OK, I know that this won’t be every person’s idea of affordable, but I hate spending money on very cheap things that don’t last – especially when it comes to footwear. I’ve tried a few pairs of ballet pumps at the cheapest end of the market and they were pretty shoddy – I’ve also had a few very expensive pairs that weren’t up to much! Ballet pumps have to be just right – too small and they pinch at the back, too baggy and they gape and fall off.

The ones that I wear most (and find most comfortable) are, I think, a happy medium when it comes to price and there’s no compromise on quality. I’ve had a pair of Ceclia’s from Office since they began producing them and I’ve bought three pairs altogether. I’m just about to press the “buy” button on a fourth, the natural colour with black toe. I like the shape of the Cecilia pumps – they are very classic and don’t show any “toe cleavage”, a phrase that freaks me out beyond all that is reasonable. The leather is good, the toe-cap solid and sturdy and although the inner sole can tend to ruche up (I glue them down) the overall build is pretty bloody good for just over fifty quid. If you have an NHS NUS! card then you can grab a pair for less than fifty quid, which I’m aware isn’t altogether “student budget friendly” but better to have a pair that will at least last the term!

My pick of the colours? Black leather with black toe cap. I wear mine all the time and have had them for three years – you can’t go wrong with chic black ballet pumps.

Office Cecilia Ballerina Pumps, £56 from Office.co.uk