on the flat

When I work from my base office, like many Americans living outside cities with public transit, I drive to my office and have only a short walk. I wear heels whenever I feel like it. When I’m away from my office, things are more challenging. I may have a subway ride and a considerable walk to get where I’m going. I may unexpectedly have to go out for lunch or dinner – and my male colleagues are quite happy to stride off to a restaurant that’s a fifteen minute walk away. Staggering on heels when my feet have reached their limit doesn’t look the part at all, so like many women, I apply the tactic of a flat shoe and change into heels when convenient.

This is all very well, but in hot locations, I don’t want to wear hose / tights, so I’m on a constant mission for flats that I can wear, and walk in for around a mile, without getting a blister. Over the years, many have been purchased and fallen short of this goal. Let’s see the Q4 AW12 crop.

Here’s an example outfit for a day when I’m feeling ladylike, and the shoe switcheroo.

Left
Floral dress – Karen Millen – SS11
Tulipbow black crystal snake effect flat – Stuart Weitzman – AW12

Right
Floral dress – Karen Millen – SS11
Black shrunken tuxedo jacket – McQ – many seasons ago
Pansy metal buttonhole – Lanvin – AW12
Suede heels – Miu Miu – AW12

When Karen Millen first opened up, there were often interesting clothes that would work for the office. Of late, it has become a bit “footballer’s wives” for my taste – too much satin and random embellishment. But they do cut a dress well for a curvy figure and I fell in love with this floral print with the origami folds at the neckline. This may be a bit form-fitting for some workplaces, but for mine it is fine. The high neckline and the below-the-knee length help to offset the snug fit, and a cardigan or jacket over the top takes the edge off even further if necessary. There is a healthy trade in Karen Millen on ebay, especially the UK site (there’s at least one listed at the time of writing), so you may still be able to find one of these, but be warned that they run small. If you’re often between two sizes, go for the larger size.

So the left picture is perfectly acceptable but frankly if I was spending all day in these shoes, I would go for a different outfit to offset the on-your-heels feeling I get from the flats. On the right, with the addition of heels and a jacket, it’s a more complete ensemble. The pin is a Lanvin buttonhole, previously featured here.

Here’s a closer look at the shoes. I’ve been wearing these around the house to break them in and am optimistic of meeting the no-blister target. I liked these because the snake-effect patent made it feel a bit more dressy. I also like the extended tassel on the bows – they make them a bit more substantial than the little bows you often get on a ballet flat, which I find to be essentially pointless – I’d rather have a plain toe than those finicky little bows. These shoes are US$235.

Tulipbow black crystal snake effect flat – Stuart Weitzman – AW12

I also bought in to the smoking slipper trend. I like these because the shine on the pony-hair makes them a bit more luxurious than the suede and velvet ones that are everywhere. I have been wearing these a lot and they definitely pass the test. They are also androgynous enough to work with trousers as well as a skirt/dress, which is a boon for packing. They are available in other colours including leopard, mid blue, and dark brown pony-hair and light blue metallic leather. They are US$375.

Bernice black pony-hair flat slipper - Barney’s Co-op – AW12

The third pair are Stuart Weitzman again. These are a very wearable neutral and the black details around the foot and across the toe make it a little bit more sharp. Since the edge binding is a kind of grosgrain and not leather, it’s very forgiving on the feet. More testing is needed but I think these will be a winner. These are also available in other colours including all black and bronze with grey trim. They are US$255.

Giveable pale pink nappa flat – Stuart Weitzman – AW12