For a lot of women, the go-to shoe has always been the stiletto heel for its built-in glamour. For me, changing into a pair of heels is all it takes to instantly dress up my outfit.
But I guess it’s a sign of the times when fashionable women like First Lady Michelle Obama, Carla Bruni and Victoria Beckham can now be seen out and about in—gasp!—flats.
The “power flat”—pointed, embellished and stylish—is giving the stiletto some serious competition. While men’s-style Oxford shoes were seen in last year’s Fall/Winter collections, pointy-toed flats and “smoking” slippers have been spotted at the Spring/Summer collections. At Marc Jacobs’ Spring/Summer 2013 show, for instance, all looks, from suits to eveningwear, were paired with pointed flat shoes.
Perhaps this has something to do with a woman’s average weekday becoming more demanding and busier than ever, juggling work, family, errands and social commitments. For a lot of moms going to a meeting or picking up the kids from school requires some practicality without scrimping on the style quotient.
From a fashion standpoint, flats are the perfect accessories to ’60s-inspired ensembles. If the spindle heel is what gives the stiletto power and authority, power flats can also come in looks that could kill. Pointy toes, metal toe caps and spikes are just some of the design details that can lend them power.
They also look far from dowdy in bright colors and materials like snakeskin, patent and bold prints like leopard.
How to wear the “power flat”? I like to wear my pointed flats with slim separates in monochromatic colors to give me a polished, elongated look.
Does the appearance of the “power flat” indicate that heels are nearing their demise? I’m betting that stiletto heels will be here to stay. Power flats are most likely just another great option for us women. Also, alternating heels with flats is what most doctors recommend to prevent back pain.