Do Heels Always Elevate an Outfit?

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Do Heels Always Elevate an Outfit?

— by Angie

on July 22, 2011

We’ve talked about the power of heels, and how they take an outfit from fab to drab. I’ve also suggested adding heels to an outfit if it doesn’t feel right with flats. And Team Heels reigns supreme as our poll clearly demonstrated.

Heels create a longer leg line, accentuate calf muscles, add a dressy aspect to your ensemble, and amplify your femininity. So ladies, do outfits always look better with heels?

I’m going with a no. I absolutely believe in the power of heels, but also think that some outfit combinations look just as good or even better with flats (in the category of flats I am including a chunky one inch heel on a sleek riding boot.) For example, leggings were made for ballet flats. Such a natural and pretty pairing! I also love the look of skinny cargos and skinny jeans paired with flat gladiator sandals and ballet flats as much as when they are paired with heels. And when it comes to the Equestrian look, one close to my heart, it looks best with a tall flat riding boot.

Remember that heels needn’t be dressy. Cork, wicker and wooden heels with distressed leather uppers are casual shoes. Slouchy suede boots with chunky heels and heeled Dr. Martens are casual boots.

Over to you? Can flats look just as killer as heels, or do heels always elevate an outfit?

Footwear

66 comments · Add a comment

Vildy

Veteran

I often think WWFD – what would Fred Astaire do? He always looked suave without
having to wear heels, show a lot of skin, wear too hobbling of skirt, etc. Sometimes
heels do not elevate an outfit if they make it too try-hard, then. I’m not a fan of form fitting heeled boots for this reason. To me they scream, Look at how sexy I think I am.
Unless, practically everyone is choosing them and then they’re fine.

I liked the bit I read from Alber Elbaz where he said the models were nervous at the high heels and when he put them in flats they were striding, smiling, confident. So I guess heels are okay by me so long as they don’t interfere with that all-important confidence by being too show-off-y in some direction.
So it’s part the outfit and part the person’s intentions.

July 22, 2011 at 3:57 am

April

Veteran

I definitely think flats look more right with some outfits.

My problem is what to wear with flats when it’s too cold to go without hosiery. It just seems like most legwear (socks, tights) with the power to provide some warmth looks dowdy when paired with flats.

July 22, 2011 at 3:58 am

bj1111

Veteran

totally agree that it’s outfit / occasion specific. love leggings with ballet flats. love them tucked in flat boots. OTT even for me with heels.

(must be having a freudian moment…i initially typed “heels” as “hells”…)

July 22, 2011 at 4:52 am

SusanH

Just this morning I tried on nude heels with an above-the-knee, slightly full-skirted dress, and decided that nude flats were the thing instead. Sometimes heels can throw the proportions off, just like flats can.

July 22, 2011 at 5:01 am

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I bat for Team Heels, and I often find that — especially with summer outfits that show a little leg — there is rarely a time when flats look better than heels. Keep in mind that where I live, and with my non-office lifestyle, summer means shorts, casual skirts and dresses, and sandals. I find that even a modest wedge heel goes a long way to take a possibly boring or slightly too-conservative walking-short length outfit and give it a little edge and oomph. Plus, frankly, I like the way they make my legs look better!

But I’m also blessed with wonderfully unfussy feet, so I fully understand bias against heels. I think the people look great in outfits with flats that I would prefer to wear with heels.

July 22, 2011 at 5:01 am

Majmaj

I agree … While I love my heels, I feel that they sometimes add unwanted fussiness or glamour to an outfit. I have a mod-inspired black winter dress that looks terrific with flat boots, and borderline provocative with the plainest heeled boots. Idem with my jean slouchy short shorts : with flat sandals they are all playful and bohemian cool, with wedges it’s tacky-land.
OTOH, I like to add some heels to boyfriend jeans or slouchy cargo pants – they *need* a bit of added glamour

July 22, 2011 at 5:19 am

Patti @ NotDeadYet Style

(website)

I am finding that flats are more versatile than ever, with all the fab styles that come out every season (and could it be that as I age, I am looking for more excuses to wear flats??) I wear them with many different silhouettes and I’m happy with the overall look.

