https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 18:01:56 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1182484 Sun, 02 Mar 2014 17:14:53 +0000 Dee 1182484@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't wear heels at all due to arthritis either, so I wear flats with everything, and I'm petite. But then, I've given up on looking tall as a priority, and feel way more uncomfortable in short skirts than I do in flats. :)</p> <p>I'll echo what others said - nude flats or flats in the same color as your bottoms look more elongating.&nbsp;Ballet flats are probably one of your major&nbsp;option for "dressier" flats, but oxfords and loafers can work well with semi-casual looks. I like BarkingDogs, but it's true that they don't always show&nbsp;the most fashion-forward choices, so&nbsp;I'd also recommend&nbsp;looking through Zappos for other shoes/brands that are wider in the toe-box, etc.&nbsp;There are options out there, but you'll have to hunt a bit more. Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1182481 Sun, 02 Mar 2014 17:07:36 +0000 patsymaloo 1182481@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MsKatieKat I do sympathise with you over your poor feet - there's nothing more able to spoil your day than painful feet and, as they say, it shows on your face too.&nbsp; I thought of a couple of things that might help though.&nbsp; For your heel pain have you been given any exercises/stretches to do, are you icing it to reduce inflammation and have you tried gel heel cups for cushioning?&nbsp; For the pronation I know regular orthotics with rearfoot posting&nbsp;add a lot of bulk inside your shoe but you could try forefoot posting on a flat insole - often just a little bit of a raise under the first met head can help the pronation without taking up a lot of space&nbsp;in your shoe.&nbsp; If you want to prevent bending at the joint then shoe repairers should be able to fit a rocker bottom to your existing shoes.</p> <p>And the last thing, which I know won't be popular - pointy toes.&nbsp; They will hurt.&nbsp; Something we should all do - just stand in bare feet alongside your shoes.&nbsp; What you see will tell you everything you need to know....</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1182468 Sun, 02 Mar 2014 16:45:05 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1182468@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Skimming everyone's advice, I have to echo the point of adjusting your eye. I wear flats 90% of the time and to my eye heels look odd with a casual outfit. I think it's as much what you're used to seeing as any kind of real proportion issues.</p> <p>You have already found BarkingDog shoes so I have no specific recommdations. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1182124 Sun, 02 Mar 2014 03:54:51 +0000 Gigi 1182124@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>KatieKat, PPL is perfect pants length. Angie says to have the length of flared pants extend almost all the way to the floor--I think she likes 1/4" or less above the floor. So the pant bottoms&nbsp;essentially cover most of the shoe and have an elongating effect.</p> <p>I'm glad you like maxis too! I love them so much. I have a maxi skirt on today, in fact. They used to be my staple for everyday wear year round, but I started adding pants in this fall, which I hadn't worn for years. I have lately found myself gravitating back to the maxis. So comfy...so pretty! I actually need to find myself a pair of flats to wear with my maxis. I've been wearing them with heels, and the skirts don't really look that good because they're not long enough to touch the tops of the shoes. I am also needing some flats for some of my shorter skirts. They just don't look right with heels--too much leg. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181835 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 20:30:10 +0000 Diana 1181835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Angie. I wear flats (well, flat for me which is like 1" heel but they look flat) all the time, and with pretty much anything. I think the difference is that I've never worn super high heels so I've nothing to compare it to. But I think you can make flats work with anything! </p> <p>Check out some of my outfits maybe? We are the same height although I'm a pear.</p> <p>And those fit flops are CUTE! I didn't know they made anything other than those chunky flip flops. I might have to check out the sneakers myself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181826 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 20:22:37 +0000 Classically Casual 1181826@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MsKK, just stopping by to assure you that you can successfully switch to flats and learn to love them. Due to foot issues originally, I switched a long time ago to flats only. I don't like to be in pain, and I like to be mobile especially in the city. (I once chased down a kid who mugged me, and got my stuff back.)