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

Reader Question: Just Say NO (to Flip Flops)!

I keep seeing people walking around in flip flops. It's so gross. Can you please tell them to stop?

Dear Reader,

I will gladly tell people to ditch the gross rubber slabs.

These are flip flops. They are cheap. They are too young for anyone out of school to be wearing. And they make awful slapping sounds when you walk.

[No, that is not me pictured above. God forbid!]

I absolutely do not understand people's extreme attachment to flip flops. Sure I own some and do find use for them - when going to the pool, the beach, or the nail salon - but in everyday life, they just don't belong.

And, good lord, do NOT get me started on people who wear them to work. Even if you have a casual workplace, wearing flip flops to the office makes you hard to take seriously and definitely does not do you any favors in getting ahead. If you take your work seriously, then take your footwear seriously and don't wear flip flops to work. And that goes for the flip-flops-to-commute women too. Nothing looks more ridiculous with your suit than $5 pieces of rubber attached to your feet. I put you in the same category as the suits + white sneakers women. And you really don't want to be in that category. Trust me.

There are so many better sandal options available to women. Options with style. Options that are age-appropriate. Options that actually give your feet support. Options that don't slap the sidewalk. Options that come in natural materials!!

And, as always, I've posted some of those options below.

Aerosoles, was $69, sale $39.99-$49.99 @

Cole Haan, $148 @

Naturalizer, was $49, sale $29.99

DV by Dolce Vita, $59.95 @

Steven by Steve Madden, $118.95 @

Steve Madden, $49.95 @

Charles by Charles David, $64.95



Jessica Simpson, was $68.95, sale $45.90 @

Franco Sarto, was $89.95, sale $44.90

DV by Dolce Vita, was $49.95, sale $29.90 @

@ Available in more colors

EWP Handbag Guide: Satchels

Satchels are true handbags because the handles are short enough that you hold it in your hand.

I must admit I'm not a huge satchel person, but no handbag guide would be complete without the satchel.

You'll want to use these luggage-inspired purses because:
With their wide, flat interiors and double handles, satchels have a classic look that never looks inappropriate.
Available in a variety of sizes, satchels can be filled with most women's day-to-day necessities.
You can achieve the perfect laid-back look with jeans and a leather satchel.
When you need a hand, your satchel easily rests in the crook of your arm, or if you pull the straps over your shoulder, your satchel tucks into your underarm.

Where you'll be taking your satchel:
On a date when you want a handbag with a ladylike look and plenty of storage
To a bar or club on girls' night out

Do: look for satchels with fun details like leather trim or fancy buckles on exterior pockets.
Do: choose brightly colored satchels in the spring and summer.
Don't: leave the detachable shoulder strap attached -- if your satchel comes with one -- across-the-shoulder straps are evil and must never be worn.

And now some satchel options just for you:

Kate Spade, $325 @

Longchamp, $420 @

Badgley Mischka, $155 @

MICHELE, $595 @

L.A.M.B., $395 @

Cole Haan, $348 @

Dooney & Bourke, $195 @ *

Marc by Marc Jacobs, $458 @

Tory Burch, $450 @

Fossil, $168

@ Available in more colors

* EWP fave

EWP Handbag Guide: Hobos & Shoulder Bags

Perfect for everyday, shoulder bags are the workhorses of a handbag wardrobe.

With straps long enough to go over your shoulder (hence the name), shoulder bags will keep everything you need handy without taking up one of your hands. The shoulder straps may allow the purse to hang as low as your hips or up high by your waist. Many shoulder bags have outside pockets as well as interior places to organize everything you need, from your cell phone to your keys. Shoulder bags are available in many different styles, like the soft, slouchy, and unstructured crescent-shaped hobo bag, the functional and necessary diaper bag and all manner of luxurious designer handbags. With a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, closures and designs, there's sure to be a shoulder bag that you'll love to bring with you.

Where you'll be taking your shoulder bag:
To the store, with your wallet, cell phone and keys tucked inside
To the movies with your friends (I won't tell if you sneak in your own candy)
When you go out to eat at a casual restaurant or bar
To the office, but remember to choose a higher-quality material to maintain a professional look

Do: let your shoulder bag be a pop of color when you're wearing a neutral outfit.
Do: adjust the strap so your shoulder bag doesn't hang any lower than your hips.
Don't: wear your glamorous clothes with a shoulder bag unless it has a very delicate strap; otherwise, the shoulder strap will interfere with the beauty of your eveningwear. Unless your name is EWP, in which case you lug a black leather shoulder bag to weddings even though you'd rather be wearing a clutch, because it's the only thing short of a tote that will hold your giant SLR digital camera. My apologies to all people who I offend by this.


Some shoulder bag and hobo options:

Longchamp, $545 @ *

MARC by Marc Jacobs, $398 @

MICHAEL Michael Kors, was $448, sale $269.90 @

See by Chloe, $735 @



Nordstrom, $128 @

Kooba, $595 @ *

Kate Spade, $395 @

Marc by Marc Jacobs, $378 @ *

Kate Spade, $395 @

Cole Haan, $248 @

Kooba, was $595, sale $396.90

Kate Spade, $355

Cole Haan, $328 @

@ Available in more colors

* EWP Fave

Puerto Rico Prep Part Uno: Totally Totes

I'm headed off to sunny and beautiful Puerto Rico this month. Sitting by the pool or on the beach (and maybe doing some sight seeing) is about all I have on my mind right now. Well, that and shopping for the many fabulous items I will need during my week-long stay. But my loss of time worrying about shopping is your gain, as I'm sure (or at least hoping) you have some sort of beach/pool/lake/summery excursion of your own and will need some Puerto Rico-worthy items of your own. So over the next few posts I'll highlight some of my must haves for my trip.

First up: totes. You thought it'd be swimwear, didn't you? I'm full of surprises here on EWP. I'm starting with totes because I want to. So there. I also have to start with totes because that's where my mind goes when planning a trip -- my mind has run through all the many many things I'll be bringing and I have to have a way to lug it all around.

No beach trip is complete without a towel, sunscreen, two magazines, a book, sunglasses, camera, and phone. So my tote has to be able to withstand all that, and getting covered in sand.

Here are some options for all your toting needs:

Virginia Johnson, $165*

Victoria's Secret, Sale $57.99

Vert (it's organic!), Sale $36.90

Tory Burch, $365*

Tory Burch, $195

Merona, $14.99

Target (for all the honeymooners), $24.99

See by Chloe, Sale $449.90






Lands' End, Sale $12.75-22.50


Kate Spade, $425

J.Crew, Sale $59.99

Forever 21, $1.50

Cole Haan, Sale $384.90

*EWP Fave