The nine summer party shoe rules over 50 – and the heel mistake Kate would NEVER make: SHANE WATSON

Here’s something we have all learned the hard way: only a few shoes will carry you through an all-day event, and only a fraction of those will work for summer parties and weddings when you might be required to walk on gravel or grass.

Some shoes are worse than useless against these twin perils. Try navigating soft grass in stilettos and you might as well be a Dalek faced with a flight of stairs.

We all know the drill. With heels you need an arm to lean on (that’s a non-negotiable) and then you must throw your weight forward onto the balls of your feet – and even then, eventually you’ll sink into the turf up to your sole, step clean out of one shoe, and launch yourself head first into some stranger’s champagne glass.

Gravel seems easier at first, until out of the blue it sends you into a half skid and turns your ankle. And those are just the downsides of stilettos.

Here’s the full list of summer party footwear don’ts (if you want to stay upright) – and some dos.

Don’t wear a heel much higher than 2.5 inches if you want to be comfortable, but just as important is the width of the heel. Low kitten heels are manageable if they end in a splayed base rather than a sharp nib. Otherwise, they can be worse than stilettos on grass because your weight is more evenly spread, so your chances of sinking in are greater.

The ideal heel for all-day wear is a two-inch – never more than three-inch – block heel. For a summer party friendly kitten heel, try Hobbs’ slingback in green suede (£129, marksandspencer.com).

Never wear a mule with a heel outdoors. You need to be snugly connected to the sole of your shoe with at least a slingback or solid ankle strap. 

M&S does a good block heel sandal just shy of three inches (£35, marksandspencer.com) with an ankle strap in a dull gold that would look great with dresses or trousers. (Ankle straps are flattering when they sit higher than the point just above the top of your foot, and they look best with longer midi hemlines).

Too much bare foot on show is a bad idea. Fine straps will leave you feeling exposed. Slingbacks add lightness, if you don’t want to show your toes. Everyone can carry them off, and they’re fine if it rains.

The classic two-tone slingback will take you everywhere. If you aren’t in the market for Chanel’s black-leather-toe-capped beige suede original, then Boden does a good block heel variation on the theme (£129, boden.com), as does Sezane with its two-tone Paula Babies (£160, sezane.com).

If your feet are wide or you have bunions then head straight to British brand Sole Bliss. Not all of its shoes have the wow factor, but the Venus style is smart and versatile (£179, solebliss.com).

Solid wedges can look heavy and too casual. Kate Middleton wears espadrille wedges for smart casual events, but note, never for weddings. 

The exception is if you’re wearing wide-leg trousers or just a sliver of wedge is on show under the hem of your dress.

Chunky platforms with padded insoles are extra supportive and ideal if there’s dancing on the menu. 

The shiny metallic ones can look cheap so pick dull matt golds or vintage effect silver or go for velvet. 

A black velvet, open-toed platform sole sandal is a good year-round option, and especially chic in summer. Wyse has a pair with a four-inch heel (£126, wyselondon.com) that may be too high for some, but you won’t be teetering. 

Note: high heels are out of favour – if you want height and you don’t want your feet to feel like murder on the dancefloor, go for a platform sole.

Plain pale leather looks flat next to your party best. Gold braid is a winner for day-to-night events and Sezane’s Natacha block heel sandals (£175, sezane.com) or Penelope Chilvers Infinity metallic sandals in silver or gold (£199, penelopechilvers.com) though not cheap, will not date.

A flat shoe can be as hard to wear as a high heel. Bone flat pumps may not be more comfortable at the end of the day and most of us need at least a fraction of heel to look and feel dressy. 

Sezane’s ‘low ballerinas’ in braided gold (£190, sezane.com) have a 1.1-inch heel or the slingback Noemi pumps (1.6 inch heel) will work with pretty much anything. And on any ground.