Flat shoes to wear with trousers for work...? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

Flat shoes to wear with trousers for work...?

marianna

Veteran

Hi, all! I have a puzzling (for me) shoe dilemma and I don't know what to do! I've been living in tall boots and skinny pants for work lately, but I am starting to feel a bit repetitive with my outfits. I'd love to get some fun wide leg/boot cut trousers, but I don't know what kind of shoes to wear with them. When it's not cold I wear ballet flats, but I don't know what to wear for fall and winter. I must be able to wear socks.

Also I have two serious limitations:
1) Size 12 shoe size
2) Heel must be verrrrry low... generally 2 inches is even too high. I prefer flats.

I am thinking some sort of flat bootie would be a good option, but I cannot find anything dressy, especially in my size. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks in advance!

Dressing

35 replies

Latest reply was from Claudia

MsMaven

Veteran

Have you looked at the Munro Tate booties that are on sale at Nordstrom right now? I have a pair of these in purple and love them. They are very comfortable. They are also loose around the top, which is good for me because I have tender ankles and have problems finding boots that don't bother me. They are 1" high. They are also the only Munro boots/shoes I've liked. (There is also a black leather version.)

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/mu.....tback=3469

marianna

Veteran

MsMaven, I actually have those booties... (I got them at Last Chance in AZ). They are very comfortable but I feel they are a bit too casual for the look I'm going for. I'm also having a hard time getting past the frumpy associations with Munro... it's a mental thing for me!

Claudia

Veteran

Marianna, I am not sure if these are also too casual or even your cup of tea, but would you possibly want to consider these Clarks (#1) even with the heel reaching your outer limits? A chunky, stable heel that's 2" with the 1/2" platform. There are 3 colors in both 12 M and 12 W available.

http://www.amazon.com/Clarks-W.....rvi_cart_1

These Clarks (#2) have a 1.5 " heel and are almost 50% off 12 M and 12 W:

http://www.amazon.com/Clarks-W....._shoe_t1_1

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Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Would a dressy loafer do the job for you? Maybe something in a pretty colour or black patent?

Claudia

Veteran

To Michelle's point, here's a nice loafer type bootie in your size with a 1.5" heel. There's other colors beside the usual browns and black, there is also navy and burgundy:

(#1) http://www.amazon.com/Clarks-W....._shoe_t1_2

These in croc patent which come in other colors:

(2) http://www.amazon.com/Clarks-W.....sim_shoe_1

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velvetychocolate

Veteran

I was thinking along the same lines as Michelle - can you wear a dressed up loafer with trouser socks?

Like these in chianti:

http://www.endless.com/Natural.....Redirect=1

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Anonymous

I have those Clark crocodile print, like slippers, very light too. My in office days are 12+ hours, with the commute, etc...I have no problem hiking back and forth to the train station, lugging laptop lunch

Aerosoles also do some more modern loafer type, also very long wearing

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

This is supposed be THE shoe shape of the season.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/tr.....tback=2896

http://www.zappos.com/trotters-liz-black-calf

http://www.zappos.com/annie-tux-black-velvet-suede

Claudia

Veteran

Oh, I love those, Anna!

marianna

Veteran

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I guess the problem is that most shoes in my size don't feel really age appropriate for me. I know it's all in how you wear the shoe, but I wish I could find something a bit trendier in my size!

Claudia

Veteran

Yeah, when I was looking around, I can see exactly what you mean. There should be more variety available. Isn't there that brick and mortar place outside Chicago with a good selection of shoes in those sizes? I thought I remember it being discussed.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Check out the Fidji line on Zappos!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

OK so they're outrageously expensive but they come in your size

http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/171078

http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/170630

marianna

Veteran

Of course I like the expensive ones, Anna. Thanks so much for looking for me!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Check net-a-porter right after Christmas. They have a big, good sale. Also check http://www.outnet.com occasionally, that's their outlet site. You never know.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, I have trouble with flats in winter too, Marianna! I usually just stick to a nice bootie and long pants, but there are plenty of flat ankle boots too, like someone suggested above. Otherwise a Pikilino or Fidgi, a funky shoe with some holes for trouser socks to peek out, might be the better answer for you!

