We received this comment from a reader recently:
I would like to propose another challenge following the “beltless” one! Can you go a week without wearing high heels and still pull off your stylish looks? I am unable to wear high heels on a daily basis due to old running injuries so would love some inspiration on how we can still look gorgeous while keeping our legs and feet comfortable and dare I say it… practical to walk for miles in!
Wait, you want to separate us from our heels?!
Alright, so it is true that we believe a good pair of heels to redeem any otherwise ho-hum outfit and that we all three love our wedges and our heeled sandals, espadrilles, or boots. But we also appreciate a good flat for its comfort and practicality. And just like we love a cute pair of heels, we equally adore a flat that’s both functional and adorable; E. appreciates a cute flat knowing that she’ll likely not be chasing a baby around on four inch platforms, and S. and A. love a flat particularly on days after a long run when their calves scream at the mere sight of a heeled shoe.
While heels can add a dash of allure and confidence to one’s stance, heel-less outfits do not have to go without. This week, we will all three explore how we can build cute, stylish, and confidence-boosting outfits with the flat footwear in our wardrobes. And if you’re interested in seeing flat footwear looks we’ve created thus far, check out Our Best Flatware category!
This is slightly off topic, but I love the fun and creative category titles you all come up with.
Good luck!! I would hate to go all week without my heels!!!
Wow – what a challenge! I’m on the shrimpy side (only 5’3) so heels are a valuable part of my closet. I can’t wait to see what you pretty ladies do.
And this picture? I love it! I saw a woman dressed like this at the mall ON PURPOSE yesterday :D
Welcome to my world. I am in flats almost every day. Lots of city walking, recreational walking and shopping with clients as a fashion stylist calls for fabulous flats. There is no substitute! As long as the vamps of the shoes are low (and assuming they are comfortable), you’ll rock flats with skirts, frocks, cropped pants and walk shorts frocks no problem. I hope you feel as fab in flat shoes as you do in heels! Have fun with the challenge :-)
(Woopsie. I meant “walk shorts” – not walk shorts frocks). Hit submit too fast.
[...] uploaded by These rather high heels also seemed the perfect way to end the week before attempting a week in all flats! 17 May 2009, originally uploaded by [...]
Can’t wait to see this week’s creations from my challenge!
Can i say again how much i love your site… it actually inspires me to Shop in my Own Wardrobe rather than rush out and buy the latest fashion. My husband therefore loves this site too because you make the budget stay in place! :)
The glory of having a bicycle is that I *can* wear heels again! After wearing low heels & flats during my pregnancy and doing a lot of walking with the pram when Beatrice was born first because I didn’t know how else to get her to sleep, I was thrilled to discover that if I cycle to the Bodleian in the afternoon I can wear heels as high as I like because I only have about 100 feet to walk in total (heels also actually keep me in the library and remove the temptation to go off for a wander in the Covered Market, so they actually have a scholarly advantage…).
Thanks, everyone, for your words of enthusiasm about this challenge!
@Aussie – thanks again for voicing your idea! The project is so much richer for the input we get from readers! And that’s a great compliment from you and your husband, we’re glad we can inspire style and sensible spending!
@Passementerie – I know what you mean! I’ve been kicking myself for not bike commuting sooner because I realized precisely that – I can probably bike in higher heels and in shoes I wouldn’t wear because of my walk to campus! I also like the scholarly benefits of wearing heels that you point to! Excellent point! ;)
[...] week we’re not just picking shoes for their aesthetic appeal, but showing how you can still looks stylish while wearing practical and comfortable flat wear. I don’t believe that you have to wear running shoes in order to cover lots of ground and to [...]
I’m really looking forward to this week, since my dodgy ankle is giving me grief lately, and thus forcing me to stay “flat” :-(. I could use some inspiration on how to keep the chic factor high eventhough the footwear isn’t.
[...] my first day of “flatware” I’m wearing these simple and comfortable T-strap sandals. I have extremely flat feet – so [...]
Since I can only wear flats to work Tuesday-Friday this challenge is right up my alley! As dissapointing as it is on the mornings I really want to wear my new heels, my feet seem to be thanking me every since work changed their dress code.
[...] for today’s flats – these little blue Birkies were a gift from a friend in Germany last summer. I would have never [...]
Actally, not too enthusiastic about this look…
[...] couldn’t let our week of flats go by without a small confession and a brief discussion of semantics. First, the juicy confession: [...]
[...] also think these proportions work best with flats, which is perfect for the last day of our week without heels. I can’t overstate how much fun having a pair of multi-colored patterned flats is. I’ve [...]
[...] for the shoes (my last contribution to this week’s reader challenge) – these Palladium flats have served me very well! Like my pink ballet flats, these have also seen [...]
[...] last week and this week’s challenges we’ve been thinking a lot about flat shoes. While I, E., [...]
[...] on color combinations and proportions. I love it when they take on wardrobe challenges, such as only wearing flats, or using a scarf in every [...]
[...] since we’re only wearing flats this week, a note about the shoes – I bought these gladiator flats this spring at AE on sale for $19. [...]