Can a shortie rock the flat shoe?--aka K/R - YouLookFab Forum

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Can a shortie rock the flat shoe?--aka K/R

Mochi

Veteran

I happen to think both pairs are beautiful, but time is running out on the Giveable flats for returning, so if this is a leg-stumpifying, not really flattering look (for 5'3" ME), I will seriously consider everyone's honest opinion. (I threw on an outfit but didn't put much planning into it; it's just a backdrop for the shoe and so you can see it in its full context.)

The Cole Haan Madelyn oxfords were on sale and I did pull the trigger. They're obviously flat too, and perhaps a bit masculine, but I love them (since purchasing them yesterday!). I am more confident they will work for me than the ballet flat, but if you also find them off please let me know.

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Shopping

28 replies

Latest reply was from Makrame

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Gosh I hope so 'cause I'm a shortie too and love both of these!

Mochi

Veteran

But do they work on ME? (not fishing for compliments, honestly

Claudia

Veteran

For sure. Adore the ballet flats. Both look great on you.

Mochi

Veteran

Thank you, everyone! (gotta run but will check in later)

not trying to enable but the oxfords were reduced by almost half, to $149...I decided not to hold out till after Christmas, but they may be an even better deal then.

AJ

Veteran

I think both work wonderfully. FWIW, I think flats are more leg stumpifying with skirts than pants. However, it also depends on the skirt. Right above the knee, then flats are fine. Skirts below the knee, then it's a case by case basis.

Linda

I think both shoes look terrific on you. You can definitely carry both of them off.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I love the giveable flats on you. You and Angie are shoe twins. I am not as confident about the loafers. I think that color is hard to style and to my eye the toe shape and stitching is kind of dated. Also they are pants only shoes and you would definately need to wear black socks to close the gap between the shoes and pants. Otherwise they can be stumpifying. Just my two cents here as a fellow shortie!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Okay, I'm probably biased because I'm short and have short legs and I wear both those styles, so I say YES. Keep them! I love the masculine look of the oxfords.

ETA: To my eye, lighter oxfords work with skirts and dresses (closer to one's own skin color). These would probably be too dark, so you'd have to wear them with pants, or else wear dark tights, perhaps. That's just my opinion though.

sarah

Veteran

100%! They look great with the skinnies as pictured! I'm short, too, and wear this sort of look all the time. TWO THUMBS UP! I adore those shoes, BTW.

Mochi

Veteran

You're short, Ana? I just saw you in the very stylish argyle WIW, and you're really well-proportioned if you ARE petite. Lucky girl!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, Mochi! You are so sweet! Ah, the magic of clothing. ; )

I'm not technically petite because petites don't fit me proportionally, if that makes sense. But I'm 5'3" and have a 29" inseam. So my legs are slightly short in proportion to the rest of my body. I have to buy regular jeans and have them all hemmed. Skirts and dresses, too and most tall boots are too tall for me.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Yes, these definitely work on you beautifully Mochi!

Anonymous

Mochi, I LOVE both of these pairs of shoes on you! If you are independantly wealthy, keep them both! If they are both comfortable and you can only keep one, choose the ones that most represent where you want to go with your style and *try* not to be influenced by anyone else's favorite (unless you want to dress like her, lol). So I think that would be the oxfords, right?

PS HELLO! What are those ABFAB jeans you are rocking? Did I miss them in a previous K/R post? Those make you look so HOT girl, you must keep. I'm off to see if you posted them earlier.

Anonymous

I just read your comment on Angie's "Slipper Flats" blog post and I wanted to say that I think your heel slippage issue with the oxfords *will* be resolved with break-in. Once the shoes get a good crease/soften up at the ball of the boot, they will bend with your foot while you walk, and I don't think the heels will slip off anymore.

Disclaimer: I am not a shoe-fitter so I'm not an expert with this. I also don't have narrow heels. If you do, break in might not completely solve the problem.

Kappy

Veteran

Love #1 on you; absolutely love them!! #2 is nice but I do think that color is extra-masculine when combined in that style. If they were a lighter/different color I would say keep.

ETA: Agree with Claire on the jeans. They rock! Deets please.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I love both of these shoes on you. I do think they work. Love them with the skinnies!

morethanbeige

Veteran

To my eye both of these work! I'm a shortie too and struggle with flats mostly because they make me feel frumpy. These look fab on you and I'm taking notes!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*OF COURSE* a shortie can wear flats!!! Anyone can wear flats!!! Flats are just as fab as heels!!! (Flats Fashionista here, I might add).

I have 4ft 10 clients who rock flats.

I love both pairs of flats, Mochi. In fact, I think they are KILLER. Wearing oxfords sans socks is my thing so a very biased yay from me. Absolutely beautiful shoes.

Patty

Veteran

2x thumbs up!

Mochi

Veteran

I am keeping both of them!!! Thanks for the reassurance. I wasn't remembering the details, but it was the reminder from a few women here that it's the mix of flats and skirts that can have that stumpifying effect. (I'm still going to try them out and WIW if I like it! I'm stubborn that way.)

I decided that I would like to have a small, minimalist but versatile shoe collection and not go shoe-crazy, but I want to have some really good shoes. (Up to this past year, I had virtually no shoes...I wore one pair of sneakers straight for like four months over the winter/spring...arrrgghghh, I know you're all cringing here). So the Giveables were tough to swallow in price, but I think they're aligning with what I want out of a shoe--amazing style, noticeability, great comfort, and of course they'll make me happy and feel great when I wear them.

I should separately post this, but the skinnies are these, which I just picked up yesterday (and now I think there's a sale online):

http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....pid=673938

Thanks again, all! Later today I would like to try and post my style goals for the upcoming year, as I am starting to get them clearer in my head.

rae

(website)

Veteran

They are both AWESOME on you - esp the oxfords! The ballet flats will work with bare legs, too, and will be extra lengthening because of the color.

Andrea B.

Both pair look great...but I am having OXFORD ENVY. Those are beauts, Mochi! And I'm short and rock flats, too--mostly driving mocs and loafers, but I have a pair of ballet flats that I love.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Mochi, I've been offline most of the day and only got to this post now, but I am so glad you are keeping these. I LOVE them both on you and you look so svelte and sassy in those jeans, too!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh good, I'm only just seeing this now for the first time and I was going to say YES! They absolutely work on you.

I don't believe that short women shouldn't wear flats any more than I believe tall women shouldn't wear heels. Shoes are equal opportunity!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I think ballet flats are leg lengthening because of the low vamp. I think they look great and do not make you shorter at all! I also love oxfords - you should keep both!

Sylvie

Veteran

Oh, I like both of them on you! I was prepared not to like them as a person who is biased against ballet flats and flat oxfords. Given that they're fab enough to overcome my bias, you must keep them.

christy

Veteran

Glad you are keeping them both! Don't see being short as such a disadvantage - it's just part of who you are! This is coming from a fellow "shortie" btw - I'm 5'2". Wearing what makes you feel great has a lot to do with looking great - it's having true confidence in your look that makes a big difference in how your outfit comes across. Yes, there are guidelines that help with proportions and learning them is great. But don't be a slave to them. The be-all and end-all for those of us who are petite is not necessarily to look taller!

Makrame

Veteran

Just wanted to say - these jeans look incredible on you! And they look good with flats and oxfords. I think these items will be workhorses in your wardrobe.