It's time for a new edition of The Show Review! If you missed the debut of this series, you can check it out here.
Since 44% of woman wear flats most often, today I have five fabulous flats of different styles and price ranges to share with you. Since it's finally warmed up a bit here in the Northeast, I even modeled them! Granted, my photos aren't great and the backgrounds are a little lack luster, but I've been a bit contained while on 'Dad duty', so I did my best! And here we go…
First up is the Oblique Skimmer from Moda Spana. I'll start by saying that I consider burgundy an underappreciated neutral. Look through your closet and chances are, burgundy will go with at least 75% of the items in there. Same goes for navy blue and mustard yellow, in my opinion. If you're looking to spice up your shoe love life but aren't ready for really bold colors, start with burgundy, it won't let you down.
With the glossy finish, ruffle detail and brass accents, this flat is perfect for work with a skirt or trouser pants, but they also look cute with jeans, shorts or capris.
For comfort, I'd give these shoes about 7 out of 10, which in my world means they are perfect for wearing around work all day or a few hours out and about running errands or shopping, but I just wouldn't want to walk a marathon in them. The uppers are a bit stiff, but do start to break in to your foot over time, and on me at least, don't cut into the back of my foot or rub anywhere funny - which is the most important thing I look for.
For fit, they seem to run about a half size small. I most commonly wear an 8 but needed these in an 8.5. The rounded toe leaves you plenty of room, as opposed to a pointed toe, and the width is moderate. I have slightly narrow feet so flats often gap on me, and while these don't gap much at all, there is still a bit of room in your feet are normal width or slightly wider.
As with any flat, you don't get much arch support, but there seems to be room for a thin insole if needed. The soles do not click when you walk (which people usually love or hate) and the shoes feel sturdy and well made. I did read in other reviews that some folks lost the little ball accents, so be sure to tighten them down before each wear (or remove them, add a touch of superglue and screw them back on!)
Marked down to about half their original $83 price tag, at $45, they'll keep you and your feet happy for years to come.
They also come in black or charcoal gray with silver balls (LOVE!), but the sizes left are limited, though they do have them in C/D width too. See Amazon for black, gray and wide widths and a few sizes of the burgundy - where they are on sale even cheaper!
This next shoe is actually a wedge, if you want to get technical, but I still call it a flat. It's the Shauna Wedge from Target, and with it's $20 price tag, you can feel guiltless about adding these to your wardrobe even if you only wear them for a season or two.
This is the style of shoe that really screams versatility. The small wedge adds just a little height and style without the dressiness of a full blow heel and they look adorable with just about anything - skirts, dress, trousers, skinny jeans, flared jeans, shorts - you name it, these shoes will probably work. They also come in four colors, all of which I love. I have the black and my mom has the metallic bronze (which is awesome) and can be worn as a neutral as well.
For comfort, I give them a 6 out of 10. I wouldn't want to do a ton of walking in them, as they scrunch the toes a bit. I wear a lot of pointed shoes and don't usually have a problem, but these do squeeze a little, though I only notice after walking for more than 20 minutes. Being spoiled by wearing mostly leather shoes, I do notice these are synthetic, with less breathe and flexibility to them, but nothing that bothers me, especially when wearing tights or trouser socks.
Aside from that, I find them pretty comfortable. They don't cut in or rub anywhere, and the wedge bottom makes them feel like walking in a flat. I wouldn't spend more than their $20 price tag on them, but for that price, I'll get more than my moneys worth out of them.
Top Goodwill $3 • Jeans DKNY Soho Boot, Macy's $39
For fit, they run small, at least a half size, if not a full size. It depends on the width of your foot and the size of your toes, since they are pointed. I usually wear an 8 and got these in an 8.5. As I mentioned, they do crunch a bit over time, but the 9 was just a tad big.
They aren't too wide to gap on me, but there is a bit of extra room if you have a slightly wider foot. If you're looking for a versatile, stylish, inexpensive black shoe or a fun pop of color without breaking the bank, give these a try.
Next up is the Golden Smile Flat from Mod Cloth. With the versatile chocolate brown coloring, cute accents and $29 price tag, I couldn't pass on these. They are so much more than your 'basic brown flat' but can be worn just as much.
I was weary to order these after reading some lack luster reviews, so I wasn't expecting much, but I absolutely love them. Yes they are thin, upper and sole, but you get what you pay for. Yes they are synthetic, but they are soft, flexible and kind of feel like slippers to me!
I've worn them with skirts and tights, jeans and capris and they look good with everything. The little gold accents add just a touch of dressiness and interest to any outfit.
They fit true to size on me and though the toe is pointed, it's subtle enough to not squeeze at all. Because the material has some give, these seem like they would work on a wider foot as well. They won't last forever, but if I get a season or two of wear out of them, they're worth it.
Because of their comfort, style and color, this next pair of shoes has quickly become a staple in my wardrobe, the Fabsy Woven Flat by Nine West. Though fairly casual in style, I love them with a cute skirt and they are also perfect with jeans or shorts.
Cardgian Salvation Army $3.50 • Tank Top TJ Maxx $9 • Belt Anthropologie $34 • Skirt clevernettle $20
I've literally walked miles in these shoes while in Pittsburgh and they were great on my feet. The leather is butter soft and awesome against your skin. They stretch and mold nicely to the shape of your feet but still feel well made and have a sturdy sole.
Again, you can't expect too much in the way of arch support, but hey, they aren't sneakers. They're low on the sides, but not uncomfortably, and are raised around the heel to nicely cup your foot and stay in place without any pressure.
For me, they fit true to size, though they were snug at first. I also tried a half size up but could tell by the leather that they would stretch and I'm glad I went with the snugger fit (my normal shoe size). They did stretch and shape nicely, but not too much.
I find the natural color to look great with everything in my closet from colors to neutrals and even black, but the shoe does also come in a muted army green and two styles of black.
They are pricier at $60, but if you like the style of this shoe, you won't be disappointed. And as with all my other Nine West shoes, I expect they will hold up nicely for many years to come.
Nine West $59
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Last, but certainly not least, is the most unique pair I have for you today, the Pythagorean Pretty Shoe from Mod Cloth. Made by designer Jeffrey Campbell, they are leather, the quality is fabulous and they are built to last, but you pay for that with the $99 price tag. Worth every penny though, in my opinion.
Not only are they unique and adorable, but I find them to be super comfortable and flattering on the foot. They look cute with skirts and shorts and I love them with skinny jeans, though I personally don't like them with wider leg jeans, but that's just my preference.
I found them to run just a tad large for me. I usually wear an 8 and ended up getting these in 7.5, though I really could have worn either size. You may want to try both and see which fits better for you. The biggest problem with the 8 for me was I found them to be too wide across the toes, mostly on the inner edge, I could see a good 1/4" of the red lining beyond my foot. The 7.5 was snug when I got them, but they have already stretched out a bit.
The straps across the foot keep them feeling secure and give a flattering shape, and while they are also adjustable, I'm not sure they would really do anything for the fit. The heels cup nicely but doesn't dig in or rub at all.
I can comfortably walk all days in these shoes, with many stops along they way to say thank you for all the compliments I would be getting on them :)
If you're a lover of unique shoes like me, don't pass these up.
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I hope you've enjoyed this month's edition of The Shoe Review! Do any of these flats fit your style and which pair is your favorite? Am I missing any important aspects when reviewing the shoes? Let me know what you think and what you'd like to see next!
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