<br /> There are so many cute shoes out there, you'll just need to spend some time trying them on to find ones that keep your feet happy, and meet your style criteria. This is a time that the casualization of dressing works in your favor.<br /> Have fun! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181807 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 19:59:39 +0000 MsLuna 1181807@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@adorkable: your outfits are actually very streamlined and modern classic! They really work with the flats! I may try that combination out!</p> <p>@Marmee: I just saw Carter's thread and she and I almost have the same foot conditions!!!!! It's heartbreaking for a heel-wearer! She did mention she can wear thin soles, whereas my ball of foot gets severely aggravated by them. </p> <p>It's so hard to find time trying shoes. But because this is my reality now, I'd have to make an effort doing so for the sake of my foot health.</p> <p>Too bad on the Fitflops they're sooo cute too!</p> <p>Good point on the yoga - thanks for letting me know! </p> <p>@Gigi: I LOOOOOVE flats with maxis! I always feel that Petites tend to look more elongated with a maxi dress! I nearly lived in mine all summer long! </p> <p>As for nudes - I'm looking for a cool toned nude flat. I seem to see a lot of warmer toned ones as of late. I'll keep searching. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181797 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 19:47:30 +0000 Gigi 1181797@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>KatieKat, sorry to hear about your foot problems. I hope you can adjust your eye and find some outfits that make you feel happy!</p> <p>Most of what I was going to suggest was on Adorkable's list, even down to the "what's the least ugly thing at Clarks" comment! Clarks does sometimes have some nice flats, but I don't know if the sole will be thick enough for you. But some of their lines do come with quite a bit of cushioning. A high-priced designer brand that I have heard very good things about for comfort is AGL. They carry the line at Nordie's. I have never worn them myself, but I have read lots of reviews that talk about how comfortable they are.</p> <p>My only suggestion for dressing is that you could possibly add in some very long maxi skirts, which would hit right at the tops of the shoes (just touching the tops of the shoes). I am petite (5'2") and have found that this creates a long vertical line for me and actually looks quite good.</p> <p>As far as trying nude flats, there are lots of variations on nude out there--some are cool toned, some are warm toned. Maybe you could find one that matches your skin tone quite well? </p> <p>Oh--one other thing I read about petites wearing flats was that it can help to avoid flats that have some kind of embellishment on the toes. That is supposed to be less stumpifying. Again, I haven't a lot of experience with flats and so can't comment. I will say that I have a pair of flats from Born that have an embellishment at the toes, but the embellishment is the same color as the rest of the shoe, and the toes are almond shaped. So maybe if the embellishment isn't in a contrasting color it's not as big a deal.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181794 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 19:44:49 +0000 MsLuna 1181794@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@gryffin: I'm actually looking into a pair of booties that are just plain but has a 1.5 inch platform. It's very streamlined looking without looking super chunky. Thanks for the suggestion!</p> <p>@Angie: I never thought that tucking away laces in oxfords can elongate the leg! Wow! Does this work on sneakers as well? </p> <p>I do the partial tuck a lot - and I tuck fluid tops in low rise jeans. I can see this working with the right BF jeans, but it's a matter of finding the right one! </p> <p>Also, what is PPL? I remember you had an article about pant hems. Does it have to do with that? I really like the flats with round toe oxfords/boot with boot cuts and flares. </p> <p>Angie, you make loafers look great! I wasn't initially drawn to loafers, but if I follow my sneaker rule (loud/bright/patent/fun), I think I can make the loafers work. Fitflops have a new metallic line of loafers so I'll be looking into that.</p> <p>Again, thanks for the support and the suggestions, Angie! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181785 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 19:36:22 +0000 Marmee 1181785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MsKatieKat, I totally feel your pain. &nbsp;I&nbsp;have this same issue, and I know that Carter does too, although I think she may have more options that we do, as she can wear thin soled shoes. &nbsp;Here is a link to a post where she talks about it. &nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/rebuilding-a-shoe-wardrobe">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....e-wardrobe</a></p> <p>I&nbsp;ended having major reconstructive surgery, and it helped my situation. &nbsp;I no longer have pain as long as I stay away from heels of any type (I can't even do 1.5". &nbsp;I wore Fiorentini and Baker boots (up until last month)&nbsp;because they have a stiff sole, but they're not working well any more because I need a little more padding. &nbsp;Mostly I've been wearing either a pair of super soft Alberto Fermani boots or cons, depending on the weather, and feeling stylistically stuck. &nbsp;I desperately need to spend a day trying on shoes.