Moving away from heels in winter...

Does anyone have any suggestions about how to replace heels with flats in your wardrobe? For a number of reasons, including comfort and the fact that I'm using a standing desk at work, I'm trying to nix wearing heels and embrace flats. Currently, one of my main wear-to-work outfit formulas is wide-leg or boot-cut trousers with heels, a blouse, and blazer or sweater. What would be a good outfit formula for flats instead? Will hemming my wide-leg trousers to wear with flats make me look too short? (I'm only 5'4".) My usual outfit formula with flats is to wear cropped trousers, and I think showing some ankle seems to elongate the leg a bit. But, it's really cold here in winter, and I'm not excited about baring my ankles. I also have a few sheath dresses and pencil skirts, but wearing thick tights with them, which is warm, I think can make them look less polished. I'm wondering if maybe dresses or skirts with a different silhouette might play better with tights are flats -- any ideas? Has anyone made a similar transition? Any advice is appreciated!

7 years ago

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

For wide leg pants, I’ve started to wear Dansko clogs. They have a bit of a heel/platform/thick sole whatever so no need to hem pants shorter. And they are comfortable for 12-hour shifts. And they accommodate socks. Even thicker ones.

rachylou

I think the thing is, you will want flats with a fairly substantial sole - like Alexandra’s clogs. Super thin soles, like ballet flats, might make you look truncated, even with hemming.

SarahD8

Yes, I agree with rachylou. You need a shoe of substance. How about loafers or oxfords?

kkards

Another 5”4(ish) flat wearer. One thing I try to do to look taller is match my shoe color to my pant color so that the eye sees a solid line. (I’ll also often wear a column of color from top to bottom for the same reason). Also I like pointed toe shoes because I feel they are also leg lengtheners.
In the winter I’d look for flat or 1 inch heeled booties.

Gigi

If you want to look taller, you could try some platform loafers, if that suits your style.

Maybe try midi skirts with riding boots? I think that is a nice look. You could look for riding boots that have a bit of a heel, but not so much that it would cause discomfort over the course of the workday.

It is sure a tough question, how to look taller without heels (I'm 5'2")! Elongating the leg line by matching your hosiery to your footwear can be helpful.

Jessikams

I think a high-shaft boot looks great under wide trousers- it sort of “implies” ankle without baring it.
Boots might also be more comfy and sturdy for standing at your desk. Flats are sometimes TOO flat.

krishnidoux

I like my Naturalizer's BeeZee's for this. Me too, moved away from heels recently and found this compromise to work: larger outsole surface, some wedge, slight slope, strong arch support, foamy type insole. Maybe there are other brands, I don't want to promote one over others. I would explore a nearby mall - not necessarily buy, but just try on, as with flat, everything is in how it feels. Avoid soft ballet flats - and even sturdy ones, unless they have a special construction for the foot. I agree with the advice of still looking for a slight heel or slope as opposed to all flat.

unfrumped

I do wear lower heeled booties and hem pant as long as possible over, and use column of color combos.
Also oxfords with 1” heel.
I look for lowish but stacked heels and not a ballet flat, for example.

Also I wear slim tapered pants, including warm wool fabrics, full length very slightly scrunched or sitting on the foot, with loafers ( regular flat heel like penny loafers) and matching thin socks or tights. Black- black- black is a FFBO but could get more interesting than that.

RobinF

I am only 5'2" and flats are hard but I can't wear heels either. I like best a small heel, it doesn't look as stumpy on me as a totally flat shoe. However I don't really have an answer for with wide legs pants since I haven't found a flattering way to wear them.

Kate

Active Member

These are all such great ideas! Thank you everyone! I'm looking forward to trying new outfit combinations and maybe picking up some new shoes.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Kate, you can wear Winter weight cropped pants with the right boots, socks and layers. Here's the explanation:

https://youlookfab.com/2017/01.....in-winter/

Category