There will be days when you shun those height-boosting heels and slip your feet into a pair of flat shoes. Though flats have always been in the shadow of high heels, research has shown that they are a healthier alternative to high heels for your body. As a practical choice of footwear, this genre of shoes have been cemented as a basic wardrobe staple for women everywhere. Countless designers have been spurred to create an infinite amount of designs to suit our insatiable fashion needs. Here are 5 types of flats to add to your army of shoes, taken from the extensive collection of women’s flats at ZALORA Hong Kong.
Ballet Flats
Inspired by ballet slippers, ballet flats were once popular in medieval times. They enjoyed a fashion resurrection when Audrey Hepburn wore them with black skinny jeans in 1957’s Funny Face. Since then, ballet flats have danced their way to the wardrobe of fashionistas everywhere, providing endless outfit versatility. Choose one that is classically cut in black or white and pair them with everything from capri pants and jeans to skirts and dresses for an understated feminine charm. You can also slim down the silhouette of your feet by choosing a design with a pointed toe.
Loafers
Slip into comfort with these androgynous slip-ons and give your outfit a laid-back, slightly masculine twist. Try to wear them with more feminine clothing like shirts and dresses to balance out your look. Keep things simple for a more professional look with classic black or nude, which can elongate your legs. Turn things up a notch with studs, buckles or tassles for a more sophisticated touch. For a more glamourous spin on a basic outfit, try on some bolder options like those with animal prints or those made with more luxurious materials like suede.
Peep Toes
Take a leaf from the books of 40s Hollywood screen sirens and give off a fun and flirty image by showing off just a hint of toe. Show off your manicured toes with some peep toe flats and a cute summer dress for the summer season. To match the cheery mood of summer, choose a colourful pair that will draw attention downwards to highlight your legs.
Lace-ups
Lace-up shoes have enjoyed a variety of incarnations in oxfords, brogues and sneakers and have always received immense popularity. A good pair of lace-up shoes will not only give your shoes a better grip on your feet but also pulls your whole look together nicely. Lace-up shoes typically give outfits a classy, masculine-chic charm, so balance out the androgyny with more feminine outfit items. Those in nude or light brown colours will soften the shoe’s look so it will work better with skirts and dresses.
Boat Shoes
Boat shoes are typically associated with casual footwear and always look great for the spring season. Achieve the ultimate laid-back look by pairing them with short skirts and shorts, but stay away from those with harsh lines as they have a tendency to clash. If you’re looking for a new pair of boat shoes, look for some unusual or vibrant colours and stand out from the crowd!
Take a break from heels and reach heightened wardrobe variety with these 5 types of flats. Don’t worry about sacrificing style for comfort and jump onto the bandwagon with these stylish alternatives to heels! What are your favourite types of flats to wear?