July 22, 2011 at 5:21 am

Cynthia

(website)

This is one of those things that really yanks my chain about fashion. Humans evolved walking barefoot, and shoes are a relatively recent innovation. Heels came around a few hundred years ago, but super-high heels seem to be a pure product of late 20th century American excess. So to tell women that their legs can only REALLY look good when cranked up on heels, and that someone like me who doesn’t wear heels can never achieve the “best looks”, strikes me the same way as companies that only make sizes up to 10. It makes me feel like the whole effort of being “fashionable” inherently excludes me, my body, and my lifestyle.

July 22, 2011 at 5:28 am

Deborah

I agree Angie, flats can look as good as heels. For me it’s all about the balance (or proportions) of the outfit. IMO leggings belong with flats and my work suits and dresses work best with heels…however they can be worn with flat heeled long boots to create a slightly edgy look and feel – and I have seen leggings worn with heels and they can look great. I find that it is often the length of the dress, skirt or top layer that determines what heel height I wear.

July 22, 2011 at 5:48 am

Lisa

Veteran

I am going on team heels, I think heels elevate an outfit more than flats ever can. For any dressy occasion I grab my heels, for a formal business meeting I grab my heels, essentially for any time I want to boost my spirits or gain confidence I reach for my heels. I do like the look of flats with certain outfits and certainly wear them more often in my daily life. But I always feel I take an outfit “up a notch” when I add heels or wedges to it.

July 22, 2011 at 6:05 am

Beth

Veteran

I’m Team Heels as well as Team Unfussy Feet, but I definitely think flats are every bit as fab as heels. There are times that heels are just too much and flats can provide a sleek, classic and understated look that heels just can’t give.

My closet is equally split between flats and heels:)

July 22, 2011 at 6:14 am

Diana

Veteran

I definitely think that flats look better with some outfits! The first thing that pops into my head are short skirts and short shorts – they can often look sweet with flats or low heels and positively tacky with high heels. I think flat shoes are also a good way to “casualize” a dressy outfit.

July 22, 2011 at 6:16 am

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

I wear heels more than i wear flats. I love them and my feet at not at all fussy. Butttt I also have some great flat shoes/boots. I agree there are times when you put together an outfit where pairing it with heels would be “too much”.

July 22, 2011 at 6:20 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for the great comments!

Some of you are missing the point of my question. It has little to do with fussy feet or confidence – it is purely AESTHETIC. My question is whether heels always look better than flats? Remember that although I bat for Team Flats, I absolutely also believe in the power of heels.

Cynthia, that was a thought provoking comment. I’m sorry that you feel excluded from fashion and style. I hope that you have found some reassurance in the blogosphere – at least where body type is concerned. As far as the high heels go, I don’t know of a fashion blogger who bats for Team Flats like I do. Most of the time, fashion bloggers wear extremely high heels.

bj1111, thanks for the chuckle this morning.

Vildy, I remember reading that about Alber Elbaz.

April, I’m surprised at your hosiery comment! Flat boots worn with socks is your answer

Diana, those are great points. I do like the look of BAGGY short shorts and voluminous short skirts with heels, and of course I adore the look with flats too. It’s when those items are really tight and short, and paired with heels that I want to run and get a pair of flat sandals for the wearer.

July 22, 2011 at 6:31 am

Lisa

Veteran

I think this is a hard question because there will always be outfits that look better with flats and outfits that look better with a heel. Overall though I prefer an outfit with a heel or wedge. I like the elongation on the leg that heels give.

July 22, 2011 at 6:40 am

Queen Mum

Veteran

I agree with you Angie. I see many many fab outfits with flats. I love the look of a light airy summer dress with cute flat sandals. I do like shorts with heels, but I think more often than not, a cute flat sandal is in order. Leggings+flats is almost always a winning combination too, but I must say, I paired a dress/leggings with wedge heels a while back and felt quite sassy and fab. And one of my favorite formulas last winter was skinnies, jacket, scarf and my flat boots.

