A hunt for inspiration around flat shoes. - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

A hunt for inspiration around flat shoes.

Sally

Veteran

I have done a post before on my love for no nonsense footwear. And then how to wear chunky shoes and other trends as a over 50er. Still in my sickbed I found an inspiring blogger from Montreal (pics 1-5). I also added a few extra posts of chunky shoe outfits at the end. I also like Linda Rodin as she tends to stick to jeans and comfortable shoes. I don’t like wearing ballet flats or anything dainty. Any other aesthetics around this theme.

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43 replies

Latest reply was from Sally

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Who's the first blogger? Reminds me of Grece Ghanem.

I like this style too - gives me ideas for how to style my red wellies! But am not sure what to call the aesthetic - reminds me of Amy of Tibi's 'creative pragmatist' moniker, but a little more 'street smart' than 'work smart', if that makes sense?

Sally

Veteran

Zaeobi, it is Grece Ghanem.
Yeah a definite style but what to call it

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Oh, haha - doh! I'm obviously not on IG often enough to be of much help lol, sorry

unfrumped

Veteran

These are fantastic for inspiration!
I want to do 3 and 8 right now. I love the boots in 8.
Figuring out how to wear chunky shoes with long pants for cooler weather is a problem for me these days because either need boot with a narrow shaft, or high- top sneakers, or show socks with more cropped crops. Especially warm long pants— since I don’t have as much use for a good wool trouser. A lot of my “ straight “ legs don’t work right. I found some bootcut jeans that may help.

And what is it with all the pull tabs on boot backs- even when there’s a zipper— the tabs cause even some wide- enough pants to hang up.

But your post gives me some ideas including looking for more pics of combinations that might work for me.

Jules

Veteran

Love your inspo shots and will follow the blogger for sure! And thanks for reminding me about LR too. I am also a chunky shoe person. But, I don’t wear skirts or transitional dresses (I do wear dresses in summer or over skinnies in deep winter). I am with unfrumped on the challenges of figuring out footwear vs pants once it’s too cold for bare ankles most days. Most of these pics also rely on bare legs but could be styled with tights perhaps? I do have one ‘summer’ dress I was thinking of styling with docs, as it’s black and a reasonable fabric for fall.
I was hoping to relegate my remaining skinny jeans to deep winter only (they are very practical for my climate and lifestyle, which eats pant hems for breakfast), but I may end up in them sooner than that. I’m seeing a lot of oversized tunics, shackets, even shirt dresses that will take the focus off the pants. So basically chunky boots, skinnies and statement topper is the formula I’m contemplating.

Jules

Veteran

A couple of items I have in mind, from Cos and Power of My People.

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unfrumped

Veteran

I think I also have to re- frame my issue as “ bulbous footwear” rather than flats per se. Because I used to be able to wear a lot of different types of flats in more refined styles and profiles- regular loafers, ballet flats, sleeker almond- toe boots, slimmer shaped Oxfords and lower- profile sneakers.
Now I need more toe room and sizing up , and to keep shoe on , need laces or high vamp, and may need fabric or suede rather than harder leathers.
All that seems fine in terms of today’s sneaker and comfort- oriented society, but I am finding it harder to “ juxtapose” the items in an outfit to get the look I want.
As noted , the chunky/ sneaker/ combat footwear look with dresses and skirts or perhaps dressy trousers is a type of juxtaposition, and works well for me when I occasionally wear a skirt. Also lot of chunky footwear with leggings, which I almost never wear. But I wanted to wear more casual or sporty pants, joggers and some chinos, jeans such with T’s, and used to think of juxtaposing that with more refined footwear ( for outings, not around the house). Can’t do that much ( still have a very few shoes that work).
So if wear chunky running shoes with jeans and casual tops- well, that’s great, that’s my real lifestyle, but I have not figured out how to do that little something that feels like my style.

It does help to add jewelry, maybe tops that are something a bit more special.

Anyway, food for thought as I reconsider that I am building outfits from the feet up and I think I lost sight of that and how much it affects what bottoms and other items to choose.

CarolS

Veteran

Thanks for this post, Sally. Following and will come back later with more. “Building from the shoes up” is exactly where I am at, too. Easy enough for casual knockabout in jeans. Harder for other outfits and occasions.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I like. Could see myself doing a lot of these looks.
I’ve been weirdly attracted to a pair of heels this year, might actually get them.

Anonymous

Wonderful inspiration! I like the boots in #8. Is that a cut out on the boots or another material? I have been looking at lug soled Mary Janes

https://www.nordstrom.com/s/ci.....en/6606401

unfrumped

Veteran

Nikki, those are intriguing because the strap might keep them on better!
Do we have to say, no Mary Janes for older ladies, or, wear what you want?! They are not typical Mary Janes of course. Have you tried them on ?
One problem is that for me these would have to be for winter or tights to get a “ sock” in there for comfort, because not sure there is a no- show footie that would work , in order to wear with cropped jeans or pants.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Nikki, those are cool!

rachylou

Veteran

I love all of these looks

CarolS

Veteran

Love that mj in the burgundy. I’m very taunted by shoes like these that look chunky but are still actually narrow across the forefoot.

