Reddit mentions: The best flats for women

Okay, since I blabbed on and on for so long about makeup, it is now clothing time (yay!). With time you will learn that getting all dolled up is fun! When you know you look smokin' in an outfit you will feel a lot better about yourself and act generally awesome. A great wardrobe, much like Rome, was not built in a day, so let's get started.

We start off with fit. Fit. Is. King. If something does not fit you properly, I don't care if it cost 400$, it will look awful. I can't judge the fit of your clothing, but most people wear shit that doesn't fit them, thus I will lump you into this category. Tailors are surprisingly underused resources in this modern world, where mass-produced clothing is all the rage, and it confounds and infuriates me, but you're better than that now. If you have an item you like that needs to be upsized, downsized, shortened, lengthened, take it to a tailor and they will work magic (to an extent). Something that fits your body perfectly will look amazing. Clothing is made in arbitrary sizes, go make it a "you" size and you'll look immediately more put together (example)

Now, onto actual clothing items. Dozens of womens magazines will give you a list of "omg wardrobe essentials!!!!", sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. You need to consider your needs and wants. If you're a professional a 3-inch black pump may be an essential wardrobe piece to you, but as an avid picknicker, a pair of flats may be more fitting. That being said, I believe every woman needs a princess shoe: a shoe she feels fabulous and fresh and fierce and fucking fantastic in. Those could be these or they could be these (egads!). It's up to you. We actually have a decent shoe guide here, so def go check that out.

Now, for actual basics, this is coming from a young gun, so some of these may be not your style, which is totes cool, because you'll be closer to defining what your style is! It's a long and convoluted process, so most people dress pretty standard, which there's nothing wrong with. The little bits of you that shine through the standards are what make an outfits yours and great.

• good jeans. The go-to flattering cut according to magazines is bootcut, although I think straight leg is more flattering, personally. Since you don't know what your body type is it's hard to judge. Dark washes are safe, and make sure your jeans are of good quality. They are something you can wear every single day and dress up, so make sure they'll last!
  
  
• plain t-shirts in various necklines (v-neck, crew neck, scoop neck) and colours. Make sure you have your neutral shades (white, grey, brown, black). They are a great casual basic, but they MUST MUST MUST fit you to a t. Way oversized t-shirts look cute only after one-night stands when you're not wearing pants, which is not okay for outdoorsy wear. Or on super skinny people, but I'll get to that later.
  
  
• Cardigans. Great layering piece, don't have to button up all the way, but they can if ya want. Again, neutral colours since you're a newbie, but don't be afraid to bust out a fun colour.
  
  
• A LBD and LCD (little black dress and little coloured dress). Black dresses are more formal, coloured dresses more fun. Both should be above the knee (guide here). If you get a versatile dress that will last it can be both. These are for ~dressier events when you need something decent to wear. To that note, you need pantyhose and possibly a slip, to prevent visible panty lines and accidental flashings. Dresses are more individual because every looks good in a different style, so shop around with a female friend and get her opinion on how you look.
  
  
• nude heels. Nude heels are a great basic that can make your legs look a mile long. If you don't feel comfortable in heels skip it for some cute flats, or tiny lil wedges.
  
  
• a well-fitted dark blazer. Instantly adds polish to any outfit.
  
  
• white blouse. All of the magazines suggest this because it's a ~timeless basic, but it's never worked for me, but perhaps it could for you? These look so cute when tucked into a more formal skirt, and can be worn with a suiut as well.
  
  
• a black pencil skirt. Very sexy secretary and totally versatile.
  
  Now that you have these items, time to start putting things together and being stylish right? Um. It's a longer process than that. This comment is already long-winded, so I'll try to keep it not as ranty as usual. Putting together outfits that look good isn't that complicated, but personalizing it and making it your own can be tough. It's an invaluable resource to have a posse of female/observant male friends to judge your outfits. Following style blogs and keeping track of looks you like and don't like is a good idea as well. Style is trial and error. Follow a few blogs, try out some new things, and most importantly, post pictures of your progress here! We're all rooting for you and will offer as much constructive advice as possible. :)

One-bagging is easy if you're the kind of person who enjoys a basic, minimal wardrobe. If you're someone who likes tons of colors and patterns, it's definitely still possible, but can be a bit more challenging.

