Are Fitflops stylish or beautiful? And more important, comfortable?

[ProfessorofDarkArts]

I know it’s controversial to talk about age on here but I’m mid 50s and sometimes find it hard to dress in a way that feels age appropriate - I don’t want to look like I’m trying to be young and trendy like my daughter but I’m not ready to start buying my clothes in the garden centre like my mum.

I find shoes quite tricky and the current thread about trainers proves I’m not the only one. I really value comfort but hell will freeze over before I buy a pair of Sketchers, to me that just signals you’ve given up on fashion completely. But I’ve seen a few pairs of Fitflops - in particular the Mary Janes and also some boots - which I think look nice and would tick both the stylish and comfortable boxes but I’m questioning myself a bit and they’re not cheap. Any thoughts?

IMO Fitflops are neither stylish nor beautiful, they are, for me, very comfortable, yes.

I put fitflops in the same category as sketchers, comfy, yes, stylish or beautiful , no of course not,

I really rate the Italian brand Fly Flots for comfort, indeed I credit them with learning to walk again after a nasty fall some years ago. Most of them are hideous, but in and amongst one finds styles that are attractive and fashionable - but one has to search. The Fly Flot Dream ones are a cut above. x

I have some really lovely FitFlop trainers and boots. Leather, smart and stylish and so very, very, very comfortable. I think some of their shoes are really ugly in appearance, but they also do plenty of classic styles too which I have bought over the years and love. They are also really long lasting too.

I'm a similar age. I would not consider trying them so have no idea if they are comfortable - they are definitely neither stylish nor beautiful. I looked up the Fly Flots pp mentioned - that'll be a hard no from me.

Watching as in the same boat OP. I have sketchers which I bought ‘just to walk the dog in’. But find myself wearing them all the time. Early 50’s. 🤦‍♀️

I love Fitflops I have sandals, trainers, boots and sliders. I usually buy in the sales which they seem to have quite often. V. comfortable

I love my Fitflop trainers. Dont give a fuck if they arent considered stylish

Most Fly Flots I would agree with you Brenda - as I said, you have to search. I have had many compliments about this style, which I have in shocking pink, over the years.

I would also recommend Hotter for more "winter" shoes, they can be very attractive and comfortable.

I have many pairs of fitflops and find them great for my painful feet. You have to choose carefully but I think they are an acceptable level of trendiness Vs practical. However I am 54 so 🤷

I think they are a good choice if you walk a lot. Some of the styles are reasonably stylish. I have trainers, sandals and boots and am very happy with them. Have recently bought some leopard Mary Jane’s too.

@Princessfluffy how do you find the mary janes from a comfort perspective? I've been considering them but they look so flat and I have such bony feet, I was worried there wouldn't be enough sole - if that makes sense.

I have the thong type FitFlops, training shoes and long boots and for me they are so comfortable, especially the thong type for summer time, they did take me some time to get used to walking in them though.
The one downside is I find the trainers sit low on the ankle.

I haven’t worn the MJs as yet and they do have a much thinner sole so I would expect less comfortable than the other shoes I have that all have the thicker microwobble sole.

I tried Fitflop ballet flats but as I have a high instep and wide toes they pushed my foot up so it sort of bulged out of them and they were really uncomfortable

No one is going to say they’re stylish or beautiful. But comfortable, they apparently are, especially for old people. My mother in law loves them - and Hotters and Skechers.

I am fit flop curious too, so, following with interest! I think what I really want are flats/ Mary Janes that are smart enough for work meetings but comfy for quite a lot of pavement walking… some of these posts are making me think Fit Flops may not be my answer…

Very comfortable but definitely not stylish or beautiful except for some of the nicer flip flop styles.

Fitflops fan here! I have very flat and weak feet, also large and wide. Fitflops are the only ones that keep me comfortable pain-free and looking acceptably decent / stylish. It’s either that or ASICS trainers for me no matter what I wear. Heartily recommend!

I’m a fan of fit flop as they fit my feet really well. I’ve got various flip flops for summer but also walking trainers (for dog walking so not particularly attractive but very comfy), and a few pairs of ankle boots. I don’t do heels so that doesn’t bother me. I’ve also got some of their this season 70s style trainers which I’ve worn a lot with jeans and trousers and had several compliments on them. I’m not a Mary Jane fan so wouldn’t buy those anyway.

https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/the-dash-ff-t-toe-suede-trainers-p-A6I#E15

I’m 56 and finding this thread a bit depressing. Dressing in a way which is age appropriate?!! It never even occurred to me that I should be considering this. That may be more of a reflection on me though!

Strangely enough when I was in my 30s I had some Fitflop boots that I loved and wore them to death. And some of their first release of flip flops. These days I wouldn’t consider them but that’s because mainly I’ve found options that are just as comfortable but I prefer how they look - although they do tend to cost significantly more. 😩

I have a lot of shoes from Tracey Neuls. I’ve worn these a LOT over the last couple of years including to work:
https://traceyneuls.com/products/dot-natural-leather-sneakers

If I’m walking a LOT, I pretty much live in these Nobull trainers (I have 3 pairs but the colours I have aren’t available anymore):
https://nobullproject.com/products/womens-gray-jungle-camo-allday-knit
I’ve literally been stopped in the street in central & east London by (younger) strangers who love them, especially when they were first released. Even had photos of my feet taken. 😳 I wasn’t trying to “be cool”. I actually bought them originally because I was going away somewhere that I need to do a lot of walking on sand and I HATE sand on my feet / in my shoes and these were recommended as a good way of keeping sand out. That’s the 50-something practical person in me. 😂

My other random discovery has been Viviaia Mary Janes (square toed in red). They’re super comfy and I get lots of positive comments from people when I wear them. Again bought entirely for practical reasons. I like that they’re made from plastic bottles and that you can put them in the washing machine and they come out looking as good as new. This summer they’ve been skipping about in the sea and on islands off Norway.
https://www.vivaia.com/products/XRPD00913/Margot-Mary-Jane

But…if you like the Fitflops, buy the Fitflops. Just don’t do it because you feel you ‘should at your age’. I’m a firm believer in I buy what I like and as long as I’m happy then I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I’ve always been like that (i.e. difficult, lol) and menopause has just reinforced it.

In my opinion Hotter says old far more than Skechers

@RaiderofthelostbattenburgI have their Mary Jane shoes in black and brown for work and they look neat and are very comfortable.

I agree totally. The trainers are stylish in my opinion. I have had shoes that are comfortable, but definitely not stylish