Ballet flats going unworn - ETA pics - YouLookFab Forum

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Ballet flats going unworn - ETA pics

Janet

(website)

Veteran

This year I have been completely neglecting my various ballet and other style flats in favor of my newer oxfords -- the oxfords seem to be working better with my recent style direction. Is anyone else experiencing this? Should I cull the collection to just the few beloved ones (my black Repettos, for example)? I have about a half dozen pairs and I just don't seem to be feeling them right now, but I am reluctant to let them go. Some of them have barely been worn. They range from some with pointier toes to more typical rounded toe shapes. Maybe I should post some pictures...

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34 replies

Latest reply was from Aziraphale

ironkurtin

Veteran

Wearing ballet flats is highly dependent on the weather and the cut of your pants IMO. I have 2 pairs of repettos and will never let them go (greatly regret the pair I did!) but have not added any more because, well, I just didn't wear them.

I'd do some matching with the shoes, because maybe you don't wear them because you don't have anything to match them *with.* And if so, then maybe it's time to clear them out!

Ginkgo

Veteran

Maybe you should wait until spring to decide? Spring sounds like ballet flats to me, while loafers are cooler weather and non-floaty type material.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ginkgo, I hear you. The thing is, I've had all of these since last fall at least, and didn't wear them much in the spring. I'm usually in a hurry to get to the sandals when the weather warms up, so the territory between boots and sandals tends to get skimmed over rather quickly.

Dana, I think that is playing a part too. I wore those shoes more when I was wearing bootcut jeans more often. Now I'm wearing more skinnies and straight legs, which doesn't rule out my other flat shoes, but there is something different going on in the overall look which seems to be pushing me toward a more masculine style of shoe when I choose a flat. Hmm.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Having just been through your warmer weather seasons, now is a good time to evaluate unworn or rarely worn items for their place in your closet.
Maybe post some pics so you can make some culling decisions, especially if you are short of shoe storing space.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I culled my ballet flats last year (our seasons are opposite). I kept one nude pair. They felt a bit girly to me & I also felt better in a more masculine type shoe. If you aren't sure & have the room I suggest you put them away until spring. If you don't reach for them then you will know for sure.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I think of ballet flats as completely seasonal footwear - especially where I live (although I was briefly eyeing a Stuart Weitzman pair). I only have one pair - my orange Borns - and they are definitely summery.

I've been wearing my oxfords and my booties a ton and those are definitely my footwear choices for now.

I don't know if I'd cull them just yet Janet - do you have a "holding" zone you could put them into until you are really sure you're over them?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Caro, I suspect the "girly" thing is a factor for me too. And yes, I have space for a holding zone where I can put them to see if I feel compelled to drag them out. One pair in particular is quite fall-ish -- they're brown suede, and they have a zipper detail which I think is what attracted me to them -- but I have not felt like wearing them.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Hm, I hear you, but you never know what you'll be in the mood for come spring and summer this year! If you have any pairs you are on the fence about then I'd let those go, but otherwise I vote keep!

Mochi

Veteran

Janet, I'm completely unsurprised that your ballet flats are going unworn. It would seem that it's a style that's kind of young and gamine...or maybe not just that, because very sophisticated French women (just as an example) do pull off the look, but for some reason I also find it doesn't exactly suit me. I bought the Stuart Weitzman Giveables after seeing Angie rock them, and they are totally cool and gorgeous and fairly versatile (basic color-blocked in cream and navy), and furthermore, up until recently they were the most expensive shoe I ever bought and I'm trying to give them a wear now and then when the weather's cooperating, of course. But they're not quite me. I will never give them up, but they're the only ballet flat I own and probably will own.

I'm admittedly surprised that you don't wear them with skinnies or straight legs, because I thought that this was the classic pairing. But in any case, I easily see you sporting oxfords and can't remember a WIW with a ballet flat. Maybe we should stretch ourselves and try to figure out how to incorporate them into more RATE or mod looks?

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I have a lot of ballet flats, expensive ballet flats. AGL, Burberry, DKNY, Ecco and random fancy Italian brands. I haven't worn them in over a year. I should probably purge and sell them. They hang in a shoe organizer in the spare bedroom, so out of sight out, out of mind.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Interesting that several of us are moving away from ballet flats. I'm finding that I didn't wear all my 'classic" footwear, like ballet flats & brown riding boots anywhere near as much as my booties & biker boots this winter. It is hard to tell whether I'll return to them or not but I don't have the space to keep very many things that I'm not wearing.

Raisin

Veteran

Well I personally love flats, and am still wearing them! But that's more due to a lack of seasonal shoes other than high boots for fall. But if you hardly wear them, and you just went through summer, I don't see why not to cull a few pairs.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Well, I have never really liked ballet flats. I have my Crocs ones I bought for when my feet really need a break at work, but that's about it. They're never a style choice. I think I feel the same as Caro - they're really feminine/dainty, and that isn't something I'm looking for in footwear.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I rounded up the flats for the perusal of anyone who is interested. I have an idea of some to keep, but I want to hear opinions too. My keepers would lean toward warm-weather wear, I think.

I think one reason why I'm enjoying oxfords and even my one pair of loafers more than these shoes is because they have less tendency to slip off my heels. My feet are not fussy, but my narrow heels mean that sometimes flats are a little tricky to keep on the foot.