To one-bag successfully, you need clothing that's versatile, comfortable, easy to keep clean, doesn't wrinkle, and dries quickly.

• Start with the basics: solid tees. Like practically everyone else on this sub, I love merino wool. I pack a few dark, solid merino shirts for every trip, usually from Ibex or Icebreaker. Add some packable bottoms. (For business travel, I like Eddie Bauer's Travex. For everything else, Prana.)
  
  
  
• Add some accessories. If bright colours and patterns are your thing, pack a few scarves, and you can change your look with minimal effort. Properly tied, a scarf could be a belt, a vest, or an undershirt. Also, ditch heels for something like Yosi Samras or Tieks. They're more comfortable and pack down well, and there are tons of colors and patterns available.
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H13MYZI/ref=twister_B004DNWEA4
  https://tieks.com
  
  
• Look into convertible clothing. Encircled and Angelrox both make amazing travel-friendly items that can morph from shirt to skirt to scarf with a few snaps or ties. Especially recommended are the Chrysalis Cardi from Encircled and The Wrap from Angelrox.
  
  https://www.encircled.ca
  https://angelrox.com
  
  
  
• Pick up some travel-ready underwear. Exofficio is amazing, and goes on sale at Amazon pretty frequently. Just get a few pairs as and when you can. (It's also worth investing in a pair of Thinx.)
  https://www.shethinx.com
  
  
  
• Start looking for solid toiletries to minimize what you need in your 3-1-1 bag. I use salt deodorant, since it's better for merino, solid shampoo and toothpaste, and bar soap. For skincare products, I like Lush's Full of Grace and Coalface, and a use a face scrubber Sephora. I picked up GoTubbs to store the shampoo and Lush bars, and Nalgene travel bottles for any liquids. If there's a product you like, buy a big bottle and top off your travel bottles before your trip.
  
  
• Find a bag you love. (There are a million opinions on the perfect bag on this sub, but my choice is always Tom Bihn.) You'll need to decide on roller vs duffle/backpack, and figure out what size works for you. I would say you absolutely don't want anything bigger than 40 liters. Bigger than that, and you start overpacking. I use a 16 or 26L bag, no matter how long I'm traveling for.
  
  https://www.tombihn.com
  
  
• Get the packing cubes! Just do it! Everyone tries to skip this part, and eventually they see the light. Packing cubes contain and compress your clothes, and let you corral smaller items like non-liquid toiletries and electronics. Personally, I like Eagle Creek Specter in the Compression and Clean/Dirty flavors. If I could have just one thing from this list, it would be packing cubes.
  
  
  I'll break down my list and add some photos in another comment. Good luck!

After a couple of PMs with OP to make sure she meant /r/fringefashion's version of [Spaceship Corporate](
https://www.reddit.com/r/fringefashion/comments/3okpdv/spaceship_corporate_fashion_inspiration_album_and/) and find out what her budget was, I think I managed to identify a few things that will work for a Spaceship Student look.

Like /u/babyguitars said, there's a lot of stuff available now that fits the minimalism/architectural trends, you just have to pare it down in color, texture, and silhouette and add a few unique pieces to make it look more futuristic.

• First, you'll want to limit your color palette. Blacks, whites, and grays for sure. I personally limit myself to one metallic - silver is traditionally the most futuristic, but any metallic can work.
  
  
• As for actual color, jewel tones are the most Star Trek (like /u/eclectic_literature mentioned!), while pastels will give it a little bit more of a retro vibe. Bright colors and neons are my personal favorite, they add a bit of playfulness IMO.
  
  
• I personally think Spaceship Corporate (casual or regular) is easiest to pull off with a cool-toned palette, but warm colors would work as well. You just have to be consistent in matching them.
  
