Pumps, Mary Janes, ballet flats, slingbacks: these are the names of women's dress shoes we hear every day in the shop, often used a little loosely. Each one, though, refers to a specific style, with its own history and its own occasion. Here they are one by one, with practical tips on choosing and wearing them.
Pumps: the dress shoe par excellence
Closed at the toe and the heel, cut low across the instep: that's where the French name décolleté comes from, meaning exactly "low-cut". It is the most classic and elegant style in a woman's wardrobe, the one that solves a ceremony, an interview, an evening out. Everything changes with the heel and the toe: a pointed toe lengthens the leg, a round one is softer and more comfortable; a high heel is for the evening, a mid or block heel carries you through the day. You'll find them among our women's pumps, from the artisan styles by Chie Mihara and L'Arianna, through the classic, comfortable made-in-Italy pumps by Brunate, to our own Sangiorgio line.
Mary Jane: the strap that makes the difference
The Mary Jane is the closed shoe with a strap across the instep. The name comes from early twentieth-century America, from a comic-strip character who wore exactly that style, and it has been a classic ever since. The strap isn't just decorative: it holds the foot in place, which makes the Mary Jane one of the most stable and comfortable heeled shoes to walk in. It comes in every version, from high heel to flat, and works just as well with trousers as with a skirt. You'll find some among our pumps and our ballet flats, including open-toe versions for summer.
Ballet flats: comfortable and never dull
Flat, light, low-cut: ballet flats take their inspiration from dance shoes and are the timeless answer for anyone who wants elegance without a heel. They are perfect for the office, for travelling and for anyone on their feet all day, and the material changes their register completely: in smooth leather they are neat and formal, in suede or fabric they turn casual, with buckles or embellishments they work in the evening too. See all our ballet flats, with styles by Bibi Lou and from our Sangiorgio line.
Slingbacks: open at the back, closed at the front
The slingback is closed at the toe but open at the heel, held by a strap at the back. It is the smartest style of the warm season: it keeps the formality of a pump at the front while letting the foot breathe. That makes it the right choice for a summer wedding or for the office in hot weather, when a sandal would be too casual and a closed pump too heavy. You'll find it among our women's pumps.
Which one to choose, occasion by occasion
Ceremony, wedding, evening → high-heeled pumps or an elegant Mary Jane; slingbacks if it's summer.
Office and every day → mid or block heel, ballet flats, Mary Janes: comfortable even when you're on your feet for hours.
When you have a lot of walking to do → Mary Janes and ballet flats, because the foot stays put and doesn't slide forward.
And if heels worry you, remember something we always say in the shop: stability matters more than height. A 6 cm block heel is far easier to wear than a 4 cm stiletto.
How to choose them well
Women's dress shoes generally fit true to size: start from your usual size. With a pointed toe, if your foot is broad at the front, consider going up half a size. One tip: try them on at the end of the day, when your foot is slightly swollen, so there are no surprises on the evening of the event. If you have any doubts, message us in the chat and we'll help you choose the style and the size.
If you're after something more casual, take a look at our guide to the types of loafers.
Find them at Sangiorgio
We have been a shoe shop since 1947 and women's footwear is our greatest passion. Every pair is 100% original, with fast shipping and exchange or return within 30 days. Discover our women's pumps and ballet flats, and find the right pair for you.
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