How To Look Good In Flats

Tina, here.

Count your lucky stars, those of you who try not to teeter around in high heels every day, because flats are as In as they may ever be. But can you look cool and chic in flats? So glad you asked, because yes, you can. Just keep in mind these 3 tips.

I love my Chanel flats. They have what we call an almond toe. As opposed to a round toe ballet flat (which are off-limits if you want to look good in flats) or a pointy toe flat, like the animal print flats above. But there are problems with even the best flats.

How To Wear Flats And Look Good In Them

1. Round, Almond or Pointy Toe Flats? Ballet flats are never allowed, unless you're six years old and on your way to Miss Wanda's School of Ballet. Choose only Almond Toe or Pointy Toe flats.

Vertical planes over horizontal planes. I talk about this all the time. You want to draw the eye to the center of your body, and up and down, creating a long and lean look, not across the body, creating a widening effect. You can achieve this with vertical stripes over horizontal, v-neck t-shirts over crew neck, and almond or pointy toe flats over round toe. Adults who wear round toe ballet flats have what look like child-feet and legs: short and wide. That's because the round toe abruptly stops the long line, whereas the tapered almond or pointy toe creates the illusion of longer legs (and prettier feet).

Related: (Video) Choosing Shoe Shapes

Almond Toe Flats

The problem here is that my skirt is too long to be wearing anything but a pointy-toe flat or a heeled, almond toe pump. If it sounds like I'm splitting hairs, I am. Good dressing is a game of millimeters.

See how much better a shorter skirt looks with almond toe flats?

My legs look longer. If you don't like showing your knees, opt for a knee-grazing skirt or dress with a slightly more pointy toe flat.

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Pointy Toe Flats

I generally prefer pointy toe flats, but it can be difficult to find comfortable pairs. You've got to have a wide enough toe box so you're toes aren't cramped, and you need some arch support and the tiniest bit of a raised heel. These are tried and tested by me and I find them to be comfortable flats on my feet.

Wides available in some of these styles!

These are more expensive, but I've tried most of them on and found them to be comfortable.

If you want to look good in flats you've got to show some skin to avoid looking squatty. Hence, tip number 2:

2. When wearing flats, the more skin you can show (ankles, legs, toe cleavage), the better.

Low arches, low vamps, toe cleavage, shorter skirts and dresses, and ankle pants are flats' friends. So this means no loafers with midi skirts or bootcut (long) jeans. Unless you want to look like a man.

VS.

Loafers and sneakers have high vamps, the part of the shoe that covers the top of the feet. It's good to see a little skin on top of the foot, so keep the vamp low. The lower it is, the more toe cleavage you have.

Low vamp + toe cleavage = longer legs.

A pointy-toe doesn't have to be witchy pointy. Just a nice tapered point will do the trick. Which brings us to the 3rd tip for wearing and looking good in flats.

3. Sneakers are today's fashion flats ; choose wisely and pair with ankle pants or sporty skirts.

So why is my skirt now suddenly below my knees with flats, much less sneakers? Because I wanted to make sure you noticed I wasn't wearing yoga pants. And I thought it looked kinda sporty and chic with my Converse. Athleisure has taken on a life of its own in the fashion world, which means yoga pants and sneakers don't cut it anymore (thank god in heaven above). So pair your cool sneakers with ankle jeans or chinos, knit midi-skirts, anything but yoga pants.

Here are some more ways to wear sneakers with skirts and ankle pants.

I also must make mention of a much beloved line of flats I have been devoted to for about 10 years, Roger Vivier. And they, too, are experiencing a revival. They are pricey. Very pricey. But they are French. And comfortable. C'est tout.

Just for fun, here are some iconic, and très chère, flats for you to pant over.

Keep these tips in mind when wearing flats and you'll be cool and chic, and have loooong legs.

Thanks for reading, and best,

Tina