July 22, 2011 at 6:41 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lisa, I appreciate that you chimed back in. What you just said is at the heart of my own thinking:

“there will always be outfits that look better with flats and outfits that look better with a heel”.

That was the point of my post. Of course, not everyone will agree with me and that is perfectly fab. I am interested in your opinions.

Queen Mum, I pair leggings with heels and love the look too! But I do not prefer it to when I wear leggings with flats – I think that both options look equally good.

July 22, 2011 at 6:47 am

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Totally agree Angie- flats can make an outfit look much better in some cases.
I am on team flats.
I do wear heels sometimes because some outfits cannot be worn with anything but at least a small heel but there is nothing like a chunky distressed pair of boots with a silk blouse or sheath dress that could never be achieved with heels. How about Audrey- imagine heels with her casual looks?? It would defeat the grace and elegance of her fab ballet flats.

July 22, 2011 at 6:50 am

Aziraphale

Veteran

Oh no, there are lots of outfits that look much better with flats. In my wardrobe in particular, I have quite a few short skirts, and I nearly always wear them with tall flat boots. I really like the look.

I also wear flat converse with jeans, and that look is often a winner too, depending on the cut of the jeans.

July 22, 2011 at 7:19 am

ruthe

Active Member

Do heels always look better than flats? Not in my opinion. Every outfit has its own agenda.

July 22, 2011 at 7:22 am

Inge

I too love heels with certain silhouettes, but at the same time I’m a huge fan of flats and really do believe some looks are only spot on with flats.

The look greenglove is describing above e.g., I love that. And I think sleek riding style boots look amazing with skirts, dresses as well as jeans and leggings tucked in. They’re my favourite kind of footwear!

And oh yes, let’s not forget flat oxfords!

July 22, 2011 at 7:27 am

Jonesy

Veteran

I absolutely love the look of flat (or 1-inch heeled) rugged boots with dresses, skirts, even shorts, so I definitely think that sometimes flats look better. Plus, variety is the spice of life! When I’m looking at style bloggers and they wear 4-inch heels with every single outfit, I find it gets boring. Boring! So three cheers for a balanced mix of heels and flats!

July 22, 2011 at 7:36 am

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I love how you phrased the question so that we’d have to answer “no of course not!”

I’m dipping my toes into the heel pool and I like it over here. I wear flats for comfort but I am beginning to prefer the look of a heel of some kind every day for me. These days I tend to lean toward low contrast casual heels like wedges, platforms and flatforms.

July 22, 2011 at 7:43 am

Laura

(website)

Veteran

There are definitely looks that are elevated by heels. The baggy shorts look, for example, and maybe harem pants, and a bunch of other looks.

That said, I don’t think that heels are always necessary to elevate an outfit and to provide the benefits you detailed, Angie – especially adding a dressy aspect to my ensemble and amplifying my femininity.

If I was wearing a fit and flare dress and put on a pair of pointy-toed patent leather flats with a bow (I’m picturing the Me Too flats at NAS, for example), that would increase the dressiness of my ensemble and make me feel uber feminine. No need for heels to accomplish that. And that’s lucky for me, since I am a total amateur when it comes to Team Heels! But I am petite with small feet, and I think that has something to do with my opinion.

July 22, 2011 at 7:52 am

marianna

Veteran

Captain of Team Flats here! You know my answer to this question.

I wear flats exclusively and STRONGLY believe they can look just as fab as heels! If I want/need a bit of extra leg lengthening, I wear pointy toed flats. Super fab. I don’t own even one pair of heels and I don’t ever see that changing.

July 22, 2011 at 8:06 am

Carole

Veteran

I don’t think heels automatically elevate every outfit, I think it’s dependent on the occasion and the specific outfit. I bat for team flats and fussy feet, so my whole wardrobe is based on being able to wear flats or shoes with less than a 2 inch heel.

July 22, 2011 at 8:11 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The Captain of Team Flats has spoken! I am sure that we will soon hear from the lovely Captain of Team Heels

Laura and Marianna, I so agree that a pointy toed flat works wonders. I am wearing my purple Ted Baker ’50s fit and flare dress today and wish I had pointy toed flats.

