Ballet flats, yes or no?

[Shooop]

I think of ballet flats as timeless. However, on wearing a new simple black pair, my husband said I looked like a Tory councillor.

For more context, I am 50. I think I was wearing a simple black dress. My style is quite minimalist tbh. Sadly, my shoe choices are a bit limited these days because of foot pain, happy days.

I KNOW it’s up to me/ all of us what we wear but Im intrigued. …stylish women of S&B, what’s your view on ballet pumps atm? Are they in or out atm? Do you like them? Only with trousers? Or not at all?

Oh and bonus question: if anyone can suggest any cool shoes that work for someone with foot problems (Morton’s neuroma!) then I’d be v grateful.

That's one of the ugliest shoes I've seen on here- and there's stiff competition for that crown.

I can’t stand ballet flats. They are so frumpy and unflattering.

Maybe pointed toe Mary-James with a strap, but that would require a really chic outfit.

are you always this rude, or simply socially stunted?

Well you must be very sensitive if that bothers you. There are comments on here all the time about how hideous/ ugly etc clothes are.

Those shoes are very ugly.

I dont wear ballet flats and never have, even in the noughties when everyone else was. They don't suit me and I find them very uncomfortable.

I find them horribly uncomfortable and they're bad for your feet in the long run.

There are comments on here all the time about how hideous/ ugly etc clothes are.

Yes, but most of them are rude and necessary, and don’t do anything to help the OP. In this case, for example, it would have been helpful to propose an affordable alternative that would be suitable for a 50 year-old woman with foot problems.

Simply slagging off people’s suggestions is rather tedious. Anyone can do that. It takes a bit more imagination to come up with something constructive.

@Shooop I see your Tory councillor and raise you a Theresa May.
I have a pair of (I believe to be!) lovely kind of flat loafers in leopard print, hairy fabric - god they sound gross now I spell it out - and the first thing someone said to me was that they looked like Theresa May shoes!
I resisted the urge to burn them then and there as I do love them, but can't quite shake the comment....

Trayslounge on Instagram wears nice shoes (generally wears nice clothes!). For inspo.

instagram.com/trayslounge?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Theresa May before she became PM was an adventurous and often stylish dresser.

@Gherkingreen hahaha. Tho TM did have a certain style, as Natasha says.

And thanks so much everyone.

A bit more context.

Since some of you asked, H is very good at art and design, it’s what he does for a living. I asked for his opinion much like Im asking you 😁. I do ignore him when I don’t agree with him.

But this time, I thought maybe he had a point. (and I do have thin legs, so it’s not that the flats don’t necessarily “balance” me)

I laughed at the comment about Alexa Chung 15 years ago. I too always thought I was quite cool. But Tbh something odd happened to me about 15-20 years ago. Time sped up. And to me, it feels now like no time has passed since about 2005.

I tend to wear trainers all the time, so I’m really grateful for these shoe suggestions! Comfy shoes that look good is what I’m after. Yeah, I’ll embrace it, it’s not 2005 and I’m 50 😎

sturlini are now the only shoes I wear. Extreme comfort and very classy. Ballet flats, haven’t worn since I was in my teens. I remember them basically disintegrating in the rain!

If it helps ease the tension here folks I couldn't give a f**k what a stranger on here thinks about a shoe I didn't make, don't own and wouldn't buy. I (heroically) stand by sharing it as I - just me, just my opinion - think it's WAY better style-wise and support wise than a ballet flat. Besides, per my original point, all the designers/brands you listed as making ballet flats - shoes I think are absolute monstrosities - also do a loafer. It's just personal taste innit?

No need to get stress, I found the stiff competition comment funny.

On the subject of ugly shoes....check out these bad boys. I'm sure they offer excellent foot support....😂

Those are awesomely awful.

Your right about loafers being a staple too - so comments about loafers or ballet flats being "on trend" or "dated" (often both are both on the same thread) are generally pointless.

I'd love to wear ballet flats but they make me look tubby - I am not long legged. I need a bit of a heel for a bit of height plus I find flat shoes painful to wear.
Pretty Ballerinas and French Sole do beautiful ballet flats with a bit of a heel but they are beyond my budget.

I love them, I find them comfortable, great for this season, especially when it's too rainy for sandals.

I've been loving ballet flats ever since they were in last time around so I'm back in fashion! I've found that a very very small heel in a contrasting colour looks much better than single colour and a slight pattern looks better than flat colour. So all navy = not flattering, tiny navy stripe on white with cream sole and slight heel = flattering.

For brands I recommend Lilley for budget buys and Pavers for smarter stuff.

Ballet flats have been out for so long that they’re back in. Still only at Vogue staff level, but they’re in.

I have the Fitflop ones and they are like trainers, so comfy. Also have a loop at the back to put laces/ribbon/a strap through.

FWIW, I love a good ugly shoe argument. It’s the main reason I post here.

Can't stand them.

They make long slim legs look like twigs and make short legs look fat.

Pointed, round, square toed - all of them hideous.

DH wears Allbirds shoes & they are great for him. Have you tried Geox - their flat ballet style shoes are comfortable and more supportive and actually I think quite good looking .

Definitely not ballets for a neuroma. That’s the worst footwear.

I had to see the physio this week because of some pain in my achilles and under my big toe. I had my usual ballet flats on with an additional cushion insole for comfort.

He in turn recommended that I wear supportive trainers with arch support if I was walking a lot (I mentioned we were away soon and would be doing a lot of sight seeing). He said my flats were ok if I was just going to a bar for instance, but did recommend that I put an insole with arch support in. In future, he recommended that I got for a ballet flat with a slight heel, that felt more substantial rather than the cheap and cheerful (Primark) ones I usually go for, and that have arch support or have room to put an arch support insole in.

I have lived in ballet flats for years - they are my Go To during summer months - but I think I am going to have to ditch the cheap ones and go for something better. I've got a pair of Anne Klein ones that I bought in TK Maxx years ago and which are definitely more like what the physio was suggesting I get. I keep getting adverts on my FB for Vivaia (?). Has anyone tried them at all?

I like wearing ballet flats occasionally, but not if I’m walking any distance as they’re certainly not good for your feet in my experience.

Love, love, love them!
I have a battered old pair of Chanel pumps (preloved) and I have worn them for years. They’ve held up beautifully and can go from day/night or work/social really well imo.
if you like them, wear them.

I like them. Cannot wear the pointy kind though, I find them as painful as heels.