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Original poster

Can you be glam in flats?

81 replies

fashionSOS · 03/10/2021 18:27

Is there such a thing as a pair of comfy shoes that also look dressy and not like something you'd wear to work/going to the shops? Because I can't find anything online.

I would have worn nice heels in the old world, but honestly, after working from home for so long, I don't think I have the stamina to wear heels all night to a posh do, and I can't be faffed with bringing rolled up flats to change into when I could just wear one pair of shoes from the start.

Would love some inspiration, please!

OP posts:
CaramelWaferAndTea · 05/10/2021 09:13

I am 5’10”
I love french sole. Comfy and beautiful.

MaryLennoxsScowl · 05/10/2021 09:16

If you like the lace ones, ASOS do them:
www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-lesley-pointed-ballet-flats-in-gold-metallic/prd/23621639?colourwayid=60498143&SearchQuery=gold+flat+shoes
A different style: www.asos.com/river-island/river-island-wide-fit-snake-caged-lace-up-sandal-in-gold/prd/14906347?colourwayid=16653669&SearchQuery=gold+flat+shoes
There just doesn’t seem to be that much out there at the moment though - everything is loafers or trainers.

bridgeofslides · 05/10/2021 09:21

@fashionSOS

What about something like this? I'm not sure if I like them, or if they're even formal enough.

www.charleskeith.co.uk/gb/shoes/SL1-70920005_BLACK.html

I also have no idea what that brand is like!

These are glam and also very grown up
Original poster
fashionSOS · 05/10/2021 09:22

@taybert

There are many, many “totally abhorrent” things in the world. Wishing the replicate the same sort of glamour conveyed by high heels, (whether that’s a tool of the patriarchy or not) really isn’t one of them.

I think the dress needs to be floor length then most of the flats mentioned here will work. This sort of thing: www.johnlewis.com/little-mistress-ruffled-maxi-dress-navy/p5759597?sku=240299098&size=6&s_ppc=2dx92700066482879438&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1w7fLP9KdvCnThSJ1ac9L7MM&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1w7fLP9KdvCnThSJ1ac9L7MM&gclid=CjwKCAjwzOqKBhAWEiwArQGwaHyA8H_GBhjIu9mW6hMsSeL-Pzeb3--jzJ84d9phD1mwWR5Att1y6xoCGssQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds but it would probably need to be shortened. If you’re ever so slightly on the shorter end of the normal distribution it really is worth finding someone who does alterations locally to you. It increases your options for this sort of thing a lot.

I do really like that dress, but I think I'm too booby and short for it to work on me.

Back to the drawing board...

Do you think I could get away with a below the knee a line type dress (with a straight hemline rather than the hemline that @NalPolishRemover didn't like)?

I'll have a look for a local seamstress, because if I go long, I'm fairly sure I'll be sweeping the floor, even with the tallest of heels (that I don't want to wear). I'm also worried I'm going to look even shorter in a long dress with flats...

OP posts:
bridgeofslides · 05/10/2021 09:25

I think lots of the suggested shoes here are very glamourus indeed. My god the Sophia Webster ones!!!
I think flat can look more glam that heels as I think it takes a different level of confidence not to default to heels.

Blossomtoes · 05/10/2021 09:32

I'm also worried I'm going to look even shorter in a long dress with flats...

You won’t. Nobody will notice your feet if you wear a long dress. I’m two inches shorter than you and have been wearing flat shoes for black tie occasions for years. I don’t even look at full length dresses, most midi lengths are ballerina or ankle length on me and the shops are full of them.

The Asos lace shoes above punch well above their weight price wise.

Original poster
fashionSOS · 05/10/2021 09:40

@Blossomtoes

I'm also worried I'm going to look even shorter in a long dress with flats...

You won’t. Nobody will notice your feet if you wear a long dress. I’m two inches shorter than you and have been wearing flat shoes for black tie occasions for years. I don’t even look at full length dresses, most midi lengths are ballerina or ankle length on me and the shops are full of them.

The Asos lace shoes above punch well above their weight price wise.

I might buy the ASOS shoes whilst they're in stock - I mean, they'll come in at some point even if I don't wear them to this event. The Charles and Keith shoes are growing on me, but it's up to 10 working days for delivery, and that makes me nervous.
OP posts:
LaChatte · 05/10/2021 09:50

Have you looked at Hush Puppies, they do some low heels that are as comfortable as flats (yes really)?