Greenglove, I am glad that you brought up Audrey and her flats. While it is dangerous to compare ourselves to Audrey, I do believe that a flared midi skirt with a form fitting top and pointy toe ballet flats looks killer.

Elisabeth, a great point about Converse.

Jonesy, I totally agree that rugged flat one-inch heeled boots look incredible with dresses, skirts and shorts.

Inge, how could I forget about flat oxfords! Another look that is close to my heart. So arty and fabulous sans socks.

July 22, 2011 at 8:29 am

Janette@the2seasons.com

(website)

I don’t like to see someone in a so-so outfit (khakis and a tee-shirt or something frumpy) think she is dressed up just because she added heels. You see this a lot in office environments, and it just doesn’t do a thing for me.

July 22, 2011 at 8:34 am

taylor

Veteran

Well, they elevate all my outfits:)

Honestly, I love the look of flats with some outfits…longer summery flowy skirts….shorter dressy dresses, that need to be dressed down for practical reasons etc.

I think there is room for both:)

July 22, 2011 at 8:39 am

Sammi

I like the look of heels best, but I also think some outfits do need flats, just like others need heels.

I usually wear my very short dresses and skirts with flat shoes. And it’s fun to wear very casual flats like my boat shoes with a skirt, dress, or short shorts. It’s a totally different look than adding heels and I like to have both options.

July 22, 2011 at 8:47 am

chellebrate

Active Member

I agree. Short little me needs and looks better in heels much of the time, but I don’t let that stop me from wearing my beloved flats, sandals, and boots! As you said, some outfits just call for them.

July 22, 2011 at 8:50 am

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I don’t think I missed the point of the post, but I was stating that *for me* yes, heels bump the fashion factor of an outfit up a notch — they make me feel longer and leaner. I think some of this may be due to the fact that my hemlines are almost always right around my knee, never short.

I do certainly like and wear flats, but when i truly want to look my most fab, I gravitate toward heels.

July 22, 2011 at 8:59 am

Beth

Veteran

I like ruthe’s comment that “every outfit has its own agenda.” In my style worldview, there are times when very high heels do the opposite of elevate an outfit, namely with very short skirts/dresses or with tight pants.

Heel height can change a look dramatically. Wearing a pencil skirt with a high heel gives a very different vibe than wearing a pencil skirt with riding boots. Still both very fab looks.

July 22, 2011 at 9:01 am

Alecia

Veteran

Do heels elevate all outfits? Literally, yes. Sorry. I couldn’t help myself.

For my own outfits, I think heels do elevate a look. Largely, I think it’s because of the calf definition. But I think flats can look great. Audrey Hepburn is the quintessential example of a woman who had stunning flat footwear looks.

July 22, 2011 at 9:09 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thank you for clearing that up, Janet. Than if I understand correctly, the answer to this question for your own style is “yes”. Alecia, Modgrrl, Lisa and Taylor (I think?) also feel that heels always elevate their own outfits. And it’s perfectly fine to feel that way.

Thanks for chiming in Captain of Team Heels! I know that you appreciate the look of an outfit that rocks flats.

Beth, those are great points.

July 22, 2011 at 9:13 am

morethanbeige

Veteran

Interesting discussion! I love the look of flats with certain outfits and I think that heels would “take away” from the look. For me, though, I’m not sure that I can pull off the flat look, because I am short and have short legs, so the proportions seem off.

July 22, 2011 at 9:14 am

mamark

I think heels elevate many outfits, but not if the wearer is unsteady in the heels or is clearly in pain wearing them. Working in San Francisco, I see more of this than you might expect.

Outdated heels also do not elevate an outift. And really casual outfits can look ridiculous with heels.

There is a place in my closet for both!

July 22, 2011 at 9:16 am

Cheryl

Maybe it’s just because I have heel-envy now because of foot surgery and my surgeon saying, ‘your heel days are over.’ Or maybe it’s just because I’m on the grand hunt for “kitten heels” that are comfortable and won’t compromise balance and foot-health. BUT I do think kitten heels elevate an outfit, Jackie O demonstrated that. I do love me a sweet flat, however, with pants that are hemmed at the just right length and with shorter summer skirts.

