Team Heels or Team Flats

Mrs. M

Team heels! Ballet flats are adorable, but not comfy for me– between .5 and 2.5 feels best to me.

July 5, 2010 at 7:51 am

Queen Mum

yikes! this is a hard one. Okay…. I’m voting team heels ONLY because if I had to live in one or the other for a full year I’d have to choose heels. You can get a variety of heel heights (one inch is still a heel, right?) and so I do think I could manage without flats if I had to. I couldn’t manage without heels of some sort without feeling dumpy after a while. Gear excluded of course….

July 5, 2010 at 7:53 am

janetinvirginia

Active Member

Team flats! They’re more comfortable, and I can walk fast or run if I have to.

July 5, 2010 at 7:56 am

Cricket

If I had to pick, I’d pick flats *only* because I could find a fab pair of flat boots to wear with dresses in the winter and could wear ballet flats with dresses in the summer.

July 5, 2010 at 7:59 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

So far the Teams are even. How will this poll end I wonder?

July 5, 2010 at 8:05 am

Meg

Well, in public I prefer heels because even a slight heel can make a nice difference looks-wise and be very comfortable. I still wear a lot of flats, though, because finding nice shoes with slight heels can be difficult.

However, in private and walking around the neighborhood I’m in team barefoot I believe that’s usually the healthiest choice since it lets you stretch your feet and calves and also exercise foot muscles that don’t get much use even in most running shoes.

July 5, 2010 at 8:08 am

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Team flats- no question. I live have a very active lifestyle and am too old to hurt my back and or/ feet with heels. Love them for occasions and 2 hour events.

July 5, 2010 at 8:10 am

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

I had to think about this one a bit, but I’ll have to join team heels with the proviso that they have to be low ones. My heel-height restrictions are pretty much the same as Angie’s, so something in the 1-2-inch range is ideal for me. I adore the comfort of ballet flats, but heels make me feel more stylish, polished and confident. And the right pair can be just as comfortable for me, if not moreso (some flats leave me with very soar calf muscles, oddly enough).
Some would argue that the heels I favour are virtually flats anyway, but I beg to differ and join team heels with confidence and comfortable feet.

July 5, 2010 at 8:13 am

fathenry

Veteran

Oh this is so difficult!

If I could only live with one, it would be team heels. Even the shoes that I consider “flats” have a little bit of a heel…

July 5, 2010 at 8:14 am

RoseandJoan

Veteran

In my fantasy life it would be team heels, but in reality with two toddlers, cobbled streets and many hills to climb I’m 100% team (dressy) flats.

July 5, 2010 at 8:14 am

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Team Heels all the way!

This is remarkable for me because 4 years ago I could not even walk in heels without tripping, and now flats are a distant second for shoe choice for me.

July 5, 2010 at 8:18 am

Phoebe

Veteran

Is there anything more feminine than a high heel? If they were as comfy as flats, I wouldn´t wear anything else (shoe-wise, of course ;)) So many outfits require a higher heel, I don´t want to do without them. So: Team Heels!

And Happy 4th of July to all the Americans!

July 5, 2010 at 8:19 am

Kyrania

Active Member

Heels for me. I DO love flats, too! I sit at a desk either drawing or writing so I can wear heels….NOT too high 2.5-3 inches as I often go into the city.

I do not have a difficult time walking about just as long as I have good support. I also have an EXTREME arch so flats without orthos hurt and I find that heels, believe it or not, are more comfortable.

July 5, 2010 at 8:20 am

lynne

Veteran

I’m on team heels because like others have said even a small one makes a difference. My Danskos are my “go to” shoe. They are extremely comfortable but give me a little lift. Same with my MBTs. An added benefit is that this lazy girl doesn’t have to hem her pants.

July 5, 2010 at 8:20 am

mary b

This is a tough one!
I guess I will have to go to the Team flats side since 90% of the time that is what I wear…but if I was still working outside the home I’d probably have gone the other way!

July 5, 2010 at 8:20 am

Kristine

Veteran

Team flats all the way! I’m pretty active and love ballet flats with pencil skirts, trouser jeans and cigarette pants. I wear heels once in a great while, but they just don’t feel like me. Flats work for my lifestyle and my personal style.

July 5, 2010 at 8:21 am

Frances

Active Member

Ah, Team Heels for me, Angie. Maybe it’s my high arches or maybe my feet and legs are just warped from years of running, but flats leave me in pain–even the most orthopedically friendly variety, and since I’m on foot a lot and do a good mile or more of walking as part of my daily commute, it matters. I’m cursing myself this morning because I wore flats to run some errands this weekend that I thought wouldn’t involve a lot of pavement pounding. Then my busline home failed due to a building fire snarling up traffic. I had to walk a mile home, climbing one of those notorious SF hills to get there. My calves, thighs, and injury-prone hips are still protesting! The one “flat” exception might be my clunky running shoes, in which I wear orthotics. From time to time after a running injury, My orthopedist orders me to wear these everywhere except for sitting, but as you can imagine, this makes me cringe. Healthy for recovery purposes, but not very fab.

