I have begun my annual quest for almost-flats that are both comfy and cute (and fit a few other criteria). I just don't wear flats in the Winter-time very much, I think of them as a spring/summer thing...I guess the "ease" of them seems Summery.
I used to be (as many of you probably also were) a devotee of the great $7 China-flat, but the lack of any support and their tendency to look disgusting quickly has made me increasingly look elsewhere for the past few years. That's not to say if I found a black pair that was wide enough for my hobbit feet I wouldn't snap them up, but right now I'm looking for some considerably "real"-er shoes.
I found these yesterday whilst poking around Zappos:
They're from Ecco, surprisingly...they're so sleek and elegant to me.
They also fit an important criteria for 99.9% of flats: they have a mary-jane strap...important not only for the cute-factor, but for the more vital "these-will-actually-stay-on-my-feet" factor.
I also ran across this pair of slightly-chunkier and more elfin shoes, that my pal Sara happens to own (so I can attest they are so very cute in real-life, too):
These are made by Clarks (again, so much cuter than you'd expect from the brand!)
I think I'm going to go with the Ecco's...but the problem now is whether to get red or grey? I love the idea of a grey shoe, and they're very hard to come by...but red is like my neutral.
Hrrm. Maybe both.
Comments (25)
I vote red.
Janet · March 30, 2008 at 02:44 PM
i wish red was my neutral. i'm working on it, though.
janie · March 30, 2008 at 02:59 PM
oh, my gosh, get the red! they would look fantastic with everything.
anushka · March 30, 2008 at 03:46 PM
I'm with you on the ex China-flat love, they do look dingy rather quickly. I rather like the grey, though usually I'd pick red! I have way too many red shoes, it is the neutral of shoes for me too. I don't care for the patent look of the red on those.
I'm currently lusting over the green Absinthe heels from Anthro. Not flat and more wintery but...delicious retro t-straps.
Amber · March 30, 2008 at 03:55 PM
the red ones!
I wish I can buy a pair too, probably in black but it's so difficult to find my size in US, European sizes are not the same.
annejulie · March 30, 2008 at 03:56 PM
I have been looking for nice flat shoes for ages. All my old pairs are leaking horribly (never ideal but especially tragic in rainy old Glasgow) but I keep wearing them. Sigh... I can't help but think this should be easier...? Red and grey both look great, by the way!
Laura · March 30, 2008 at 04:48 PM
Hmm... I was planning on shoe shopping tomorrow - and my current red mary janes are rather worn out. Red is totally a neutral colour!
ysolda · March 30, 2008 at 06:48 PM
Those are both really cute! I may have to get the Clarks for myself.
Jessicafied · March 30, 2008 at 07:08 PM
i was taking a look at your doily scarf (linked to via soulemama) and ran across this latest entry. i own the red eccos, and love love LOVE them. comfortable shoes are a prerequisite for me, since i'm on my feet teaching all day long. they are fantastic--i really can't say enough. super comfortable and chic. (the red patent spices up any and all outfits without being too garish.)
abbi · March 30, 2008 at 07:27 PM
I wouldn't think that grey was sufficiently summery- blue tends to be my neutral, so I vote red.
Christine Berardi · March 30, 2008 at 09:00 PM
I love flats, but they don't love me.. after years of ballet.. I have really high arches.. so let me know if those red shoes have great arch support. :) They are darlin'!
tiffany · March 30, 2008 at 09:14 PM
... I think you should get them both ;)
~miss.michelle
miss.michelle · March 30, 2008 at 09:22 PM
A few links towards my fav' flats of the moment (from Camper, of course !). Thought you might like them too !...
http://shop.camper.com/product.camper?opcion=20740-001&idescaparate=MUJER
http://shop.camper.com/product.camper?opcion=20715-001&idescaparate=MUJER#
http://shop.camper.com/product.camper?opcion=20716-001&idescaparate=MUJER#
(Not sure I can put a link on a comment. Hope it will work !)
Julie · March 30, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Great picks. I have the Clarks in brown and love, love them. I will say the elf-like toe gets scuffed up quickly, but nothing a little shoe polish or red marker couldn't fix.
michelle · March 31, 2008 at 12:38 PM
I would love the Clarks, but alas, my size 11 feet won't fit them. Even their size 11's...oh my, how life isn't fair :(
Stephanie Wheeler · March 31, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Get the clarks, I saw them last year and have been wanting a pair ever since. The cost the earth in the UK though.
Justine · March 31, 2008 at 05:52 PM
Oh I love those Clarks! I too have hobbit wide feet, so I'm always scared to buy shoes online. I haven't had those China-flats since I was in high school (aka a long time ago), but boy did I live in them!
Kara · March 31, 2008 at 07:19 PM
ohhhh they are both lovely, get them BOTH! Problem solved *pats self on the back* :)
Ana · March 31, 2008 at 08:39 PM
ohh what about these
http://www.mooshoes.com/invoice_variant.cgi?rm=edit&product_id=340108
lovely
Ana · March 31, 2008 at 08:43 PM
I love the grey shoes so much! I actually own a pair of red Abigo (I believe its the name) flats that I love from Sears of all places. I wore them through out a scifi convention and was extremely comfy for the entire time.
Katie · March 31, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Oooh a bird can't fly on one wing - you should absolutely have both!
Sarah · April 01, 2008 at 06:06 AM
I HAVE THESE EXACT SHOES!!! yep the clarks ones and in a deep red.... and out of my 97 pairs of shoes (i need to see a therapist) lol these are very comfy, and my favourite, i love them and have worn them within an inch of their life, i would buy them again but i dont think they are on sale anymore in the UK :(
enjoy your shoes!!
Curious · April 01, 2008 at 07:28 AM
Did you see the new aqua flats from John Fluevog? They are on Zappos, not on the vog site... and they are flat and pretty darn cute...... They are called Marion, I think.
I like those red clarks on the bottom though.... they need a striped button on the side.
mom · April 02, 2008 at 02:16 PM
I have two pairs of these:
http://www.moshulu-online.co.uk/browse.asp?x=&type=l&category=2&page=1&item=909
One in black and one from the previous season that are red and soft grey. They are so comfy, and they fit my hobbit feet really well (In this brand, I even take a size smaller than I usually do)
They're perhaps a little flatter than you were looking for, though
Catherine · April 02, 2008 at 06:32 PM
love the grey ones...red is nice but i never wear it, but both are lovely...
Apryl · April 03, 2008 at 04:41 AM