Flats or Heels?

How many times have you heard a friend or acquaintance stare at your flat shoes and say, those are cute…but I could never wear flats? Or the one girl who always makes a point to say every time someone comments on her outfit, I only wear heels? This is something I could once very much relate to, but with my shoe closet growing (and with less and less heel height) I wanted to see if you all felt the same.

I can say that for most of my teen / adult life, I wanted to be in heels as much as possible (regardless of their height…does anyone remember when kitten heeled thong sandals were in? Gross). Even post-college, I would walk to work EVERY DAY in high shoes (granted, they were typically a chunkier heel or a wedge…ugh I know, a wedge) and even walk home in them too. At one point I finally started to be a smarter human being and wear more comfortable shoes during my commute, but keep in mind that even though this was only five-ish years ago, the flat shoe industry was NOT what it is today (so my commute wasn’t very cute).

Up until more recently, our flat shoe options were practical sneakers, ballet flats or flat boots…none of which I was a fan of (as you can now understand why I opted for tall shoes everyday). For those who claim they “always wear heels” many times it’s a confidence thing. Whether you’re short and want to feel taller, you want your legs to look longer, or maybe you just feel like you can command a room better with a little extra height…heels (for the most part) seem to give off this sense of confidence. But can you feel like a badass without being on a five inch incline? SURVEY SAYS YES (and by survey I mean me).

I think it’s pretty clear by now that Athleisure Killed The Stiletto and regardless of what type of footwear you prefer, you have to admit it’s true to an extent. We want to be comfortable, and although some heels are comfortable (or we just claim they are even though we’re dying a little bit inside with each step), it’s not easy to find a good looking shoe with a decent amount of height that you can wear for 8+ hours a day without crying. So if you’re one of those that rolls yours eyes at the thought of wearing flats, hear me out first.

Like I said, I WAS THE SAME WAY. Me? In SNEAKERS? Or BALLET FLATS? IN PUBLIC?? No. Fucking. Way. But just like many other categories in fashion (think: rain / snow boots, beanies, sweatpants and other practical fashions) designers are taking note and making cuter versions of said items…and a flat shoe is no exception. So if you hate ballet flats and / or sneakers, it’s okay because you still have other flat (or flat-ish) options!

My go-to post-high-heel addiction shoes were 100% loafers and the oxfords (it all started with those Phillip Lim Quinn Loafers I wore TO DEATH). What’s especially great about these styles is that they’re both timeless and can be worn for many occasions. I’m no longer a dress and heels kind of girl, so when I pair said dress with a “cooler” shoe, it just feels more me (and I actually feel more confident than I would if I wore that same dress with stilettos). If you’re still skeptical, know that many of these styles (and actually my favorite versions) come with a small 1-2 inch block heel that I actually find more comfortable (and flattering) than its completely horizontal counterpart.

So where do sandals come into play with this? It seems like those who “only wear heels” will make an exception for a cute pair of flat sandals (and by cute I do not mean gladiator…when will we move past them?!) I actually find flat sandals less flattering than a loafer or oxford but that’s just my personal opinion (and my not so naturally slender legs talking). But I do rock them sometimes just to give my pedicure a chance to shine.

And if you still don’t think you’ve found a flat friend, there’s still plenty more options out there for you — pointed toe, lace up, slides, and espadrilles (to name a few). And if you absolutely have to have a little height, try a block heel or a flatform. Not saying you should never wear heels again (because they still make an appearance on my feet every once in a while, especially for an extra fancy event) but know there are so many other options out there…you shouldn’t limit yourself to just one height.

I do have to point out though that when I say heels, I [for the most part] mean stilettos…as there are some pretty cool low / chunky heels out there that the typical all heels all the time girl may not go for, but if you’re one of them I am hoping to convince you otherwise! It’s been quite a game changer for me. Hoping it will be for you too! 🙂

Of course, I wouldn’t say to completely eliminate them from your life (that would make me quite the hypocrite). Sometimes you need that streamlined elegance (especially when paired with a sweatsuit or a pajama suit…or I guess a regular suit). But I just want you to see how many fantastic options out there now, that you no longer have to decide between ballet flats or stilettos.

What is your go-to shoe for everyday? Are you mostly in heels? If so, what kind? And if you prefer flats, what variety can you typically be seen in? Do you think the stiletto will ever make a comeback? Like one day we’ll look at all these street style sneakers and be like AS IF?! Or will Athleisure rule the world forever? Regardless of how you feel, if you’re looking to step up your footwear game…here’s a few things to get you started.

Photos by Heather Talbert