Pic #7 is the one I absolutely know I'm keeping -- black Repettos. Well worn but they are very light and comfortable, and I throw them into my bag on almost every trip I take as an alternate/emergency shoe. More classic that my usual style would dictate, but they work for me.

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Mo

(website)

Veteran

I only skimmed the post, so correct me if I'm off base - to me the flats with the bows seem very girly for your style. By contrast, I love the zipper and stud ones for you. They are more rock n roll.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I only wear mine in spring and summer. Aren't you a winter boot girl?
Can you put your flats in holding until they are seasonally appropriate then make a decision?

Raisin

Veteran

I like 1,2 and 7, although 1 may be showing a little too much "toe cleavage" for me. I don't like that for some reason. I'm not a fan of pointy shoes.

Mochi

Veteran

I have to say that bows put the shoe over the top in daintiness for me. And pointy toes. And how do you feel about toe cleavage, by the way? So flats are problematic (though I basically think most of the ones you own are well-designed, and have a lot of potential if you are willing to use them.)

Strangely, since reading the Ines book, I have this completely weird lust for Roger Vivier flats with the huge buckles. Don't ask me why. I have this inner bourgeoise chichi Parisian woman that's trying to break out?

http://www.rogervivierla.com/r.....512e5be538

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Given what I've seen of your style:
I LOVE #7 so glad you are keeping them.
I can see #4 working with your style but if you would wear #7 in preference to them then let them go.
#6 Although they have the bow (=girly) I think the colour makes them useful.
The others don't speak to me........maybe it is the round toe?

ironkurtin

Veteran

I'd suggesting getting rid of half if you're not wearing these. My votes for keepers are 1, 6, and 7 - those are classics that won't be dated by next spring. IMO anyway.

cciele

Veteran

I'm thinking maybe a combo of weather, trends, and shift in style has moved you away from ballet flats. Perhaps oxfords feel fresh and more in keeping with your style.

I like the pointy toe zipper ones the best out of what you've posted,

As far as personal experience goes... I'm not a fan of ballet flats so have never owned any

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I also prefer oxfords to ballet shoes. I have two ballet flats I can think of and every now and then wear them but wear oxfords most days. Of these I would keep #7 (which is already a given) and #6. I like the color and shape. Even though I go for masculine style shoes, I also like pointy toes - go figure.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Great feedback, thanks!

I don't mind a little toe cleavage. I know some others do, but it's never bothered me. I am leaning toward keeping one light colored option (1), 4, 6, and 7. #6 is probably the most comfortable of the lot (Born). I have a similarly colored pair of loafers, so I think the Borns have taken a back seat to the loafers recently, but they're classic and comfortable enough that I'm reluctant to let them go. Great shoes for travel.

There is one other pair I photographed and didn't even bother to share because I didn't like the way they looked on my foot -- they've barely been worn, but they're going into the donation bag. I like 4 but somehow rarely have found myself reaching for brown shoes. I'd like to move them up in my closet though and see if they get a little love before I let them go.

deb

Veteran

The three things I do not purge because they are unworn are shoes, belts and jewelry. If they are classic styles they will come around again. Box them and put them on a top shelf and dig them out in two years. You never know when you will need flats. A bum knee, twisted ankle or something else.

Ariadne

Veteran

Without reading any of the other comments, I like 1, 2, 4 and 5 for you because they have a bit of rocker edge. I would re-home the rest.

catgirl

Veteran

Not looking at comments, the first three seem like you in style and color. The rest are all much girlier and I would never have expected them on you.

I do not and have never worn ballet flats - in fact, they are a bit of a poison eye for me unless they are worn very deliberately rather than as a default (sort of like Angie's view on opaque black tights).

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is such an interesting thread.

I only own two pair of flats partly because they don't stay on my feet well, partly because they're seasonally difficult (how often do I get to wear them, really....they feel like a barefeet shoe to me and that means summer and that is sandal season....). But the biggest reason I don't own them is that they somehow don't feel like "me" even though I sometimes truly like the look on others.

None of that helps you very much in your choices, but I think IK gives good counsel; keep half of them, and if those ones ALSO go unworn for a year, then purge even those away!

Somehow ballet flats don't seem like the right shoe for your style. But at the same time, we sometimes need flats for travel, so owning a pair or two is not a bad thing.

Mochi

Veteran

Yeah, they're the perfect airport security shoe, are they not?

Janet, I think the Giveable that I ended up with, and which I fell in love with on this site, is an exception. One, in that it's so comfortable, supportive, and stays securely on the foot. Two, somehow it's graphically interesting and not at all girly to me. The way Angie was wearing hers, they were so appealing, and so I took the plunge. As I've said, on principle there's something weird about this style, and I'm looking at pics of other examples to see if there's a way to toughen them up. I even saw a cool pair of Frye flats in some distressed leather pattern, but really, even if I like this shoe, there's another shoe out there I would like and wear more. So that's a long-winded way of saying, I still haven't figured it out but they're just not going to work out, just like a nice person you really don't want to date.

Anonymous

My ballet flats went unworn for an entire year, but I started loving them again this summer It's too cold for me to wear them now, but I plan to when spring arrives.

I thought they were a bit too classic and girly for me for a while, but now i like wearing them to soften edgier looks.

I love your flats! Especially jealous of #1!

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