Dear Belle,
I know it’s not yet Labor Day, but I love autumn, so can’t help myself planning ahead. I’m looking for some new flat shoes that will keep my feet warm through winter. What trends in casual footwear and boots do you like this year? Are riding boots still in fashion? Is it all about booties? Lace up boots?
Absolutely love the blog. Thanks, Julie
Most of the big shoe trends for this season revolve around high heels and mid-thigh boots. Neither of which seems to be what you’re looking for. Here are some classic and trendy choices.
Menswear-Inspired Flats
Vince Camuto Empa Flat ($109) // Louise et Cie Tassel Loafer ($139) // Halogen Lacey Oxford ($109)
Flats with masculine shapes and details were on several of the Fall 2015 runways. Nordstrom has a trend guide for their favorite menswear flats. I love these Vince Camuto flats with a strong shape; they also come in three other colors. I also love these sleek M. Gemi flats.
Looking for something under-$50? These cut-out oxfords from Forever21 are the perfect blend of masculine and feminine.
Also, this Gilt sale has a good selection of interesting and basic flats that is worth a look if you’re hunting for flats for the fall.
Classic Riding Boots
Sam Edelman Penny Boot ($149, also in wide calf) // Corso Como Geneva Boots ($198) // Nine West Velika Riding Boots ($179)
The most popular “must have” brand of riding boots is Frye. But I am so hard on my boots, I can’t bear to spend $388 on a pair (even if they are gorgeous). However, for some readers, that might be a very worthwhile expense when considering cost-per-wear.
My current go-to boot is Corso Como. I’ve had pretty good luck with them. I think they’re fairly comfortable, and they accommodate my skyscraper-high arches.
If you’re looking for boots at a bargain price, may I suggest Nordstrom Rack (lots of Corso Como) and Last Call. In the coming weeks, the selection at Zappos will also be pretty good.
As for booties, they’re just not where I want to put my money right now. I know they’re still the hot trend, but they’re usually not flattering (esp. the flat, ankle pairs). Unless you have evenly proportioned legs, they just emphasize width, whether it be calf, thigh, or hip.
If you love ankle boots or you’re one of the rare women who they look great n, these Louise et Cie booties keep calling to me. I just shout back that I’m too pear-shaped to wear them.
I just picked up a pair of flat, black Frye boots on 6pm.com for like ~$200. I have a few pairs of Fryes, bought on deep discount, and they really stand the test of time and I can’t recommend them enough.
I thought they stopped making Corso Cormo (or at least the real leather ones)? I bought my first pair of Frye boots last year, on sale, though not deeply discounted. I mainly bought them, because I’m hard on my boots. I got tired of boots that were trashed by spring and having no choice but to toss them. With the Frye ones, not only are they sturdier, but the individual components also seem easier to get fixed. The inside is leather too, so they’re no concern about the lining ripping, which tends to happen to me near the toes.
What kind of shoes should us Pears wear?
I like a pointed toe flat/heel/boot to lengthen the leg.
Thanks for the Corso Cormo rec for high arches! I’ve got high arches too and finding something with decent arch support is the constant mission.
I have to beg to differ a little on the booties – I’m 5’11 and curvy, so I figured I could never wear the style. But I kept seeing them everywhere and I have a hard-to-fit calf, so I tried on a million pairs of black booties last fall and hated every single one, until one day on a whim I decided to try on the Rag and Bone Newbury boots. I’ve never plunked down my card so fast, they made my legs look seriously so good. I had them water-proofed and probably wore them 100 times over the fall/winter/early spring – they still look brand new. They’re comfortable all day long and I am seriously excited for it to get cold so I can start wearing them again.
For the menswear-inspired flats, what do they go with? Skirts/dresses? Or something more casual, like jeans?