Slip-on Dress Shoes

Slip-on shoes are made for men, women and children, and they feature a benefit few other shoe styles possess -- with comfort comes convenience. Expect no shoelaces or straps, and know that for the ladies, a slip-on with a high heel is almost the same as pump shoes, although the opening at the top of the foot may be cut higher than a pump (and maybe not; this varies between designers).

So, ladies first, and we'll start with some Xhilaration for many playful styles from dressy to semi-casual. Consider the Hila, essentially a ballet flat but covered with serious sparkling color and accented with a solid string bow. The Xhilaration Chop Out is really a shoe that's covered with cutouts -- all on the shape of daisies, all over your feet.

You can get a bit dressier with Nine West slip-on dress shoes, especially with styles like the Quirsa, a sensually curving 3.5-inch heel to showcase metallic pyramids across the vamp (the top of the shoe). Jon is another lovely style -- don't be discouraged by the name, it's a very feminine shoe -- with a black satin framework, a flirty open toe and instep, and a near handful of chunky sparkling gems adorning the top.

Gentlemen, start with Florsheim for traditional styles and excellent workmanship, and consider these your non-laced everyday shoes for work and a nice dinner date. Milano is a definite favorite here; the comfortably soft leather throughout the shoe, non-skid sole and subtle but classy decorate buckle making this an excellent choice. If you prefer a square toe, we like the Rocklin with its sweeping top-stitching and stretchable vamp for easy wear.

Cole Haan is a very good choice also, and you may love their classic tasseled styles or double-buckled options. However, if you're in the mood for something that will work perfectly with a navy suit as it will with a pair of jeans, we recommend Cole Haan's Air Ludlow, a penny loafer in soft black leather with an unexpected rippling of blue buffed across the toe and peeking from the penny slot. Steve Madden offers an equally sophisticated line of dress slip-on shoes, including the Jaredd in tan or black textured leather with side overlays and stitching accents.