Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

How to wear flat shoes - most comfortable and most stylish flat shoes

Heels get a lot of dearest for their figure lengthening benefits and the multitude of styles and colors that they come in. All the same, wearing flats tin exist a just as stylish if you lot know how to wear flats the right way.

However, when not paired well with the right outfit (and taking body shape into consideration), y'all may run the risk of looking frumpy rather than stylish.

In this commodity, we dive deep into the world of flats. We show yous how to vesture flat shoes and explore the many varieties, how best to wear them, and how to go from frump to chichi with a few changes.

First of all some general pointers on how to detect the about comfortable flats that are also fashionable:

1. Make sure you lot purchase your shoes in the correct size

Many women go upwardly a size in shoe as they age, and then don't assume that you lot will keep the same size throughout life.

ii. More is not more when it comes to shoes

Y'all don't need a huge number of shoes (unless you want to, of grade). Invest in quality and stick to good quality leather whenever possible. It's worth investing in flats as you are likely to article of clothing them more oftentimes than your heels. You may bask our article on how to create a shoe capsule.

3. Make sure that you lot buy shoes you can walk in

Fifty-fifty flats can exist uncomfortable, particularly if you lot opt for a pointed style. Ensure your shoes aren't pinching anywhere and they are comfy plenty for all-day wear. You may enjoy our recommendations for the all-time shoes with curvation support.

iv. Go along an center on the latest trends

When your outfit is very basic and simple, opt for trendier shoes to give the outfit a chip more of a young and hip vibe. Conversely, when your outfit is very hip already you may want to tone it down with uncomplicated and elegant shoes. (Every bit usual it's all nearly residuum). Take a expect at these summer shoe trends for inspiration.

5. Matching or contrasting – information technology's up to you!

Although you often will friction match your shoes with one of the colors of your clothes, you can also do the contrary and add a contrasting color. Make certain though that the tone of color has the same kind of saturation as the other colors in your outfit. This is easiest to exercise with black and white, which can be matched with whatever vivid color like red, yellow, green or blueish.

6. Exist careful with ankle straps

Ankle straps volition shorten your legs, and so exist careful with this look if your legs are already short.

vii. Expect for padding

A expert thing to look out for is padding. As you age, you loose quite a bit of the natural padding in your feet, so you lot may need to compensate for that with your shoes.

There are quite a few few tools that help make your shoes more than comfortable. They include shoes with inbuilt cushioning and custom-made orthotics, prescribed by a podiatrist. Take a look at the best shoes with arch support.

8. To the betoken

If you want to create the illusion of top, you can practise and so with a pointed toe rather than having to opt for heels.

9. Choose the correct shoe for the pant that you're wearing

Different shoes wait best with unlike kind of pants. You may like to refer to our guide on how to combine your shoes with your pants.

All-time apartment shoes: Types of flat shoes

Flats can fall into various categories relative to how high upwardly they are on your leg. Specifically, there are iv chief categories. Let'due south take a look at these categories before examining some specific types of flat shoe.

1. Below the ankle

how to wear flats with jeans | 40plusstyle.com

Beneath the ankle styles are your more typical flats (From round toe to peeptoe, too as sandals). The summit of these style flats is right below your talocrural joint bone.

These can be quite flattering on a diversity of trunk shapes and tend to go with most looks from dresses to looser pants. Much like nude pumps, when you select a great tone matching pair with the right toe shape (like pointed toe flats), yous can elongate your figure when pairing the flat with a knee-length dress, shorts, etc.

To keep them looking chic (and not frumpy), pay attending to your torso shape and the type of bottoms or skirt/dress you are wearing. Bacteria trunk shapes can usually pair these flats with wide leg or extremely loose trousers.

This look adds a bit more volume to your frame, which is non the best wait for a balanced and fuller bodied frame. For more curvaceous figures, these types of flats look best when paired with knee joint length or long skirts and dresses (nosotros do not recommend midi) and slightly more structured bottoms, which exercise not add additional volume.