Though it saddens me a little that I have to limit my wearing of flats (because I adore all the pretty ballet flats out there), I do have a great love for heels and the extra height they give to my 5’3″ frame. I can’t bear to wear anything above a 3″ heel either, and usually 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches is my comfort zone. I feel like anything above 3″ looks a little ridiculous and faintly tawdry on my petite body.

Angie, you might be pretty surprised–after years of relying on walking and public transit to get where I’m going, I’ve become pretty darn good at running in all kinds of heels to catch many, many buses!

July 5, 2010 at 8:21 am

Leona

Active Member

I think I’d call myself a “Team Low-Heel” member. I prefer to wear flats over higher heels, if for no other reason than proper proportion (a small, slender girl atop towering heels or wedges just looks silly to me), but I prefer low heels – say in the 1-inch to 2-inch range – to either style. Low-heel wedges are a wonderful option, easy to walk in but allows for a little bit of an extra boost of height. Kitten heels are a far more dressed-up look, but if they’re low or stable enough, you might be able to get away with wearing them on a day-to-day basis.

In terms of Heels versus Flats, however, I think I’d have to say Flats, for a variety of reasons. To be honest, I haven’t encountered too many well-padded flats in my fairly small lifetime of shopping, but I appreciate their simplicity and comfort nonetheless.

July 5, 2010 at 8:22 am

anne

Veteran

I am with Michelle. 1 inch heels are my preferred heel height so if that counts as heels I am on team heels. Even running shoes probably count as heels! I don’t like the flatness and lack of support of complete flats.

I can’t go any higher that 2 inches though, and that not for everyday shoes, and only in a chunky heel.

July 5, 2010 at 8:23 am

Patience

Veteran

Team Heels. I don’t wear 3 inchers on a regular basis but feel more fab in a low heel than in a flat. I do prefer flat boots to heeled but fall is not my dominant season.

July 5, 2010 at 8:26 am

Zeynep

(website)

Team flats for sure. I can’t understand how some women do heels, I envy their talent / patience / resistance to pain. I sometimes try, but my feet hurt so much and I don’t think I pull off the correct heels walk very well. I actually like platforms, though. They make it so that the heel isn’t so high so your foot isn’t arched too much, but you can still get a good amount of height out of the shoe. Wedges can be comfortable as well, as long as they’re not too heavy.

But I’d say 90% of the time I wear flats.

July 5, 2010 at 8:27 am

Tanya

Veteran

Do wedges count as heels? If yes, then I am team heels; if not than I am team flats.

July 5, 2010 at 8:29 am

Refugee

Veteran

Team heels definitely. I’m another gal with an extremely high arch and a heeled shoe (at the correct angle and curve) make my foot feel much more supported and comfortable. Heels also seem to be less likely to have a paper thin sole, which is the ultimate deal breaker for me when it comes to any shoe.

July 5, 2010 at 8:36 am

EM

I’d love to be on team heels, but the reality of my day-to-day life puts me firmly on team flats.

July 5, 2010 at 8:42 am

Inge

Although I’m all for the comfort of flat shoes, I have to say heels (not painfully high though;-) because I love what they do to my legs and because I often wear some sort of a wedge heel…

July 5, 2010 at 8:45 am

Debbie

Veteran

Team flats. I love heels but they don’t love me.

July 5, 2010 at 8:46 am

Lori

Veteran

Heels, heels, heels, 100 times heels! At 5’1″, it’s the only way!!!

July 5, 2010 at 8:50 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

And the competition is hotting up! Team Heels has a lead. Don’t worry Team Flats. Team Heels thinks they can run as fast as us, but we know differently

July 5, 2010 at 8:51 am

Maya

Veteran

Team flats. I hate to sound like a broken record, but living in a commuting city always makes me pity those women who can’t get around efficiently due to their footwear.

I’m perfectly content having a proportional leg line, and I just feel better in flats in general. Not overdressed, not trying too hard, not overly sexy…just effortless and carefree.

July 5, 2010 at 9:15 am

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Team heels! I like 1-2.5″ because I feel more elegant in them.

July 5, 2010 at 9:15 am

Maya

Veteran

Also, flats can absolutely be dressy!

http://www.vintagetextile.com/.....abrina.jpg

July 5, 2010 at 9:16 am

Joy

Veteran

Team flats. I love the look of heels but tend to walk fast with big strides. My feet need to be pampered and DH is not that much taller than I, all reasons to embrace flats. I do prefer flats with a slight 1″ heel or wedge rather than absolutely flat and hope this still counts. They look like flats rather than heels.

July 5, 2010 at 9:18 am

taylor

Veteran

Team heels!! My style just wouldn’t have the same look with flats:)

July 5, 2010 at 9:20 am

Amanda

Active Member

I’ve never worn high heels (nothing over 2 inches) and now because of foot problems, I’m definitely on team flats. But not flat-flats, my shoes have to have support which means usually a slight wedge or half inch heel

July 5, 2010 at 9:29 am

Julia

Flats! They look good, feel good (as long as they are well designed and constructed) and I don’t have to apologize, as it always seems the case with heels.

Heck, I’m so fond of flats that my wedding shoes were ballerinas!

July 5, 2010 at 9:41 am

Vix

Veteran

Another vote for heels (but generally wedges and/or comfort brands 2.5-3 inches with lots of cushioning).

