Reviews Roundup: The best flats for busy moms
If there is one thing that celebrity moms know it’s that you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort. When it comes to dressing your feet, it’s often hard to find something comfortable that doesn’t ruin your fashion game. Still, who is able to chase the kids in a pair of three inch heels (besides Katie Holmes)? More importantly, who wants to (besides Katie Holmes)?
Celebrity moms from Angelina Jolie to Liv Tyler have been spotted stepping out in style in a nice pair of flats on multiple occasions. As a working mom with a long subway commute, I need a pair of shoes that not only look great but also don’t leave me with aching feet at the end of the day. And since I’m not Brad Pitt’s wife, I also need something that fits my budget.
Below are some tried and tested favorites that also won’t break the bank.
Photo by PacificCoastNewsOnline.com
Venettini
One of my favorite brands for kids, I often said I wished they made these shoes for adults. Well, they do! I am listing these shoes first because they are literally like butter on my feet. I don’t even know how to articulate how comfortable they are – you really have to at least try them on. They are made of incredibly soft leather (I mean soft) and are so cushioned it’s like walking on cotton balls. The first time I wore these shoes I walked one hundred blocks in Manhattan (about five miles) without even realizing it. And just like their toddler counterparts, you can get a great pair of these shoes for way less than $100 — you can’t beat that!
For more information, check out www.venettini.com (and check out their store locator as well).
Daniel Engel
This new brand isn’t very well known yet but I can’t get enough compliments about these shoes. These shoes in particular rate highest on my list in terms of fashion (and certainly beat Venettini in terms of appearance) but I had to list them second because they are like one notch less comfortable than my beloved Venettinis (although, to be fair, I suspect that a lot of it has to do with the fact that they run a bit narrower). Also super-affordable (they run in the $50-$70) range, I’ve already convinced three co-workers and my mom to go out and get themselves a pair. My mother, who also happens to be a school teacher and is therefore on her feet all day, has already mentioned multiple times how in love with these shoes she is.
Because the brand is so new you’d need to call the company for a list of retailers (800.832.3644 or via e-mail) but if you live in the New York City area, email me at teba AT celebrity-babies.com and I can give you the scoop on where to get them.
Aerosoles
When I was pregnant I bought myself a pair of Aerosoles flats and never looked back. Though these shoes are not the best in terms of craftsmanship, they are so cheap (I have never spent more than $70 on a pair and can often find them for as cheap as $30 on sale) that it really doesn’t bother you that they only last for one season. Last year I had the ref field in yellow (shown at left; on sale right now for $29.99!) and loved them. But, again, they somehow look like I ran a marathon in them and they are only one season old.
You can check out the full selection at www.aerosoles.com.
Old Navy
Quite oddly, one of the pair of flats I most get complimented on cost me $19.99 at Old Navy. Clearly they are not the most well-made pair of shoes I own but are they stylish? Yeah. And are they comfortable? Mostly. The leather is cheap but the look is just right and they don’t hurt my feet — though they don’t exactly leave them feeling so soft at the end of the day either. And since you can get these shoes for like $6.99 on sale at Old Navy, I’m going to recommend them to everyone I know who is looking for something trendy, comfy and affordable.
The selection varies from store to store and there are even some online exclusives so keep checking www.oldnavy.com.
Do you have a favorite flat that I’m missing because I’d love to do a test run?
- Posted on May 20, 08 at 11:18AM
- Permalink
- 13 Comments
May 20th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Some of these shoes are really great for busy moms. I especially like the Venettini for their unique style:)
May 20th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
earth origins, whats what by aerosoles, and born shoes are also great. some faves:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/28005425/c/72.html
http://www.shoebuy.com/whats-what-by-aerosoles-engaging/232719
May 20th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I love my crocs malindi. They look like cute little ballet flats instead of garden clogs!
May 20th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I too love my crocs, except I wear the Alice style. They are little Mary Jane (without the clog style and all the holes) and are the most comfortable shoe I’ve ever worn. I am also a teacher and I wear these every day. They come in a lot of colors (I have brown and black) and also come in a shiny finish or a faux suade finish. Best thing about them is that I can toss them in the dishwasher if they get dirty! LOL
May 20th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I live in my Tory Burch Reva flats. I was a “heel girl” for years… but keeping up with a 2 year old makes flats a necessity! I love that my Tory Burch’s are super comfortable and very stylish!
May 20th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Kim just a note, I put my daughters crocs in the washing machine instead of the dishwasher b/c I had a friend who ended up with one croc correct size, the other all deformed and messed up. Just a note, I wouldn’t want you to ruin your shoes! Steve Madden also had a cute line of ballet flats that I got at Nordstrom for under$40, I love them and wear them all the time!
May 20th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I was on the look for the best black flats after seeing them everywhere. I finally found them: Ecco Ballerina
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/29147377/c/72.html
Expensive but I will have these for a long time. The quality is excellent.
May 20th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I just ordered these from Zappos…
Teva Westwater
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7374003/c/50500.html
Privo Katsina
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7382782/c/84.html
Privo Mesa
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7353818/c/146210.html
Privo Oso
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7336079/c/72.html
Privo Maltese
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7416675/c/150578.html
Privo Acacia
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7382622/c/5057.html
Teva Makayla
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7361591/c/3.html
I’m not keeping all of them but they are the ones that I found the most comfy! The Teva Makaylas are great but they make my feet really sweaty w/o socks even though they’re leather.
May 20th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Nicole, thanks so much for the advice. I’ve only tossed my black ones in once and they were fine, but I’m definitely going to be more careful in the future! I would be devastated if anything happened to those shoes, I seriously live in them!!
May 20th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Great post. You gave me two new brands to try and review: Venettini and Daniel Engel. I just did a post on my blog about Aerosoles today. I just ordered a pair of Ecco Ballerina flats and will let you know what I think.
May 20th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Wow thats alot of shoes Danielle!
May 21st, 2008 at 1:21 pm
So many great choices! I found these really cute flats from Chinese Laundry – “discrete”. They have a cute buckle on them and soo comfortable! Great with casual and dressy looks!
May 21st, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Here’s the link!!
http://www.chineselaundry.com/indShoe.asp?type=f&id=3446&sess=05210866512790354