancy events, but many are lovely and come in fun colors. They’ve got a nice rustic vibe that works really well for outdoor weddings. ANYA for 10% off
Origo Huarache Sandals by Anya – These are delightfully comfortable and can work well for a boho/garden/beach wedding vibe. They come in two widths this year too! Use code ANYA for 10% off.
Unshoes Saffron – These sandals are understated and clean, easy to pair with just about any dress. Get 10% off with code ANYA
Ahinsa Hava Sandals – Vegan
Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 10% off
Zaqq Handmade Sandals – Zaqq has many beautiful sandals that would look stunning with formal wear. The styles are unique and not found in other barefoot brands, but ordering/returning can be tricky from the US. See my Zaqq brand review here.
Barefoot Wedding Flats
Ballet flats are very versatile and pair seamlessly with a gown. For more in-depth information on my favorites, check out my Guide to Barefoot Ballet Flats!
Shapen Poppy – The Poppy is a truly dressy barefoot flat. Toe box detailing helps to disguise the width and an open design elongates the legs. They are some of the most fashionable women’s barefoot shoes out there! Read my Shapen review here for all the details about the Poppy and other styles from Shapen.
You can find the Poppy at Anya’s Shop in the US (our spring 2025 order is coming mid April) or directly from Shapen and use code ANYA5 for 5% off shoes and accessories. Just note that Shapen doesn’t accept returns outside the EU.
Shapen Orchid – Another stunning dress flat from Shapen, this time in a soft suede with a lovely strap detail. We adore these! And they come in two widths, for extra wide feet.
You can find the Orchid at Anya’s Shop in the US (our spring 2025 order is coming mid April) or directly from Shapen and use code ANYA5 for 5% off shoes and accessories. Just note that Shapen doesn’t accept returns outside the EU.
Groundies Ballet Flats – Groundies makes ballet flats in several colors, including a variety of lovely neutrals! They are delightfully soft to wear, and look very sophisticated. IMO the best fitting flat without straps. The Lily flat is available in extra wide width!
You can find select Groundies styles available at Anya’s Shop (we’ll be getting the Lily and Ruby in stock April 2025)
Be Lenka – Several dressy flat options including a vegan option. Save 5% with code ANYASREVIEWS (returns are only accepted from within the EU and USA). Read more about these flats in my Be Lenka 2022 Review
You can also find Be Lenka flats at Anya’s Shop!
Origo Huaraches by Anya – Use code ANYA for 10% off. These come in two widths, so are extra wide friendly. Delicate, in a range of neutral colors, and so comfortable!
Softstar Ballerines – The Ballerinas are a simple flat that can be customized in a bunch of colors to match your outfit. They have a regular and wide width option and have a bit more cushion than the other options here.
The biggest drawback (besides the cost) is that there is a canvas trim around the edge that doesn’t always perfectly match the leather color. Read my Softstar reviews here.
Magical Shoes Ballerina – These flats are soft, wide and a neutral color will go well under a dress if it complements your skin tone. See my review here. Use code ANYA 10% off.
Ahinsa – Vegan brand. The ballet flats available in silver and gold metallic as well as other solid colors and a few prints. Get 10% off with code ANYASREVIEWS.
Zaqq Ballerina Flats – Zaqq has a lot of of flats options! They are pretty and well made, but more accessible to EU customers than US customers.
Harlem Shoes – This dance shoe brand has a beautiful range of wide toe box in unique styles. You can also customize the sole material and heel height (if you don’t want zero drop).
The Drifter Leather flats – These beautiful shoes are custom made and will take a long while to get to you, but sometimes you want a shoe that is perfectly made to your foot shape! They also have a limited selection of ready to ship styles.
Zlatush Shoes – Zlatica handmakes all her shoes and has a variety of metallic and colorful leather options. Because of their handmade nature, they take longer to produce and returns are not straight forward. But worth looking at if you have extra wide feet! You can see my initial thoughts on Zlatush Shoes here.
So there’s really no need to torture your body with high heels for weddings or other fancy occasions! For more ways to swap out uncomfortable foot-deforming shoes for barefoot shoes, check out my Wear This, Not That series.
33 thoughts on “Replace Your High Heels With These Fancy Barefoot Shoes”
What are the tan flats pictured with the black poppies? I don’t see them listed. And what volume would they work for? Thank you!
Those are the Shapen Orchid, launching next week! I will be writing about them in my newsletter and doing a giveaway of them next week, so more details will come.
A big upvote for The Drifter Leather’s ballet flats – two ankle straps. I will be wearing them this fall to my daughter’s wedding.
I have low volume, narrow feet. It’s very difficult to find ballerinas. Which ones would be the best for me?
Hi Margreet, be sure to check out this full list of barefoot ballet flats for guidance finding the best ballet flat for you! They are the trickiest category to get the right fit.
What could added to the list:
Leguano Ballerina (veeeery comfy!)
Vibram Five Fingers V Bi and maybe also V Soul.
I would love to see some shoes modeled on wider feet also (maybe even more types!) Great post, thank you Anya!
Thanks for the suggestion! Samantha is modeling a lot of these actually, and she has an extra wide high volume foot.
Hi! Are the huaraches in the second picture in a metallic leather?? Would love some metallic huaraches!!
Yes they are gold! Expected to launch in a week and a half 🙂
Hello Anya, I live in the US. Would you be able to recommend shops that sell in the US. Buying shoes from Europe is expensive. I am looking for dressy shoes I can wear with suites. I like the Harlem shoes’ style a lot. Thank you in advance. Sonia
Hi Sonia, check out our handy Brands and Retailers by Region here to find those that ship from the US.
You should definitely check out Anya’s Shop!
Here’s a challenge for you Anya 🙂
Are there any pretty sandals on the market for female size 44? Not sporty , pretty. Feet measure 27.5cm. And the shoes would need to have at least 1cm thick sole due to Morton’s neuroma.
I looked everywhere but there is nothing available. All female shoes go to size 43 max and the sole is always paper thin. Very frustrating….
Hi Kat, there are some sandals that come in sizes larger than 43. Feelgrounds Seaside, as well as Laboo Leather
Additionally:
Mukishoes
Zeazoo
and Huaraches by Anya.