Are stiletto sandals universally flattering?

This is a bit hypothetical, but are sandals like the ones below (SW Nudistsong), worn in one's skin tone, universally flattering? Or would the strap cutting into the ankle still attract attention to otherwise unflattering ankles/calves?

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9 years ago

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from chirico (Chiara)

Thistle

Veteran

No idea if they're flattering, but man, my feet are laughing at me for even thinking about.

9 years ago

Liz

Veteran

It's hard to imagine there is any item of clothing that is universally flattering -- people are way too diverse for that. I can think of different types of feet / ankles / legs / bodies that these shoes would be disproportionate on.

9 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

These heels would not work on me because I have low volume feet and find that the front foot strap is invariably too loose for my foot. I do admire these heels on others and hope they work for you.

9 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

I adore these! I have no idea if they're comfortable. I would wear them for a dinner party where I knew I didn't have much walking to do ---/ or standing........

9 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

I think they would be flattering on anybody. Comfortable? Likely not, but they're sure pretty. Thumbs up if you want them as what Angie calls "sitting shoes".

9 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I'm going to say no, unless we're talking about people who never walk. The thing is I've seen so many women tottering around and not knowing how to walk on stilettos and it's not flattering IMO. (Speaking as someone who would be tottering all over the place.)

9 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

Hmm, I have a pair of sandals just like that, and I got them for the specific reason that I have very low-volume, bony feet and a small overall frame, and most shoes look too chunky on me and out of proportion. So I would imagine that someone whose bone structure was on the other end (larger bone structure, larger frame overall) and who had high-volume feet might not look so good in them. I think it would be a proportion issue.

Bijou, if you are interested in a pair like what is shown, the Steve Madden version has a very narrow strap in front. I find that it works well on my low-volume foot and isn't loose at all. The downside is that I think it is synthetic, so it is not the most comfortable. But on the other hand, that means it won't stretch and get overly loose.

9 years ago

Nishaa

Active Member

Exactly what staysfit said.

I've a Nine West strappy slide on stiletoes, in bronze with subtle shiny stones... My sitting shoes. Totally love. To look at them. Wearing them is another matter.

9 years ago

Echo

Veteran

I tend to have a wide, high volume foot, and shoes like that only amplify the fact that the front strap would likely be snug and my feet would go over the edge of the sole. They are not flattering on me.

9 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

"I've seen so many women tottering around and not knowing how to walk on stilettos and it's not flattering IMO."

Diana, my thoughts exactly!

Not sure if this is a widely-held theory, but I feel like ankle straps make a lot of women look like they have cankles -- I guess that's the stumpifying effect? Maybe in theory wearing nude mitigates this?

9 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Not universally flattering, no, for the reason that people have mentioned. Flattering to women whose feet do not overhang them and narrower frames (for the most part).

9 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

Well, if those shoes are universally flattering, I need to find another universe.

To my eye, that shoe flatters a youngish woman with slender ankles and legs who opts for a feminine style and who has the will and stamina to cope with that stilleto heel and to have a certain kind of men fall over themselves to cluster around her. She's a lovely woman, but she's not me.

9 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I say no. I think you have to worry about the thin front strap and narrow footbed. A foot has to fit perfectly within the outline for them to look good.

9 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Just looking at those makes my calves cramp :-p

9 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

I can't imagine any shoe would be universally flattering. Women are too diverse. The shoes are for women with certain kinds of feet. Also certain kinds of legs. I have a pair of shoes that are similar to these that I bought 15 or 20 years ago. I love them so much that I can not bear to get rid of them. Can I wear them? No. My feet are long past that stage in my life. I just look at them. Part of my vintage collection.

9 years ago

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

No. I know because I tried them on. The front of my feet becomes much larger at some point, and that's where the front strap falls. The effect is terribile. I don't even know if one needs to be slim or young or dress feminine to look good in them (I have seen so many bloggers wear these sandals with bf jeans). I think it'sa matter of foot shape and/or ankle.

9 years ago

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