Though I wear hiking and exercise shoes for designated activities, I am another public transportation user/big walker who often outpaces bot men and women in flats. If we’re talking outrunning I’ll want to be in my heeled boots, though!

Reasons: I have proportionally short legs so heels even up the score. Plus I enjoy being faux-taller; I can’t stand being in a crowd and not being able to see, and heels help with that a bit — as long as the flats-wearers stay committed to their side, anyway!

July 5, 2010 at 9:46 am

marianna

Veteran

In fear of sounding like a broken record, team flats! I don’t wear heels. I have one pair that I bought to wear to interviews, but even those have a tiny tiny heel. My feet can’t tolerate heels at all, and my natural height doesn’t really allow for heels anyway.

July 5, 2010 at 9:47 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Between preferences for longer leg lines and better arch support, Team Heels has the lead.

A half inch heel is a flat to me, and most wedges are still heels.

Most of my flats are dressy, actually.

Marianna, you’re captain of Team Flats and Taylor, you’re captain for Team Heels.

July 5, 2010 at 10:01 am

Stylegal

(website)

I’m team heels! I have tendinitis right now and it’s killing me to be relegated to flats. My goal is to get back into my heels! I’m like many others, though…I have a few pairs of platforms, but most of my heels are around 3″.

July 5, 2010 at 10:21 am

kimana517

(website)

Active Member

I guess for me it depends on what we’re counting as flats and what we’re counting as heels. When I wear heels they’re usually 2-3″ heels. But true flats (½” or less) very rarely have any cushioning or support and I find that my feet and legs get just as tired in those ballet flats as in 2″ heels, which usually have some cushioning to make up for the height.

So I guess I’m on Team 1-2″ Heels with cushioning? ‘Cause I can totally run in cushioned 2″ heels as long as they’re not stilettos!

July 5, 2010 at 10:22 am

Kyle

Veteran

Heels, heels, heels! No caveats. No conditions. Heels are fab. They elevate (pardon the pun) the look of any outfit.

July 5, 2010 at 10:31 am

firefly

Active Member

I’m another for Team Heels, but they have to be comfortable; between 1 and 2.5 inches. I find my calf muscles getting sore if I’m in flats for any length of time, and heels support my arches. And I’m also another shortie – 5’2″.

July 5, 2010 at 10:32 am

Jbird

(website)

Definitely team heels! Being 5’1″, I need the leg extension. Flats on a short person just don’t look all that great, in my opinion. I would love to wear them sometimes because there are so many cute ones but I definitely have to stick with the heels.

July 5, 2010 at 10:43 am

chellebrate

Active Member

The kids at my school (and the one prior to this) call me the teacher that always wears heels and my junior high girls are threatening to steal my heeled shoes….Team Heels.

July 5, 2010 at 10:56 am

wilson

Active Member

Heels! Even my most comfy shoes (Danskos clogs) have heels.

July 5, 2010 at 11:00 am

klauren

Active Member

Certainly Team Flats – my poor old knees can no longer handle anything above an inch or so. And I consider anything even with a little platform a flat, because my feet, while elevated from the ground, are still pretty parallel to the ground, ie a flat attitude! Come on team flats, we can outrun those girls in heels any day of the week!

July 5, 2010 at 11:00 am

Scarlet

Veteran

Hmm, if a half inch heel is still a flat, then I guess I have to play for team flats. Even though I really don’t find flat shoes as comfortable as they are cracked up to be, and my derriere looks ever so much better in a heel, no matter how modest. When it comes right down to it, when I can only have one, and let’s face it, I walk A LOT, I have got to go with flats. But with a sense of loss.

July 5, 2010 at 11:14 am

Scarlet

Veteran

Nope, can’t live with it. I would go with the 1 inch heel (and sometimes more).

July 5, 2010 at 11:15 am

Lisa

Veteran

I’m team heels, at 5’3″ I’ll take all the height I can get. I love how long my legs look when I wear a heel and long pants. Plus I have a desk job now so I can sit more often. If this had been a few years ago, I’d be team flats. There’s no way I could do a heel standing all day long.

July 5, 2010 at 11:15 am

san

The models I see in the gorgeous towering shoes make me wish I could wear the look. The shoes seem to make the outfit work.

I try to get an adaptation of the look by wearing lowish platform shoes so that I’m not in total flats, yet my feet aren’t bent with the pressure on the ball of my foot. I can’t wear them all day, but I do enjoy them for shorter periods of time.

I’m going for team flats from a realistic point of view. I try to stay at 3″ or lower, usually much, much lower.

July 5, 2010 at 11:22 am

Lana

Active Member

Team flats. I almost exclusively wear flats, even though I do love a good heel. Heels just aren’t as comfortable or practical for me, and if I’m not at a special event or church or something, I always feel like I look like I’m trying too hard.

July 5, 2010 at 11:27 am

cindykay

(website)

Flat shoes are definitely the way to go! My favorites shoes are all flat: my sandals, my boots, my loafers, my mary janes. (However, I own no ballerina-style flats because they are all too narrow for my toes and too wide for my heels–*sad face*.) I have two pairs of heels for certain occasions, like weddings, and that’s it!

July 5, 2010 at 11:30 am

marianna

Veteran

I will proudly take the title of Captain of Team Flats.