July 22, 2011 at 9:19 am

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I whole-heartedly want to believe that, Angie. While I do wear heels my lifestyle does not leave much room for them so it is mostly flats or under 2″ chunky heel bor me.
I think there is 2 aspects to heel aesthetic IMO: how they make your legs look and how they contribute to the overall style. There is no question in my mind that high heels do make one’s legs look better – especially if those legs are not that great to begin with.
However style wise it is not always true and flats / low heels can be as fab for certain outfits as heels and sometimes heels just do not work with the style. I cannot imagine over the knee boots with high heels which would look stylish IMO but flat boots are fabulous with leans or skinnies!

July 22, 2011 at 9:21 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I just posted this look on the forum because it demonstrates my point very well. This outfit looks just as good with flats as it would with heels to my eye:

http://www.thesartorialist.com.....lleWeb.jpg

Here is the forum thread:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....rt-strings

Sveta, I used to think that way about OTK boots, but when worn with sophistication and often a chunky heel, heeled OTK boots look fabulous. Taylor has two pairs that are a little baggy all over her leg and they work really well.

July 22, 2011 at 9:33 am

rae

(website)

Veteran

They definitely elevate MY outfits. I’ve been fine with flat combat boots for years and years… finally tried my wedge Docs, and suddenly proportions in my casual outfits are a billion times easier — and my arches don’t hurt when I walk extended periods!

Before, I would have said I thought casual high heels looked prissy or high-maintenance, but my happy arches overrule all doubt!

July 22, 2011 at 9:37 am

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ah, just saw the part where you said it has little to do with foot fussiness.

In that case, in general, flats definitely have their place. I love my flat huaraches and 1″ wedges… but I prefer them in nude only, with short items only.

July 22, 2011 at 9:40 am

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I guess I have to say yes. Primarily in regards to myself and my own looks. Yes, yes, yes.

July 22, 2011 at 9:50 am

Sparky

Veteran

Ooh! Ooh! I know the answer to this one!

Heels elevate many outfits, but not all and always. What first came to mind for me were skinnies and leggings with ballet flats, really short skirts & shorts with all manner of flat footwear, and flat riding boots with just about everything (okay, maybe not everything, but I have an irrational love for flat riding boots ).

I am a recent convert to heels, so have a bit of the recent-convert religious fervor in seeing all sorts of benefits that they bring my outfits. And yet there are times when heels just won’t add to my outfit any more than my lovely AGL flats.

July 22, 2011 at 10:07 am

Lisa

Active Member

While I bat for Team Heels (the higher the better), I unfortunately have VERY fussy feet. I love teni shoes and ballet flats too, but usually with shorts or yoga pants only. I also think boots look great with so many outfits – short chunky heels and high heels. I find that flats always make me feel casual and short. Since I like the extra height of heels and the look with my outfits, that is what I choose most of the time. All my pants are hemmed for 3″ heels or higher, so you can’t really switch back and forth either.

July 22, 2011 at 10:37 am

sarah

Veteran

How’s this for tentative – I don’t really think so, but I’m still learning when heels vs. flats work best! It’s hard to separate what looks best from my natural tendency to wear flats – the look gets all muddled with my comfort zone! That’s why I’m here – to learn!

July 22, 2011 at 11:08 am

rachylou

Veteran

Sometimes flats are the better choice. Sometimes flats will elevate an outfit to classy whereas heels would drag it down to floozy.

I do find really flat, zero-heel flats kind of troublesome. Like they’re only made for casual looks when it comes to wearing them with trousers.

July 22, 2011 at 11:09 am

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

No, heels do not always elevate an outfit (cute pun Angie!). It really depends on the outfit and one’s proportions and body type.

Proportions: if you have long legs, flats look equally attractive IMO.

