The halls have been decked, the mulled wine is flowing, and the sun, as repellent and objectionable as it sounds, is setting at 4 PM. This can only mean one thing, which is that we’re well and truly in the throes of party season. To some, the festive period is the most wonderful time of year. To others, the chintzy tinsel and bell-laden music played around now is absolutely repellent. Regardless of where you stand on these quintessential displays of merriment, there’s one thing that I’m sure we can all agree on, and that is the fact that winter is not a time to don heels.

With your calendar filling up with parties aplenty, it can be tempting to use the open bars and cocktail events as an excuse to dip into your arsenal of towering heels and wear all the stilettos, kitten-heels, Mary Janes and mock crock pumps that have been desperately waiting for an outing. But in my opinion, the sleet, snow and heavy rainfall that plagues December is not worth risking these decorative styles and, frankly, there are far more superlative options that look just as ornamental and are far more comfortable. Enter: The best ballet flat party shoes.

Indeed, ballet flats are rarely seen worn with opulent little black dresses or fancy maxis. However, after noticing so many style insiders adopt them this year, I’m here to act in their defence and make a case for wearing your pretty satin styles or bow-adorned numbers.

You see, this all began after noticing the rise of tasteful dressers wearing one style in particular—The Row’s Velvet ballet flats.

There’s truly nothing that the Olsen Twins couldn’t convince me to try, and after seeing this sumptuous style finish many stylish outfits, I knew the biggest party fashion trend would be to hold your heels in favour of these generously relaxed numbers.