</p> <p>Regarding the yoga, I did it for about a year, and loved it, but I think it pushed my foot over the edge toward surgery. &nbsp;The classes I took involved a lot of sun salutations in which the toes are bent and weight put on them (plank). &nbsp;I would advise approaching yoga carefully with awareness of your toes!</p> <p>Good luck, and I will be watching for your shoe posts (unfortunately, Fit Flops don't work for me). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181782 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 19:34:05 +0000 adorkable 1181782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>BTW, we are the&nbsp;same height (and have some of the same dressing issues, I think?). </p> <p>I mostly wear flats to the office, and I don't generally feel like I look horribly stubby!&nbsp;</p> <p>Just to give a sense - and by no means am I an expert! - these outfits are flats with both slim ankle pants and skirts an inch or two above the knee:</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-to-work-217">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....o-work-217</a></p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-220-hunter-green-and-grey">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....n-and-grey</a></p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-224-scarf-challenge-for-work">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....e-for-work</a></p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-228-color-but-not-too-much">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....t-too-much</a></p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181781 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 19:31:24 +0000 Angie 1181781@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm loving your positive attitude, MKK. You are going to be more than fine. I'm excited about the new leg of your style journey. Well done.&nbsp;</p> <p>A &nbsp;very general guide to outfit elongation: </p> <ul> <li>Wear heels. (Obviously this is out for you).&nbsp;</li> <li>Low contrast footwear. Either low contrast to your skin tone or bottoms.&nbsp;</li> <li>Pointy toe footwear. Almond toes count as pointy toe footwear.</li> <li>Tuck away the laces of oxfords.&nbsp;</li> <li>Tuck the top. Partial tucking is as fab.&nbsp;</li> <li>Column of colour</li> <li>Tapered hems on pants</li> <li>PPL's on flared pant hems</li> <li>V-necks if you're short waisted and short in the neck.&nbsp;</li> <li>Raise hemlines on skirts and dresses when wearing flats.&nbsp;Just above the knee is fine.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>FWIW, I don't follow half of these guidelines - and I<i><b> don't </b></i>have a relatively long leg line like you do (which gives you a head start). My proportions are regular and slight at 5ft 6. </p> <p>I seldom wear heels higher than 2.5 inches.&nbsp;I just bought a pair of white loafers that I fully intend to wear with knee-covering dresses and skirts, and shorts. In fact, I like the look of a long waist&nbsp;which shortens the leg line&nbsp;(you'll see an outfit on Monday that illustrates this point).&nbsp;I never wear V-necks.&nbsp;I also wear high contrast footwear with bottoms <i>all the time</i>. I'm not big&nbsp;on wearing a column of colour either. BUT, I am pedantic about my pant lengths, wear pointy toes, and tuck or faux tuck my tops a lot. And&nbsp;tapered hems are the only way I will wear ankle pants.&nbsp;</p> <p>Hope this reassures you further. xo </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181774 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 19:10:58 +0000 gryffin 1181774@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MsKatieKat - how do you feel about booties and boots?&nbsp; There are a lot of really "cool" booties right now with low heels.&nbsp; There are various brands that make excellent comfort shoes although they would need to meet your specifications.&nbsp; If you watch booties to pants, tights, leggings you'll keep that nice long leg line but have happy feet!!&nbsp; Just a thought! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181773 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 19:09:33 +0000 MsLuna 1181773@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, thank you so much for the encouragement and the kind words! </p> <p>You're so right: I do have preconceived ideas about my body type, but I think it has less to do with figure flattery and really more to do with my own body dysmorphia. I'm good at providing an outsiders look/opinion on other people, but when it comes to my own, I have a difficult tiime due to my own attachments with my body ticks. I'm always too concerned about looking bigger and frumpier than I am due to my upper body and that seems to rule all my wardrobe decisions! </p> <p>Thanks, Angie for reminding me that there is a very supportive community here! