If possible & in the most ideal of conditions, I would choose heels over any kind of shoes. Perhaps it’s because I am vertically lacking in height, or because fashion has named heels to be the epitome of all things chic & elegant. Yes, beauty is pain, but there comes a time when walking for hours becomes intolerable. Not to mention, weather situations are hardly compromising in this season (at least over here), giving us the cold and the rain. Which leads, unfortunately, to puddles and muddiness. The least ideal of any heel-wearing situation. I do despise it when my heels sink into the mud.
And this is where flats come in. Whether or not they’re your last choice on the shoe rack, you must admit that they are life-savers in nasty weather situations. And they are, by far, a better alternative to sneakers; there are many chic ones out there!
Of course I had to find a pair of leopard print flats. Fall 2008 is yet another season embracing the animal print (and furs, exotics, etc.), which gives more of a reason to invest in a pair! Although I usually opt for basics, like the necessary black and white shoes, I did expand my horizons and find a pair similar to these. Shoes in prints and patterns to add much interest to an otherwise basic outfit of a tee and jeans. The idea of an animal print shoe is lovely – it adds a bit of wild edge without being over the top, whilst maintaining femininity with a soft, gold bow. (Available at bluefly.com, $396)
Yet another bluefly.com find, these Stuart Weitzman gold leather “Bolshoi” flats are so darling. I have a weakness for anything in cream leather – these are no exception. With a captoe in gold in a faux python print and a centerpiece of embellishments and a bowtie, this flat is a true beauty. These could become the centerpiece of an outfit during the day, whether it be with a dress or, once again, jeans and a tee, with the help of a cream colored bag. These are also suitable for any evening occasions or holiday parties for those who choose comfort over heels; in such situations, a gold headband with a bow (a la Blair Waldorf, but holiday-fied) would bring the outfit together.
These Miu Miu Metallic Banana flats, available at net-a-porter, are yet another embellished pair, perfect for both a day out or the evening. I must say; these are one of the first Miu Miu’s I’ve seen that are actually wearable and not excessively ostentatious. I do love the color of them; purple (this season’s new black) in minimal amounts is a lovely way of incorporating trends without seeming, well, too religious of a trend follower. When wearing such a flashy pair of shoes, brooch and all, it is almost a must to keep the rest of your outfit as simple as possible (once again, bring out the wardrobe staples of jeans and a fitted tee). If you are, like me, one who lives to match completely and matches to live, I would opt for a silver bag and/or a matching headband. 
Ah, the much talked about Marc by Marc Jacobs Mouse flats, available at both shopbop & Bloomingdales. Overrated, ridiculous, or too childish to some, I have come to love them. I once did think them a bit too immature, but there are always those days when we all long for something cutesy to wear. And the possibilities of outfits with these flats are endless. Think Blair Waldorf, and wear them with a black, opaque tights and a lovely jumper and blouse. Or make an LBD fun by pairing these white shoes for contrast. Yes, these shoes may only be suitable for a certain age group, but while you’re young, why not?
These are quite possibly the most adorable shoes I have come across; I am dying to get a pair!! Available at shopbop, these darling little Mike & Chris Virgil Ankle Wrap Ballet flats are the definition of cute in a shoe. I am particularly in love with the cream and black ones. Made with a soft leather (they are incredibly comfortable & rain proof!), the kitschy brass buttons are already adorable. However, the designers take it one step further, adding a wraparound tie! Remove the strand and wear it with long pants or skinny denim; add it and the flat becomes sophisticated, adding a bit of posh cutsey-ness to a casual dress, skirt, or shorts. I seriously do want a pair…
xoxo,
La C.
Great post! I fully agree. I LOVE purchasing a pair of heels. Lol I actually just bought some yesterday. However: are 4.5 inch heels really that versatile? Nah. I’ve actually begun wearing flats to work every day and it’s heaven compared to heels.
Wow, those are some great finds. You’ve got me lusting after the Stewart Weitzman cream/gold flats!
Thanks for all your kind words on our blog. You make my day ♥
I love this post and I am totally agree. I also love the shoes you’ve posted. They are adorable (Especially the Miu Miu flats)
There’s something about a woman wearing flats that just seems very vintage-dool looking that I love, that’s for visiting my blog.
love yours.
I adore flats… sometimes even more than heels ( is that wrong to say?lol) but I just think that they look so cute and girly… I’ve been dying for a pair of Marc Jacobs Mouse Flats….:)
the ankle wrap flats are adorable.
