Flat-Footed and Fancy Free
In my mind, it used to be that really great shoes had to have at least a 3-inch heel, so pointy that Sharon Stone might reconsider the ice pick as her weapon of choice. Flats were for beach vacations, rumpled Sunday morning trips to the supermarket. Certainly not for fashion.
Then my mind changed when my job moved me to New York City, a mecca for the style-obsessed. Here, I found what I’d anticipated - sexy city women teetering atop their stiletto towers as they hurried along Fifth Avenue or strolled the West Village. But, I also spotted something shocking - a proliferation of chic flats. Women of all ages and fashion sensibilities are donning flats for their morning commutes, afternoon shop-a-thons and weekend evenings out.
No matter where you live, whether you walk 10 blocks to your destination or 10 feet to get in your car, flats make a fashion statement. No longer frumpy and functional, with creative embellishments, wild fabrics and new shapes, it is the season of the flat! So join your flat-footed sisters and check out some of these must-have styles.
Work Flats - When wearing flats to the office, going for professional, slightly conservative looks DOES NOT have to mean plain. Express yourself with ornamentation or a unique toe. Pair a pointy toe style with slim pants, or an open toe with a tailored pencil skirt.
Play Flats - Anything goes on the weekends! Experiment with bright patterns and colors when wearing flats with jeans and A-line skirts.
Evening Flats - Who says you have to wear foot-killing stilettos to stand on line for that hot new club or crowd around the bar at your favorite hip watering hole? An outrageous flat will leave a lasting impression on your fellow revelers, without leaving blisters on your feet.
Splurge Flats - A carefully selected pair of flats can be a great investment piece for your wardrobe. Choose a style that can survive any season, no matter what the current trends, and spend a little more for quality, to ensure they’ll last as long as you love them.
Expert Shopping Tip: When selecting a pair of flats, look for at least a 3/4-inch or 1-inch heel. Wearing shoes that are too flat can cause back pain.
Stef says:
I love this advice! By the end of my 8-5 work week, my feet are so tired from wearing the “traditional” workplace high heels that accompany most business suits. This provides me some great stylish options to help give the feet a rest while staying professional. Now if only I could convince my fiance that I need to hang onto to my credit cards for one more month…
May 8th, 2007
Susan says:
Being 5′4″ - I would never consider wearing flats, but this article changed my mind! Erin Conroy: you are a genius! :)
May 8th, 2007
MeganW says:
Erin! Great Blog….I can never resist reading about shoes, can’t wait to read the next chapter..
May 8th, 2007
BethF says:
Erin — you are the goddess of shoe advice! Great to hear your voice again in cyberspace. I have on my soooo cute Franco Sarto almost-flats right now — soft calf lining, silver buckles, just a slight wedge for better balance — bought them on sale at Macy’s last week. Keep your advice coming.
May 9th, 2007
Kathi C. says:
Erin,
Great advice and great article.
May 9th, 2007
Wendy Sept says:
Check out today’s Wall Street Journal article on the power of the stiletto: http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB118602020946585676.html
August 2nd, 2007