So it isn’t sandal season quite yet, but your tired tootsies want out of their big-boot confinement. The solution? The weightless freedom of flats. They keep your toes dry in the spring puddles, but they allow you to rock skirts, shorts, or jeans, and they don’t have to break the bank. Here are just a handful of cheery flats worth getting excited about.
ASOS LONDON Ballet Flats With Fruit Detail, $44.76 from Asos
What’s more springy than some appetizingly colored fruit? I know I like to remind myself to eat healthy in creative ways. But in all seriousness, these… might need to be mine.
Chiou, $34.98 from Aldo
I get a huge kick out of these, no pun intended. I love an ultra-feminine spin like this floral print on a unisex style like a boat shoe. Love.
Cooperative Appliqué Flat, $34.00 from Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters finally restocked these. They were gone for a long time, but they apparently wised up and re-upped. I have them in gold with birds on them. They’re actually pretty comfortable, and they make me feel really fancy.
ASOS LORI Tassle Loafers with Contrast Sole, $32.23 from Asos
Asos has these flats in tons of colors, but this color is called “blush” and it’s a neutral that’s ever so slightly washed out. I love that for transitioning to spring.
Women’s Escalator Flat, $27.47 from Endless.com
Spring doesn’t always have to be about sweetness and Easter colors. These flats are mean and girly at the same time, and I love them.
Striped espadrilles, $29.95 from Gap
If you’re into really breezy nautical styles this spring, but you don’t want to wear sky-high espadrilles, these flat espadrilles from the Gap might be just the ticket.
Steve Madden – Heaven Flat, $22.99 from 6pm.com
Another style whose classic shape comes in a ton of colors, these Steve Madden flats won’t let you down on comfort, quality, and springy hues.
Jon Josef Gatsby Leopard Flats – $69.95 from DSW
I, for one, am happy to see smoking flats making the transition into spring. I feel like bright colors make animal prints, like, obligatory. So these would be my go-to semi-formal spring flats.
Which of these flats strikes your fancy? Do you wear a lot of flats?
guest
I think it’s unhealthy how much I actually want those first flats. Also, I bought Steve Madden flats similar to the last ones, and it was one of the best shoe purchases I’ve ever made.
guest
i dont think i would ever spend more than 20$ on a pair of flats, they’re supposed to be affordable, not almost 80 dollars …
guest
Those are all ugly.
guest
the first pair is ADORABLE!!!
guest
@cantbelieveitt_surveys@xanga - So you prefer cheap-ass flats that fall apart within six months’ time? I don’t get why people bitch about, “oh, those aren’t affordable!” when, in reality, spending $80 on a pair of Steve Madden flats was one of my best purchases. Ever. Why? Well, I bought them on sale at DSW for $55 instead of nearly $80, and they’ve lasted me two and a half years so far. In contrast, I’ve purchased many adorable flats at the cheapie shoe store next to the Forever 21 at my local mall that were falling apart within a few months. So, if you like spending $20 on a pair of flats every few months, instead of investing in quality pieces that will last you long enough to repay themselves in cost… Then I guess I get what you mean.
Not to mention, you should be nice to your feet and not choose crappy quality shoes. They’ll thank you for it someday.
guest
@blackspiders@xanga - Well, I bought a pair of Tory Burch flats for $195 and they are a piece of crap. They hurt my feet like no other. I thought maybe after wearing them a few times, it would break them in… but to my dismay, I was wrong. Now it’s not like I can return them since I’ve worn them in an attempt to break them in. And I actually have a pair of flats that I bought in 2009 for $18 and they are the most comfortable pair of flats I own. They have yet to fall apart and sure beats those $195 flats that are sitting on my shoe rack with no use.
guest
I like the fruit ones…mostly because I love food .
@miss_lyrical@xanga - I agree, the price is not always a great indicator of whether a pair of shoes (or clothing item) is a good buy. Sometimes you are just buying things for the name and not the quality.
@blackspiders@xanga - I agree, one should invest little more time and effort to seek quality shoes/clothes rather than just shopping by price point. Sometimes you have to pay a little extra for classic styles that of high quality. However, I tend to be frugal when spending on things that are particularly trendy.
ranunculus / 3285 posts
I like the pair the girl is wearing in the picture.
guest
@blackspiders@xanga - I have never spent over 25$ on a pair of shoes, and I’ve never had a pair (other than, say, foam flip-flops) that fell apart until at least after a year. That said, I do agree with the quality over quantity thing. I just don’t think people should give up so easily on finding durable but affordable clothing.
orchid / 213 posts
all fug, imo.
guest
I dont like any of these
guest
@blackspiders@xanga - i’m definately all for investing my money into something that is going to last me longer. but for someone like me who is very hard on their shoes without even realising it & also being extremely tight on money, i simply cannot afford it. even $80 or $55, is a price i cannot afford ..
guest
I wear flats all the time. The only pair of these that I like is the striped espadrilles. The escalators aren’t bad either. I tend to go for a ballet shape and maybe a lace print or solid.
orchid / 138 posts
@blackspiders@xanga - I bought flats for $10 and I still have them – I bought them while a senior in high school and now I’m a senior in college and they have yet to fail me.
guest
@blackspiders@xanga - i paid $6 for a pair of used black flats (Xhilaration brand) at a thrift store. they lasted me three years. the only reason i stopped wearing them was because i found a pair i liked better.
guest
PINEAPPLE AND BANANA happiness.
I would by them just to stare at my feet when I’m sad.
guest
lovelyish’s posts about buying things that “won’t break the bank” are always severely disappointing.
How in God’s name is dropping $80 on a pair of flats NOT breaking the bank?
guest
I love them all except for the electric heart one and the pink one.
rose / 980 posts
I like my fake Tom’s kids’ flats by Soda. They are only $15. Thank God for my small feet!
I think those flats are shoes that guys crack mean jokes behind your back about.