Body type: if you are a rectangle, I like the way flats look (and skinny jeans too). And finally, if you are very slim, like some of our forum members (Scarlet and Greenglove come to mind), flats look great. In fact, I would say a very slim person looks great in everything. But most of us are like me, we have a few extra pounds, with normal legs, and I think a few extra inches in the heel area help our look. Personally I stick with the 1.5 to 3 inch heel level. My favorite height is 1.5 inches, which I wear the most of. So I bat for team low heel.

July 22, 2011 at 11:37 am

Astrid

Veteran

I say no. I think most of the time flats can look just as fab as heels. And sometimes flats are even the better choice for an outfit! But I’m also Team Flats all the way, so maybe I’m biased.

July 22, 2011 at 11:38 am

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

So to be clear, I do feel heels elevate an outfit because most of us are not very slim, or rectangles, or have long legs. These body types are a minority.

July 22, 2011 at 11:42 am

dottie

Active Member

I think there is room for both. HOW.EV.ER., I find walking in flats is often not quite as graceful a movement as walking in heels (I think, for the most part, there can be more fluid movement in heels than flats, which is almost counter-intuitive). I think a heel forces an awareness of better posture. From what I observe.

July 22, 2011 at 11:48 am

mamark

By the way, these wedges
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/co.....ltback=578

(the cole haan air tali wedges) from the NAS are sort of in between flats and heels. I ordered them to use as flats, but once on they have a surprisingly dressy pump-like look. And they are soooo comfortable. For those above who wrote about not being able to wear heels, I think these are the perfect compromise.

July 22, 2011 at 12:01 pm

S80

(website)

I don’t think heels always elevate the outfit.I’m usually in my flats and feel just as fab.but then again in some outfit combinations heels definitely look better.just like in casual outfits flats look good even better than heels.the highest heel I wear is 3 inches.I think in some outfits ex dressy stuff if you add even a little bit of heel like 2 inches,it totally rocks the look.

July 22, 2011 at 12:09 pm

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

It is quite important to me to be ble to answer no to the original question.

In pre-YLF days, heels (my two or three pairs) were my way to dress smartly. Since YLF I have gone a bit mad with heels, going ever higher, it seems. I love the look, but sometimes the style of my outfits overtakes the substance – ‘my nearly 4″ Me Too black booties may look fab, but they will prevent me getting anything done in today’s outfit’ type thing (when I wear them I sit around preening myself and looking in the mirror thinking how long my legs look in them instead of getting on with things! My problem!).

Last autumn’s excitement was discovering outfits with my new flat black tall boots that I felt fabulous in, that would not have looked better with heels. I want to discover and enjoy more of these looks, because they suit the practical side of my personality better, even though there is still plenty of opportunities for wearing heels!

July 22, 2011 at 2:26 pm

Max

Active Member

Hi All!

Whether or not high heels are necessary in order to elevate an outfit depends as much upon the activity to which the outfit is worn as upon the outfit itselff. I have mostly worn one to three inch pumps or one to three inch wide heeled shoes and reserved high or higher slim heels for the most dressy of occasions or when I was going out with the girls for ‘happy hour” or such. I like the look of skinny jeans and leggings on my sturdy (maybe muscular) 4’11” frame that is pretty well proportioned. After much experimentation, I find that leggings and skinnies look best on me with my one inch flat heeled boots that come to just below my knees.

This summer, I found a pair of Ziera three inch sensibly heeled sandals that have good arch support and make my legs and my feet look fabulous. So comfortable and great looking that I went back and bought a second pair in a different color. Last Saturday, when I was getting ready for book club, I put the Ziera sandals on with pressed and creased flared jeans and what I thought was a casual top ensemble. The heeled sandals kicked the outfit way up a notch beyond what I felt was appropriate for book club. Pressed for time, I switched into safe shoes which were a pair of flat sandals which better fitted the spirit of the social occasion.

