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What is it about flats?

Momo

Veteran

For some reason I never feel my best on flats .. Even though my back appreciates them ( well I can't do completely flat all have a slight wedge heel).
Today I started wearing this outfit with flats and felt just dumpy , frumpy.
Is there a huge difference between pic 1 and 2? Or is it in my mind ?
3 is what I wore yesterday . Also flats and 4 are my purple nails for prince

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39 replies

Latest reply was from deb

Janet

(website)

Veteran

No, I understand what you mean. Maybe a different type of flat would feel more like you. I got rid of anything resembling a ballet flat a few years ago because I felt the same way you did. Instead, I would try oxfords, loafers, or slip-on sneakers. You look great, and I like how #2 looks over 1 also. Nice purple nails!

Chris987

Veteran

I feel it too. It might be the shape of the flats. Ditto Janet on moving away from the ballet flat, for the same reasons and ditto on the alternatives. I also find that I can more easily handle a bit of a heel if the shoe has more structure wrapped around the rest of my foot like your #2.

#2 looks great, love that topper!

BrieN

Veteran

I've made myself some rules about ballet flats - I can't wear them with cuffed pants and the pant length has to be short enough to show a lot of ankle. And even then I look in the mirror with certain outfits and I think yikes I would look much better with a more substantial shoe. I'm wondering if I will like a more pointed toe. I'm not ready to give these up yet....

Helena

Veteran

You don't look a bit frumpy, BUT I do get what you are saying ... I wore some sort of heels exclusively (for real - even for a full day of walking and golf lessons!) up until my first baby was born. It was a long time before flats felt right.

What about a pointier flat? Those might feel a bit sharper?

Love you nails!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I was just popping back in to suggest a pointy-toed flat.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I know what you mean. For some reason, I *need* flats for my feet to be happy.

I actually quite like #1. I would happily wear that outfit. But from what I can tell, you like 'cooler' or edgier shoes, so the problem may be ballet flats....not flats per se. Maybe you should try loafers, ankle strap sandals and slip on sneakers instead.

Mochi

Veteran

The second pic definitely has the coolest shoes, imho. That is not to say there's anything wrong with the flats. They don't have the heightened coolness factor. I think they're crisp and classic, which is why I shy away from them myself despite knowing how well other forum members wear them.

Anonymous

You look good, but I wonder if you feel the same as I do - never quite put together in flats, or if the proportion is off. Like the feet need some volume or interest to match the outfit.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

I'm all about the pointy toed flat. It's up the game from a round toed ballet slipper.

lyn67

Veteran

Now, simple ballet flats use to have very thin soles and so they cannot add too much structure or any better visuals to adult legs/body. I do feel the same, but they can look much better if having a small wedge or a thicker flatform sole. Love your outfits here, including shoes!

Joy

Veteran

I have no choice but to wear flats. Try the pointy toe and ankle strap styles. I also like the D'Orsay style. The ones in the second photo look most stylish.

You might try mules as they are trending, if they stay on your feet.

Flats also feel more stylish in a material or finish that is fashionable..floral, a bright color, calf hair, color blocking

shiny

Veteran

I prefer #1 to #2 so I'm going to suggest this is all psychological!

I suffer from the same psychological malady. I always feel less frumpy-dumpy in heels.

RobinF

Veteran

I don't mind ballet flats but I do like #2 over #1. I think it is like Brie said, I need to show more leg with ballet flats. I am not sure why, it just seems to look better.

BlondeAmbition

I don't think you look frumpy but I know exactly what you mean about flats. I dare not wear ballet flats because even if everyone in the world thinks they're cute I myself feel frumpy dumpy and to my eye they don't look good. Also I teach elementary school and all my little students wear ballet flats so of course it looks a little junior to my eye.

That's why I was so happy to find loafers and started otherwise experimenting with higher vamps.

Anonymous

I feel the same way in ballet flats. But I put on my d'Orsay pointed-toe flats,and I'm totally happy. Something about that pointed toe, I guess.

Diana

Veteran

You look great in both, but I agree that it might be more of the shape/style than the heel height per se. The shoes in the second photo are harder and edgier, and more structured, whereas the ballet flats are more delicate and sweet. Maybe try something like an Oxford or more structured loafer? Or a pointy or studded ballerina if you prefer the low camped styles.

Beth Ann

Veteran

You've gotten lots of great suggestions for different styles of flats -- all excellent ideas! I wanted to add that the length of your cardi (love the print) is on the longish side, and I think the proportions are a bit better with the wedge sandals because of that. Your ballet flats might work best with a slightly shorter topper. There are quiet a number of lower blocked heels this year, and flatforms, too, which are a great choice for Summer!

