Interesting. Lately there has been a surge in posts asking how to wear heels, how can I look stylish in heels, etc. There has always been envy towards women who can wear high heels, and certainly heels won Angie's Team Flats/Team Heels survey. All of this suggests that most YLFers are wearing flats just because they feel they have to, either for comfort or lifestyle reasons. So I think there is a definite strong preference for heels, but most of these answers don't seem to indicate that, which is surprising. I wonder if those who favor heels are just not responding for fear of offending. I hope that's not the case.
For what it's worth, here are my responses:
Do you believe, 100% sincerely, that flats can be just as stylish as heels?
Yes, sometimes more so. I also find heels over 3-4 inches (depending on foot size) unappealing. I just don't like the look of an unnaturally arched foot and impossibly long legs. While it is prized in the fashion industry, to me it just looks like the view in a funhouse mirror. I also think that for all the talk of petites pulling off heels better, I think they can look silly fast if the heel is too high or too narrow--like they are walking on stilts. It doesn't ruin an otherwise killer outfit for me but it isn't my personal preference.
Are heels always better in terms of style (disregarding appropriateness)? Is there ever a time when flats look better than heels, or are heels always preferable regardless of the outfit?
I prefer flats with skinnies and straight leg jeans by far. I don't like the way straight legs can't reach the ground with heels, and I find skinnies imbalanced with most heels. Wide legs and flares (including dress pants) look better with heels, and I would say that aside from long evening gowns, this is the only time where I find heels mandatory.
I also prefer the look of flat boots (not flat as in pancake flat, but up to a 1.5" heel). Agree with April that boots with skinny heels do not excite me.
Finally, I think shorter dresses and skirts look much better with flats, and that is what I usually wear. Short dress and heels looks a little desperate to me (sorry Heidi Klum).
Do you see any purpose to flats other than just being comfortable or better for your lifestyle?
Yes. I feel that heels elongate my already disproportionately long legs, so I seldom wear them. When I do they are under 2". I find this is best for me aesthetically as well as comfort-wise.
I also have a modest style and much prefer to look funky and cute over sexy and sophisticated. I don't care if some people find it juvenile. It is part of my style and I feel 100% confident about it. I have never felt like a little girl because of this.
If you could wear heels comfortably for all of your day to day activities, would you have any use for flats? Would you miss them?
No, I would never wear heels exclusively even if I could. See above.
Do you appreciate outfits with flats on other women even if you don't on yourself, or do you think all women would look better in heels?
It only depends what they're wearing.
What kind of body types, if any, look better in flats? Are there any body types that look better in flats than in heels?
I don't think so. I also don't think larger calves necessarily look better in heels. In fact, I find heels accentuate the calf much more.
I do think smaller feet tend to look better in flats, but that doesn't mean I think large feet look bad in them.
