No ballet shoes here please!

[niminypiminy]

Is there anyone else who doesn't like ballet shoes? I find them uncomfortable and unflattering, you can't wear socks with them so have to have bare feet and the thin soles don't insulate against cold pavements (brr!), they look hideous if you've got big calves... there may be more reasons why I don't like them but these'll do for now.

Luckily I'm not in the market for shoes at the moment as I'm liking my clogs. But there must be other kinds of flat shoes that aren't the dreaded ballet shoes. Surely?

hate hate hate them too!!!

I feel like a school kid in them!

I find them so uncomfortable, and am on an eternal quest for attractive flat shoes that are actually wearable. Am sticking to my Converse until I find them.

Any suggestions much appreciated here too.

Yeah, me too. Hard to keep on, rub, cold, soles are too thin for walking much. Admittedly I haven't worn any for years, so maybe they've improved! I keep seeing them mentioned in threads for Spring shoes, but I'm still in boots and will remain so till it's many degrees warmer.

Of course, years of wearing mainly boots have probably softened my feet, maybe I need to toughen them up .

incredibly unflattering and heelrubbing, just cannot do any pumps

ooops meant uncomfortable NOT unflattering!

I'm not a fan- they look great on other people but not on me. They're a little bit meh.

I like loafers and brogues.

And court shoes. But they're not flat.

Am quite liking platforms at the moment.

I thought that until this week when I have actually founda comfy pair that don't rub and stay on well. I'm converted.

Me too....but what to buy instead!!!! Not a fan of clogs and converse are a bit too casual .....fab but not everyday...

gladiator sandals made from soft leather. i can wear mine all day, and usually i get hideous blisters within moments of putting on a pair of shoes.

Bit what if your feet are a bit chilly but not cold enough for boots?

I like them but it really depends where they come, super-bargainous cheap ones have no cushioning when you walk so they are very uncomfortable

I like brogues as another flat alternative

I agree with most of the sentiments on here, but these are comfy, well made and last forever.

I'm liking brogues at the moment. I'd like to like loafers, but they're just too preppy for me. But something with a lace and a bit of structure to it seems more grownup and less little-girly than ballet shoes. I mean, I never even did ballet as a child, and I just can't work that look now I'm 48! I can't do anything very feminine either (no frills, no fluted diaphanous fabrics, no lace) and to me even if they weren't bloody uncomfortable ballet shoes just go with that feminine look.

I've always lamented the fact that I've got very narrow feet, especially my heel is very narrow, so ballets just don't stay on my feet. Sounds like I'm not missing much though, makes me feel a bit better. .....
kickassangel I'm on a hunt for the perfect gladiator sandal right now....any hints where to look? Have seen some real plasticky ones that look like they'll rub in all the wrong places, where did you get your leather ones?