Comfort has always been paramount for me. I must admit that when I was younger, comfort took a backseat to how an outfit looked but as I get older (or I prefer more experienced), I’ve learned to balance both. I’ve learned that wearing heels that you can’t walk in makes you look silly and impractical. Let’s not kid ourselves and admit that heels have a long tradition in fashion. It certainly makes you look taller—I’m 5’2” so any help counts.
I remember how my first pair of Christian Louboutins made me feel as I slipped it on. It made me feel confident and sexy. While my bank account probably didn’t agree with the high price of $1200 for a pair (I was a student at that time), I gave it all up for the how it made me feel and look. I was simultaneously picking out outfits that would match it--everything by the way--and where I would wear these red soled beauties to.
Perhaps my most challenging experience with heels came from my first fashion week in New York. I was in pain while wearing my 5 inch heels for eight to sometimes ten hour days in the tent. In my mind, taking off my heels and switching into flats would be the equivalent of fashion suicide. You just didn’t do it. Finally on day three, I’ve had enough and finally took my Michael Kors flats out of my bag I so stealthy hid in my bag and switched into it. Just as I felt embarrassed and inadequate to even call myself a fashion journalist, a woman who looked like she came straight out of the pages of Vogue sat down beside me. She looked down at my shoes and said “smart woman”. It was just as she got up to leave that I realized she was a member of the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America). I felt fashionably vindicated.
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I can’t say that I’ve quit heels cold turkey because there are occasions that call for a great pair of pumps. I’ve since toned down the height of my heels and found great designers that suit my lifestyle of being on my feet most of the day. I’ve since switched out my Louboutins for a modestly heeled pair of Manolo Blahnik (Dior also make some surprisingly comfortable heels). Two years into working in fashion industry, I realized that my role as a journalist and ability to do my job is paramount over anything else.
It wasn’t all too surprising to me that while I was in New York working this year that writers and editors would often come into the office and slip into their work shoes (aka heels) and switch out of it after work. Anna Wintour’s assistant admitted that she would never flats around her. Last summer, even Andre Leon Talley (editor-at-large) of Vogue released a video advocating for flats.
It doesn’t have to be functionality over fashion. You can integrate both and designers are evening out the playing field in terms of heel to flats in their collection.
Click here for our top 10 inspiring flats.
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Amy Yew is a contributing columnist at Vancouver Courier and a fashion and style writer. Tell us what you think and submit any questions you have to [email protected]. You can also tweet your thoughts @AmyYew.