July 5, 2010 at 11:34 am

marcy

Well, I have to vote Team Flats because of the functional aspect. Even my most comfortable pair of heels become uncomfortable when I’m out for a long day of shopping, errands, or sightseeing in cities such as Portland. OR.
Now, clogs are a separate category, right? I can wear a great looking pair for hours.

July 5, 2010 at 11:44 am

Marlene

I guess before I choose a team, I want to define “heels” as anything over 2 or 2-1/2 inches…which I think corresponds with how Angie is defining heels.

So…Team Flats!

I have small, fussy feet so anything over 2 inches puts a strain on my feet and my back/hips/ knees these days. I do feel comfortable in sturdy heels around 1-1/2 inches (like my Fidjis) because they are a comfortable angle for my fussy feet and but I don’t really consider them “heels” according to my definition. Extremely flat shoes are also uncomfortable because I require support for my very high arch. So somewhere between dead flat and 2 inches is great for me. I also have very long legs/short torso so I am not as concerned about visually lengthening my legs with high heels.

July 5, 2010 at 11:50 am

Steph

Veteran

I am 100% on Team Heels. The only time I wear flats is when I’m wearing sneakers to the gym. I have very short legs and large calves, and my legs look very stumpy when wearing flats. I also find them to be very uncomfortable (like others, I have very high arches).

July 5, 2010 at 11:55 am

April

Veteran

Regretfully, Team Flats. I don’t prefer the look, but I can’t function in most heels.

July 5, 2010 at 11:58 am

Michelle

(website)

Active Member

Team heels for me. I love heels and the ones I own are all over 3 inches (more like 4.5 inches). They make me feel glamourous and I love the effect on my legs and my general height.

Having a 5 year old and a 2 year old to run after I have learnt to appreciate the look of ballet flats and I love my flat boots and am after another pair. Also love my gladiator sandals. They are a necessity though and if I weren’t running after kids I would be in heels far more often.

July 5, 2010 at 12:07 pm

crwilson

Veteran

Team heels for me! I’ve forgotten how much I enjoy wearing heels since I’ve been home with the two little ones. I love ballet flats, but nothing makes me feel better than a nice pair of heels.

July 5, 2010 at 12:08 pm

elpgal

Team Flats by dint of what is in my wardrobe but would like to increase the heels representation. Definitely no to ballet flats or towering heels. I wish a happy medium was easier to find – think 1.5 inch dressy heels.

July 5, 2010 at 12:16 pm

taylor

Veteran

I will proudly be Team Heel Captain, I feel fully qualified, see attached resume for details

July 5, 2010 at 12:18 pm

neva

Active Member

It’s team heels for me! Even my boots have heels but I live in a very mild climate where boot wear is for fashion and not necessity lol. I have perfectly flat non fussy feet (slightly narrow) and flats give me the same irritations as mentioned by some of the viewers above.

July 5, 2010 at 12:22 pm

Kari

(website)

Team heels for me, though only if they are mid-to-low heels (3″ or lower.) I can’t do the 3.5-4″ heels anymore without lots of arch pain.

I wear flats often and love them, but low heels play a much larger part in my footwear rotation.

July 5, 2010 at 12:32 pm

Ariadne

Veteran

Flats or very low heels all the way! I find all heels extremely uncomfortable, and I’m not one to suffer for fashion. My “dress” heels are probably around 2 inches high.

July 5, 2010 at 12:39 pm

Cindy

Team flats even though I am height challenged. I am most ‘alive’ in flats in terms of mobility

July 5, 2010 at 12:41 pm

Louise

Flats!

July 5, 2010 at 12:45 pm

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Dead flat shoes are really uncomfortable for my high arches. Even my “flats” have a 1/2 inch heel. I prefer a 2 inch heel for work. I work in a commuter city too and I find that a good height – everyone has there own threshold though.

Team heel for me.

July 5, 2010 at 12:48 pm

sihaya

Team flats for sure. I am way more comfortable in flats. My job involves long periods of standing. My lifestyle involves long walks.

July 5, 2010 at 12:54 pm

Kate

Veteran

team flats! (or really low heels)

July 5, 2010 at 1:04 pm

sinead

Active Member

I’ll have to vote Team Flats, although my clogs and boots have some heel. So where does the 1″ heel fall? I’ve found some black Kenneth Cole “flats” with that built in hidden-wedge heel of about 1″- Love them! If that makes me Team Heels, then so be it.

July 5, 2010 at 1:04 pm

agrace

Active Member

Team heels 110% !! I could live the rest of my life with nary a flat and be fine. Not only do I think they look 20 times better on me, I’m actually more comfortable in them than I am in flats. I admire those of you (ahem, Marianna) who look so fabulous in flats but it’s heels for me.

July 5, 2010 at 1:12 pm

Maya

Veteran

I feel sad hearing all these comments from petite women who feel they need to be taller! There are lots of reasons to wear heels, but that isn’t one of them IMO. I wish more women would embrace their petiteness instead of fighting it.

July 5, 2010 at 1:20 pm

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Flats for comfort.

July 5, 2010 at 1:21 pm

Nadine

Team flats! I like to run around, and I find heels crippling.