I like flats and would wear them more often, but, they don’t always like me. Last fall, I bought a pair of Gentle Soul suede flats that I thought had an adequate arch support. Not so. It sometimes feels like I am walking barefoot in them which is a regular experience that I have with flats. I could go on and on about my experience with shoes, my feet, arches, shoes and outfits. But, I will stop here: in a perfect world, I would love to wear slim 3″ heeled shoes in fabulous colors with as many outfits as I could get away with. But, in my world of sensibility where comfort and what is appropriate for the ocassion rules, sensibly heeled shoes that will not topple me rule.

July 22, 2011 at 4:03 pm

Bianca

Veteran

I really do feel they elevate the look. I’m not always partial to heels, but indeed they do make the style more special.

July 22, 2011 at 5:30 pm

san

Veteran

I admire women who can stride confidantly is a nice pair of heels and look so elegant. I have heel envy and can’t wear more than a chunky 2″ heel. I’ve seen heels gone wrong when they are worn in the wrong circumstance such as a garden party or walking on a cobble stone sidewalk.

July 22, 2011 at 8:39 pm

Lena

Active Member

It depends. I don’t have much to add to what’s already been said by other ladies. I absolutely believe that flats ‘elevate’ some outfits.

Heels definitely have a lot of power, too, and they are just as awesome, but NOT when I’m hobbling around like a newborn horse. Actually even a newborn horse has more grace than I do when I wear certain heels. I rarely hobble in flat heeled shoes.

July 22, 2011 at 9:11 pm

Scarlet

Veteran

Flats can absolutely look killer. Several examples were already given above. The equestrian style, like you mentioned, could not even exist with a heel, and it is a classic! I have said it before, but one of the reasons I love your blog is because you show how to look killer in flats.

July 22, 2011 at 11:46 pm

Sihaya

Veteran

So funny, I was thinking of this very topic at work today. I was wearing heels with skinny zippered white jeans. It felt fab as the heels allowed me to show case the zippers better. And that made me think, hmm.. I wonder if everything looks better with heels? I used to be 100% falt but lately have been wearing more and more heels. Then I thought of my new NAS riding boots and changed my mind. So I think it depends on the outfit and the shoe.

July 23, 2011 at 6:06 am

Barbara

Veteran

Nope. I’m on team flats. I have NEVER worn high heels!

I have two pairs of heels – both black – pointy toe pumps with one inch kitten heels and chanelesque patent cap-toe pumps, also with a one inch heel.

I prefer flats. Always have, always will. They suit my lifestyle and wardrobe.

July 23, 2011 at 1:50 pm

Joy

Veteran

Angie and forum members have proven to me with their outfit photos that heels do not always elevate the outfit. In real life I see too many women wearing heels who can’t move well in them, which is not attractive. Heels can make a woman look powerful or they can make her look slutty, depending on how they are worn.

July 24, 2011 at 12:19 pm

Kappy

Veteran

I think they do … probably because I can’t really wear them! The grass is always greener…

July 26, 2011 at 8:03 pm

rute

Veteran

It depends on the style of the heels, a lovely pair of flats can also elevate an outfit!

July 30, 2011 at 2:51 pm

Dree

Active Member

Heels seem to grab attention and add that dose of glamour. Flats have a dash of cute and even the look of a ballerina not on point. But I love flats and heels (under 3″ so I don’t break anything.) I’m ready for shoe shopping all of a sudden.

August 1, 2011 at 6:05 am

Lauren

Late to this conversation. I think it depends on the outfit. To my eye, casual outfits – e.g. shorts – look best with flats. I also like cigarette pants (and sorry Angie – even Capri pants) with flats. However, for dressier looks, including work wear, heels reign supreme. I tend to like a 3 inch heel best, though I can (and do) go higher. They make my legs look more shapely and they are plain sexier (for me). That said, some women trot in heels and don’t know how to walk in them. If that’s the case, then lower heels and flats are best. I also am not a fan of “stripper” heels – particularly in the office. A woman should coordinate the right style heel for the setting and outfit. Short hemlines look best in a low (e.g. 2 inch) heel and high platforms have no place in the office (obviously a small platform is fine but not a “club” shoe). When a woman walks gracefully and is wearing the “right shoe”, heels win!

August 1, 2011 at 11:14 am

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Do Heels Always Elevate an Outfit?

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