what to wear: skirts with flats

There seems to be a shoe theme this week and today we address the tall girl's shoe dilemma.  Whether you are tall and love to wear flats or you just prefer the comfort that a flat shoe provides, here's some more foot candy for your closet.

A Reader Asks:
I wear flats to work - but i was wondering if it would look OK to wear a skirt with flats (like a pencil or a-line skirt.) Would you mind suggesting other skirts that might look good with flats, if any!?

Wardrobe 911's Solution:
Lots of flat shoes can work with skirts -- you just need to keep the skirt style in mind when selecting the right shoe. 

Because pencil skirts are more narrow at the knee, you don't want to wear a round-toe flat or it will visually shorten the length of your legs.  Wearing a pointy-toe flat like the one shown is perfect and creates a longer line.

If the skirt is straight like this tan one, pointy toe and square-toe styles look best. 

For a skirt like the a-line style that our reader likes, you can get away with wearing shoes that have varying toe styles: from pointy, to round to peep-toe.  We're coveting this peep-toe Origami shoe by Sergio Rossi that is perfect with bare legs and a great pedicure.  For colder weather, pair gray tights with this burgundy suede flat.

Whether you're wearing a pencil, straight, or A-line skirt, the key is in the length, or where the skirt hits your leg.  Generally, flats do not provide the elongating effect that heels tend to give (unless of course you're a 5'10" supermodel), so keep the length of your skirt right at the knee to avoid looking stumpy or dowdy.  There are always exceptions to the rules, so before you run out of the house, take a step back and look at the proportions of your outfit. 

Comments

[Karen]

This is brilliant. I had never thought about the shape of the shoe in relation to the cut of the skirt. Thanks so much!