Help Me, Shoe Freaks! (ETA)
I don’t usually fret too much about my “style” (if I can even call it that since having kids) and I’m generally pretty comfortable choosing outfits for the few times I escape the loony bin and get to be a regular person instead of “Mommy”.
I am, however, having a bit of a shoe dilemma and God knows the interwebs are loaded with shoe fiends that can advise me on what actually is or isn’t fashionable because let’s face it…just because something is popular doesn’t necessarily make it a good fashion choice *cough Crocs cough*
My inquiry is about ballet flats.
See, during a brief lapse of judgment, I wore them in tenth grade (in WHITE, no less). Since then I’ve seen the error of my ways and have sworn off the flats because…I have big feet. Not huge but big enough that I feel a bit like I have canoes on my feet when I wear flats.
Okay! Geez! I wear a nine. You can STOP imagining me shopping for size twelves at the drag queen store now.
In defense of my dogs, though, I’m 5′9. I’d look ridiculous with those petite little size sixes I longed for as a teenager. And I’d also fall forward a lot.
So my question, because I tried on an insanely comfortable pair of ballet flats and I think I almost don’t hate them anymore, is are they cool? Cool-ish? Or will l look like a mom-dork in comfortable shoes at BlogHer?
The alternative are my old standby of sandals; most likely unheeled.
Please, shoe freaks. Guide me. Teach me your ways.
Edited to add: Thank you shoe lovers, fashion mavens and women of taste for your gentle guidance. I’ve decided to take the leap and buy some flats. Rest assured, however, that I WILL be foregoing the skinny jeans :)
5′9″ and size 9. That’s me too. If I could find a pair of cute ones I would wear them. I can’t. I bet they’ll look great. And 9 is not that big lady! At least that’s what I tell myself.
I’ve wanted a pair of ballets for some time now but have yet to find a pair I like/can afford–those J.Crews are outrageous.
Haha! I just blogged about shoes.
If you can afford them…buy!
I used to wear those ballet ones and now they’re trendy I have bought me the pairs I alwaqys wanted to buy but couldn’t find.
I like shoes that feel good and take me walking without pain.
I don’t mind what other people say, because they’re looking at my face, not at my shoes.
Ballet flats are flat-out adorable. My feet are wide and they don’t work for me - I will certainly have shoe-envy.
ok this is weird because I just bought my first pair of ballet flats since umm…. 1987 - eek! I love ‘em - black patent leather round toes (hard to fine, most flats have the pointy toes). Long of short, if I say they are cool does that make them dorky? I hope not.
I’m only 5′4″ and wear a size 8…does that mean I officially have big feet?!
And the Blogher fretting begins! (I’ve been doing it too.)
I think they are cute. There would be some on my feet except that I wear a 9.5 AAAA. They won’t stay on my heel unless there is duct tape involved.
I am shoe-challenged. No help. LOL …
These remain HUGE in Montreal - I see them everywhere. While I myself was only tempted by a pair with a tattoo logo, I see the value of an easy to wear flat.
The decent ones run about 50 bucks here, but you can find them in all prints, materials etc.
And now I pause. Ashamed that I have so much information about these shoes….
Do you like them? Are they comfortable? If so, buy them. You will feel good in them, and that’s what matters.
I have a pair of ballet flats which I love — they’re a zebra pattern with turquoise accents, so they’re great fun. I think the key is to find an outfit that you will feel comfortable wearing them with. Personally, I don’t like the whole skinny jeans/ballet flats look because (aside from the whole thigh issue) I feel like the combo makes my feet look really loooong! But I like my ballet flats with regular jeans and with certain simple dresses/skirts.
Hope that helps. And I don’t think you have big feet, if that helps too (I’m 5′1″ and wear a size 7 1/2 now, post-kiddos.)
I wear a size 4 1/2- 5 and can nevernevernever find shoes in my size — so if I find anything in my size I buy it!
Ballet flats, and flats in general, I thought were in style now — and I kinda think they look good on anybody in any sort of outfit. It will not look dorky, that’s for sure. Especially if you like them.
(And ok, in the interest of full disclosure I own a pair of crocs — so you can use this information as you will! :) )
Ballet flats are the new mom heel. I love mine and you know I have boats. I find so long as the vamp is long and you don’t see toe cleavage, you’re fine.
I’m loving the peep toe ones… Funny though, I bough a bunch of heels for blogher! HA.
I am 5′6″ and a 9.5. I’m saying no.
Ballet flats, or any flats, really, are totally “in” right now. Sugar makes really cute sneaks that look like flats and come in adorable prints (but put some kind of support in them or your feet will ache like hell). Either way, it doesn’t matter if you have big feet (your height balances you; imagine being 5′9″ and a size 6? You’d look weird and walk awkwardly).
