Reader Question: Comfy (& Cute!) Flats

I finally understand what you've been saying about flats.  I wore flats to drop off my son at daycare and they tore up my feet, which never happens to me in heels.  But I didn't want to carry my son to daycare in heels. Post on flats for the working mom? 

Oh have I been there. Well, not that exact scenario, but the whole flats rip up your feet part.  The problem is, I don't have a magic flat that will work for every single person.  Everyone's feet are different and shoes hit each person differently, so while I LOVE my Tory Burch reva flats, other people find them to rub wrong. And I know people who love Sofft flats, but they make me blister terribly.  The only thing you can do is trial and error. I know, it sucks.  But to narrow down your trial options, I've gathered a list of the brands and designers known for being the best when it comes to comfort and wearability.  

Cole Haan with Nike Air technology, $158 @

Wears like a sneaker!

Sofft, $95

The name says it all

Me Too, $88.95 @

Well priced

Sam Edelman, $109.95 @

A brand that has worked for me

Sperry Top-Sider, $108 @

These have a great tread on the bottom so you aren't walking flat on the ground

TOMS, $73.95 @

TOMS now have a ballet flat!!! So the comfort of the original, but none of the grotesque shape

Tory Burch, $195 @

My personal favorite

Sperry Top-Sider, $89.95

A classic style

@Available in more colors

EWP Gift Guide 2011: Tory Burch Flats

Give the gift of style and comfort with my very favoritest flat around - the Tory Burch "Reva" ballerina flat

Tory Burch, $195

Available in more colors

Neiman Marcus Wine & Shoe Pairing Event

Last week I had the supreme pleasure of being invited by the Waldorf Astoria to attend a Wine & Shoe Pairing at Neiman Marcus. It was small and intimate, but really fun. They'd pair a comfort wine with a comfort shoe, like a spectator Chanel pump. As a non-drinker, I don't know much about wines so I really can't tell you what paired with what, but I can tell you I really did enjoy watching the shoes being walked around by the models. I also enjoyed the dresses they paired them with, but no one was talking about the dresses, so I can't tell you what they wore :( Since my hands were free of wine glasses, I got a hand massage by the people of Fresh. It was divine.

Then our little band of wine tasters/shoe fondlers, made our way to the shoe department where the wine and shoe pairings continued and we were given gift bags that included a $200 gift card to Neiman Marcus. Um... best gift bag ever!

I used my gift card for these simple and useful Tory Burch flats. Lord knows I'll wear them a million times. When it's not Aerosoles soul mate season, it's Tory Burch flat season.

Tory Burch, $235 @

And with my gift card, they were basically free. Who can say no to that?!

I will admit that what I really really wanted were these Valentinos.

Valentino, $645 @

OMG divine. I swear my foot/leg has never looked so darn sexy as when trying on these spiky stilettos. But, sadly, they were not to come home with me. a) I need another pair of black pumps like I need a hole in the head. It's not like I'm working, where on earth would I ever wear them? b) My stay-at-home-mom budget definitely does not allow for $700 Valentino shoes. As much as I would like it to. *sigh*

But I am very excited about the Tory Burches. I wish I had taken my camera to take pics of the event, but it was intimate and I definitely would have been the weirdo snapping pics with my gigantor dSLR. Oh well, maybe next time.

@Available in more colors

EWP's Favorite Things: Tory Burch Reva Ballet Flats

Over the however many next posts, I've decided to bring you my favorite things. It's just like Oprah's favorite things, but without the free stuff.

First up is one of my favoritest, can't-live-without-it items: my Tory Burch reva ballet flats.

Yes, I do actually wear flats. Walking around the city can really tear up a pair of heels, it was just too harmful to do anymore, so I switched to flats. The only problem: flats give me blisters. Yes, I can wear any ridiculous 5 inch heel out there, but put me in some basic flats, and the back of my feet break out in blisters. I think it's their way of rebelling. I've tried every brand, every flat, but they always just rubbed me wrong. Until I found these:

Tory Burch, $195 @

They are, in a word, heavenly. So comfortable. Actual soles that most flats don't give you, so you don't feel like you're walking barefoot on the street. And oh so pretty. I wear them ALL THE TIME. So much so that I had to cover all my neutral basics: black, brown, and nude. They are my babies and I couldn't imagine my shoe wardrobe without them. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

@Available in more colors