Jas (higher up) looks fabulous in her flat, nude pumps.

Recreate her outfit with this similar pair of flats, tee, cardigan, jeans, bag, necklace, chugalug and sunglasses.

below the ankle flats | 40plusstyle.com

Minnetonka ballerina flat – Treasure & Bond loafer – SARTO by Franco Sarto pointed slingback flat

2. Ankle length

how to wear ankle strap flats with a dress | 40plusstyle.com

Peeptoe sandals, ankle boots, etc. all are part of the talocrural joint pinnacle flat shoe family unit. When we go to the ankle summit, styling becomes a flake more challenging than the below the ankle mode shoes. Simply put, y'all're "cut" more of the leg, which is creating the illusion of a shorter leg.

These style shoes come in right on the talocrural joint bone or slightly college than the ankle bone. The most popular variation of this way are ankle boots, sling back flats, and ankle strap flats. If your legs are already on the shorter side, information technology is recommended that yous vesture a apartment shoe style with a fleck of a elevator (recollect i/2 inch to i inch heel). Wearing a shorter hemline volition definitely elongate the leg.

Withal, if yous get with pants or jeans, showing some skin betwixt the top of the shoe and the hem of your pant leg will besides contribute to a bit of an elongated leg. The other choice, if yous go with a longer pant, is to become for a monochromatic or neutral wait. This creates continuity between your shoes and pants, which does non create an unflattering or awkward division from your feet up.

Nic (above) matches her ankle strap sandals to the black groundwork of her wearing apparel.

Go her look with this similar pair of sandals, dress and sunglasses.

How to wear flat shoes - ankle flats | 40plusstyle.com

SOREL sandal – Lucky Brand espadrille sandal – Steve Madden sandal

three. Immediately in a higher place the ankle to the calf

How to wear flat shoes - wearing ankle tie flats with a maxi dress | 40plusstyle.com

Flat shoes that go in a higher place the ankle bone into dogie territory can be a bit awkward to style. They cut across your leg at acme that can severely shorten your frame, if not styled correctly.  A alert about these types of shoes: If they are flats that leave your foot pretty exposed (such as those beneath), understand that they tin widen the await of your feet.

Ideally, to avoid this you should get with a pair of lace-ups or straps that criss cross across your feet before making their way upwards. A pointed toe is likewise best for this, every bit that style automatically elongates the foot and frame.

Another flim-flam to endeavour is going with a minimalist tone shoe. Nude, black, white, etc. shades tend to blend in with your outfit. This allows the shoe to serve as an extension of what you're wearing and makes the path up your calf less severe.

Renata (above) opts for ankle-necktie espadrilles, matching them to the white florals of her dress.

Check out this similar pair of espadrille sandals, dress and tote.

How to wear flat shoes - above the ankle flats | 40plusstyle.com

Stella McCartney logo ankle wrap espadrille flat – Naturalizer talocrural joint strap sandal – Soludos ankle wrap espadrille sandal

4. Human knee high to over the knee

Genu-loftier to over-the-knee flat shoes are all the rage these days. The claiming, however, lies in how to wear them in such a way that is both swish and chic.

Shorter hemlines tend to be a perfect fit with these shoes although I would caution confronting  showing too much skin between boot top and hemline. The also wait not bad worn with a longer dress with a side slit.

How to wear flat shoes - knee high flats | 40plusstyle.com

Dream Pairs gladiator sandals – Kenneth Cole REACTION riding boot – Shoe Dezigns caged gladiator sandals

Stylish apartment shoes: Types of flats to add to your closet

Now that you are considering the shaft peak of the flats you choose and what may be most flattering for you, below are some of the classic flat styles you lot may desire to retrieve about adding to your closet.

These are styles which will stand the test of time, pregnant you can habiliment them for many years to come.