Anonymous

unfrumped, I have not tried them on. One of reviews said it runs slightly narrow which might work for me. I was considering them as a replacement for duck shoes that I wear in the fall and spring mostly. So it would be with tights or socks. Definitely, wear what you want

Sally

Veteran

@unfrumped - just coming out of winter and wore exclusively combat boots. I rolled the heels of my trousers to accommodate the boots so the jeans were cuffed..especially skinny jeans and my thick ponte pants. It does mean showing a tiny bit of skin when you sit down sometimes but it worked for me and my clothes. Also my boots don’t have tabs but those boots as you say might work with boot cuts. I wear combats with straight legs and they go over the top.

Sally

Veteran

@ Jules - I am going into summer so my some of the pictures were summer focussed. I was really lucky with my boots this winter as they were chunky but sat well under straight jeans. I did wear dresses in winter though with tights and boots. I find that I need a midi or longer though as they don’t go well with just below the knee dresses/skirts.

Sally

Veteran

@Niikki those shoes in the link are very cool and would work really well for more formal dressy occasions too. I guess the main thing is they need to be comfy. I’ve learned to seek that one shoe that is both comfy and funky and not really alter much in my footwear during the season. I would love to get some sneakers like those in the dress outfit for spring.

Sally

Veteran

@CarolS I see what you mean about them not suiting all requirements. I don’t go to many formal events but I think in that case I would get a suit and wear boots or oxfords for comfort. I do wear combat boots with dress pants and a tailored jacket.

Anonymous

Thanks, Stag

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Oh, I love these looks. Especially #8. Thanks for sharing them. When I try on shoes with giant soles, I feel they are not quite right for me--too clunky. I need a medium clunk, I feel. But maybe I just need to rethink the look, because these women are not overpowered by the shoes the way I feel I am when I look in the mirror.

Lesley

Veteran

All I see is chic, chic, and more chic! I am moving in this direction too. Slowly phasing out all my shoes that I would classify as "nonsense" and moving towards even my "fancy" shoes being comfy and walkable. "Cab shoes" will be a thing of the past.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’m glad to see people thinking about comfort and paying attention to whether they can move in their shoes. That’s always been important to me too. I see an equivalence being set up between “flat shoes” and “shoes that are walkable/comfortable”. After trying on the Fluvogs last year, and having taken about 6k steps in my oxfords with 3” heels today, I don’t think that’s true. The heels I’m considering are made by a company that makes strippers’ heels. That’s not the style I’m getting, but the one night I’ve ever worn strippers’ shoes, for Halloween (with a lab coat) I was amazed at how comfortable they were. I expect this company knows women's feet. Part of my K/R decision will be whether I can run in them. If I can’t, they’re out. If they hurt my back like the fashion sneakers I’ve tried (Sperry’s & S Oliver), they’re out. Kinda mind-blowing to hear myself saying this, but there you have it. It’s not the shape of the shoe that matters (and these looks are great); it’s their wearability.

Sorry if I sound cranky. It’s just so easy sometimes to confuse form with function.

Sally

Veteran

Firecracker- yes maybe it is a case of getting used to the look. I found the combat boots a bit too chunky initially and felt my feet must be so prominent, but I have got used to them.

Lesley - I can't imagine wearing shoes that I can only stand up for a limited amount of time in again. That's why I'm building my outfits around my shoes to some extent.

You're right Stag. I had a colleague who found heels more comfortable than flat shoes. I think she had worn them so much her foot had changed. I also like the aesthetic of chunky shoes but not all chunky/supposedly leisure shoes are comfortable as i found with some sneakers I bought online last year.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi Sally I would suggest looking at the expensive brand which however has excellent sales, called Mikko, Auckland based, sorry not your part of Auckland I think but does have a Remuera store. I have bought on excellent sales there eg at Easter there were sale prices with an extra 20% off so my $120 pair had originally been over $300. They have a lot of chunky shoes which are not my style but you may like, if you browse the sale section and there is even an outlet section. The shoes are mostly European so high quality.

Sal

Veteran

These looks are cool. I think of them as modern urban practical and a bit edgy.

There’s a couple there I really like and I may try a version myself.

I think building shoes up is a great idea- and I agree skirts or dresses need to be midaxi or above the knee. Somehow knee length doesn’t work.

CarolS

Veteran

Sally I think when it comes to a formal occasion you have to pick the entire outfit with the shoe in mind. No party dress that is only going to look right with a dainty heeled sandal. More, as you suggest, a chic pant suit. I think Emma Thompson - often showing up in a suit and sneakers. It’s also, as others have so aptly pointed out, about wrapping one’s head around the look and developing a sense of how to carry off heavier footwear for evening.

Sally

Veteran

@ jenni thank you for the recommendation. funnily enough I do go to Remuera on a regular basis (my son plays cricket over that way)and I’m going tomorrow so I’ll definitely have a look at Mikko. I looked online and they have some great sneakers for dresses. I’ll be able to check it out over the cricket season
@Sal modern urban practical is a great moniker and good objectives to keep in mind when choosing clothes. If you can do a summer version, I’d like to see it. I’m aware most of the examples were wintery.
@ CarolS I think that is a problem I have had in the past ..found a dress then realised 1. I didn’t have suitable shoes and then 2. If I had the shoes to fit the dress, they wouldn’t be the kind I would walk far in. I do like dr martens with the ball gown look though.

CarolS

Veteran

Exactly!

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