Help deciding on flats and boots?

I need shoes. Badly.

I'm in the process of defining and shifting my style but so far the key terms that keep surfacing as touchstones for me are avant-garde, UWP (love that term! It's a new one to me--must have been created while I was AWOL from YLF--but it's definitely what I love and am going for), artistic eclectic (whcih I'm going to start abbreviating to AE because I think I'll be mentioning it a lot), plus a touch of simple, classic, strong items to ground things. Edgy is good. Fussy is bad.

Any shoes I buy must, must, MUST be 8-hour walking shoes. I can't wear a heel higher than 1.5", 2 max. So with that in mind...

My most pressing need right now is for a pair of neutral ballet flats. I'm considering one of these two pairs:

Born Adele in "silver" (looks like a silver/gold mix which would be nice because I wear both):
http://www.softmoc.com/ca/systemshow-item_iW62191

Born Molly in silver (looks like more of a true silver/pewter):
http://www.thebay.com/eng/shoe.....bay/255379

I think the Molly looks a little more refined and classic, whereas the Adele is a bit more earthy. Could either work with the whole UWP thing, or should I keep looking?

Less of a need, but I could really use a few more pairs of boots since that's what I wear 8 months out of the year. Any thoughts on these?

Aldo Montecristi bootie (shootie?)--I already bought these but haven't removed tags or worn them out yet--could I wear them with skinnies and skirts and dresses?
http://www.aldoshoes.com/ca-en.....ecristi/28

Aldo Podujeve studded bootie:
http://www.aldoshoes.com/ca-en.....odujeve/97

SoftMoc pewter riding boots (they look kind of taupe on my screen):
http://www.softmoc.com/ca/syst.....9%20PEWTER

SoftMoc black/grey military lace-up boots:
http://www.softmoc.com/ca/syst.....0BLK%20GRY

I'm open to boot suggestions. Looking for non-black, mostly.

Finally, and this is a super long shot, I realized this summer that I definitely need a pair of cushy-comfy low wedge or low heeled metallic or neutral or cognac (preferably metallic) sandals. My current sandals are completely flat and that hurts my feet and legs. Has anyone come across anything like that at the end-of-season sales?

13 years ago

Anonymous

You might do a search of Greenglove's outfits for great examples of AE boots and footwear. To me AE isn't the same as UMP.

Ariadne

Veteran

Oh, for sure, I've been watching and admiring greenglove's outfit for years! AE and UWP are definitely not the same, but I'm equally drawn to both and am hoping to somehow blend the two. Maybe it's impossible? Hmm, that's probably a whole thread unto itself. Maybe I should try to figure that out before buying any shoes.

Suz

(website)

I think there are SOME shoes and footwear that could be common to both. Many styles of bootie, for example.

I don't know if Jean would wear the studded booties, but I certainly want to! Those are fabulous!! Have you tried them on? Do you know how they feel? I love them.

To my mind, neither AE nor UWP really wear ballet flats. Well, maybe a certain kind of AE would....but probably not round toed ones. Or ones with bows or detailing of that kind. I could be mistaken, but that's my sense.

Booties, as I said, would be a good choice for both, and as we are heading into bootie season you have more choices.

I like the one you've already bought - it's nice and simple and could work with lots of different outfits. As to whether it will work with skirts and dresses, that depends a bit on how it fits you, I think. How much gap is there at the ankle? Where does it hit your ankle? Those things are relevant. in making that decision.

I have already commented on the studded ones.

The other boots could work for either style persona, I think. So it would come down to how you intend to wear them, where your greatest needs are. Do you often find yourself wishing you had a tall grey boot, or a mid-height one that laces? If you do, then one of those would be a good bet.

Suz, you know, I think that's exactly the issue I've been dancing around inside my head when it comes to ballet flats. I feel I need them but I can't find ones that seem right, and maybe you've pinpointed the reason. I need flats of some kind, for sure. Maybe I need to try on oxfords or smoking slippers or loafers or something. I've never worn any of those before. I just default to ballet flats.

Did I post the studded booties already? That's embarrassing. I need more sleep/coffee/something. I guess I must really like them. I'll take pics tomorrow of the cognac ones with an outfit or two and see how they read.

As for the taller boots, I regularly wish I had both those styles and colors, and about five hundred million other types of boots as well. I love boots and wear them constantly.

Drat. You know what I really want (now that I've seen them)? THESE. The taupe version of Una's VC studded booties.
http://www.belk.com/AST/Main/B.....5VCMARCIN#

Of course, they don't ship to and don't seem to be available anywhere in Canada. Sad face.

And THESE (wrong size):
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/VINCE-C.....2ec1e518a6

jayne

except for the ballet flats, I do think all of these work for both AE an UWP. Quit posting studded booties though, I am drawn to them myself and with all this temptation I may just fall!

missvee

I like the Aldo boots you've bought and definitely think they will look good with skirts or pants. I don't think that ballet flats are a good choice for an all day walking shoe- there just isn't enough support in them. I think you are on the right track to try an oxford style or a smoking slipper ( maybe you need both? ) you could get one In a metallic and the other in an animal print, then you'd have lots of options.

OMG - THE VC TAUPE STUDDED BOOTIES!!!

I WANT those!!! How can you tempt me so???

Seriously, either of those would work, for sure.

And you didn't post the black studded ones until this post...I just started talking about them up front in my own reply because I was so taken with them.

Having made the comment about ballet flats....Rae is a UWP who will wear - not a flat - but a pump. Now, she may not be wearing them as often now that she is out of the corporate world. But you might look to her for inspiration.

I think if you were going for a flat, you might want to consider one with a pointed, or squared off toe, or one with studs! (I have a pair of those). Scarlet started a thread on these: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....dded-flats

Missvee, I've had luck with ballet flats as all-day walking shoes before if they're from a super-comfy brand like Clarks. But it may be time to change things up.

Suz, I thought of you when I saw those booties in taupe! I'm seriously tempted to order them to a parcel receiver across the border and making the 1.5-hour return trip to pick them up.

Love the studded flats, all of them. Those and oxfords are on my to-try list when I venture downtown tomorrow or the next night.

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