Ballet flats

The ballet flat can trace it'due south history back centuries, so it will definitely still be on trend next year and the one after that!

Tory Burch's Minnie way ballet apartment is always a pop way and is usually released in dissimilar colors each season.

How to wear flat shoes - Tory Burch ballet flat | 40plusstyle.com

Tory Burch ballet flat

Turn off your ad blocker to view content

Loafers

Loafers can be the trickiest style to wear as they can run the run a risk of looking frumpy, especially when styled with dresses or skirts.

All the same, they can also await great when worn with skinny jeans or cropped pants, particularly if you lot show off a piddling bit of talocrural joint. They're too perfect for slightly shorter hemlines, and will exist most suited to the preppy style personality.

How to wear flat shoes - Rockport loafer flat | 40plusstyle.com

Rockport loafer flat

Turn off your ad blocker to view content

For more than style inspiration on how to wear your pair of loafers, see our commodity on the best loafers for women over 40.

Mules

Minimal mules take been a tendency for the past 2 summers, and they're definitely yet on tendency this year. Piece of cake to sideslip on and effortlessly fashionable, they go with everything from jeans and shorts to dresses.

Because mules don't take whatever ankle straps, they don't have the leg shortening backdrop of some other apartment shoe styles.

How to wear flat shoes - wearing flat gold mules with a black dress | 40plusstyle.com

Anita (above) teams a pair of gold mules with her tiered dress.

Steal her look with this similar pair of mules and wearing apparel.

How to wear flat shoes - MAYPIE pointed toe mules | 40plusstyle.com

MAYPIE pointed toe mules

Turn off your ad blocker to view content

Oxfords

Like the loafer, the oxford is another menswear-inspired style. Y'all can vesture with a slightly androgynous outfit to keep the menswear styling going throughout your look, or contrast with a more feminine skirt or wearing apparel.

How to wear flat shoes - Rollie lightweight derby perforated lace-up flat shoe | 40plusstyle.com

Rollie lightweight derby perforated lace-upwardly flat shoe

Turn off your ad blocker to view content

Sandals

A perennial style stable, a great pair of sandals is essential for summer. Choose a pair in a neutral shade, or metallics, and they should become with everything in your summer closet.

How to wear flat shoes - Calvin Klein t-strap sandal | 40plusstyle.com

Calvin Klein t-strap sandal

Turn off your ad blocker to view content

Sneakers

Sneakers take never been so on-trend, which is cracking, every bit you go to exist comfortable while post-obit one of the latest trends.

Wear with your jeans and t-shirt for casual days, or dress down your dresses with a pair of sneakers.

wearing flat sneakers with a maxi dress | 40plusstyle.com

Becky (higher up) wears her sneakers with her maxi dress.

Get her sneakers from Antipodal and wear with this similar tee, dress, hoop earrings and sunglasses.

ECCO soft sneaker | 40plusstyle.com

ECCO soft sneaker

Turn off your ad blocker to view content

Pointed flats

If you are worried well-nigh your apartment shoes not looking formal plenty, or about flats making your legs wait shorter, then a pair of pointed flats is the reply.

The pointed toe has an elongating event for your legs in the same fashion that a pair of heels does.

Botkier pointed toe flat | 40plusstyle.com

Botkier pointed toe apartment

Turn off your ad blocker to view content

Espadrilles

Created to be elementary and functional, espadrilles are at present very stylish. You tin wear as an alternative to sandals if you prefer a closed-toe shoe.

Tory Burch colorblock espadrille flat | 40plusstyle.com

Tory Burch colorblock espadrille apartment

Turn off your ad blocker to view content

Flat boots

When looking at how to wear flat shoes, flat booties can be ane of the hardest working pairs of shoes in your closet. Comfortable enough to wear everyday, they're too incredibly useful for transitional dressing.

When the weather is cooler, you lot can still get some wear out of your summer dresses by pairing them with booties rather than sandals.

wearing flat booties with animal print | 40plusstyle.com

Melinda (above) opts for an all-neutrals outfit, pairing her tan booties with leopard print.

