I’ve had a number of friends run into a serious shoe dilemma lately. As a result of knee surgeries, foot surgeries, running injuries, or what have you, they’re confined for some amount of time to flats. This is not a Fashion Friday emergency given all the adorable flats on the market except for when you have to attend a formal event. Think cocktail reception, wedding, opera or even an evening dinner celebration. The fall back shoe for most of us is a heel, but not for today’s Fashion Friday!
Today we tackle how to dress up flat footwear. That’s right: Fancy Flats for Fashion Friday!
First of all, it could easily mean no dress/skirt for the event. You can pull off a skirt/dress with flats, but it is harder. You also need the right figure for it. Think 1950s fitted embellished sweater, long pencil skirt, and pointy patent flats. Gorgeous, but I won’t wear that outfit because I don’t have the figure.
There are other options of course, but when I select flats for formal events, I tend to style the outfit with ankle pants or trousers. You can absolutely make that look fierce and feminine.
For formal events, you can dress up a flat with silk fabrics, velvets (in season), embellishments, and a pointy toe. I know some women eschew the pointy toe, but simply buy a half-size larger for comfort.
For a women’s tuxedo look, imagine a fitted black suit with crisp pleated white blouse, these Kate Spade oversized bow black patent loafers are perfect.
One of the best looks come via these crystal embellished aqua satin flats . Divine for a cocktail reception or night out with the arts. And while I said dresses and skirts can be harder to style with a flat, these are the shoes where you can try. Select a ’50s inspired silhouette for a cocktail reception, and marry these beautiful shoes with a matching satin clutch to send an ultra retro vibe (and after last week, you know my rule is typically NO matching!). Honestly, these shoes work for any of the evening flat looks.
I’m over the moon for these unique white lace and bow flats which can serve as a perfect accent for a wedding outfit. AS LONG AS you wear them after Easter – sorry ladies, I’m a stickler about white shoes! Don a pale ultra lux sweater and narrow cropped satin or brocade pair pants, and you’re all dressed with someplace to go!
And I know half of you are going to kill me for this recommendation and never read Fashion Friday again, but y’all, I think these would be so fun for a wedding or arts event. Yes, they’re wacky. But they’re fancy and not high. Tassle – check! Pearls – check! Suede – check! You would have to choose your outfit carefully (happy to help you), but I think you’d steal the show with these from Jeffrey Campbell:
Also, I realize ALL these shoes are more expensive than my typical recommendations, so I offer you this steal of a deal as an option as well. This brand has oodles of flats on DSW in multiple styles and colors – all under $30! If the shoes are for a special occasion, this will keep you from dropping a bundle and you don’t care if they last forever. I’d opt for these simple flats in ice blue suede:
What say you? Do you ever wear flats for formal events? How do you style your flats to dress them up?
Tuxedo photo credit Harper’s Bazaar (all other photos link embedded).
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