Are you like me in that you love the look of a high heel, but practicality rears it’s head and you live in ballet flats and pumas? I just watched the Sex and the City movie for the millionth time, a flick I adore for its pure excess and lack-of-reality elegance. (Note: It would be worth being dumped if only I could recover at a 5-star Mexican resort and have my apartment redone to my revamped glamorous liking.) My favorite moment is when the girls are sitting by the pool and Miranda gets upset and walks off in a huff wearing a bathing suit…and towering high heels. She’s at once indignant, but also sort of bow kneed and awkward storming away in those heels. It’s fabulous and ridiculous all at once. It makes my Midwestern sensibilities flare and ask, does no one sit by the pool barefoot anymore? When we're together like that, my friends and I cannot wait to get into our “gowns” meaning usually our pajamas (which in GGF’s case consists of a cashmere sweater and some Joan Vass knit pants. In mine, an Oscar de la Renta silk bathrobe..but who’s counting labels?) and heels have never become part of that equation.In case you haven’t caught on, I am not a girl who would ever wear heels with a bathing suit.
That said, I covet the LOOK of heels. The Manolo Blahnik MaryJane is my ultimate fantasy shoe and if I thought I could wear it without needing a cane, I’d be oh so happy to oblige. Knee high stiletto black leather boots are also a look that can only be described as heavenly. But alas, my knees and back and other middle-aged body parts that are in pain in a way that can only be described as “Satan’s work” will not allow the wearing of such fabulous shoes. Is this fair? No. Is it ok? Yes.
The “low heel” approach has an unlikely ally these days in Vogue Magazine’s Andre Leon Tally. In a recent post on Vogue’s website, he eschewed the stiletto heel and stated:
“Do you think Katharine Hepburn would allow herself to fall victim to the stiletto? C. Z. Guest almost never wore high heels. Carolina Herrera wears heels all the time, but they are easy-to-walk-in 70mm Manolo Blahniks, or lower than three inches. Today’s devotees also include Kara Walker. I do like to see women who know how to glide gracefully along on a sensible low heel. So, designers: Can you stop the madness and dream up a new way to define your silhouette without a needle heel that defies not only gravity but elegance”
And on the tail of this, the fact that many designers are showing low/flat heels for fall. Take a cute from our stunning first lady Michelle Obama who is the most watched fashion icon of the moment and who often wears stylish low-heeled shoes.
This all leads me to picturing some of my favorite low-heeled shoes being shown for fall. And I know that I talk all the time about being seasonable, but it’s cold and rainy in Minneapolis today so indulge me in a little off-season planning ahead! Calvin Klein, Ports 1961, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Vena Cava have all shown flats for fall so sit back and enjoy this new, comfortable and achievable fantasy!! (Note: Today I am wearing black Liz Claiborne pointy-toe flats that I have been living in this summer. They rock with my black peg leg ankle pants and the big blousy Michael Kors silk blouse I have on..a little retro, a little stylish..and alot comfortable!)
Those shoes pictured below are: Burberry, Prada, Manalo Blahnik, Gucci, Cole Haan, Tory Burch and Kate Spade.
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