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.

I have to disagree about ballet flats and wide feet, they make mine look slimmer thsn any other type of shoe

Ummm......I find this hard to believe. I have wide feet and ballet flats make my feet look even wider as if the shoes can't contain my feet so my feet spill over. When I people watch, it is one of the things I notice about other people as well.

Ballet shoes need slim narrow feet.

I think it's about proportions. Heels make legs look elongated so a midi or knee length skirt will work with heels, but quite hard to make those lengths stylish with flats (I certainly can't). I find a shorter skirt or dress (with tights) work best with flats for me.

Similarly a higher waisted trouser or skirt will work better with flats than a low waisted one, unless you're going going for the slouchy boyfriend jean+ converse look.

Yes yes to ankle grazers with flats, however really not practical for this weather! I see women walking around with ankle skinnies and Nikes and look great, I just think my ankles would get too cold!

You're so right - shorter skirt would look a lot better. I am going to try that with my black trainers.

I'm just naturally inclined towards a more fitted slightly formal look so trainers are taking me into a whole new world.

Another one who has ditched heels - life's too short to be in pain

Slouchy/wide legged trousers look great with Stan smith type trainers

Flat ankle boots with cigarette / tapered trousers

Flat knee high suede boots with skinnies and/or skirts (shorter) - mine are from Gabor and are like slippers

Superga more stylish than converse IMVHO and wider fitting if that's an issue

I've found that the more standard boots made by Ugg are the most comfortable thing ever. I have ankle boots you can't tell are Uggs that I wear with fitted trousers or a short dress for work. They are so ludicrously comfortable, even more so than trainers. They're not the smartest boots I own but may be a good halfway house.

WhoKn0wsWhereTheMistletoes

CheersMedea - your initial comment that "this is almost impossible" when it really isn't tells me I'm not the deluded one here.

Aw! Make yourself feel better! I was obviously being light hearted. But it is basically true that the women who look most elegant in flat shoes are tall, thin models.

Locki
Ballet shoes need slim narrow feet.

Quite. I agree. Even leather ones don't have the support that holds in foot. They aren't slimming to the feet. Wide feet in ballet shoes are objectively ugly.

You don't want shoes that hold in the foot. That way lie bunions. Lots and lots of bunions.

You don't want shoes that hold in the foot. That way lie bunions. Lots and lots of bunions

That's for pointed shoes that compress the toes. I'm talking about overall foot support - support is probably a better word than holds in. But some kind of structure - not ballet flats that even in leather have no support.

I hurt my foot a while ago and had to move to flats. I can wear heels now but actually love the freedom of flats - I'd never thought of heels as restrictive until I stopped wearing them. Anyway, I find winter a bit more difficult because blue ankles isn't a good look but I still really like brogue type shoes with shorter dresses. I also think what changes is the proportions, so it might be worth trying different shaped skirts as well as just different lengths.

I have to wear flat shoes due to a disability that I have. I used to buy shoes because I liked them from places like New Look, Primark etc, but I don't anymore because they were killing my feet and hurting my back. I get most of my shoes in Clarks, Dune and Next now. Next ballet flats are surprisingly good and have a cushioned sole. I don't wear them in the Winter, though.

I think I probably have the same shoe boots as MincedPie. I bought them as soon as they came out and have worn them so much. Clarks shoes are brilliant because of the cushioning and they often have discount codes. I've got these loafers that I wear with thick tights and dreeses, just above my knee, or cigarette pants with a fancy or plain pop sock, you don't need to have cold ankles. I like Dune's brogues.

If I've got my skinny jeans on, which is rare because they hurt me, I usually wear my Uggs, I've got a 'normal' pair and a biker pair. In the Spring and Summer I wear Converse or ballet pumps.

I keep an eye on the sales and if I see a pair of shoes I know I will wear I buy them. I've got 3 pairs in my wardrobe from Clarks for the Spring/Summer that haven't been on my feet yet, but they were a bargain!

Which Ugg boots do you have mystery I bought the biker ones but they looked frumpy on me so took them back (reluctantly as they were so comfortable!)

I'm going to Clarkes later in the week, and Dune.

Fair enough, Cheers. I'm probably bitter about my HH wedge-shaped feet that would laugh in the face of a ballet flat if I tried to force gently encourage them in there

I love the slouchy trousers and tennis shoe look higge but I think you need longish legs to make it work.

I've got Ugg Gershwins Cococo. I got them when they were £69 on [http://www.shoeaholics.com shoeaholics]]. They've often got discounted Uggs, and other brands, on there. They are genuine, too.

I'll try them next time I'm in our shopping centre- the ones I tried were shorter (Grundle or something).

I have very narrow feet and often ballet shoes fall off, sob.

I have tricky feet and only really wear flat shoes . I live in smart converse or uggs . I think converse can look smart with dark jeans and a smart coat . I find ballet shoes very unsupportive and also I have little feet and quite a big bum so I feel silly .

I wear kswiss sneakers.They are comfortable as shoes and look good with skinny jeans or even a dress.

I have a variety of flats I wear with different outfits, smart patent pointy slip on brogues with slim trousers or some smart casual dresses at work, bright red pointy flats similarly. I wear Nike trainers with rolled up jeans at weekends, have flat grey suede ankle boots (well fitted) with some outfits. Basically a range. I do wear heels too but think flats can look good if you're well groomed otherwise, rather than looking like you just can't be bothered, which I'm sure you don't.