Nice flats to go with Me&Em dress

[BigSkies2022]

I bought this dress today https://www.meandem.com/contrast-stitch-midi-dress-navy

I'm very pleased with it, I know it's quite safe, but I like it and it will work for me through different occasions and seasons. However, I need some nice flats to go with it. Today I've tried on flats/very low block heels in Sezane, Russell & Bromley, Pretty Ballerina, Zara and Marks & Spencers. Big fat no - unflattering, uncomfortable. I have a bunion and I can't manage things that cut around that joint, or skimpy sandals which show my unlovely feet. (of the sort worn by the model in the Me&EM website) I have some chunky footbed sandals from Marni, deliberately wore them to try with the dress today, and they are great, but not the look I'm after. Me & Em have a pair of square toed ballerina type pumps, but at £365, that's too much. I've already returned one pair of shoes to Charles and Keith - pointed silver slingbacks, very pretty, painful to wear.

Since I can't surgically change my feet before 25 July, which is when I need this outfit, does anyone have any ideas?

Sole Bliss: flats for bunions.

https://solebliss.com/collections/flats

They also do sandals: no gold that I can see, but bronze would look good with that navy.

Have a look at Fitflop ballet flats.

Air and grace or bobbies

me and em are knocking it out of the park rn, I basically want everything they make 😂

Espadrilles also a good thought, and reminded me that I have a pair of camel, suede platform wedge sandals, a Russell & Bromley buy from a decade ago or more, that don't get many outings, but which might work! I'm loving the gold Me&Em sandals too, but £250 would be extravagant (although super-tempting) if I already have something that will work. Will get new dress and old sandals on later today and let you kind people know how I get on.

https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/delicato-bow-soft-metallic-leather-ballerinas-p-IH2#675

So it should be for £275.
It is polyester as well.

These raffia flats from New Look are surprisingly chic
https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/footwear/shoes/sandals/cream-raffia-and-faux-leather-sandals/p/915214912

st working through the recommendations- some very cool shoes on that Hereu site.

Check out Calla shoes-specifically designed for women with bunions/wide feet. They use a lot of ballet dancers to model their shoes. Bit pricey but well made.

Fit flop ballerina flats. I have 3 pairs and all are incredibly comfortable.

That's a lovely dress!

What do you think of those shoes OP - they have different colours:

https://www.vivaia.com/item/pointed-toe-ballet-flats-p_10023765.html?gid=10030900&currency=GBP&shipping_country_code=GB&select_size=1&ccode=GB&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22439273729&utm_content&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22439273729&gclid=CjwKCAjw7MLDBhAuEiwAIeXGIfs_bqw6XltgjLTJE41YoQP_nMqLcfhY3rC1eogKUO4PolBDCt9UXBoCA9AQAvD_BwE

Charles and Keith aren’t usually leather, that seems like it might be relevant to you? How about these https://souliers-martinez.com/products/spiaggia-light-green-leather-with-embellishment-sandals
oR anonymous Copenhagen?

Thank you to all those kind folk who have made great suggestions - I will be returning to Calla, Hereu and other brands that have been suggested while I save for bunion surgery to remove the source of the footwear dilemma!

For now, I've found my old suede platform peep-toes will work with my new dress, (thanks to the suggestion of espadrilles, which is a footwear choice I will certainly be exploring more in future - soft! light! forgiving!) and if the weather cools down, and I want to go for a flat, I might keep a pair of jewelled burgundy mock-croc loafers (flat soles rather than chunky) on hand. These are also Russell and Bromley from years back - are you detecting a theme in my shopping choices and why I need help in finding what is out there today??!

I would very much like to buy the gold Me&Em sandals, and I would get lots of wear out of them; but luckily, they are out of stock in my size. Saved from myself!

