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?

I have fit flop loafers which are incredibly comfortable - not super stylish but good for work wear in that they’re smart and hard wearing.

Hotter i have these. I would say comfortable. Stylish- nope

Wear what u want. Saw a lovely pair of red patent Mary Janes. I wish the could accommodate my bunion adorned feet!!!!

I have two pairs of the Mary Jane’s but not the latest ones. Walked probably about five miles in Rome with one pair on and no socks (didn’t plan to) so thumbs up from me.

I have a pair of boots that I wear for the office, pretty neutral chunky black boots and I fancy a pair of the suede loafers, which aren't super stylish, but don't stand out as being Fitflops - like, they could be from MandS or Next😅

I am not a fan of Mary Jane's on myself, but honestly I think they look like a lot Mary Jane's that I've seen on other threads here, I don't think you can tell they're Fitflops. If you pick certain styles, I think they look like other shoes.

I used to buy their Radley trainers in every colour. They were great.

Then 2 years ago they changed the style.

Much narrower. I persevered and gave myself a cyst on my foot. This was really painful for 6 months, mistaken for Mortons Neuroma (so told to not walk - which is my usual exercise - for 6 months). Had lots trips to GP, physio and finally hospital (by which point it had burst and scan showed the no other issues). In total I had over 12 months of faff and pain (and it's only 18 month later that I feel it has completely gone).

So yes they used to be really comfortable (and my last couple of old pairs are still loved) but I now won't buy from them and get Sketchers instead, which are very, very comfortable (although they are mainly fabric so will be useless in the winter - so I need to find a leather pair).

After finding fitflop sheepskin slippers a lifesaver for my plantar fasciitis, I branched out this summer to the leopard print Mary Janes . I have absolutely lived in them and comfortably walked miles and miles in them so they were worth the money for me (think I paid about £80 with a discount) and I’ve just bought a replacment pair as mine are now ragged. I don’t really like the look of most of their shoes tbh but thought these were alright, if not the most stylish. Had lots of compliments too.

No no and yes

I like the look of my Fitflop sandals or I wouldn't have bought them, and they are very comfortable. I don't think they are especially cutting-edge 'fashionable' or 'stylish' though (although, given everyone and their dog has Sketchers, doesn't that in fact make those 'fashionable'? so I don't know really).

Try Fly London, Moshulu, Josef Siebel, Rieker, Hotter, Gabor etc

Yes hotter is in the same bracket as sketchers and fitflops. These are shoes designed for comfort and an older demographic who value comfort over style,

the orange shoes pictured up thread are not what I would consider stylish.

if you wish comfort for trainers and stylish , I strongly recommend Onitsuka tiger.

https://www.onitsukatiger.com/gb/en-gb/mexico-66/p/1183a201-127.html?_gl=1tzzxj2_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwrP3VBhBbEiwAnaqpQ7TjASbPVXTBN53cJHnlzoPTf-7IgOrpXgpoXkAIxrWOTW71RjF_9RoCXqwQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAACpRHyTdTSoLru9HLWdM9CK1ERraS

for shoes and boots me and em are fantastic quality and I find very comfortable, I’m same age,

https://www.meandem.com/low-block-high-ankle-stretch-boot-black

https://www.meandem.com/mary-jane-ballet-flat-black

I wear fit flops all summer but can’t get on with the boots. Can’t get on with most things really shoes are the bain of my life these days. I am partial to Skechers UNO tho and will defend them to the hilt! They look much better on me than my foray into Nike Airforce earlier this year. I’m 46 and still partial to the odd 4 inch heel when the occasion requires so I don’t feel I have given up on fashion completely by owning Skechers!
I do wish I could find comfy boots though.

FitFlop's current range includes some stylish shoes, in my opinion, that definitely do not have an "old person" vibe - whatever that may be, as I hate the idea that an older person is in some kind of gruesome ugly shoe catergory!

The Dash FF TT trainers is very contemporary as are the Retro-Q FF trainers. They've got ballerina flats - not sure that they are ever not stylish, in the same way that suede loafers (that they also have) are also classically stylish.

They've got a whole load of really chunky shoes and boots, that I personally don't think are "stylish" but I definitely wouldn't put them in the older person category. I'd put them in funky category.

Good to hear that posters have found their mary jane's comfortable, I may try a pair.

@MargoLivebetter , do not have an "old person" vibe - whatever that may be, as I hate the idea that an older person is in some kind of gruesome ugly shoe catergory!
It depends on what an older person is considered to be. For example, a relative of mine is in her 80s and can't wear lace-ups any more, so would be looking at slip-ons or velcro-fastening.
A woman decades younger would probably not be looking at those styles.

I don't think it's much different from asking for suggestions for flat black shoes that don't have a school shoe vibe.

@StylishAndBeautiful my comment wasn't really directed at you. But FWIW, my mother is in her 90s and has to wear slip on shoes, but she still likes to look like she's chosen something stylish. Her most recent purchase was from Moda in Pelle, a pair of navy leather trainers that look like they are lace up, but are in fact slip on.

Thanks, some really interesting opinions here - I'm not meaning to be ageist but it's a fact that many older people do want or need comfort and practicality and shoes that tick those boxes aren't always to my taste. I genuinely think some of the Fitflops look like something you could have bought anywhere as a PP says.

It was mainly the Mary Janes and some chunky boots I was looking at, I'm pretty sorted for trainers. I find it hard to get either that are really comfy for lots of walking - flats always seem to rub and even my DM boots are a bit stiff.

I didn't take it as being directed at me. Some of the Moda in Pelle shoes look 'orthopaedic'.

I am going to buck.the trend and say that I find my Fitflop Rally trainers both stylish and beautiful, and yes, great for walking around London.

They are plain, sleek, minimal black and white trainers. No hideous logos or loud neon colours like Hoka or NB. Go with work wear. Also like the FF trainers. Not sure why they are considered ugly. Amd the Mary Janes look just like any other Mary Janes. I walk some 15 k a day and won't wear anything else unless if I am in a cab.

Fitflop does have some ugly shoes but not all are ugly.

I love my FitFlop sandals, they are strappy and I'll be getting a toe post pair next year.

I don't think their range is all stylish or beautiful though, some of the shoes are not my style at, similar to all the brands like Hotter or Sketchers, you have to pick and choose and it depends a lot what you wear them with, if you are wearing trainers with fairly dated clothing, then it doesn't matter so much, if you are styling them well with cool clothes I don't think anyone will look twice at a fairly plain pair of leather trainers on a mid-fifties woman.

I agree but some Hotter boots are fab. OP needs to look harder at Skechers as Ive found some funky designs

Really, which ones? I've just had a look and its all kitten heels, pony prints, retro sytle trainers - but then again, I don't really know what an orthopaedic shoe looks like. Maybe they look like Moda in Pelle shoes - in which case bring them on! 😁

They are brilliant. I actually have some really cute mary janes from them too.

And the jewelled flipflops are unbeliveable. Highly recommend.

If you need to ask, should you really be posting in Style and beauty?

Womens Hands Free Shoes | Wide-Fit Orthopaedic Shoes With Cushioning – Orthofeet UK

I dont think fitflops are beautiful or stylish but some of them are quite nice imo. I have a pair of Chelsea boots that I love and a couple of nice pairs of trainers, the important thing for me is that they are comfortable and supportive. I have multiple issues with my feet, fallen arches, heel spur, arthritis, etc and fitflops help with all of them.