Angie, are you keeping a statistical record of these polls? Would love to see the results! (Fancy pie-graphs optional.)

July 5, 2010 at 1:28 pm

Vani

I love my flats but I am a heels gal through and through. Team Heels!

July 5, 2010 at 1:29 pm

Mac

Veteran

Funny – I wear flats most days but I’m actually Team Heel… Team LOW Heel, that is.

I wear flats most days bc. I don’t often find many shoes that I like with the desired .5 to 1.5 inch heel that I prefer. I have quite a few 3″ heels in my closet and I do wear them, but only out at night or, as Angie would say, upon “sitting occasions.”

I like to be able to run for the subway, walk quickly down uneven pavements, chase after my cat when he escapes the house… I feel hobbled when I’m in anything over 1.5″

July 5, 2010 at 1:34 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Surprisingly, Team Heels is the favourite and I wouldn’t have guessed so. I thought we’d have more of an even split.

Taylor, not only are you qualified but your actions speak louder than words

Marianna, we might be on the less preferred Team but I know that we can charge around town at the speed of light with happy feet!

July 5, 2010 at 1:38 pm

JuliaInGermany

Active Member

That one is easy: Team Flats! I started wearing heels when I was 16 and loved them. I wore high heels everyday, even to school. I have no idea how I did that because now heels really hurt my feet. I have one pair that I only use for sitting and even then I usually have to take them off to get back to the car…

I’m tall and have long legs so I tell myself that I don’t need heels.

July 5, 2010 at 1:43 pm

Mac

Veteran

I wear flats almost every day. But that’s because I rarely find cute shoes in the heel height that I prefer: .5″ to 1.5″.

So, I’m Team Heels… Low Heels. I like to be able to chase my cat when he escapes from my house; to be able to walk quickly down uneven sidewalks, and maybe cut through the park if it’s faster; to be able to run for the bus. I can’t do this in heels over 2″ and that makes me feel hobbled and frustrated. I do have plenty of high heels, but I only wear them when going out for dinner or to a party.

But dead flat shoes, while they let be mobile, are less comfortable for me than a low heel. I don’t know why that is, but I find a 1″ heel to be the most comfy height of all.

July 5, 2010 at 1:43 pm

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

No doubt about it: team flats ONLY! Take away my 2 pairs small heels and I wouldnt notice for at least 6 months (that’s how long its been since I’ve worn them!)

July 5, 2010 at 1:57 pm

Trish

Team heels all the way!!

July 5, 2010 at 1:57 pm

Lannie

Team Flats! I’m already tall enough, and I prefer to be comfortable. I’ll wear heels when I have to (ie. to formal events like weddings) but even then, they are low or wedge heels. I like how they look on others, but I feel quite awkward on heels.

July 5, 2010 at 1:57 pm

Louise

Veteran

Team flats I hate it when heels make the balls of my feet burn x

July 5, 2010 at 2:02 pm

swann

Team Heels!! Every time I wear a flat shoe (<1") I have cramps in my feet, and calves, and a backache. I have concluded, that with my high arches, a cute ballet flat is not so cute when I am grimacing!

July 5, 2010 at 2:30 pm

rute

Veteran

Heels for sure! I don’t even own a pair of flats, I tried because I love it, but it gives me backache.

July 5, 2010 at 2:32 pm

Traci

When I was 12 my doctor reccomended heels for my knee. I also have really high arches and heels are usually more comfortable. I got used to heels and can walk forever in them. I wear flats to 4 inch heels and everything in between but I love heels the most.

July 5, 2010 at 2:44 pm

LisaLisa

Active Member

Team Heels! I am a pretty casual gal and after years of having to work in jeans, tennis shoes and baseball hats am a bit surprised, but it’s definitely heels.

Like others, I am shorter 5″3 and heels just add a bit of leg extension that brings an outfit together. Flats in general make me feel squatty. Also, I agree as others said that many flats just don’t have a lot of food cushion provided in the shoe iteslf.

I like wedges and a chunkier heel. I’m not a real pointy heel gal, but heels it is!

July 5, 2010 at 2:49 pm

Moni

Team heels all the way! I find flats to be very uncomfortable and need at least a 1 inch heel. Wedges are my favorite.

July 5, 2010 at 2:50 pm

Carole

Veteran

No hesitation-team flats, not so much by choice, but necessity! Heels cause pain, flats not so much! I wish I could wear beautiful heels, but I must kiss that dream goodbye. Being tall helps, I suppose. At 5’9 I feel like an amazon in anything over 2 inches anyway.

July 5, 2010 at 3:06 pm

Meredith

Active Member

Can I join Team Heels even thought I usually wear flat shoes? I just adore high heels, and I would wear them every day if I could. Perhaps I could just be the mascot for team heels…;-)

July 5, 2010 at 4:02 pm

HalfPass

Team Heels! I am tall, 5’11”, but I love the look of heels and feel like I look more professional in the work setting. I have bad feet and hips and am really careful about the shoes that I but though…the right heels really do make a difference. Shoes are a big part of my look and heels are for sure a defining factor.

July 5, 2010 at 4:13 pm

Dawn

(website)

Team Flats! I might have a pretty collection of heels but I rarely ever wear them as I have some old knee injuries which ache after wearing heels.