OP posts:
Original poster
fashionSOS · 05/10/2021 09:55

@LaChatte

Have you looked at Hush Puppies, they do some low heels that are as comfortable as flats (yes really)?
I am doubtful, but will look! :)
OP posts:
taybert · 05/10/2021 10:26

I dunno, I don’t mind looking short, I am short after all! I don’t think a longer dress makes me look shorter, but I do think different length hemlines can be unflattering on shorter legs if they hit at the wrong spot if you see what I mean? It’s not necessarily that they make you look shorter, just that the dress doesn’t look how it’s supposed to. It’s common for brides and bridesmaids to wear flats with a long dress for example.

Some of those shoes are lovely and a “cocktail” length knee or very slightly below could work with them I think. I just wouldn’t go for anything longer than that unless it’s full length.

PaulHollywoodsLowHangingFruit · 05/10/2021 12:15

these

Blue Velvet has lots of low heel but dressy shoes.

FinallyHere · 05/10/2021 12:24

Oh, if only I could sew and take hems up...

@fashionSOS

All your Christmasses in one go

https://www.instructables.com/howto/Wonderweb/

https://blog.treasurie.com/how-to-use-hemming-tape/

Plenty of videos, too, once you know to search for wonderweb.

Coffeepot72 · 05/10/2021 19:55

Chunky/block heels are useful, you’re still wearing heels but can actually walk!

Original poster
fashionSOS · 05/10/2021 20:15

[quote taybert]images.app.goo.gl/ByskL7uuB7XyBF997
images.app.goo.gl/ByskL7uuB7XyBF997[/quote]
To be fair, Alexa Chung could wear pretty much anything and get away with it.

I don't think the shoes or dress are particularly glam in isolation, but overall, she looks really good in that photo. That's what I'd like - a shorter dress that doesn't swamp me and flats that mean I'm not in pain all night!

Why does she still look good in that photo whilst not massively uncomfortable? Is it the hair and makeup...? I was going to leave my hair down, but I could do an updo like hers. Especially if it helped 'compensate' for the lack of flats.

OP posts:
Original poster
fashionSOS · 05/10/2021 20:56

@PrincessNutNuts

It's probably something intangible like confidence or attitude.

I've had these in mind for anything dressy.

[[https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/888741230/green-velvet-shoes-velvet-mules-shoes?gbraid=0AAAAADutTMcBoCfr1o4qTlznoFW89S]]00&gpla=1&gao=1&&utmsource=google&utmmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=shoppinggukenngba-shoes-other&utmmcustom1=kkEAIaIQobChMIlZWPrYK08wIVx4XVCh0kIwgpEAQYDyABEgJhnfDBwEEk&utmmcontent=go1260417426111206304537405087732524000aud-1183050945736:pla-295487185414m888741230engbb169507159&utmcustom2=12604174261&gbraid=0AAAAADutTMcBoCfr1o4qTlznoFW89SS0&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlZWPrYK08wIVx4XVCh0kIwgpEAQYDyABEgJhnfDD_BwE

I like those shoes.

I think you're probably right with it being something intangible.

New plan. Wear a line knee length dress and flats like Alexa Chung, and get drunk enough to not care that people are judging me. Grin

(I'm only half-joking.)

OP posts:
PrincessNutNuts · 05/10/2021 21:04

That is a very good plan.

Fourmagpies · 05/10/2021 21:16

I love Rogue Matilda for flats but they may be too quirky for your brief:
roguematilda.com/collections/slip-ons
I actually find flats too flat usually and need something with a bit of a raised heel or arch support.

DagenhamRoundhouse · 06/10/2021 17:28

When I saw that heading I thought it meant flats as opposed to houses! I was puzzled.

TiredThursday · 06/10/2021 18:50

@BrilliantBulb

You can look expensive in flats: the backless Gucci pricetowns for example. But it’s hard to replicate that heeled look without heels.

Would mules work? There are some glam but marmite Kurt Geiger bejewelled lobster ones. (But the secret leopard cheapie print lover inside of me likes these)

Oh I wish they had those leopard print ones in my size - love them!