Fashion people show us the flats that will always have a place in their wardrobes
IMAGE VIA @TO.KA.YA/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
Loafers, brogues, ballet flats and more.
Fortunately for the health of our metatarsals, flats are having a moment. Spearheaded by the revival of the ballet flat (and more specifically, the Miu Miu Autumn/Winter 2022 runway), flats of all kinds are being collectively embraced right now. And for good reason. They add polish with minimal effort, are comfortable as all hell and will easily transition across all seasons with cute ankle socks or tights.
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Most silhouettes are fairly timeless too, making them easy to find in your parents’ wardrobe or elsewhere pre-loved. And if there’s a pair you’ve been eyeing closely, it may be worth the investment. Loafers, brogues and ballet flats tend not to date, making it likely you’ll hold onto them for quite some time. Here, we asked five Australian fashion people to share the flats that will always have a place in their wardrobe.
Charlotte Heloise, designer at Club Venus
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There are only two things I want to do right now: make clothes and dance (work hard, play hard trance). I have three pairs of ballet flats, all of them black. These are my actual ballet shoes from Bloch. I don’t get to wear them much anymore, but they look so pretty on my shelf at home. When I’m choosing a pair I can actually wear out of the house, I always go for leather with a little bow. Bonus points for toe cleavage.
I was put into ballet when I was just four years of age and danced until I was in my very late teens. There’s a part of me that wants to start it again but for now, I’m happy styling a street-appropriate pair with knee-high socks and a mini skirt, or oversized pants. I love a shoe that can transform the aesthetic direction of your outfit entirely – the ballet flat (delicate, sensitive) can do just that.
Tokaya Saunders, artist and model with People Agency
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I don’t always wear flats, but when I do I channel Blair Waldorf. I walk around feeling like I have a trust fund and generational wealth. Flats are a staple piece of quiet luxury in my mind, I relate the shoe to grounded, affluent, feminine energy. And that’s what I like to embody when I wear my favourite flats, a pair of cutesy metallic loafers from Zara. They’re my flat-shoe fantasy come to life!
My very stylish mother bought them 15 years ago and couldn’t bring herself to get rid of them (although they didn’t fit her at all) and now, I get the honour of wearing these gorgeous shoes. I absolutely love wearing them and I adore how they make me feel, like the classiest lady ever. I plan on hoarding them for another 15 years to get in as many fancy steps as I can.
Lengudi Gur, model with People Agency
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My favourite flats in my wardrobe would have to be my Adidas Yeezy Foam Runners. I’ve had them for about four years! I got them as a birthday present. Their release date was three days before my birthday, so it was all convenient.
I love the comfortable feeling they give, with that being said the shoe sits between being a shoe and also slippers. They’re light on the feet and stylish. I feel like I can wear them when off to the grocery store, or when I’m going for a cool casual look or even a smart formal look. They’re the best.
Olga Kerestes, model with Stone Street Agency
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These shoes have been a consistent grab-and-go of mine for years now and will continue to be. They are comfortable, easy to style and bought secondhand. They are incredibly comfortable and are classic, simple flats, yet have details that keep them interesting without anything too hectic that would make them less versatile. I enjoy playing around with masculine and feminine elements in the way I dress and have found I’ve always been able to style them easily, regardless of any new style phase I am going through.
Emily Lederman, she/her, photographer and resale assistant at Goodbyes
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Ah, the beautiful Mary Janes from Carel… Picture this: Paris 2022. I was having no luck with shopping and then on my last day, I saw these. It was destiny. I just knew I had to buy them. They are the perfect intersection of Parisian chic and stylish corporate queen (so essential).
I love them because they’re my saviour when formality feels too confining, but sneakers are just too pedestrian. They’ll always hold a special place in my wardrobe because they serve so many purposes… [They’re] an elevated sandal in summer then a chic antidote to boot fatigue in winter. They’re so fun, so versatile and I’m obsessed.
For more on styling flats, head here.
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