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181765 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 18:55:31 +0000 MsLuna 1181765@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Shiny yup! I'm telling you, I'm very very discerning with my shoes and I can attest how comfortable Fitflops are. They were initially marketed as a sneaker that supposedly works out your legs, but in the end they are biochemically better for the feet! Their toe boxes are wide without being so chunky! If you're in the USA you have better options!</p> <p>I can try nude flats again... But I'll need to open myself up to wearing nude flats as they don't suit my colour scheme (I got my colours done and really stand by them because I love them and they suit me anyway). Nude is a good neutral though so I'll look into it.</p> <p>As for Camper: I'll have to try their more platformed styles as I can't wear thin flats. The Laika and the Micro fit the bill! Hopefully they are available in Canada.</p> <p>Thanks so much for all these suggestions!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181764 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 18:50:24 +0000 Angie 1181764@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>&nbsp;I <b>get </b>fussy feet. I have them too.&nbsp;Great advice already. Thanks ladies.</p> <p>Truly, MisKatieKat, you can be so, so, so hip and fashionable in flats (and I include&nbsp;one inch, and one and a half inch heels in this bracket). It's a question of getting the right shoes and creating&nbsp;flattering proportions in outfits. Please do not despair.</p> <p>Most importantly: <i>you need to have an open mind.&nbsp;</i>It sounds like you have &nbsp;preconceived ideas about what will work and won't work for your body&nbsp;type - and it's working negatively against you. Like your recent comment on the BF jeans post. OF COURSE you can wear BF jeans. And I know you will pull them off with panache - in flats. So lets get the details right and make booties, loafers, slipper flats, d-orsays, flat forms, sandals,&nbsp;sneakers and oxfords work for your style and feet. We are living in a fashion world that is very forgiving of item juxtaposition and unconventional figure flattery. Use this to your advantage. </p> <p>Hold your pretty head up high and lets get you sorted.&nbsp;We can help you every step of the way. Cheers to happy feet.&nbsp;xo</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181763 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 18:49:43 +0000 MsLuna 1181763@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you, Shiny!</p> <p>I actually had x-rays done and they saw the developing bunion and arthritis. It was a bit of a wake up call for me, being the girl who wore heels for most of her adult life!</p> <p>I used to be a runner (which is likely what contributed to my foot condition) and used to dislike yoga due to its slowness (running gets me in a meditative state). Now, I'm considering getting back to yoga due to its healing benefits and... Well... We all have to exercise, right? I've heard nothing but good things from people with such conditions so I really need to look into this.</p> <p>I agree with you about my eye needing to be trained. I feel this is a big contributor to that. </p> <p>That midi outfit sounds wonderful, but I feel that there's a certain look/personality that can pull it off? I've tried such looks in the past and they weren't quite my personality and I just wasn't feeling "me" in them. I guess I have to find another way. </p> <p>I'm soooo open to wearing flats with flares. I have a pair of Rachel Roy boot cuts (they're huge at the hem though) waiting to be altered. I think if I follow Angie's hemline guide, I can still have a longer leg line than wearing narrow pants. I've seen boot cuts with flats everywhere and that's one look I'm willing to experiment with again (my large upper body doesn't seem to cooperate, though ). I also think that boot cuts work well with wide, rounded toe shoes!</p> <p>And as for the smile - well I smile everywhere that's not a problem. I guess now it's just a matter of getting comfortable in my own skin with these new outfits! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181762 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 18:47:16 +0000 shiny 1181762@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh wow, just saw your shoes. Those are seriously cute. I may have to try Fit-Flops myself. I really love those sneakers and the ballet flats!</p> <p>What about the ballet flats in a nude, with your skirts? Have you tried that? If you are going bare-legged then that would give you a long lean line.&nbsp;</p> <p>Have you tried this brand?<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.camper.com/en_US/women/shoes/new-collection">http://www.camper.com/en_US/wo.....collection</a></p> <p>Not sure it'll meet your needs, but I find them super comfy.