July 5, 2010 at 4:13 pm

Desmo April

(website)

Veteran

Team flats for sure.

July 5, 2010 at 4:26 pm

Megan

Active Member

Team flats for me too, I love my ballet flats

Although the fabulousness of my new boots with 3 inch heels might just convince me to switch teams!

July 5, 2010 at 5:09 pm

Melissa

Team flats!

July 5, 2010 at 5:18 pm

Kate

Veteran

Angie (and maybe Greg), would it be possible to do a poll where people can vote for their favorite heel height?

July 5, 2010 at 5:57 pm

Mary Ann

Team Flats!

July 5, 2010 at 6:16 pm

Cheryl

Team Flats for me and Kitten Heels totally loved and so “rarely” found! “Stylish” Team flats for AA feet are difficult to find — are narrow-footed lasses a disappearing breed or are they “putting up” with B-widths and not putting any pressure on the companies who control the shots? I really want to know!

July 5, 2010 at 6:28 pm

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I think I need a better definition what FLATS are. I just measured my men’s shoes and most of them have sole height between 0.5 and 1 1/4″. Are they considered heels then? Even sneakers are not completely flat!
I do not own completely flat shoes as I prefer arch support. My most comfortable shoes have heel height between 0.5 to 1 1/2″.
So if 0.5 – 1 1/2″ are considered heels I am on team heels. However I would wear comfortable flats with a good arch support in a heart beat if I ever can find them.

July 5, 2010 at 6:36 pm

Beth

Veteran

After much indecision, I’m going for Team Heels. I find many of them comfortable, make my legs look great and there are more variations in heels than in flats.

I love flats too, though. I don’t care much for low to mid-heels. I don’t think the in-between height does much for the legs.

July 5, 2010 at 6:57 pm

sherrykay

Team Flats: I have enough foot damage as it is and I am delaying more medical intervention for as long as I can; besides, I always think what I would do if I had to run in an emergency (whether in the city or country) This is just one more reason movies and TV are so unrealistic!

July 5, 2010 at 7:15 pm

becava

I’m a recent convert to heels so would have to say team heels all the way. I have fussy feet so can only wear good quality low heels but they make me feel more put together and dressier than flats. I think it is the extra height that makes me feel this way – I’m 5’2″ so need a bit of help in this area!

July 5, 2010 at 7:42 pm

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

I have to vote Team Heels – just because of the way that they lengthen my leg line. I always feel more glamorous when I pop them on my feet. (Somewhat sadly these days, I find myself running around more often in flats, just because of my lifestyle reality.)

July 5, 2010 at 7:44 pm

Fab50Plus

(website)

Count me a member of Team Flats – sadly. Sadly, because while I’ve always favored flats for their comfort, there was a time when I wore heels at times as well. Sadly, my knees will no longer allow that – so I’ve made it my business to find cute flats (and thankfully, there are many!) to get me from here to there!

July 5, 2010 at 8:17 pm

Holly

So sad to report I vote for Team Flats. Platforms are fine but orthodics classify my feet as fussy. Certainly wish I could wear heels but have to stick to one – two inchers.
And this is why I follow YLF so closely—when in need of shoes, I first check Angie’s list because her 4 hr or 8 hr shoe suggestions are the best! And when she adds her comment about orthodics to any shoe suggestion, it’s the icing on the cake for me.

July 5, 2010 at 9:15 pm

Marley

Team Heels forever!

July 5, 2010 at 9:30 pm

Scarlet

Veteran

Is it really such a defect to be petite? Seriously, reading these comments has depressed me.

July 5, 2010 at 10:29 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Kate, nice idea.

Scarlet and Maya, I hope that we can persuade the petites that dynamite comes in small packages

July 5, 2010 at 10:37 pm

MaryK

Posting for the first time to proudly proclaim my membership in Team Heels!

I and only 5’2″, I dress up for work every day, and I only have to walk from the car to the office and back again most days, so functionality is secondary to cuteness. So high heels all the way for me. The cuter and sexier the better!

July 5, 2010 at 11:48 pm

Carla

(website)

I am team flats, I occationally wear high heels, only when required but definitely I have a spre flats in my bag to change when I get so tired. so Team Flats!

July 6, 2010 at 1:07 am

shirley thurgood

Active Member

Team heels for me. I do wear flats if needed but like many on here I feel better in heels.

July 6, 2010 at 1:56 am

Maya

Veteran

I never felt I was deceiving anyone with heels anyway. People aren’t that dumb. If you’re only 5’5 with 3″ heels, simple math indicates that you are petite. Not to mention that standing next to another woman who is 5’5 in flats, or 5’8 in 3″ heels, still makes you look shorty short. Sorry, girls.

I’m with Scarlet. It is depressing to see so much scorn towards petites…ironically all coming from other petites! I have never been uncomfortable or frustrated because of my height and never will be, even if the whole world tells me I look awful in flats!

July 6, 2010 at 7:29 am

Claudia

Team heels here.

July 6, 2010 at 7:32 am

Itari

(website)

Active Member

Team Heels… but you wouldn’t expect me to vote for flats, would you?