  
• You will, however, need to pare down the use of 'colorful neutrals'. It took me a long while to figure out my blue jeans and brown boots looked FINE, but didn't look FINISHED. It was just clothes, not an outfit. For minimalist and futuristic styles, you really have to commit to a monochrome base palette. I only have one pair of blue jeans in my dresser now. (And they are VERY dark blue.)
  
  
• Shapes will have to be pared down as well. You'll want something streamlined, so skinny and/or straight leg jeans and pants, ideally with a higher rise. You won't need too many skirts for college, but I'd grab one pencil skirt at some point for dressier events. (Bonus points for a matching blazer!)
  
  
• As for tops, regular t-shirts (crew or v-neck) can work, but these linen t-shirts are a example of a good shape that'll set your wardrobe just a little bit apart from most students'.
  
  
• And then a shape like this boatneck tee would be good for a class presentation or something.
  
  
• You'll definitely want to pick up some kind of asymmetric sweatshirt or jacket in black or white. Colorblocking and/or space dye would work too. (example one, example two)
  
  
• As for accessories, minimal and streamlined are your keywords here. Collars and cuffs are my personal preference, but anything minimal or geometric will work as well. I also really love this shop for rings -- I wear them both stacked and as individual rings on each finger.
  
  
• As for shoes, ideally you'll want a metallic color and a shape without laces. I've been wearing Vans since high school, and have picked them up in gunmetal, holographic leather, and black patent with rainbow sparkles over the last couple of years. Silver flats would be perfect -- a round toe reads more casual, while a pointed toe feels a little dressier. (And then there's a penny loafer if you want to add a little more prep. I wouldn't but that's just me.)
  
  
  But honestly, the real trick is to find a unique piece or two (or eighty-six, but who's counting?) to set yourself apart from the general minimalist trend and make it look a bit more intentional and futuristic. This items will usually be metallic and/or holographic. I found a couple of things I think might work for you. (And maybe me.)
  
  
• holographic duffel
  
  
• holographic stripe shirt
  
  
• men's silver metallic t-shirt
  
  
• madpax block backpack in gray
  
  
• jansport galaxy backpack
  
  
• silver tote
  
  
• holographic shoes
  
  

Let me regale you with a tale called The Foldable Flat Fiasco!

I spent NYE in Las Vegas, and knowing that I would be doing a lot of walking in heels, I decided to shop around for some foldable flats while I was visiting my boyfriend's family in the Northeast. I would have ordered them online, but we were leaving in the next two days and I didn't think to buy these far enough in advance. Bad planning. Oh well. No problem, right? I can go find some in a store, right? Easy enough! I can deal with post-Christmas shopping madness to quickly pick these up, right?

Macy's

My first stop was at the shoe department. I assume that they wouldn't have them there, since they weren't quite display-worthy, but that they would know where I could find them. Assistant #1 directs me down to lingerie. Fine. I go down to lingerie and scour the racks and racks and racks, and find only (surprise) lingerie, comfy pjs, and all types of undapants. I pick up some spanx tights while I'm there, and head up to the accessories section. Nothing. I try the purse section (because they go in your purse, right?). Nothing. I pull up the Macy's website and see multiple foldable flat options, just to make sure they had them. I go back to the shoe department, where Assistant #2 tells me that Macy's doesn't sell them in-store. Great. So I go home, wait another day, then I head to...

Wal-Mart

Surely Wal-Mart will have them, I think to myself. It's Wal-Mart. Their website has them. They have to be in store.

I asked some assistants for help, and they look at me like I asked if they sold iguanas. They are not in store.

Well, that's fine. I don't like Wal-Mart's aesthetic anyway. Let's go to their cooler older sister.

Target

The assistants look at me like I asked if they sold gold iguanas. That's cool, Target, I don't need the extra Starbucks calories anyway.

At this point, I am getting frustrated. This isn't a quality item. It's cheap, and meant to be cheap, but I can't let them go. It's becoming my white whale.