Like Nancy, I would never pair them with skinny jeans, but they go with regular jeans, capris, shorts, skirts - everything.
That’s my advice, total shoe whore (100+ pairs) that I am. I should be ashamed for admitting that, but I’m not.
I don’t know if I actually own 100 pairs of shoes, but I probably own 50+, so perhaps this qualifies me? Yes, ballet flats are totally in right now, and most of the ones I’ve seen are NOT pointy toed. They are most fun in polka dots and stripes, and I agree you can wear them with anything; I’m not a fan of the skinny jean, but they’d look great with boot cut jeans.
Oh, and I’m only 5′4″ and wear a size 10. That probably qualifies me for Sasquatch status.
I’m tall and wear a 9 too so I feel ya. Shoes are always so much cuter in a 6. Try shoes.com for cute shoes. I love that site, Free shipping and returns too. I found an adorable pair of flats that I wear with flared jeans. So so cute. I think if it looks cute, who cares if it’s the LATEST. It’s all about personal style.
I sware I left a comment.. where is it. Basically it said what the other girls said. Flats are cute with flared jeans. Don’t worry so much what’s in … It’s all about personal style and what looks cute on you.
I am 5′9″ and size 10.5 feet. I find a pair of shoes that fit, I buy them. No further questions.
Am 5′8 and the trotters are somewhere over a nine (hit ten during pregnancy. You want boats? I got boats.)
And ballet flats. Are cool. My twenty-year old hipper-than-thou niece says so, and doesn’t make fun of me for being old and a mom and still wearing them.
Ballet flats are absolutely cool! I think I own about 10 pairs and receive compliments daily.
Purchase said flats, come find me at Blogher, and we can revel in our stylish ways together. ;)
Now I’m officially paranoid! I am 5′ 9″ and I wear 8.5 or a 9 - I wear ballet flats all the time! I think they are cute, and they are very comfortable. I never really thought they make my feet look big, at all. Now I’m wondering lol!
Ballet flats are my new Holy Grail of shoes. Must own a perfect, classic black ballet flat. In a size 10 for my 5′5″ frame.
Eh you like them, wear them.
I like them. :)
I don’t yet have a pair, but I think they’re a great way to dress up an outfit without going straight for the heels.
I haven’t worn ballet slippers since high school. They were very comfortable and I think I should get another pair now! Thanks for stopping by Mimi Writes. I like the blogosphere here…..
I say go for a sexy sandal… it could be comfortable and stylish. :D I totally agree with you on the crocs, my 6 yr old keeps begging for them No way is that going to happen.
Congrats on making LOLcats! I’ve been trying to make their site for a couple of months. i think they overlook mine possibly because I always forget to put tags in with my submission?
Did you see Susan Wagner actually wrote about this very subject today for Friday Style? Of course she gave the opposite advice of what I do (e.g., she recommends wearing ballet flats with skinny pants) — oh well. ;-)
Ballet flats are totally back in! And 9 isn’t that big!!! (Says the girl who once was a seven and then grew to a 9 during her pregnancies…and STAYED THAT WAY!)
Nancy — if she recommends wearing skinny pants at all, then I’m not listening. :)
*goes back to burning all leggings every made on this universe*
yes, ballet flats — no, legwarmers.
so ends the tutorial.
I think ballet flats are actually fashionable just now. I am, however, a nurse with a broken foot…who is terribly jealous that your cat is famous — mine is still trying to be discovered.
I admit that I have actually submitted pictures of both my cat and dog to ICHC?
I has rejection…
They are a very popular shoe right now. I think with your height, they are a great choice. Just got back from Milan and a lot of the women were wearing them — they looked best on the tall women. There you go. Comfort.
I am also 5′9″ and wear a size 9.5…i love ballet flats! my latest faves are white patent leather with a little peep-toe. Soooo eighties (I wore them in high school, too), but I love them! When I wear them I feel 13 again…you have my permission to rock the ballet flats! :-)
Ballet flats are big again this year, as they were last year, too. A pair in patent (red is great) or in a metallic look hot enough to banish any inherent momfactor. I’m coveting a red pair right now…
Okay, I totally had the same dilemma. They were popular in 8th grade for me–and I completely want to forget that year to the extent possible.
My friend, who is younger and doesn’t share these horrible memories, convinced me.
I now own a pair of silver, quilted ballet flats (from Ann Taylor that I got on sale for real cheap).
Also, flat mary janes are also cute and they have them in a bazillion colors this season.
Izzy, I just picked up TWO pair of shoes that can only be called the shoes that would be born if a pair of ballet flats and a pair of China flats had a baby.
Flats are back BIG time. When the buyers went to all the big shoe buying shows last year (at my old job) they all came back with the same message “flats will be huge in 07 again”.