I must say that I agree with both Scarlet and Maya. Why aren’t short men forced to wear heels, anyway? There’s nothing wrong about being a petite (or a very tall woman). Wear what you want and be yourself.

On the other hand, I like wearing heels. My height is rather average, but I don’t mind being a bit taller. For me, the most annoying thing is hearing statements like “women wear heels to seduce men”. Grrr.

July 6, 2010 at 7:57 am

Vix

Veteran

>Why aren’t short men forced to wear heels, anyway?

Many short men in the public eye (leaders, actors) have historically worn “heels”…they are just called LIFTS!

And a man on the shorter side — say under 5’10 — will generally exaggerate his height or have it exaggerated for him. Those of you who’ve done online dating may have some experience of this. And the first thing many people say about many current actors when they spot them in person? “He’s so SHORT!”

In Western culture, anyway, taller heights are associated with greater authority; studies have shown that taller men (or men who are perceived as taller) get more respect, more money, and “better” mates.

Is it any wonder a lot of women want a piece of that action?

July 6, 2010 at 8:15 am

gina

(website)

Team Heels, no question. I prefer non-stiletto heels in the 2 to 3.5 inch range. Since I wear my heels a bit wider or chunkier, I have no problem wearing heels on a regular basis. They’re quite comfortable, and I love the overall increase in height.

I have a few flats, but I don’t wear them very often. They’re more of a novelty for me. I have 3 ballet flats (black, plum and silver sequin), flat gladiator sandals and flat purple boots, plus 3 athletic shoes (black Sketchers, orange Converse and red high-top Converse). That’s 8 pairs of flats in my wardrobe, compared to 40+ varieties of heeled sandals, boots, oxfords and pumps.

July 6, 2010 at 8:38 am

Melody

Active Member

Team Heels here! I simply feel more put together in heels. Flats sometimes make *me* feel like I’m schlepping around in house shoes.

By the way, I’m not saying other women wearing flats is equivalent to wearing slippers out, just that I personally feel super casual and not all I can be when I wear flats.

July 6, 2010 at 8:42 am

Rosie

Veteran

I’m so behind on posting! I am sort of terrified that I’ve come back to the site to find THIS! Why must you do this to us, Angie??

I love flats. I wear them all the time. I don’t know what I would do without them in my life; however, I have to be on Team Heels with Taylor, at least for now. Sometimes they are works of art to me and I love to just look at them in a way I don’t with most flats.

July 6, 2010 at 8:52 am

nzinga

Team Heels! all the way!

July 6, 2010 at 9:10 am

Lori

Veteran

I don’t believe that those of us petites that prefer heels think we are fooling anyone. As a 40 yr old woman, I happen to know what looks good on me, and thus I choose to wear my heels, and the higher the better. I work in an office where I am at my desk for a good part of the day, so high heels work for me. We all know the best way to make your legs look longer and leaner is to pop on a great pair of heels. Flats are my weekend shoes for chasing around my two little boys. I love that I get to dress up in my pretty heeled shoes during the week, and, yup, I feel a little taller doing so, and there’s nothing wrong with that – I love my petite self, but adding a little height kicks up the look of my outfit in a way that flats just do not.

July 6, 2010 at 11:41 am

Scarlet

Veteran

Off the top of my head, three gorgeous women 5’2″ or under: Reese Witherspoon, Salma Hayek, Eva Longoria Parker.

July 6, 2010 at 12:17 pm

jerseyjan

Active Member

Team heels! It’s a pretty power grab.

July 6, 2010 at 12:36 pm

Steph

I doubt anyone is still reading these posts, but I had to come back to agree with Lori. I am short, and there is no question about that. Everyone who knows me knows I am short, and my height is often commented on. The fact that I love heels doesn’t mean I hate being short. It does, however, mean that I think heels make my legs look better. Honestly, I don’t care if they make me look taller–I think they make me look slimmer. Yes, the preference for slimness is a social construct (as is a preference for height). But isn’t that what dressing is often about? People are constantly choosing pants that make their butts look better, shirts that hide a tummy bulge, etc.

Personally, I don’t apologize for my height (or lack thereof). And I do think that it is sad when people aren’t happy with themselves, regardless of what aspect of their appearance they dislike. Having said that, if a short woman wants to wear heels so she doesn’t have to crane her neck back as much to talk to someone, or if she feels she is respected more when she has a little more height, I’m fine with that. It’s no different than a very tall woman choosing flats because she doesn’t want to tower over everyone else (although personally, I adore it when really tall women wear heels). I think that a lot of the pity some people feel for women who feel they “have” to wear heels because they are short is related to an idea that these women are in some way crippling themselves to achieve that look. But honestly, there are a lot of women out there who can comfortably walk in heels and are not in pain when they do so.

July 6, 2010 at 4:53 pm

florida

Veteran

Team flats. I wore high heels, daily, for years, and now my feet and legs are paying the price. I’m just not willing to be in pain. I like that I can comfortably run errands after work in flats. I loooove ballet flats. I occasionally wear high heels, but I keep it under 3 inches.

July 6, 2010 at 7:45 pm

Nicole

Not only am I Team Flats but one of the reasons I love this blog and read it so much is because of Angie’s preference for flat or low heeled shoes. I feel like I am exposed to so much fashion and outfits that really need heels to pull them off (a lot of voluminous clothing is like that IMO). I’ll read other style blogs and think an outfit looks great but I’ll never be able to imagine wearing it myself because towering heels are an integral part of the proportions.