I’d live in heels if I could, but life dictates I wear pretty flat shoes more often.
love all of them 🙂
so cute!
oh I love all these flats that you shared with your readers! I really need new flats which I’m thinking of wearing with dresses and nylons for the winter!
thank you 🙂 me too!
i love flats, and thats all i wear but i am in love with heels! i never wear them because i think they make me look like a little girl whos just raided her mums wardrobe or something haha.
i can’t wait till i’m older, cos i’ll live in them!
xx
Heels are my passion, but flats are neccessary. You can´t walk in heels all the time 🙂
I love the leopard ones, and the MJ Mouseflats are a dream to own 🙂
I love flats too! I’ve been wanting leopard flats for a long time. Just never found one to my liking. Those black buttoned ones are really cute.
Ah someday I might succumb to the Marc Jacobs mouse flats madness. They’re too cute for words and I like whimsical shoes.
I love flats, and you have found some great ones! I agree with you that those Bolshoi flats are very darling indeed xoxo
I’ve never really understood why people would buy flats over heels (other than for practical usage). And yes, I would agree that it probably has something to do with my height ! But mostly it’s because I don’t think it’s worth it to fork out hundreds of dollars for flats when you can get a pair of heels with the same price !
You are a lovely, loyal reader and so I pass the award onto you as well! 🙂
Thanks<3
Every since I moved to a city where no one has a car my ankles can’t tolerate heels for a long time so I rely on flats. I love the M&C ballet flats!
how lovely are the mouse flats, i love it!!
Flats are a wonderful, practical thing to wear – though up here where I live, those pretty little things you have found here would probably be even worse then heels, as they would get soaked/my toes would freeze to death in mere seconds. I love the marc jacobs ones, though. Perhaps I’ll have to take some of my old ballet slippers and a black marker, and make myself some lovely slippers for indoor-occasions… I’m glad there’s someone out there who have the guts to talk about flats as a good thing.
I agree! Flats do come in handy, especially after a couple hours of cluncking around in heels. ouch.
Some great shoes.. love the Miu Mius.
Also, would you like to trade links? =]
I don’t do flats but if I did, I’d go for leopard.
the marc jacob mouse flats have been around for a while, they are SO iconic, never think they will go out of style.
love it.x
flats are always a good choice 🙂
Brilliant post. I think flats are so underrated! I wear flats all the time!
i love flats, they are the most comfortable shoes ever. i love walking around the city in them because i can walk super fast and not have to worry about getting my heels caught in holes hehe x
The first flats are amazing!
The pair of leopard print flats is my fave, but that cute pair that looks like a mouse! haha cute 🙂
i adore flats. best flats for me are tod’s and chanel.
The Marc by Marc Jacobs flats are the cutest flats I think I’ve ever seen! However I don’t wear a lot of ballet flats and shoes cut similarily (sp), because they tend to make your feet smaller, which is for most people a good thing, but I’m quite tall and as genetics would have it though, I have very small feet for my height. Doesn’t usually look too weird… but if I wear anything like flats, I tend to look quite unbalanced! 🙁
Anyway, flats sure are cute and comfy though! 🙂
And thanks for your comment, hope you enjoyed my photos on Flickr, or really, that they didn’t make you wince too hard in pain! haha. I’ve got to work on my photography skills really. 😛
xoxo,
S-C
P.S. My computer just froze up… I’m not sure whether this got posted or not, but sorry if it got posted twice! 😉
They can be a real life saver when you have to be on your feet all day… and you chose some beauties! Love the Miu Mius most!
xoxox,
CC
All these flats are so cute.
I am 5’11. I almost exclusively wear flats and flat-heeled boots. In fact, just last night I was organizing the shoes in my closet and found 23 pairs of flats in all different colors and styles. Kind of ridiculous, eh?
<3,
highfashiongrace
I love flats, they’re very practical when heels don’t fit the criteria for the day
We have the same taste in flats!! I love it. I’m totally a heels girl, but if I had another half a foot on my height, I would love to be in flats all the time. I love those MJ mouse flats too, but I liked the older version better.
I Need to get more of those. But I need more money for that. Life sucks.
juliet xxx
Great post! I think flats are very cute. Love all the shoes you posted, especially the Stuart Weitzman pair.
Love the last pair and the leopards! I fully agree that it is a much better option than ugly runners! Great post and I am inspired to do more online shopping 🙂
those mouse flats are the cutest things i have ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i’m loving flats too ! common point 🙂
do you know which flats are the most comfortable EVER????
LANVIN FLATS!! they come in leather, patent, satin and even croco. gosssh.. i really cannot stress on how comfortable they are. i wear mine day in and day out and they’re just THAT comfortable!!
here’s a link for you to see:
http://www.whowhatwear.com/website/admin/uploads/INspiredbyLanvinFlats.jpg
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