RIGHTEOUS!
Certainly not!!! I follow you on Stylehive, which means you have excellent taste!
Skinny jeans are just wrong with ANY shoe! Why do they keep pushing them when only .01% of the population will even look good in them?
Kelly Clarkson performing at Live Earth… \’nuff said.
Toe cleavage…lol. Am I the only one that snickers when I hear that?
Sorry! I always think my feet look big in every shoe. Don’t let my issues rub off on you.
Duuuude…I HATE heels. I avoid them unless they are a funky platform or something and even then I think twice. In that respect, flats are heavenly.
I love those China flats with the Mary Jane strap and the embroidery. I used to wear those and the karate flats in college. In fact, I rarely wore anything else.
I am particularly fond of any and all Mary Janes, flat or otherwise!
I have two words to say about skinny jeans…
DENIM DRUMSTICK (unless you’re a 14 year old human toothpick OR Nicole Richie)
lol…when CityMama speaks, I listen!
Burn all skinny jeans and long tight shirts while you’re at it.
I should clarify that I didn’t “make” lolcats as in my pix were selected. I meant that I made them, you know, for fun!
Deal :)
Holy shite! Where does one KEEP 100+ pair of shoes?
I can’t believe I’m the first to admit this (or, conversely, I can believe I’m the least fashionable of your commenters) - I have Crocs and adore them (although I would not consider them a fashionable choice, just comfortable, practical, and kinda cute in a Peace Corps worker way). I’m also a shorter person who is supposedly supposed to wear more heels and less flats, but I refuse. I teach middle & high schoolers who undoubtedly go home snickering about my style. I guess all this amounts to is a comment you will want to completely disregard…but just in case you’re still with me - I say if you find a shoe you truly love, it will love you back and to Hell with the naysayers. Life’s too short to wear dumb shoes.
Here’s my bottom line. You get to wear shoes that you wore in junior high if the rest of your outfit is current. You get me? No triple wrapped belts and fingerless gloves. You are allowed an ACCENT from another time and that makes it hip and not downright sad. However, I believe jellies (currently available at Nordstroms which blows my mind) should be off the list. For no other reason, they make your feet smell. When all is said and done, you are 5′ 9″ which is pretty much a free pass to wear ballet slippers and/or flats (and get away with it) anytime you want. I do advise against the tutu. Leave that behind in the girls section.
Here’s my bottom line: you can wear shoes that you wore in junior high if the rest of your outfit is current. No wrap-around belts and fingerless gloves. You are allowed to have an Accent from younger times. This makes it hip and not just downright sad. I do advise against jellies (now available at Nordstroms which blows my mind) if for no other reason than they make your feet smell. But, you are 5′9″ which, I believe, means you can wear ballet slippers or any slippers (and get away with it) any time you want. I’d leave the tutu alone.
Love ballet flats. You’ll be super cool.
5′9″ size 9 here, too. I looove my ballet flats. Walked all over NYC in them about a month ago and my feet stayed nice and comfy. Saw them all over NYC, too - all the “fashionable” women were wearing them ;-)
I don’t know whether or not they’re still in style, but I bought a pair at the Gap this spring, and they’re great. They go with everything. Capris, jeans, skirts, shorts. If it’s comfortable, go for it. These days, it seems that anything goes.
Everywhere. I have cubby-hole organizers in my closet, plus those big plastic drawers (like 4), plus the top shelf of an extra closet. I’m constantly weeding pairs out; plus, if I buy a new pair, I have to get rid of another.
I just relegated about 7 pairs to the garage sale pile. So, I’m tryin’.
Ack. Skinny jeans would make me look like I had dueling tornados beneath my waist. I’m not letting go of the boot cut and I say the flats would work better with them anyway, considering that the wrong shoes on my size 10’s can make it look like I’ve installed diving boards.
Oh, stop me. I eschew the latest, but I can’t deny the ballet flats. They are so cute, but ever so painful. I worked an event last month on concrete floors for three days, I the shoes almost cut my feet off. However, they looked really cute. No doubt, they are crap and make your feet feel like crap, but they’re cute!
As a 5′8″ woman who has size 12 feet and truly is just shy of shopping at “tranny stores”, count your blessings with the size 9’s. I had to order my last 3 pair of running shoes off the internet. It could be worse…trust me.
Flats - with zero heel - make my back hurt after long wear. I’m a flat-hater.
But also, if you love shoes, check out http://www.seemikesaw.com. It’s my dad’s website and he makes these shoe boxes that have white board on the front so that you can write a description of what’s inside (then change it when you change the contents) to keep your shoe closet organized. Works for other items as well (desk papers, CDs, etc). can be customized: any two colors to match your decor.