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181759 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 18:35:51 +0000 shiny 1181759@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Since your condition is mild at the moment, a little TLC for awhile may do wonders and you never know, you may find yourself back in heels,&nbsp;worn in moderation and perhaps lower than you've worn in the past. That was the case for me. I was told 10 years ago I could no longer wear heels and needed clunky shoes that could accommodate orthotics. </p> <p>YMMV of course, but I was told I had arthritis without ever having an x-ray. Years later, I finally got that x-ray and no arthritis at all.&nbsp;</p> <p>I was told I had "bunions" and it's true, I get what looks like a bunion on my left foot. But then I took up yoga for awhile and tried real hard not to cross my legs so much.&nbsp;And the bunion disappeared. It reappears again if I do not keep up with the yoga.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm not a foot expert of course I am just letting you know that sometimes feet just need TLC and time to heal and some issues go away. Lesson learned for me is that I can still wear heels, I just need to wear them judiciously and alternate with flats.&nbsp;</p> <p>With that out of the way ... it may be that your eye just needs some time to adjust. Share pics and we can help ease that process along!</p> <p>I don't necessarily agree that you need a shorter skirt to pull off flats. Last summer I lived in midi and max length sundresses with flat sandals and I did not feel stumpy at all. And I often wear a pair of sturdy&nbsp;lace up flat oxfords with my knee length&nbsp;dresses/skirts to walk in the city, switching into heels once I arrive -- or not. I have two pairs, one is black which I wear when my tights are black; the other is cream and I wear those when my legs are bare or tights are nude.&nbsp;I think it's a&nbsp;very cute&nbsp;look - and I get compliments all the time. But, I think the trick is that it looks totally intentional, like I was aiming deliberately to juxtapose masculine footwear with feminine outfit. Rather than being resigned to&nbsp;having to wear orthopedic shoes. Does that make sense?</p> <p>Agree that in general flats tend to look better with narrower pants, but not always. I've worn my CoH Hutton flares -- 21 inch wide! -- with flats! (I have two, one hemmed for flats and one for heels). &nbsp;</p> <p>Finally, if your feet are happy and comfy, it'll show in your smile, and a smile is always in fashion. Even though I can now wear heels again, I have become far more picky and demanding, and can never go back to fashionable footwear that kill my feet. Being in pain is just not fashionable whatsoever.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181750 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 18:20:54 +0000 MsLuna 1181750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Adorkable!</p> <p>So here are the sneakers:<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fitflop-Womens-Leather-Sneaker-Patent/dp/B00FSDK1QW" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Fitflop-.....B00FSDK1QW</a></p> <p>These are the boots:<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alegria-CAITI-Womens-Caiti-Boot/dp/B00CZ5F1LQ" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Alegria-.....B00CZ5F1LQ</a></p> <p>And these are the ballet flats I want (the only ones that will work on my fussy feet):<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/FitFlop-Womens-Due-Patent-Ballet/dp/B00FOL1RUC" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/FitFlop-.....B00FOL1RUC</a></p> <p>So with regards to your suggestions:<br /> 1. Hmmm ankle pants might be with a shot. I've had great luck with then with heels but mist of my skinnies are longer with the "scrunch" at the bottom. Thanks for this suggestion!</p> <p>2. I'm thinking that as well, though I'm still not sure whether to incorporate black tights/flats to my wardrobe though. I don't like that look on me although I can potentially see this working for fall outfits with shorter skirts</p> <p>3. Short wedges are ok if my feet can handle them. I find that a lot of comfort wedges have a rocker sole, which pretty much cause me to fall over and potentially twist my ankle I still need to try a few brands though before I rule them out. This makes my life 10x better!</p> <p>4. I'm 5'3 and I have my skirts hemmed an inch above the knee. Though my legs are long, I find that I still need to shorten another two inches for the flats to look decent on me. I'm hoping I will still look "decent" with hemlines 3 inches above the knee though...</p> <p>5. With regards to sneakers, they can only be in fun textures (like patent) and fun colours. I'm not into the subdued, preppy sneaker look. I found I like to glam up sneakers! Fitflop ballet flats come in so many cute colours. It's just a matter of finding access to them in Canada because my feet love them so much! Generally with shoes (even when I was a heel wearer), it's either black or something fun and bold!