On The Prowl: Supportive Black Flats for Being On Your Feet
posted by: freePOrnaoa in Comfort Shoes on April 8th, 2010
Some of the work that I do requires me to be on my feet all day. Sometimes, when I’m working an event, that’s easily over 10 hours straight. No little Chanel or French Sole flat is going to cut it for these shifts. And I have plantar fasciitis, so it can be extra painful. But I don’t want to look like a schlump in ugly shoes.
So I’m desperately in need of a new pair of black flats after completely ruining my Born flats from beachwalking and bad weather (the leather got so warped that even with tons of leather lotion, they wouldn’t go back to normal). Born’s arch support was okay but not amazing, and I’m looking for something new. And I need it to be decently fashionable, at least enough to stop in at a bar after work and meet my friends.
I’m considerably impressed by the look and the reviews of these Shoes for Crews black patent flats but it says they don’t have much arch support. They’d need inserts, and so I’d need to probably buy them half a size bigger, and I hate buying off-size when I shop online because I’m never sure how it’s going to turn out. However, these would prevent me from slipping and sliding (and potentially falling) when someone has spilled a drink on a dancehall floor or when I’m running across a grassy field to make sure performers are in place.
The Ara ballet flat is $69.
The Dansko Patent Leather is $120.
The Easy Spirit Orrell is $69.99.
The Walking Cradles Fay in black leather is simple and looks very comfortable indeed, but I’m not sold on its looks. However, I guess looks aren’t my first criteria here (and I find it difficult to buy practical shoes because aesthetics are usually a huge factor for me). It’s $68.95 at Endless.
Gentle Souls, Taryn Rose, Ecco and Mephisto also had good flats with support last time I browsed online.
Restaurant folks are always good to ask. Now if only they could make prettier shoes for nurses that were still just as supportive!
Let us know your picks for good supportive black flats for those who are on their feet all day!
6 Comments
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April 20, 2010 at 3:30 am, Sara Darling said:
Have you tried Clarks? I've never tried their flats but have been wearing their heels for the last six months and love them. I've found the arch support to be better than Born, but I don't usually have trouble with arch support anyway. Their Indigo brand tends to be cuter than their main Clarks line.
April 09, 2010 at 6:45 am, leslie said:
Oh, Pim's right! Now I remember. I tried on that Stefany Patent Leather Geox in red at DSW (Boston) a few weeks ago. I am very curious about Geox, but decided that style with the little bow was a bit too conservative for me. It was comfortable, though, and I would consider buying the brand.
April 08, 2010 at 2:41 pm, Pim said:
The one from "Shoes for Crew" looks exactly like the one from GEOX!!!!
Look –>
http://www.amazon.com/Geox-Womens-Stefany-Patent-…
For me, I love my Geox flats. I have 2 pairs.
April 08, 2010 at 1:13 pm, leslie said:
The two I've been thinking of for myself are Cole Haan's, maybe the Air Zanna Ballet on sale at Zappos for $96.56? Or my favorite brand, Ecco. If not too informal for your purposes (kind of sneakery, but great support), the Lite Skimmer, on sale at Zappos for $108. (No, I don't work for Zappos!) I love your blog, by the way. Just found your Andy Warhol post under Shoe History Friday!
http://www.zappos.com/cole-haan-air-zanna-ballet-… http://www.zappos.com/ecco-lite-skimmer-black-bli…
April 08, 2010 at 11:59 am, r5bales said:
Mephistos have a good reputation. Naot shoes also have good reviews in Zappos. They have an Euro look about them, but many swear by them.
April 08, 2010 at 6:43 am, Jennifer T. said:
I love my Cole Haan's with Nike Air Technology! I have several pairs and they are all the most comfortable shoes I own (even my heels) but are also very stylish. I would recommend these shoes to anyone, they are fabulous.
http://www.colehaan.com/
Just make sure it has "Air" in the name of the shoe.