Ballet Flat

Fashion is always contrary. In the time of the sky-high, sexed-up Amazonian heel, the demure and dainty ballet flat is its necessary antithesis. Or, you could take the view that fashion is a natural system, and therefore with the ballet flat - or any simple flat - comes balance and order.

The natural predator of the ballet flat is the stiletto, but each species of footwear does best in its natural habitat. In the urban jungle, the stiletto’s sharp spike and outright aggression will win on refined flat surfaces, including board rooms and dance floors, everytime. We all have the bruises to prove it.

But the simple flat shoe thrives in the cobbled alleys and uneven paving of the wild outdoors (even if they’re in the middle of a city). The heel cannot compete over the distances the flat can travel, nor the length of wear that day’s errands can take. They’re casual and comfortable, and they’re also neat without looking chunky or “orthotic”. The right pair will go from day to evening without even adjusting its bow.

I have a few simple flats, some very “ballet” with the whole bow decoration, and some not. Wittner do fantastic flats with slightly more generous-than-usual widths and toe boxes (can I just state here for the record that I’m averse to toe cleavage? Coin slots are coin slots, no matter if they're at the back of your dacks, down the front of your chest, or poking out of your shoes). Camper make excellent flats, with their “Twins” editions especially charming.

A mate of mine swears by Sambags. For this summer, I’m keen to check out the canvas Walnuts. There are so many different styles and fits, there’s no reason to go around looking like you’re wearing a fashion “uniform”.