</p> <p>6. Yup! I'm in that process right now. I tried many comfort shoes in the past (with "comfy" heels and wedges) so I know my brands. My faithful Naot a Divine boots always had me slipping and falling at least once a week. My other platform rocker sole Danskos had me falling over as well. Through trial and error and research, I discovered the Fitflop sneakers and Alegria boots!</p> <p>THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181744 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 17:59:46 +0000 adorkable 1181744@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I so feel you on this. My feet are fussy, and my heels are so narrow that I can't wear most pumps without some serious undignified clomping. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this!</p> <p>Can you post pictures of the shoes that you got? Maybe one of us can make some specific suggestions!</p> <p>I wear flats more often than not, and here are some things that seem to&nbsp;work for me:</p> <p>1. Shorter pants. Flats look totally fine with ankle pants, but they look frumpy and a bit silly when your pants are too long. Also, I prefer much&nbsp;narrower legs with flats.</p> <p>2. Low-contrast can help. Black tights &amp; black shoes makes the flatness of the shoes less obvious, for example.</p> <p>3. Are low wedges an option?</p> <p>4. Shorten your skirts!&nbsp;I'm not sure how tall you are, but if your dresses/skirts hit just above the knee you are fine for most office environments, and they generally look pretty decent with flats. Anything at or below the knee is likely to look seriously frumpy with flat shoes, though, especially if you are petite.</p> <p>(I prefer my skirts on the shorter side myself, where they look office-appropriate with flats but get kind of borderline with heels! A few inches above the knee will do this.)</p> <p>5. Style-specific: can you find anything you like and can wear in fun colors? That will de-frump you some as well.</p> <p>6. I often try on 40 pairs of shoes to buy one. Patience. My shoes are often "What's the least ugly thing at Clarks?" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/switching-to-flats-due-to-foot-health---need-outfit-suggestions#post-1181712 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 17:32:05 +0000 MsLuna 1181712@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Long time no see, Fabbers!</p> <p>A lot has changed since last I was here, so I have a few questions for you ladies:</p> <p>1. How do you create a long leg line with flats?<br /> 2. How do I NOT look so frumpy in flats?<br /> 3. Are there good business casual outfits for flats that don't make me look too "cute" or too "classic"?<br /> 4. How do I fit flats/sneakers into my Modern Casual/edgy yet romantic bombshell personal style?</p> <p>The Backstory:</p> <p>This month, I was diagnosed with mild bunions, mild arthritis and heel spurs. As a long-time heel wearer, my heart was completely torn to pieces when my doctor told me that to avoid surgery and my condition getting worse, I need to give up my heels (and only wear them on special occasions). Thanks to sites like Barking Dog Shoes and The Podiarty Shoe a Review, I was able to narrow down styles that are "marginally attractive". Because platformed rocker soles (the closest I can get to a heel) cause me to fall and aggravate my over pronation, I had to give them up and stick to shoes with a 1.5 inch rigid platform all around. They're basically flats that are elevated with cushioning. Fitflops are the most attractive brand of shoes I can find (my foray back into sneakers, but there are some ballet flats I want to get a hold of but are unavailable in Canada), but I also wear Alegria (not as pretty but they're so comfy). I also purchased a pair of $20 Crocs flats (the prettier ones) on sale so that I can see how flats work on my outfits. </p> <p>Note that these shoes all have wide toe boxes so the polish of slimmer toes is out of the question.</p> <p>When I tried my new purchases with the wardrobe I worked hard on honing for years, I was very unhappy to see that the new shoes did not work at all. The new non-heeled shoes had the following effects:</p> <p>1) increased FRUMP factor. Flats don't have the polish that my old heels provide.</p> <p>2) my upper body looks much much larger. Probably due to the shorter leg line and the lack of the heel gait. I look very imbalanced.</p> <p>3) Ballet flats, sneakers and short boots just aren't me - but they are the ONLY attractive ones in the market for the shoes that suit my health condition!</p> <p>4) flats don't work on my slim dresses unless I hike up the hemlines. Not always professional. Wearing these dresses are out of the question should I switch to a business casual work environment in the future.</p> <p>So since this condition, I really need to rethink my style personality and outfits that will give me that polish I look for without detracting from my style.</p> <p>Any suggestions will be welcomed! </p>