Suddenly got my eye on ballet flats..

[LouraLoura]

Not sure why, but I used to love wearing them with ankle jeans and a sloppy top.

Sadly they often hurt my feet. If I take the plunge and look for some, what would you recommend? I used to buy cheap ones so maybe that is why they hurt? Would soft leather be better?

I would imagine MN still thinks they're dated but I don't care! Then again I don't want to pay much for shoes I would only do short distance in.

I like them styled like this

lol sorry bad picture, try again!

Primark. Most comfy ballet flats ever

Requins - I love mine

That a really nice look OP. Following. I’ve never worn ballet flats.

ooh, primark.......and they don't hurt?

Dorothy perkins! They're the comfiest flats I own, I have them in black and navy. They're soft fabric so you don't get that initial soreness on the heel 🙌

Mine hurt my feet in the long term unfortunately. I think its how I need to scrunch toes to hold them on.

I had a pair of gold leather flats from Primark, kids size 2, £1 - Lasted me ten years!

Sorry OP but if ballet flats aren’t suited to your feet (especially if you have high arches) then they will hurt and eventually give you plantar fasciitis whether they are Chanel or Primark.

Speaking as a plantar fasciitis sufferer.

Don't do it!!!!!

This. It makes my feet ache just thinking about it!

will bear this in mind, they did hurt my arches a bit. Oh bugger.
Been wearing trainers and Birks for so long i have probably forgotten how painful many other shoes are :(

I dislike the shoes in the pic but that’s because I prefer low vamp shoes (whatever the style). Designer flats are worth splashing out on if comfortable, the shapes and styling are much more chic and timeless.

www.prettyballerinas.co.uk/120191-rosario.html

Pretty Ballerina have beautiful shoes. They are comfortable and very hard wearing.

How about loafers as an alternative?

Nothing wrong with that look, I've often paired a pair of flats with jeans, I also love the Khussa Punjabi style shoes with jeans too

I'm now under an NHS podiatrist and she said you should never wear flat shoes, they should always have some sort of heel. Otherwise they bring on all sorts of problems.

I really like the look of sloafers but not sure I can justify the cost in case they fit horrendously.

No, don't wear ballet flats. Seriously, I wore super flat shoes for years (doing lots of walking) and am now suffering the consequences. They are no better for you than wearing vertiginous heels every day for years on end.

I agree. Wearing ballet flats gave me years of excruciating pain in both feet.
Get yourself some Clark’s instead.

Birkenstocks do a ballet flat style shoe. Called Tracy comfy and supportive.

Agree with what others have said. They wreck your feet. I used to wear ballet flats all the time and I'm now suffering the consequences with all sorts of foot pain. If you really want to wear ballet flats, check out Vionic. They have really supportive orthotic insoles.

Ballet flats can be comfortable if you have naturally flat feet but if you have high arches then they are absolute murder and will store up all sorts of long-term problems. If you’re really determined you could find some which can accommodate an orthotic with arch support.

These are the only ballet style pumps I can wear now for any length of time. Bit sturdier than the usual ballet pumps and better support for your arches. They have some in different colours almost half price in the sale

www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/allegro-soft-leather-ballet-pumps-p-Q74

@Becclescake - they are lush - where do you buy them from?