Inge

(website)

Booties and loafers are a great idea! Or how about (cowboy) ankle boots or flat/very low heeled oxfords, Marianna?

http://tinyurl.com/c293p3a

http://tinyurl.com/co5gar2

http://tinyurl.com/cqmk2gu

http://tinyurl.com/cvlrudq

http://www.zappos.com/eric-michael-soho-blue

marianna

Veteran

Inge, the Endless links aren't working and I'm dying to see what you found! The Eric Michael ones are great, but they only go to size 42 and I need 43.

Edit -- the first two Endless links don't work, the others do! The Fidjis are adorable, but again the size 42 issue. 42 is actually size 11. But I like the idea of maybe finding a dressy flat oxford! Thanks!

Isabel

Veteran

Gosh, I love everything that every one has mentioned. I just want to throw in that I love a wedge and they can be uber comfy

Isabel

Veteran

Marianne, I forgot to mention that Nordies' can probably take down a heel. Depending on the shoe, you might be able to go down 1/4 of an inch. I have done this to a couple of shoes and have two pairs of boots to do next.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

How about those:
http://www.zappos.com/nine-wes.....wn-leather

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Oxford! What a super idea! See if Angie's two-toned ones are still available...They were by Fitzwell, which as we know has fantastic size/width variety at all times.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

These?

http://piperlime.gap.com/brows.....=875825012

velvetychocolate

Veteran

While I haven't tried on any Fidgi shoes, I just took a look at the selection on Zappos, and I think these just might be the perfect brand of shoes for what you're looking for. While I realize you're seeing euro size 42 as a US size 11, I think maybe you might want to at least try some of these on - and the reason I suggest this is because I've been liking Ecco brand shoes and boots for awhile now, and I take a euro size 38 in these (which correlates to 7-7.5 according to their size charts). Meanwhile, I actually take a US size 8 in most North American brand shoes. It's entirely possible that Fidgi's size 42 might fit you, even though it's supposed to be a size 11. This is what happens to me with European brand shoes - I take a full size or half size smaller than I'd expect.

It's worth a try!

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I like the idea of an oxford...it will have that "menswear" vibe.

I'd also recommend trying to find something with an elongated (i.e. pointy) toe if you'll be wearing it with wide-leg pants.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/iv.....ltback=400

You may need to add a superfeet insert...

Inge

(website)

Oh velvetychocolate has a good point about perhaps trying on the European size 42 anyway!
Sorry about the size issue, Endless has an American size 12 teamed up with a European 42...

Hm, silly links-(
Let's see, I linked to two pairs of BLOCH flat oxfords, one was patent leather, the other regular leather. I'll give you the names of the styles, in case the links still refuse to work: London Women's Fox-Trot Flat and the London Women's Hannah Flat. (but they're also size 42-((

http://tinyurl.com/cyr6bat

http://tinyurl.com/bu4f5cj

marianna

Veteran

Thanks so much ladies! Great suggestions all around and I will check them all out. I know I need a 43, though (sometimes even 43.5!) and that's rough. Most shoe searches think 42 = size 12, but in my experience size 42 is always too short on me. See how rough this is!

BUT! I'm really thankful that Claudia reminded me about a brick and mortor store outside of Chicago that sells big size shoes -- I had forgotten all about it -- and upon Googling it I realized the store is only 10 miles or so away from me! I will definitely check it out because the selection looks great. I'm excited! http://www.kathrynkerrigan.com for those who are curious.

Jenava, I love those pointy toed flats and that's generally what I wear with wide legs. I was hoping for something a bit warmer for winter, but I suppose I could commute in boots and then change when I get to work! Might be a good solution too. Thanks!

Lisa

Veteran

I can't wait to see what shoes you end up with. I'm always interested in stylish flat shoe options.

Claudia

Veteran

Marianna, now that is much more like it for you! I checked by size on that site link and there are some seriously fantastic, pretty shoes. I am glad that I was able to jog your memory and I hope you are able to make out well there.

Question for you (Very OT): my daughter who recently graduated from college and lives in Lincoln Park is commuting to Lansing for her new job. She bought a small, economy sedan to get to work. I wanted to buy her snow tires, but she said she looked into it and was told that she didn't really need them because despite the snow and long winter, the roads are flat so her all season tires are fine. What is your opinion on that?

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