STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

JMR · Dooney & Bourke

Are all flats like this?

boobaby · Kate Spade

I don't think so. But if they are killing your feet as in not being supportive, I would suggest one of those insert cushion things. Sometimes after I've been wearing heels a lot, I almost feel like I'm walking barefoot when I have flats on.

Metric · Gucci

what about them hurt? do you need more arch support or were they rubbing somewhere?

JMR · Dooney & Bourke

It was more rubbing - on my heel and the joint on my big toe

luckylily · Gucci

I'm sure not all flats are like that, but I do find flats a little uncomfortable. I always feel like the leather around the heel and ankle are rubs really badly. I've never quite understood why I don't have the same problem w/ heels.

FashionPrincess · Hermes

Pretty much all flats are like that on me too. I have to have at least a little heel or wedge, I think I have a high arch. So no solution, but you're not alone. Flats do not equal comfort.

BTW, how was your trip to Israel?

-- Edited by FashionPrincess at 22:10, 2006-12-21

kittenheels · Coach

It might help to have your cobbler break in the heel a little bit to soften up the leather so it doesn't rub as much.

Flats that have no arch support hurt my feet if I do a lot of walking. You might want to try some of the Cole Haan Air flats. They have some sort of sneaker technology so they are cute but incredibly comfy!

ejc423 · Coach

luckylily wrote:

I'm sure not all flats are like that, but I do find flats a little uncomfortable. I always feel like the leather around the heel and ankle are rubs really badly. I've never quite understood why I don't have the same problem w/ heels.

Ditto. I have to size up a half size and put a heel liner in like this:

Heel Liners

And even then a lot of them kill my feet. I hope something helps, because those shoes are adorable!

Kelly · Hermes

if it's rubbing that's the problem, you could try moleskin. I use it pretty often while I'm breaking in a new pair of shoes, or getting my feet used to them. My first pair of cute flats were awful, and sometimes they still get me. I do feel more supported in heels. But I also just got a pair of flats I can barely bring myself to take off because they're so comfy!

NCshopper · Hermes

I think it's probably more a function of them not being broken in than of them being flats. Give your feet a rest for a day or two and then wear them again to try to break them in one more time.

Elle · Hermes

I find alot of flats tend to be very rigid - the leather (especially at the back of the heel) is rigid, the soles are very rigid. Rigid = rubbing and therefore pain/blisters. I also find that many of them are cut very high up onto the heel/tendon, above where your foot normally breaks when you walk.

The only flats I've been able to wear so far are ones with divine leather linings, rubber soles, and low cut around the heel. All of those so far have been obscure Italian brands, but I'm holding out hope! I'd check at Nordstrom for said obsure Italian brands if you're set on flats, and definitely stay away from cheap flats of any sort.

JMR · Dooney & Bourke

Thanks for all your advice. I will work on them.

Fp- my trip to israel was AMAZING - I will post some pics in travel this weekend.