Jules

Veteran

I think it is worth trying another roll on #1, just a little bit more ankle showing might help (or if the roll is too chunky at that point, a different pair of pants worn just a bit shorter).
I like #3.
My current pair of "flats" has a tiny hidden wedge heel and a pointy toe, these details help. I can't wear most non-wedge heels so I'm always looking for other options, but find it ironic that many flats have such a thin sole and offer so little support. You are basically walking flat on the ground, and the shoes take a real beating if you walk in the city at all, they seem ironically better suited to a driving lifestyle!!!

L'Abeille

Veteran

I like the flats in 1 but not in 3. For my own outfits, my eye likes to see a certain distance (or amount of bare skin) between the pant hem and the top of the shoe. I don't have a formula like Angie, I just know it when I see it, so I experiment with shoes with different vamps (ballet flats, slipper flats, loafers, oxfords...), as well as sometimes with cuffing or rolling the pants, till I like what I see. Heels aren't really going to happen in my daily life, so that isn't really an option: I have them, and they look good with pants, but they won't make it out the door on me.

For your outfits, #1 seems closest to my sweet spot, although I might like it better if the pants were skinnier towards the ankle (kind of an Audrey vibe). In #2 I would roll or cuff the pants or wear shorter ones with those high vamped sandals. Looking more closely at #3: sometimes I will wear a ballet flat with a really long slim pant like that, although usually with some interest, like my leopard flats with my red skinny jeans. I guess I usually look for some edge in the outfit somewhere, so if the flats are "sweet" the rest can't be.

Anonymous

Hmmm. I actually preferred the flats rather than the sandals.
I guess it's just how you feel in them and how it suits your style.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I tend to feel better in heels because they add more visual weight to my lower half, and also they make my physically a few inches taller (always a bonus when you're petite!), but that doesn't mean that flats never work. You've got lots of good suggestions here. Pointy toe ballet flats somehow seem more sophisticated than round-toe ones; flat oxfords are all kinds of cool, but you need to get the length of the pants and topper right (shorter cardi/not much space between pants hem and shoe); flat sandals can often be fab because they show more skin.

One other thing about heels that no one has mentioned: they tend to make your legs look more toned, and your posture more feminine. I don't know why no one ever talks about this, but it's why men like heels so much.

Laurie

Veteran

Totally with you on the feeling in flats, but with my recent 2nd hip replacement, I've had to resort to my small collection of flats. I've added a few pairs of Sofft brand sandals as well. I need at least a small wedge to lift my heel, otherwise I have a strange feeling that my heels are lower than my toes!

For those who still love ballet flats, a few years ago I read a NYT style/fashion section article where they list everything that the person being interviewed is wearing. This woman was in love with JCrew ballet slippers because they have a hidden 1/2" wedge built it. Only ballet flat I've ever been able to wear.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think you look great in #1 - and personally, I LOVE my flats. Wear them all the time. Perhaps though, you need black flats that are chunkier and with a more substantial heel, like a chunky oxford or loafer.

kkards

Veteran

agreeing with the others who have suggested trying a different style flat. and seconding Jules suggestion re: another roll or shorter pants.

Sara L.

Veteran

I know how you feel. I have to be very careful of the rest of my outfit when wearing flats or I feel short and dumpy. I still wear ballet flats but I also try to find more trendy/funky flats to avoid the frumpy feeling.

Anonymous

Hmmm. I stopped wearing heels a couple of years ago. I have come to love my wardrobe of flat shoes. Perhaps it just takes some experimentation?

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

You look good here, though I will admit to liking to add a bit of height to my outfits.

I often notice people wearing ballet flats that don't have much of a sole and they are standing with their ankles rolled out or in.

Anonymous

You might find this article helpful.

http://www.whowhatwear.com/bes.....-1?ps=home

catgirl

Veteran

I also have started to love flats - but they can't be delicate or girly, like ballet flats or MJs. Those make me feel stumpy or like I have hooves for feet.

I LOVE my slip on oxfords, loafers, sneakers and chunkier flats though! I think a platform flat is the best of both worlds, actually. See below for examples, although I only own the Converse and the Halogen flats (yes, those are girly but the studs rough them up a little).

Halogen 'Olson' Pointy Toe Studded Leather T-Strap Flats (Women)

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Rachel Zoe 'Chandler' Pointy Toe Leather Sneaker (Women)

$225.00 $134.97

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2

Swear Vienetta 18 Kiltie Flat Shoes

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Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Sneaker (Women)

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5

12