Check out this similar pair of booties, blouse, skirt, pocketbook, scarf, hoop earrings and sunglasses.

Dr. Scholl's boot | 40plusstyle.com

Dr. Scholl'southward boot

Turn off your ad blocker to view content

Evening flats

Going out for the evening doesn't necessarily mean you have to clothing heels. There are plenty of flat shoes around which are only as beautiful as a pair of stilettos!

Look for pointed toes, embellishment, luxe fabrics such as velvet and dressy styles such as Mary Janes.

Blue by Betsey Johnson ballet flat | 40plusstyle.com

Blueish by Betsey Johnson ballet flat

Turn off your ad blocker to view content

How to wear some of the most challenging flat shoes

As discussed, some of these styles of flat shoes are easier to wear than others. Let's take a wait at some of the trickiest – and how you can wear them without looking frumpy at all.

How to wear flat shoes: oxford fashion flats

Allow'due south quickly dispel the rumor that yous need to be a celebrity, off duty model, or fashion blogger to be able to pull off oxfords. The menswear-inspired look tin be worn by most any adult female, equally long as information technology is styled with body shape, fit, and tone in heed. Become with a monochromatic look to elongate your frame.

Keep in mind that with such a traditionally masculine way, paying attending to counterbalanced proportion, body shape, and tone are critical. Here are three ideas on how to approach wearing oxfords:

  1. You tin fully commit to a complete menswear expect
  2. Y'all can go menswear light (with tones of menswear)
  3. Yous can pair your oxfords with a very feminine await

All iii options can work. Below is an outfit featuring a menswear-inspired shirt and blazer along with a more feminine pair of skinny jeans.

flat oxfords outfit | 40plusstyle.com

Grayson shirt – Treasure & Bond plaid blazer – 1822 Denim crop jeggings – Rollie lightweight derby perforated lace-upwards flat shoe – Ted Baker London hobo bag

How to wear flat shoes: over the articulatio genus flat boots

Over the knee boots can be a claiming merely there are ways to wear them in a stylish, classy way. I would steer clear of patent leather and high heel styles. Opt for flat boots that come over the knee joint (only don't quite hit mid-thigh).

The goal is to select a tasteful and classy outfit to pair with your boots. Nosotros recommend selecting a conservative particular of clothing or something that of heavy material. Exercise not evidence much skin between your hemline and the tiptop of your boots. We as well recommend going with suede material, which is still assuming enough without calculation an overtly risque await of leather.

You lot could wearable over your skinny jeans, keeping the rest of your outfit very classy (as below), or try with a maxi dress which features a side dissever to evidence off your boots.

knee length flat shoes outfit | 40plusstyle.com

Grayson shirt – Cinq à Sept ruched sleeve blazer – FRAME skinny jeans – Kenneth Cole REACTION riding kick – Motorcoach leather clutch – ALLSAINTS silk scarf – Tory Burch pearl drop earrings

How to article of clothing flat shoes: talocrural joint strap flats

Ankle straps are universally disruptive. Some guides say to avoid them at all costs unless you lot are a certain height, while others say to get for it as they can elongate the frame.

Truth is, both perspectives are kind of right. Ankle strap shoes are difficult for many women to fashion considering when washed the right way they can look great or if styled the wrong fashion they are very unflattering. Specifically, the talocrural joint strap tin come in at an area (the ankle) where it seemingly cuts across the leg in such a way that is shortening.

Your all-time bet? For a universally flattering look, go with a higher hemline. A monochromatic look paired with a college hemline is a sure burn style to go the ankle strap look without losing on your leg real manor. The shorter hemline creates the illusion of a longer leg, while the monochromatic look allows for some visual consistency.

