En brogue -- a flat shoe thread

[clowniform]

Can we chat flats please? All shoes, not just brogues, but not trainers. Flatforms entertained. Block heels, say up to 1" max.

I'm wearing these R&B loafers today in the murky green shade. (With ankle-length tapered leg jeans, white tee and a cropped chore jacket.) It's still warm enough for bare ankles here but have already tried them with all the socks and eagerly anticipating cooler weather 😀

Latest acquisition: these Bobbies though they're still at the cobblers awaiting rubber soles. (Apparently with the return of ballet pumps the demand for this has soared so who knows when they'll be ready 😑)

Contemplating: some higher vamp styles from Aeyde (Moa or Betty). Anyone know what their sizing is like?

I really like Cole Haan's 'grand' range. The original grand and the lunargrand have low profile soles, but the inner sole is a nike sole, so suuuuuper comfy. They're not dressy-dressy, but dressier than trainers and even with my hypermobility and flat feet I can do a 20k step day in them.

I just got a pair of the Ryan Pro boots and have been impressed with the first wear. They were immediately comfortable, even with my fallen arches, high instep and bunion (I ordered a size up, as they recommended), and I walked around 10k steps in them with no discomfort.

Oh wow, I didn't realise Cole Haan now sell in the UK - apparently even in M&S - how had I not noticed this?!

They were a godsend when I lived in the US and was on my feet all day at work. Highly recommend.

@JaneFarrier Thanks :D

That sounds tricky, and if trainers are supportive and comfortable, then why not? I have no idea why I took against them as a child, they always just felt funny to me (wee weirdo). I do have a 'barefoot' pair for exercise.

I'm another who can only wear lace or strap styles, no slip-ons here either!
I have narrow feet, and like space around my toes, so everything has to be firmly anchored around the middle, and absolutely no pointy shapes. Meeting those requirements seems to lead me to 'sensible' 'natural' brands which tend to have moulded footbeds - is that enough arch support? Like Think! or El Naturalista. A more organic look than typical smart shoes though.

I think pp are right, I might not like luxury hand-made shoes in reality, especially if they are flat underfoot.

(In truth, I prefer walking boots and wellies, with moulded insoles and/or sheepskin insoles added as required :)

Off to check out Cole Haan!

what a thread to chance by on a Sunday morning - @clowniform those loafers are divine

I like these https://colehaan.co.uk/products/w29158

but out of stock in nearly all sizes.

I am also considering these.Tweed brogues or Purple suede

Thing is I have 2 pairs of embassy (1 in use and 1 the upper is ok but needs new soles and heals and new inners as well). So can’t really justify another pair.

Plus I just wear the same pair everyday so not sure I am the right person to have multiple shoes.

@CallItLoneliness sounds intriguing - I shall investigate!

@Stravaig yeah, I can do the more "natural" brands though they tend to be more cute/quirky than elegant. I recently got a pair of Nature Sko boots secondhand, and they fit my feet very well (though could do with a tiny bit more cushioning in the sole - an insole will probably help).
Not mine, but the same style and colour

I have rigid moulded orthoses which have to go in my shoes, so too much arch support can be counterproductive unless I can lift it out - which often removes some of the cushioning the designer put in there. I do have insoles I can swap into some shoes.

My walking shoes, which were excellent and lasted ages, are about to fall apart but they're Keens, and they seem to have stopped selling in the UK :(

@JaneFarrier you've probably tried Merrell for walking boots but if not, they might be worth a look. I can get away with using the built-in arch support where normally I'd also need orthotics.

@Magpiecomplex I have tried them, though only once, and they just didn't last as long as I'd hoped - the edge of the sole wore through to the foam underneath in about eight months (and I don't wear walking shoes every day or anything). Perhaps it just wasn't the right style for me...

I had some from North Face once that were great, but very expensive. The Keens turned out unexpectedly great - they lasted over three years as I got them in late 2019 and they were still functioning until about a month ago. They did require a little wearing in though.

I also treated myself to these beauties https://www.russellandbromley.co.uk/dotty/241788

completely done buying flats now. Also retiring a couple of 4 year old pairs that have done a good service.

Ooh, those Allegros are nice in tan! May have to go on my Christmas list 😅 I have a lot of love for my Fitflop Oxfords and an older style of ballet flats because of EDS and plantar whatsit, there are a lot of flat shoes that are not comfortable, but Fitflops are amazing!

Hello, fellow flattie wearers.

I've loved seeing the fabulous brogues & loafers on this thread, but I find they make my feet look absolutely massive when i try any on. I prefer ballet style shoes but, over the last year or so, I've found the soles too flimsy & unsupportive. I found these, by Moshulu, that have a thicker sole but don't look ungainly, if that makes sense. Very comfy indeed.
https://www.moshulu.co.uk/jin-p701#attribute%5B1%5D=186

I also have a pair of Vivaia flats but wouldn't recommend them if you need support. They tore big holes in my heels, too.

Great thread.

I like shoes that aren't chunky and last Saturday bought myself these patent Oxfords with a rubber sole:

www.repetto.com/uk/zizi-oxford-shoes-black-v377v-410-uk.html

How do you find the width on those Moshulu ballet pumps, @MaidOfSteel? I have very wide feet, getting wider with a bone spur growing on one big toe, and I've pretty much had to give up on ballet pumps. Gone are the days I could wear French Sole offerings 😕

The Moshulu aren't especially wide, @Magpiecomplex, so they might not be suitable for you. I used to think I had wide feet till I accidentally bought a pair of wide fit shoes and found them all wrong for me, so I think my feet are fairly standard.

I don’t trust my judgement. What does everyone think of these?

https://uinfootwear.uk/

Sharp intake of breath!!!

You might also like Naots, which are marketed as orthotic friendly! I used to love them but they are a titch narrow for me these days

@CallItLoneliness I'll look out for them, although my feet are the opposite of narrow so I might have the same problem!

Back when I first got the orthotics it was much easier to find orthotic-friendly shoes for narrow feet than wide, but it has got easier.

🤐

(But feel free to ignore, as I only just managed to talk myself down from these because finding something absorbingly hideous is not in fact a good reason to buy....)

I really like this website (house of bruar) , they look well made and nicely priced. Loafers and suede Chelsea especially.

Those uinfootwear though... Slightly different style shall we say...

😅If you like colour purple suede brogues from the first link over these definitely. Purple can be surprisingly versatile. Fabulous with Jeans, navy, brown, grey and above all, olive green trousers!

Ps, I think I'm talking myself into purple brogues now, look what you've done! I'd like a darker version though 🤔