Famous Footwear

They haven't seen these in stores for years, but they cheerfully tell me that they're having a 50% off sale. That's nice, but those shoes look like quality items that I'd wear on my feet, and not things that I shove in my purse in compact form. Who needs that other crap?

Kohl's

The assistants had never even heard of foldable flats. How could they not? They were very much a real thing in my mind, though I'm starting to wonder if I'm having hallucinations.

I forgot to mention that my boyfriend has been with me this entire time. We can both be amazingly stubborn about things, so this has become his white whale, too. We sit in the car while he pulls up websites of stores around us. He suggests Party City. "They have a bridal section," he says. "Lots of bachelorette party supplies."

Party City

Swing and a miss. Good effort, boyfriend. Way to think outside the box.

However, I've hit my wall. "I'll just wait to buy them in Vegas," I say. "They MUST be easy to come by there!"

Las Vegas, Nevada

They are! How wonderful! We're picking up snacks in Walgreen's and I see them by the front. I pick up a box and strike a victory pose. I buy them, the cashier asks if I want the receipt, I say "no" because I'm a cocky sonofagun, and we go back to the hotel. Finally, I think to myself. These better be the most useful purse shoes in the entire world. I better feel like kittens are lightly massaging my feet.

The box only had one shoe. It was too big. I throw it out and keep the pouch.

Moral of the story: there is no moral. This was utterly demoralizing. But I had fun typing it out, which I guess is all that matters.

I'm not sure what budget-friendly means to you, but I'd expect to pay $50-100 for cute, comfortable shoes. Your feet will thank you for going for comfortable over cute $15 flats from Target.

I'd suggest Clark's or Keen brand. I wear Clark's desert boots for my office-ish job (I'm a woman and walk/stand a lot) with inserts to make them even more comfortable. But they have tons of flats like this in lots of colors and styles. Keen is mostly known for athletic shoes, but they have a surprising number of cute flats that feel like you're wearing sneaks, like these.

I buy most of my shoes online, so I don't have good suggestions of stores. But Zappos and many of Amazon's shoes have free returns.

Hello, fellow MN and fellow size 10 shoe bride!

This pair has been on my amazon list for quite some time. I think they're elegant and adorable!

Since you're a summer bride, how do you feel about sandals? Here is a really cute pair (comes in our size in gold and silver).

These are super cute but they have a tiny kitten heel. Not sure how you feel about that.

Here is a pair of some pretty blingy ones. Not sure if they go with your dress, but... sparkles!!! :)

One last pair, I hope you enjoy some of these! I think they're all super cute but I didn't read all the reviews so do some research. Don't count out amazon! Good luck!

EDIT: I am so sorry, I totally missed the color suggestions. I am so sorry. There are some better suggestions in here than mine! So sorry!!!

I have a few tricks.. I can wear mine about 4 hours if I'm walking a lot or so far I've been good with 8 hours at school doing a mix of walking/sitting in lecture.

Warning though: wearing heels like this can mess up the positioning of your uterus, and can cause knee and foot damage.

Now onto making your legs look good :D

• wear a shoe with a wedge heel - this is my number one tip for long days. something like this?
  
• I buy steppies for the heels that hurt the balls of my feet - not all of them but if I notice it's an issue. Also recently I've just started using the same pair for all my heels and transferring them. On amazon and walmart so you can see the packaging.
  
• shoes with an ankle strap and or peep-toes often hurt less for me but I can't explain that one
  
• buy shoes with a built-in platform - just like the ones you showed there - it decreases the actual angle of your foot but still makes your legs look really long. I just bought these ones :D - so comfy and easy to wear love
  
• If it feels tight on your toes in the store it's bad news bears. I've made this mistake so many times and it just isn't worth the pain. You'll find new fab shoes. Same with if they slip even a little bit.
  
• I got this tip from Victoria Beckham: to learn how to walk in heels better, pack a pair of flip flops and go shopping. Walk up and down every isle with a cart (for balance just in case) - but it gives you about 30 mins in new shoes on tile or linoleum which is the worst so you can learn with something to grab on to.
  