Ankle strap flats also work very well with seven/eight pants.

ankle flat shoes outfit | 40plusstyle.com

Karen Kane false wrap dress – Calvin Klein t-strap apartment – Nina metallic minaudière – Tory Burch pearl drib earrings

More ideas for wearing your flats

Whether you're treating yourself to a new pair of flats, or shopping your closet, let's accept a expect at some more flattering, funky outfit ideas.

Psyche wears flat mules with her romper suit | 40plusstyle.com

Psyche (above) looks fabulous for summer in her mules and shorts.

Check out this similar pair of slides and pair with this denim romper from Dickies.

Charlotte wearing sandals and utility pants | 40plusstyle.com

Charlotte (in a higher place) opts for a coincidental pair of sandals and utility pants, worn with a feminine blouse.

Recreate her outfit with this similar pair of sandals, blouse and utility pants.

Lou wearing biker boots and a floral skirt | 40plusstyle.com

Lou (to a higher place) toughens up her floral brim with a pair of ankle-height biker boots.

Get her expect with this similar pair of boots, turtleneck peak, moto jacket and skirt.

Suzie wearing dressy flat shoes with her jeans | 40plusstyle.com

Suzie (above) shows that flats tin can look just as good every bit heels for an evening out.

Steal her await with these similar lace-upward flats, mock neck top, jeans, clutch and earrings.

Tanasha matches her flat loafers to her bag and earrings | 40plusstyle.com

Tanasha (above) looks fabulous in her red loafers and accessories.

Cheque out these like loafers, shirtdress, crossbody handbag and earrings.

Lizzi wearing sneakers with her midi dress | 40plusstyle.com

Lizzi (above) opts for sneakers with her dress and leather jacket.

Recreate her outfit with this similar pair of sneakers, dress, jacket and backpack.

Beth teams flat oxford shoes with her skinny jeans | 40plusstyle.com

Beth (to a higher place) wears metallic oxfords with her skinny jeans.

Check out these like shoes, shirt, jacket and jogger pants.

And what not to clothing with flats

Fashion and style accept evolved so much that you can almost anything with flats.

Although heels can often expect better with skirts, it's now also very trendy to wear your sneakers or brogues with them.

Wearing an talocrural joint strap pair of shoes with a skirt tin also be tricky considering you visually create a line across your ankle, which can brand your legs wait shorter. On the paw it can likewise create an edgy wait that becomes extra fashionable.

If in doubt, then a pair of sandals tin exist easier with about casual outfits, or a pair of pointed flats can create the illusion of longer legs and added height with more formal looks.

Comfortable walking shoes

As well as opting for flats for style, you may as well specifically add a pair of flats to your closet for walking.

Brands to look out for when looking for comfortable shoes include Cole Haan, Arthur Beren, Dansko, Built-in, Ecco and Attilio Giusti Leombruni. Permit me know if you accept any other brands to recommend. I'm peculiarly looking for brands that stock shoes that are both comfortable AND modern.

Continue reading:

  1. Best Shoes With Curvation Support – Comfortable Walking Shoes To Walk In All Mean solar day!
  2. The Most Comfy Walking Shoes For The Stylish Woman
  3. The Best Plantar Fasciitis Shoes For Women Over 40

How practise you similar to wear flat shoes? What are some of your biggest mode challenges?

Like this article on how to wear flat shoes and non expect frumpy? Share it on Pinterest

how to wear flats and not look frumpy | 40plusstyle.com

Feature image by Charlotte

Want to get more articles from twoscore+way in your inbox, subscribe here .

You can also connect with twoscore+style on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.

Support 40+style by using the links in our articles to shop. Every bit an associate for Amazon and many other brands, we receive a pocket-sized committee (at no toll to you) on qualifying purchases which enables us to go on creating amazing complimentary content for you. Thanks!

griffinwhisingerrim91.blogspot.com

Source: https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-wear-flat-shoes-and-not-look-frumpy/

Post a Comment for "How to wear flat shoes - most comfortable and most stylish flat shoes"