July 6, 2010 at 7:50 pm

Scarlet

Veteran

Well said, Nicole.

I feel the same way (even though I am team heels).

July 6, 2010 at 10:04 pm

Cecilia

Heels for me! Although flats can be comfortable, a little bit of a heel always feels more comfortable to me. And then there’s the lengthening effect that a heel can give, plus leg definition… Flats are cute, but there is nothing sexier than a woman in heels IMHO

July 7, 2010 at 8:55 am

medusa

Veteran

FLATS! I can’t walk very well in heels…

July 7, 2010 at 4:53 pm

Antje

Veteran

Team flats BUT starting to appreciate moderate (not more than 2.5 inches) heels more and more IF they are super comfortable and stable.

July 8, 2010 at 7:15 am

Kate

Heels all the way! You can even find a great pair for an affordable price!

July 11, 2010 at 2:38 pm

Your favourite heel height

(website)

[…] ladies, you really surprised me with your responses to our recent poll on Flats versus Heels. Team Heels was the favourite in a clear majority. So I’d like to take this a little further […]

July 20, 2010 at 4:05 pm

Martina

Active Member

Team Flats for sure! I am 5’9″, so I am not concerned about looking taller…and I find that spending hours in flat shoes of any kind clearly beats spending a day in heels!

January 1, 2011 at 11:59 am

Chris

Ooh, I used to be Team Heels, for sure! I’m 5’11” and I’d still go clubbing in platforms. I still wish I’d kept the black velvet ankle strap, round toed pair that managed to not look clunky. Genius. But …

I’ve since written off all the cartilage in my knees. Crunch time (pardon the pun) came when the gorgeous chocolate burnout-pattern velvet knee high boots I had made me actually cry when I wore them. And they were only mid heel!

So I am, somewhat reluctantly, Team Flats. To the point where a pair of Five Fingers is now my daily shoe

January 7, 2011 at 6:20 am

Chicatanyage

(website)

Definitely flats I am addicted to ballet flats and wear them nearly all the time or flat boots in the winter. I occasionally try some heels for evening but even then find a lot of them have the “wobble factor” not a good look. Cone shape are the best as they are sturdier.

February 22, 2011 at 9:04 am

Linn

Active Member

I know this is an older thread but I thought I’d add my 2 cents anyway. Hands down I love flats especially the ballet variety. I wear them with denim leggings and jeans. The are so comfy and since I’m not the most graceful person on the planet they are much safer than heels.

April 3, 2011 at 2:17 pm

shirley m bryant

(website)

i am 53 years old in still wearing heels, i wear flats that times when the weather is bad. but i love my heels. platforms. wadges, i go to the g.y.m in work out my legs as well TEAM HEELS POWER AND FABULOUS i love love love……….Lol

April 19, 2011 at 1:56 pm

shirley bryant

Member

i am 53 in soon be 54 just wanted to say heels is the way to go. why stop wearing. heels just because we are getting older. i love heels. heels are FABULOUS.LOVE love heels

April 20, 2011 at 8:41 am

suzanne

Active Member

Love the lady-like element of heels… on other ladies! I’m definitely team flats. I’m tall and angular and heels make me look like a stick insect as well as doing absolutely nothing for my legs. I’m always amazed at how my calves completely dissapear as soon as I put shoes on with heels over 4cm! (but, I’m still at my happiest if I don’t have to wear shoes)

May 13, 2011 at 2:49 am

Mitzy

Active Member

I WANT to be Team Heels and was 100% until about 4 years ago.
I am really short and started wearing heels and platforms in ninth grade (child of the 70’s here, so platforms were the go-to) I even wore heels with my jeans. Yes, I am the girl who bought those platform tennis shoes! I had two pair that I loved. Thom McAnn burlap and blue platform tennis shoes and a pair of killer white platform tennies. I wore those white ones till the soles fell off!! All 3 inches of sole.
Now, sadly, due to a bad back and hip on one side, and a bad knee and ankle on the other, I am team flats all the way.

June 21, 2011 at 1:39 pm

Kim

Team Flats! … I’m 5’4″ with a Napoleon complex … I think I am taller than Everyone & it’s not even in a cocky kinda way, it’s because I am subconsious of my height. So I stick to flats … though on a good day … in a good mood …I think i can pull off heels.

July 5, 2011 at 11:03 am

Ruth

Team heels! My legs are short, so I wear 2- to 3-inch heels to balance my figure. I also want to appear taller. I’m only 5 ft. 2 in.

December 7, 2011 at 10:34 am

Mamavalveeta03

Veteran

I’m Team Flats and always have been. I have loved ballerina flats ever since I had my first daughter 25 yrs. ago. I still remember my favorite pair of Sam & Libby’s from Bloomingdales: Fuschia suede with purple toe caps.

May 15, 2012 at 1:02 pm

Pouty

I love wearing both ballet flats and heels with bare feet. The ballet flats are very comfortable, but I love how my feet and legs look in heels. I’m on TEAM HEELS!

March 4, 2024 at 7:21 pm

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