Would You Wear Flats To A Party?

Dec 19, 2007 @ 1:03pm

With all the parties crammed between this week and New Year's, there's going to be a lot of dressing up.

And we all know what that means: high heels.

They're uncomfortable so it's too bad they always make you look good, especially with a short party dress. But after several wears in one week, you can start to seriously consider pulling a too-cool-for-school move and showing up in sneakers.

The solution seems obvious - just wear flats, right? But why is it that nobody ever does that? We once stalked a streetwalker wearing flats to a party, but we think it's a rare girl that can pull this off without looking severely underdressed.

Would you wear flats to a party? (And we don't mean a party at your best friend's apartment. We mean out in public, with many strangers taking pictures). Or do you suck it up and wear pumps to every soiree?

posted by hyst

Dec 19, 2007 1:44PM

I do it all the time. Yes, heels make you look longer and leaner but sometimes being able to walk around with ease is nice too!

posted by chic3

Dec 19, 2007 1:49PM

ALWAYS wear pumps to parties! Once, just once, I said to hell with it and wore flat, suede ankle boots. I felt so asexual next to everyone else in sexy pumps... never again my friend, never again... but I will wear flats to a family party of course.

posted by guest

Dec 19, 2007 1:55PM

Agreed. Flats can be great for parties. The obvious (although not obvious for all) rules apply... flats should be in good condition(no scuffs, etc) and they should also be seasonally appropriate. I live in Chicago and I saw a pair of linen flats on a cocktail dress this weekend. Awful!

posted by ImmaterialGirl

Dec 19, 2007 1:57PM

If Sofia Coppola can wear flats to the Oscars and look chic, then any one of us can definitely pull off flats for a party.

posted by xxi

Dec 19, 2007 2:07PM

I wear flats to parties ALL the time and sneakers too. Fine they're designer sneakers but I can't be bothered to cause my feet so much discomfort in heels.

posted by silhouette

Dec 19, 2007 2:27PM

i just wore ballet flats with a high waisted skirt and cardigan sweater to my office christmas party. the other girls at the party were wearing heels, but the ballet flats set me apart and i got compliments for looking chic. flats are comfortable and different. why not take the risk? either way, you come out of the night with feet that are not sore.

posted by guest

Dec 19, 2007 3:11PM

I wore half-inch wedges to my office party that were so low they may as well have been flats. They were silver and I wore them with magenta tights, so it came off as more dressy than a non-metallic flat. So much easier to dance in! And I agree with silhouette: They definately set me apart from everyone else's boring outfits.

posted by LL

Dec 19, 2007 3:19PM

i am a lover of flats, but being barely 5'3 forces me into heels more than i care to.... i do have nice flat suede boots i like to wear with dresses that still dresses them up, and allows my feet to live freely! :)

posted by hilaryy

Dec 19, 2007 3:25PM

I always wear flats. I never learned how to walk in heels properly and my weird Fred Flinstone-feet (flat and wide) don't take to heels very well. I'd much rather be comfortable and happy than in pain and miserable.

posted by astralgirl02

Dec 19, 2007 3:29PM

um, yeah-- obviously you can wear flats ANYWHERE at ANTYIME... this is kind of a silly question.

flats are definitely as chic as any other footwear choices.

It's not a good look to be hobbling around at multiple parties in a night, and I know that I can rock flats and sneakers in a chic manner.

posted by le petit lapin vegan

Dec 19, 2007 3:38PM

definitely. apparently natalia agrees: http://youtube.com/watch?v=9edp9mgvWXY (at 3:40)

posted by guest

Dec 19, 2007 3:59PM

I broke my ankle in September and as part of the recovery I can't wear heels for an entire year. Luckily there are so many cute flats these days but I still long for the height that heels once gave me.

posted by Emily

Dec 19, 2007 4:01PM

It's probably easier for tall girls, I'm 5'1" so if I'm not wearing heels I look like I belong at the childrens table.

I wear heels almost everyday, from heeled boots to oxfords. I like being a little taller, and I feel more confident.

posted by guest

Dec 19, 2007 4:47PM

as a 6' woman i avoid heels as much as possible because i feel i look weird especially with those awesome pumps that everyone wears. (i am extremely jealous) i think there are great flats that can do the trick and gives me much more self confidence. i feel makes you look down to earth.

posted by Stef Alicia

Dec 19, 2007 6:29PM

you can def wear flats to a party. but not clumsy ones with no shape. nice pretty ones with toe cleavage are a must!

posted by Becca

Dec 19, 2007 6:32PM

Have done it, and will continue to.

posted by guest

Dec 19, 2007 11:48PM

where i live it is ridiculously snowy and icy (central canada) so heels aren't always probable. if the weather holds, and i know i will be able to strut my stuff without slipping and falling, heels all the way. i'm 5'2 and i love the way they make my legs look. however, i'd rather take the risk of looking under dressed with flats than look like a klutz falling on an icy sidewalk!

posted by guest

Dec 20, 2007 7:35AM

when you're in hong kong, you go from clubbing to bar hopping in one night and i wear flats all the time because im above average height here. all my friends cry in agony at round 4 and im still skipping about so yes. i think FLATS WORK especailly go for really pretty bright coloured ones with delicate details.

posted by guest

Dec 20, 2007 10:48AM

i love to wear flats because its more confortable than heels but for sneekers to a party hummmm...not really

posted by guest

Dec 20, 2007 12:23PM

Flats can work...Even for girls who prefer to look taller, pointy-toe flats can be just the thing to elongate those legs, without the discomfort.

posted by kottur

Dec 20, 2007 12:30PM

yeah i would, if there was a lot of dancing involved, although i do wear my heels out dancing as well. i just feel taller and nicer in heels, i find them comfortable, and sometimes even more comfortable than flats, my feet are skinny and pointy and fit perfectly in most heels but not flats which can be too wide and clumsy. if i know there will be a lot of standing then ill wear heels with a bit of a platform, as they are more comfortable to stand in, and also i use gel pads you can put in them, makes a huge difference! but the downside, or up, depending on the way you look at it is that i tend to spend a fair chunk of cash on my heels, as high street and cheap ones i find extremely painful, they are not built well. the more money you spend, the more comfortable your heels are gonna be.

posted by oui_oui

Jan 10, 2008 2:57PM

Heals have wreaked havoc on my feet! Even though they flatter my legs, I hardly ever wear heels except to special occasions. I WILL show up to a party in flats, but they have to be classy ones. It also would depend on whether or not I would be moving a lot, like dancing and whatnot. I would opt for heels (rarely though) if it's a very formal occasion. But I can't bear to wear uncomfortable heals if I'm out to have fun, beauty is NOT pain people!