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.

https://solebliss.com/collections/flats/products/luna-navy-leather

I have these as I have bunions and they are really comfortable and are cut higher than ‘normal’ shoes where the big toe joint is.
I tend to wear them with jeans or cut-offs

I've long since accepted my feet. Size 8/42, wide fit, Greek shape with second toes longer and little toes like an afterthought means shoes are and always have been a nightmare since I was adolescent.

Pretty, stylish, elegant, beautiful, sexy, strappy, heely shoes … no. Only other women are allowed them.

So I go with the Clarks black leather ballet flats - yes, smart for work and confortable, and their clumpy Mary Jane brogues for wet days. And cheap Shoe Zone trainers that fit perfectly and I can walk miles in.

I don’t wear them as I find them uncomfortable, but I think they’re quite a classic look. Not uber-fashionable, but perfectly acceptable.

I’m not mad on black ballet flats with bare legs/nude tights if you’re white or light skinned . I think it looks a bit like you’re about to break out into a contemporary dance. But I’ve seen some nice beige/blush and coloured ones on people over the summer. I think they look best with trousers rather than dresses.

I agree, you'd have to have nice legs and slim ankles to carry it off.

No because they are awful for your feet and back.

This, I wore a pair if Boden, gold ballet slippers with a dress recently. I thought I looked great but then the photos said otherwise.
I didn't even know my ankles were cankles. 😣

No, I almost never wear heels. He most likes some big clumpy boots of mine.

Having said all this, I’m seeing a pattern of negativity. He was also rude about some heels I put on (again for the event, where I tried a plain black dress with the “pumps” and the police women shoes). He said they looked dated.

In the end, for the event, I wore some other clumpy shoes that were slip ons: more substantial than the “pumps”, and kind on my feet, but maybe vibing more “pottery teacher” than police woman.

i have naturally tanned skin, to the other poster who questioned black shoes with white legs. But actually you’ve identified another issue: the black shoes did not work with my bare legs either. They would have needed tights, or trousers.

Ooh, I like those @Twospaniels.

I have plantar fasciitis and bought some leather ballet flats from Fitflop recently, they seem pretty comfy so far!

ballet flats are terrible for your feet. I now wear Veja or similar trainers with everything.

but if you want to wear ballet pumps please do there are some comfy ones. And remind your husband he's not a male model and he should keep his rude opinions to himself. xxx

I used to live in ballet shoes. However, I'm not convinced they did not play a role in me developing Plantar Fasciitis in both (!) feet.

However, maybe OP's feet are made of sterner stuff.

They're actually having a come back, but unless the rest of your outfit is fashionable/ very current yes you'll look quite Tory councillor I'm afraid. A brogue or loafer will probably be easier for the average, non fashionista.

I have plantar fasciitis, and tendinitis and tendonopathy…. And arthritis in my feet. Ballet flats are cute, but no good for your feet unless they are well cushioned, with arch support and a sturdy sole. I know it’s frustrating, but it’s worth buying the best quality you can afford, as you’ll just make things worse. I’m an ex dancer, and my feet are absolutely wrecked from actual ballet shoes, and bare feet on unsprung floors. I wear vegan shoes from heavenly feet, but they do vary in how cushioned they are.

@JDEE72 I am so in awe of you! I did ballet for years as a kid, but never professionally. Ballet flats have lot of ideas wrapped into them for me, and none of them linked to Tory councillors 😆. I do have skinny legs, and am light boned, so I don’t think that’s the problem. However, I’ll look into heavenly feet, and the others mentioned on here, with huge thanks! The rest of my outfit was a three quarters length black dress, from last year, cotton. It was a day time thing.

Oh and I heartily agree, it’s not like H is a fashion model. He was wearing shorts, socks, and trainers yesterday. ☹️

But not cool versions thereof.

@JFDIYOLO about the foot diagrams, and your Greek toe. I know this probably doesn’t help, but this old bloke once lectured me on Greek toes.

Apparently, if you have this toe it’s a sign of intelligence. I mean, I do realise the brain is at the opposite end of the body, but old bloke was passionately adamant (he was a Greek scholar, but a bit/very Victorian in his outlook).

I wear ballet flats (thin sole, little bow no strap mind) but, and its a big but, they make me walk so heavy footed. I do have a couple ballet pumps from Next that don't but they feel frumpy and make my feet look long(they have a squarer toe and have a 1cm heel so not flat)

I read in the guardian that ballet flats are back.i hope so because I have a bunion on one of my feet and a wedding next month and am wearing ballet flats to it as they are comfortable !😂

Shhh no one caresssss

I do think they look very matronly with dresses, yes. They look best with jeans, IMO...especially rolled up.

I love the look of them, but they are soooo bad for your feet. There's no arch support at all, and they're also horrible for your knees because there's no cushioning in them. That's why I've stopped wearing them and have gravitated more towards loafers.

I do like ballet flats but not with a dress and they're terrible for your feet.
I used to live in ballet flats and I'm convinced that's why I have all sorts of foot problems now.
Have a look at Gabor and Vionic for pumps with a bit more support.
I tend to wear trainers, sandals or boots with dresses these days rather than ballet flats.

I love ballet flats - even ones from Clark's

I do think OP, that you should stop asking your dh for his opinion - regardless of his job, his taste is not better than yours. These things are subjective and the only person whose opinion really matters is your own.
I don't think your husband should be volunteering his opinion either!

I have a Chanel pair and I think they’re a timeless staple even before splurging I had a nice leather pair from M&S which I also enjoyed and I’m 30.I do think sometimes it’s what they’re worn with for example I personally wouldn’t wear them with a skinny Jean but more a cigarette pant or skirt. Also don’t listen to DH if you like them they don’t always know best about fashion lol.