Best Shoes For Clubbing & Trainers For Your Next Night Out In 2026
- Lydia Kah-Pavlou
- Mar 23
- 7 min read
Written by Lydia Kah-Pavlou
So, what are the best shoes for clubbing in?
Planning your going out shoes can be stressful. Let’s face it: when it comes to going to clubs and bars, putting together an outfit that’s both comfortable, fashionable, and appropriate for the dress code is a hassle and can take the fun out of the night before it has even began.
If you’re wondering what shoes to wear on your student night out, here’s our complete guide to the best shoes for clubbing and what to wear regardless of the dress code for a stress-free night out.
And of course, don’t forget that you can save a lot of money on shoes with Schuh Imperfects ex-display.
In this article:
Casual night-out shoes
Trainers
If you’re going on a casual night out, you can’t go wrong with a pair of trainers, but be warned, they’ll probably get dirty and messy very quickly!
Nike, New Balance and adidas are popular brands for trainers, and they're guaranteed to be comfortable to wear all night long. The bonus is that they’re so versatile, meaning you can wear them day to night – so definitely make sure these are on the list of shoes you pack for uni.
Air Force 1s are a classic shoe for all occasions. They make great going-out shoes as they’re comfortable, stylish and go with pretty much everything. However, be warned! They’re probably going to get dirty and damaged very quickly if you’re wearing them out all the time.
A good option for bars or more casual nights out (where there won’t be a sticky floor!) is the New Balance 530. They come in a range of colours and are great going-out shoes. Comfortable, stylish, and you can wear with anything. We’re obsessed with this neutral truffle shade, perfect effortless style.
Unless you've been living under a rock, you'll be seeing adidas Sambas everywhere. These are a pair of shoes that every student should own, for both daytime and nighttime. With a leather upper, these are easy to clean, look great, and are at a pretty decent price point compared to most trainers. Definitely consider adding a pair to your wardrobe to mix and match with your night-out outfits.
Converse
Yep – these are very much still trending amongst our student shoppers! Converse are a favourite when it comes to trainers to wear for a night out, as they’re not only comfortable but they’re also fabric, meaning they are also very easy to clean and wash if they get dirty. Coming in so many different colours and styles – you're likely to find a pair that suits you just right.
The white low-top Converse is a classic style, and they look great with skirts or dresses as well as jeans. If they get dirty (which trust us, they will) just stick them in the washing machine and they’ll look good as new in no time.
Let’s face it black high-top Converse have been a classic wardrobe staple for years, so if you’re considering buying a new pair of shoes to wear on nights out then these should be top of your list. The great thing about Converse (especially when they’re black!) is that they’ll literally last you for years and years to come.
Boots
Boots are a great middle-ground option if you’re not sure what to wear. From Dr Martens to cowboy boots, a pair of boots should be a staple in your student wardrobe for those casual but slightly smart nights out.
These boots have a chunky heel so they’re the perfect mix of smart and casual. The heel isn’t too high, so they won’t hurt your feet while you’re in a club all night long and they’d look great with jeans, skirts or a dress.
When you buy a pair of Dr. Martens, they’ll literally last you your entire life. They may be an investment, but a chunky pair of Dr Martens are a great alternative to wearing heels with a dress or jeans if you’re not a heels person, and they make the perfect night out shoes.
Smart shoes for going out
Chelsea boots
Chelsea boots are a smart shoe for clubs and bars that have a dress code, or if you’re wearing a nicer outfit than usual. They’re also comfortable and designed for walking in, so you’ll be able to wear them all night with no issues!
You can’t go wrong with a classic pair of smart black Chelsea boots like this pair from schuh. The perfect versatile going out shoe!
Heels
Wearing heels is always a bit of a gamble because they can hurt after a while, they can be tricky to dance in and they can even unexpectedly snap. However, let’s face it, there are some outfits and some occasions where heels are the only answer.
Luckily you can get good quality, inexpensive heels from places such as ASOS, EGO and PrettyLittleThing, so you can grab a few pairs for your big nights out.
EGO has lots of styles of heels to wear to clubs and bars with a dress code. These kitten heels are simple to team with a dress or jumpsuit and would look great for a fancy lunch or dinner or drinks at a bar.
If you want one pair of heels that will go with absolutely everything, this is the pair for you. These sling-back heels are super on trend, and a fab night-out option thanks to the fact that they will literally go with everything. They’re timeless, classic and simple, so you’ll get plenty of use out of them.
These gold strappy heels will add a touch of glam to any outfit. Thinner and higher heels elevate any outfit. Plus they’ll make sure that you’re not stopped at any entrance for not following the dress code.
Get a student discount at ASOS
Club shoe dress codes
Clubs are a mixture of both relaxed and formal. On the whole, the majority of student clubs or student union-run events won’t have a strict dress code, whereas other clubs may expect you to dress a certain way. No one wants to be turned away on the door, so definitely check and see if the club you’re going to has a dress code before you head out!
Some clubs are casual 90% of the time, but have certain events where you’ll be expected to dress your best. So make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before you plan your night out.
For most student nights, you can probably get away with trainers, Converse or comfy boots, but if you want to go all out in heels or smarter shoes, no one’s going to stop you!
Bar shoe dress codes
You can normally get a good idea of the bar dress code based on what type of bar you’re going to.
Student bars and pubs normally won’t have a dress code, so trainers are good to go. Headed to a fancier bar? Here you’ll probably need to follow a dress code.
You’ll be able to find the dress code on the bar website, so make sure you double-check whether you’ll need to bring your heels or whether trainers are ok before you head out.
Remember to wear what you’re comfortable in
Heels are uncomfortable, and can honestly ruin a night. The key to success is a pair of heels that are comfortable to walk in (both inside and outside!). And making sure they’re broken in, as this can be the biggest mistake when going out in heels.
If a dress code is smart it doesn’t always have to equal wearing heels. So if you’d be more comfortable in some flat sandals or boots instead this will still follow the dress code. Going on a night out is meant to be fun. So just wear what you’re comfortable in and try not to stress about it.
How can you make heels more comfortable?
The golden question. If you’re struggling with uncomfortable heels, try wearing them around your house to break them in before wearing them out.
There are sprays you can buy that help to make heels more comfortable. Gel pads and cushions are also cheap and can help to take some of the pressure off.
How do you clean white shoes?
Shoes destroyed from going to clubs? If a baby wipe won’t do, try mixing a tablespoon of hot water with a tablespoon of white vinegar and a tablespoon of baking soda. Mix them together to form a paste, then apply to your shoes using an old toothbrush. Leave to air for a few hours then brush off the paste.
What trainers should I wear with dresses?
If you’re going to team trainers with your dress, perhaps choose a neutral or plain colour of trainers such as black or white if your are wearing a colourful outfit, or, the other way around if you want your shoes to be the colour pop.
Nike Air Force 1s and Converse All Star Hi tops make great shoes to team with a smarter dress.
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