Fashion Stylist and Image Consultant in Melbourne, Brisbane

Sayonara to beauty & the pain

By cecilycecily | August 16, 2010

0 Comment/s

It’s time to say “sayonara” to the compulsory night time heel because flat shoes are fast becoming acceptable for those evening events that can often be followed by a trip to the chemist for a packet of Band-Aids. This love-hate relationship between beauty and the pain is becoming more and more distant, and this season designers are opting for a bond between comfort and style by replacing the 6 inch heel with the flat to result in equally chic, elegant and polished looks.

It is usually the shorter women who steer clear of flats at night time, fearing that they will look short and/or stocky without a towering heel beneath them – and it is true that heels elongate your body and obviously make you appear taller - However the right choice of flat can create a very unforced and elegant look appropriate for both the shorter and taller of us females.

I often find that when it comes to flats people become a little bit lazy. There seems to be a fairly widespread delusion that because they are worn on your feet - a whole body length below the eye line of any observers (aside from crawling infants who won’t judge you anyway) - it doesn’t matter whether they are worn, torn, match or clash. This is not the case and although you don’t need to invest in a pair of flats to ‘perfectly match’ each outfit, there are a few tips that can help you out when it comes to tidying and completing your overall look.

Everyone should have space in their wardrobe for a pair of black ballet flats, and while the weather is still quite cool, they are a safe complement to maxi dresses or tailored pants. For a bit of a ‘pick-me-up’ to your evening outfit opt for an embellished pair that will keep you looking chic right down to your toes. If wearing a dress (long or short), sandals can make just as striking a look as heels can, and by investing in a gold and silver pair, your jewelry choice for the night will be emphasised and your look completely polished.

So dispose of the misconception that in order to look chic, elegant and classy you need to walk with your head in the clouds and find yourself a pair of flat shoes to accompany your next evening outfit.

Image courtesy of The Lifestyle Zone: The Style Hub blog
From left: Valentino, Vivier & Anna Sui