• personally I hate thick heels but if they jive with your style they're much better for long days. I found better ones at saks but that tab isn't open atm so you get aldo as an example.
  
• Beige shoes and shoes with a pointy toe (beige pointy toed pumps for double points!) make your legs look really long so you can get away with a shorter heel. These are more white but I quite like them...
  
  This is all I can think of off the top of my head but have fun and build up. Pack comfy shoes and change when you need to. Actually, dr. scholls just produced like packable flats (Fast Flats they come in a cute gold bag to toss in a purse).. Over time you'll notice that you are able to walk further and longer in heels - I don't wear them in transit - I wear comfy shoes and change around the corner before I arrive at where I'm going most of the time..
  
  Good Luck!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

I don't know if the trend will last, but I kind of thought the same thing, so I got a cheaper knockoff version for about $40. (originally found via someone on here, I forget who!)

They're decent quality, and I figure for a trendier style like that I don't need something that will last me for life. And if the trend is still going strong once these wear out maybe I'll throw down for a nicer pair. They do make my size 11 feet look pretty long but I still like how they look.

I do think that pointed toe flats in general are on an upswing and will last for several years.

You want to know something weird? When I get nauseous from forgetting to eat for awhile or whatnot, a pickle always helps me get rid of the nausea. I have noooo idea.

And maybe some nice knives(Prep) or... Toms(Clothing)? XD

Edit: Also, TT and TC are super active right now.

They're called Adele, Blue by Betsy Johnson

I actually got mine off of Amazon. If u are size 6-8 there's a great deal on them now for $29.70...

https://www.amazon.com/Betsey-Johnson-Womens-Sb-adele-Pointed/dp/B019D60I1C

I actually paid $50 bucks for my pair. Had I known they dropped in price I would have waited. Oh well!

Once FH is away from me, I'll go ahead and do a review ( :. My initial thoughts right now are that they are SUPER comfortable.

When I was a server, I got a pair of these Skechers bobs: Skechers Women's Bobs Plush Peace and Love Flat,Black,8.5 M US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DU76CHK/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_U-vyub1FHH0T9

They were great because they have a black sole (not white) so in accordance with a servers all black footwear, were relatively cheap, and crazy comfortable with the soft canvas and the soles were plush memory foam.

Either:

Some type of to the knee dress. Either with a flowy skater hem or a more professional straight hem. If it's cold I'll wear tights and a cardi.

Colored chinos with a sweater or long sleeve shirt that pairs well color-wise (if I wear bright on bottom like coral, I wear a neutral top and vise-versa)

A pencil skirt and a button up. (This is usually for conferences)

On my feetsies I wear flats but as of late I've bought 3 pairs of Tom's that I rotate (black, grey, and red) along with my flat buckle up map shoesTom's are just straight up comfy and are great for standing all day long.

I got these from Amazon and love them! Very comfortable and seem to be holding up very well.

Thank you so much! I love the Betsey Johnson Lark ones - those are probably my 2nd choice right now (assuming I can't find the Kate Spade on eBay or somewhere secondhand :) )! I also really like these you listed and think they could probably work too :)

I got these flats which are fairly comfortable! I am usually an 8 or 8.5 and the 8 fit perfectly.

A good comfortable pair of flats is very worth it. You can consider it an investment for your professional life. These are comfortable as hell, coming from a woman who wears chuck taylor's every day:
http://www.amazon.com/Hush-Puppies-Womens-Chaste-Ballet/dp/B009OXV0SU
And added bonus they don't have any toe cleavage which grosses some people out.

I love those so much! I had good luck searching for glitter flats and sequin flats (and leaving the color out).

• 1
  
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• 3
  
• 4
  
• 5
  
• 6
  
• 7
  
• 8
  
• 9 (not gold, but REALLY close to the kate ones!)
  
  Most of these don't have the bow, so if you're intent on that, try searching for shoe clips on etsy!
  
  Edit: YIKES. Currently formatting.

