How can I look good wearing trainers or flat shoes

[Cococo1]

I've had to restrict myself to flat shoes - mostly trainers - because of problems with my Achilles. I've never been a sensible shoe person and need some ideas of how to look good without nice shoes!

I work from home so don't need to be particularly smart but the style that suits me best is fitted, elegant and/or office style. I am mid-40s.

[WhoKn0wsWhereTheMistletoes]

I think it's just something you have to take time to get used to, I ditched heels gradually over the last few years and don't even wear them on smart nights out anymore, it felt weird at first but my body really thanks me for it. I have smart ballet flats (Gabor) for occasional best but they are not supportive enough for everyday, to be honest you just need to hit the shops and look, without being tempted towards the heel section. I have very wide feet so it tends to be Clarks or Pavers for me but I wear boots and sandals most of the time.

[Floowho]

Have you thought about brogues? They can be very basic black or tan, or you can try pastel shades, some have ribbons instead of laces, and they are more supportive because they are laced up. There are some great trainers out there. If you are more comfortable in classic, rather than sporty styles, try Converse. Office is a good place to start in terms of different styles. Loads of flat soled boots about. Embrace your new shoe wardrobe.

[chanie44]

I always feel more casual in flat shoes so I make more effort with hair and make up to compensate. For example, a hair accessory, bright lipstick or patterned tights.

If possible, could you buy some nice flats? I have some sparkly Toms espadrilles and whilst they are casual shoes, I do think they are quite pretty and I wear them with dresses.

[ZaraW]

I wear Kaanas Serengetis they are as comfortable as trainers but look better with skinny jeans.

[CheersMedea]

This is almost impossible! Sorry to hear about your tendon and hope you manage to recover. I'd suggest:

1. If you need to, get your weight down as much as you can. You can only really look elegant in flats if you are thin.

1. Take into account the shape of your feet and legs. If you have wide feet, ballet flats or low cut shoes are absolutely out, as they make your feet look like splatty platters. If you have chunky calves look for shoes with a V-cut or a lower oval cut and avoid shoes that finish higher up the foot as this shortens the leg.

1. Buy the most expensive shoes you can - quality really shows in shoes.

Net a porter and The Outnet both have good quality trainers or flats and the sales are good if you are on a limited budget. Classic Gucci or Todd loafers will usually look elegant.

1. If you want to go cheap, then buy interesting designs that attract the eye and distract from the cheapness! And be utterly ruthless about throwing them out when they start to look worn.

1. Look at getting orthotics custom made which may open up the range of shoes open to you (ie. ones with less or no built in support).

1. Avoid short skirts with bare legs (unless you are in the summer, tanned and have great legs).

7.Try to get flat shoes with a bit of a heel (so a loafer rather than a completely flat driving shoe with no heel -Tods do some with heels as well as the flat no heel driving shoe).

1. As PP says, make sure the rest of your outfit, makeup and hair are great and wear something eye catching on your top half - whether an interesting/brightly coloured top or scarf or statement necklace - to attract the eye.

[BikeRunSki]

I am very much a flat shoe girl, and always have been due to an ankle injury when I was 12. I wear Clark's brogues a lot for work, Blundstone boots for casual and Converse and Birkies in the summer. I have brigues in 3 colours! There are always some beautiful flat shoes at Esska but they don't go big enough for me.

[sophorifichobnob]

A couple of teacher friends (husband and wife) both swear by Dr. Martens.

[Cococo1]

Love some of those Esska shoes. Will have a good browse. Have never owned brogues but maybe I should try it.

I was more asking about what to wear WITH trainers and flats to look good though. apart from skinny denim, which I have. Thinking I need a clothing change to match the new comfy-shoes me. Any ideas?

[Lurkedforever1]

What looks good with them depends on how good your legs are, as well as what styles you suit and choose normally.

[WhoKn0wsWhereTheMistletoes]

I have to disagree about ballet flats and wide feet, they make mine look slimmer thsn any other type of shoe, but it is provided they are properly fitting, narrow ones that have stretched do look bad.

And sorry, misunderstood about you asking what to wear with them. I haven't changed what I wear to be honest but my perceptions have really changed now and I rarely see anyone that I think looks good in heels, flats are just better all round.

[Mincedpie]

I have recently had to do the change to flat shoes due to a foot issue. It's been hard and took a while to find my style again.

I found some great shoe boot type things from Clarks (in the sale at the moment) and they have really opened my wardrobe back up to skirts and dresses, they look funky rather than frumpy...i hope.

I have also started wearing flares with pumps/trainers (snake print from Clarks), they feel smarter and I think look good and a change from skinnies, which just make my feet look massive.

I don't think I will ever stop missing my lovely heels, but I'm getting on with the flats better than I was. I am making more of an effort with the whole outfit, hair etc. Instead of relying on shoes to finish an outfit.

[Petal02]

Pointy flats can look very elegant. I'm following this thread with interest, i wear flats as often as possible, simply because I don't walk/balance well in heels, and generally find its quite workable, unless you're at a dinner dance/black tie do, and then I have to get my heels out.

OP - are you on a complete heels ban, or could you still wear them on special occasions?

[seefeld]

The blog En Brogue has some stylish ideas: enbrogue.com

[Floowho]

Cigarette trousers look fab and ankle grazer jeans.

[Petal02]

PS - I generally think you can "get away with" flats, providing they're stylish flats, and the rest of your outfit/grooming is good. Beware - if you go out looking like you've made no effort, then your flats will make things worse!

[Mincedpie]

I love that blog seefeld thanks

[Petal02]

Ruby - they're great!

[HortonWho]

I bought lovely flats from yoox (online). Always get compliments as you don't see them in high street shops.

[WhoKn0wsWhereTheMistletoes]

I don't even wear them for dinner dance / black tie now, it feels so liberating to be comfortable instead of counting the minutes till I get home and get them off.

[WhoKn0wsWhereTheMistletoes]

Same with weddings, all that standing around is so much better in flats.

[HortonWho]

search for flats on sale its low price first so skip the sandals and sneakers on first few pages

[ItchyArmpits]

I've stuck to flats for a few years now, watching this thread with great interest!!!

I'm 5'8" and sporty so I tend to wear trousers that fall right to the top of the shoe - I've tried on ankle-length and capri type trousers but with flats they made me look so stumpy

With skirts I'd go for ballet flats or some other shoe where the front of the shoe is low-cut, in the desperate hope that this will have a similar leg-lengthening effect to heels. I have no proof it works.

The trouble with ballet flats is keeping your feet warm...

[Cococo1]

I could probably wear heels occasionally - but mostly I need supportive (yawn) comfy shoes - have been wearing trainers for past month and my ankles are feeling so much better.

Cigarette pants are good for me. Haven't thought about flares ... Not sure I can carry them off but am going to have to broaden my horizons. Just saw myself in jeans and trainers today and thought I looked very frumpy. I think it's because I'm cold - ankle skimming and trainers look fine but unrolled skinny jeans and trainers look pretty crap. I would love to find a flat that is comfy and goes with dressed...

[Cococo1]

Dresses!

And thanks for all the comments. Am reading that blog.