Are "Power Flats" the New High Heel?

By SheSpeaksTeam Nov 23, 2012

Sore-footed women everywhere can take a collective sigh of relief to learn that flats are what’s hot in the fashion world. Designer flats are now replacing the impossible sky-high heels of yesteryear on runways, department stores, boutiques, and soon possibly your closet.

The Wall Street Journal reports about the “power flat” trend we are now seeing female executive women embracing in their day-to-day lives. Many of the new fall/winter flat looks are inspired by men’s Oxfords, but there are also pointy-toed flats with a little pump and smoking slippers (described as thin-soled masculine looking with a loafer-like tongue) set to come out next spring.

Women usually associate the flat with casual wear and call on their heels when attending a dressy event. But the newly designed flats being welcomed to the market today look like they’re ready to be paired with a gown for a black-tie occasion. Both Marc Jacobs and Giorgio Armani are pairing their spring evening wear with flats on the runways.

Many women have embraced the heel because of the flattering height it gives us (not to mention a slimmer longer looking calf), but the truth is that heels slow us down and we often keep the back-up ballet flats on hand for running between appointment or when our feet just can’t take the heels anymore.

Patty Edwards, principal and chief investment officer of Trutina Financial in Bellevue, Wash., has been wearing power flats for a while now since her bad knees just can’t do heels anymore. She hasn’t let her bad knees stop her from making a statement with her footwear. Edwards who prefers red leather and metallic accents on her flats says, “I try and take a quirky approach to it, if I have to show up and look powerful, if I'm going to wear flats, I'm going to make a statement.”

What do you think of the idea of replacing your heels with dressy flats for work and special events?

Do you find the look of the new power flats appealing?

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Comments

by threeheartsrsh | Conroe, TX

Dec 02, 2012

I learned long ago to watch the trends and buy when my styles are available. I march to my own drummer. I buy classic styles and wear them even when they are not in 'fashion'. When platforms and high heels were in I bought pants because they were longer and I could get pants that fit me correctly. I am 6 feet tall and need a 36 inch inseam. Now flats are back and pants will be short again. But, since I always wear flats, now is when I will be buying shoes. I buy mid calf skirts when they are in fashion since that is my favorite length.

by waltenja | LEBANON, OR

Dec 02, 2012

I have yet to find a flat that is comfortable, and actually stays on. 1 inch heel is more comfortable than a flat. I suppose if you are sitting all day but not a job like mine where I am walking and standing 90% of the time.

by kriszabrowski | San Luis Obispo, CA

Nov 27, 2012

I think the flats trend is great because it makes me grimace to see a woman trying to walk in heels when she just can't quite make it happen naturally. If you feel like a newborn giraffe when you're trying to walk in heels, just go with flats! There are lots of work appropriate choices now, even for fancy occasions.

by lovestotestmakeup | unsubscribe, MN

Nov 24, 2012

nooo not at all i love flats but not at all

by jemappel | Rye Brook, NY

Nov 24, 2012

I don't think the flats trend will last. High heels make women look taller and more slender, and until looking thinner/taller goes out of style, high heels are here to stay. This being said, I do prefer and wear a very small heel...I can't walk in high heels!

by noellenyny8403 | DOUGLASVILLE, GA

Nov 23, 2012

I don't like power flats look but I'm a heel girl. If I found a cute pair of flats id gladly trade my heels in.

by MadHatter | Whitestone , NY

Nov 23, 2012

I don't like the look of the power flats, but then I do wear a lot of flats because i find them much more comfortable to wear throughout the day then to wear heels. I just don't have that arch on my foot so the longest I could ever wear heels are around 10-15 minutes before I kick them off my feet. its good that a lot of women are wearing flats now. less stress on their feet and also less micro fractures on their legs from them.