The Claire Dexflex Scrunch flats. Also sold at Payless. You can't kill them. They don't die. I wear them basically from the time the winter boots come off and I can get away with not wearing socks, until the next winter boots season. One pair usually lasts me two summers of almost non-stop wear. They're cheap, comfortable, and they do not die.

• Take an Uber or Lyft to Total Wine and grab a bottle of something (prices are awesome) and pre-game in your hotel room before heading out. Skip taking the flask anywhere. It's one less thing to carry around.
  
• Dress for the attention you want.
  
• Don't get separated from your friends.
  
• If you accept a drink from a guy, take it directly from the bartender (or pick up some GHB testing strips before you come out).
  
• Also, if you plan on wearing stripper heels, bring backup flats just in case because you don't want to walk around casinos barefoot.
  

> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DU76CHK/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_U-vyub1FHH0T9

They're cute and cheap!!! Thank you so much!!

I like these and these too. So fun!

This is a great idea. Here are my suggestions:

$0-5: pig iphone sleeve

$5-10: for the ladies - very useful

$10-20: best chocolate bar ever!

$20-50: you get a pair, a pair is donated to a kid in need

Absolutely! They're Kate Spade Willas - I got the last pair of the rose gold / silver color way in the store in Chicago about 6 months ago so I'm not sure if you'd be able to find them in stores but maybe online somewhere, and they have lots of other colors! I need to break them in but I think they will be comfortable.

what about these ? I have to sense for that sort of thing but I've heard from some friends these are handy.

• shoe one
  
• shoe two
  
• shoe three
  
• shoe four
  
• shoe five
  
• shoe six
  
• shoe seven
  
• shoe eight
  
• shoe nine
  
• shoe ten
  
• shoe eleven
  
• shoe twelve
  
• shoe thirteen
  
• shoe fourteen
  
• shoe fifteen
  
  I have 4 more shoes on their way and if they don't work I don't know what to do. Any suggestions welcome!

Oh, yes bring flats. Especially for the dance part of the wedding. You can buy collapsible flats that slip easily into a clutch if you don't want to carry/worry about another pair of shoes being somewhere. I bought these at a drugstore.

Hush Puppies Chaste Ballet Flats are my favorite! They are comfy, versatile, and durable.

http://www.amazon.com/Hush-Puppies-Womens-Chaste-Ballet/dp/B009OXV0SU

[These have pretty good reviews] (http://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Laundry-Womens-Easy-Does/dp/B00D2OO1TM/ref=pd_sim_309_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=31hdU%2BJPZJL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1DH3YDC660ZVX08YNMBY) and fall within your budget, but the black ones are suede. [These are similar] (http://www.amazon.com/Tommy-Hilfiger-Womens-Naree3-Shoe/dp/B00I0NK99Q/ref=pd_sim_309_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=31TxvGsWLAL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1D5656MV5D9X2ZW4DFRN) and also fall within your budget...the black ones are normal leather. [These] (http://www.amazon.com/Franco-Sarto-Womens-Heath-skimmer/dp/B00LN6BTC8/ref=cts_sh_3_fbt) may be another option to consider if you're not a fan of the d'Orsay style.

Now to wander my apartment wearing socks with them to stretch them out a tiny bit!

I’ve been eying them up on Bhldn’s website and recently saw them 25% off on Amazon!

Badgley Mischka Women's Gigi Pointed Toe Flat

I carry a pair of these when I go out & they've managed fairly well on a dance floor and trudging through a couple city blocks after.

Do you know anyone in Canada who would send them to you if you shipped them to their address? https://www.amazon.ca/Betsey-Johnson-Womens-Sb-adele-Pointed/dp/B019D60I1C

How about fast flats, or something similar?

These are mine

The Hush Puppies Chaste ballet flat. They have a padded footbed and rubber sole so they're comfortable for walking in but they still have a sleek profile.

Is there a store you can stop to along the way - a dollar store to grab a cheap pair of flip flops (or slippers) or a drug store where you can pick something like these up?