I feel your pain…. Literally! I had bunion surgery last year, and am currently awaiting the other foot done. Can highly recommend if you can have it tbh, tho mine was nhs. I’ve found the best footwear are round toe flatforms/wedges, more so espadrilles as they are more comfortable. If i need dressier or heels, but i’m loving spending the majority of my time in fashion trainers as for once the current fashion works for my horrible/painful feet 😂 plain white or bright coloured suede trainers. Adidas being my current fave, gazelles, campus (which are platforms and very comfortable) Not sure if they will be suitable for the occasion you have.

Have a look at sole bliss, they specialize in accommodating bunions.

https://shaysshoes.com.au/products/rollie-derby-super-soft-silver?currency=AUD&variant=44636597354713&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=92cdb1443dd1&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21869512540&gbraid=0AAAAADJOeKArL5E8n0Lhj4PB4Asm7YIMV&gclid=CjwKCAjw7MLDBhAuEiwAIeXGIQL0cGQjnPhgmuzHLw0SLNH7LtSySX2IJltb385-oU3TKraMI1hKAxoCsRsQAvD_BwE

https://www.juliabo.com/products/mary-jane-shoes-blue-jane

I love your dress, it reminds me of what they called sportswear in the 1920’s (not for playing actual sport but inspired by sports). In that period woman wore man styled but softer lace up shoes or Mary Jane styles, perhaps something along those lines might work.

Well that's a new low! An upgrade to a smaller apartment takes the biscuit!

I would be seeking compensation and relocation to a 2 bed. Ask when one will be available. Kick up a huge stink over it too.

Hope it works out x

Those silver lace-ups are very cute. I have a pair of navy blue monk straps which are a similar shape and I think they will go well with the dress when I wear it in autumn/winter. I hadn’t thought of it as an example of ‘sportswear’, but now you point it out I can completely see it. It’s like something one of those energetic young women in Wodehouse might wear! Thank you- I shall enjoy it even more now!

Here are some bunion-friendly options from a fellow sufferer. I’ve always found suede to be more ‘forgiving’ comfort-wise:
https://callashoes.co.uk/ - comfy heels too!
https://leboffi.com - pricey but lovely flats.
Boden - usually good for ‘dainty’ flats, but their current selection isn’t looking too good.

Don’t want to derail the thread, but I’m currently 6 weeks post-op - how are you a year on, and how was your recovery @Christine1998 ?

I also want to hear about bunion surgery. NHS told me about 3 years ago that they would consider me as a candidate for operating but ‘not for another 5-10 years’.

I’m absolutely fine. Can’t wait for the other one to match 😂. Recovery was ok. I did have hip pain due to wearing the block shoe to heel walk but just wore a wedge on the other foot to try and even up. I did have physio once I was able to wear trainers after the 6 week check up as my tendons were tight due to my foot being forced into position when heel walking. Couple of sessions worked. Then fine afterwards. Walked quite a lot with no issues then cleared to get back into running after 6 mths. No issues since. Hope your recovery goes ok. X

How long to take to drive? can you go up on your toes now, post-op? (I mean doing calf raises/relèvés - the foot exercises that keep your achilles tendons and plantar tendons and ankles strong and flexible. I'd be sorry to exchange one lot of foot problems for another!) Did you have it done under GA or local? What's a block shoe? and heel walking?

Hi.

i drove after about 8 weeks. Yes i can go up in my toes, calf raises etc, that was one of the exercises the physio gave me to stretch out my tendon which was quite stiff after my food being in one position for so long. The block shoe was a surgical shoe with a shaped block on the heel part, which forces u to walk your heel keeping the front/toes off the floor so no pressure on the joints while they heel. It enables you to be mobile whilst recovering. I had GA but one person on the same ward had local. Im not brave enough for that.

this is a link to the shoe. Uncomfortable but meant i was able to be mobile, albeit slow

. www.shoeinsoles.co.uk/PHDA-OW1B-ST.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20465884715&gbraid=0AAAAADh9Ck9V1cU9Vzh-J3WR_v7Y5R_aa&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqonx_t3EjgMVZZFQBh1ZyzXjEAQYCiABEgL91_D_BwE