My favourite brands for flat (and flat-ish) shoes
Warning: stop reading now if you're not into a strappy Mary-Jane...
When I post my outfits on Instagram, a lot of people ask me where I buy my flat shoes. Oh boy, I really do love shoes and I’ve built up quite an arsenal of ‘go-to’ brands.
I do own some expensive shoes, yes. I’d say they’re the one thing I really do care about ‘investing’ in. If I fall in love with an eye-wateringly expensive pair, I will usually try and figure out a way to afford them, because I can just see how they will serve me, for a long time. And I can tell you this about the expensive shoes I’ve bought: Most of the time I get what I pay for. They’ve always lasted me a very long time indeed. I currently have a pair of Gucci flats that I bought in 2018 for an immoral amount of money which are a) always in heavy rotation b) always elicit envy-tinged compliments and c) are still in brilliant condition. I can say the same for a pair of patent navy platforms I have from Prada.
That said, I love a cheap and cheerful bargain too, and I’ve put together a mix of different price points for you here too.
And let me stress: this here is all about flat and flat-ish shoes. Or at least, not high heels. Yes, there was a time - I believe it was 2008 - when I was that woman striding around town in my YSL Tribute platforms. ( ‘So comfortable!’ ‘High heels but with that clever platform that still lets your arch be ‘flat-ish’!’ ) . But those were the days before my arthritic left knee piped up and was having none of it. And then when I entered my menopausal era, I discovered that suffering in stillettoes I could barely walk in, was a huge part of the Shit I Was Not Longer Taking. I can’t remember the last time I wore a high heel for even a fancy black tie event. If you love heels and the way they make you look and feel, honestly, go you. But it is definitely an outrageous gender tax if women are ever made to feel they’re not dressed without them: that they’re not worthy of passing the velvet rope if they’re not strapped into these modern-day torture chambers.
No. So, herewith, my favourite places to buy good, useful, sometimes glamorous, but always fashionable multi-occasion flats.
Gucci
I’ll be honest, I’m worried about the new Gucci era. Yes, I’m sure the growth was stagnating but I wasn’t ready for the Alessandro Michele era to end. I thought the whole point was that he was creating a) colour b) crazy and c) trendless pieces that were their whole own fashion universe. I’ll miss it. I hope the shoes don’t slide now that he’s gone. Because I have many, many that he bewitched me into buying. Some are now 10 years old and still reporting for heavy duty. By far and away my favourites are these little Witchy-Poo buckle flats.

Gianvito Rossi

I got these Mary Janes a few months ago and every time I wear them I’m inundated with people wanting to know where they are from. They’re from here. They’re not cheap, but they are so useful. There’s no outfit that they don’t work with. I wear them with jeans and I wear them to fancy evening dos. Here they are on stage with Caitlin Moran and a denim jumpsuit:
They might not be enough heel for everyone, but I just can’t feel glamorous if I’m in pain or struggling to walk. I also have a pair of fantastic metallic sandals from the brand, that I have worn to death - for day, for evening wear - and they still look great.
Sezane
If, like me, you’re forever kidding yourself that you’re just one purchase away from looking like a Charlotte Gainsbourg-esque French It girl, then you should proceed to the Sezane website with extreme caution. I can’t go near it without adding something to the basket. And their shoes always see me coming. Look at these little golden girls I found a while back.

And damn you all, because I wanted to show you them, I’ve now seen they’re doing them in white patent. So when Ross asks, it’s your fault.
Boden
I don’t think enough people realise that Boden is great for footwear (also swimwear, but that’s for another day). Great prices and super useful designs that combine comfort with colourful, often sparkly little quirks. I adore these so much I also got them in black. And now they’re on sale:


Penelope Chilvers
Penelope’s designs are a firm favourite with front row fashion editors and royalty. She cares deeply about craft, quality and authenticity. What started as marrying her passions of equestrian pursuits and Spanish artisanal skills has evolved into a brand that serves up classic after classic. I actually think she could charge more than she does for her work but I’m glad she doesn’t. These sandals are easily my favourites to pull on for a party night. If I needed to I could sprint quite some distance for a taxi in these. No suffering for glamour here. I got them in silver but I think the velvet ones in jewel tones are heaven too.
Stradivarius
OK, so this one is a wild card from me. I admit I’m not massively familiar with this brand. But I chanced upon some shoes on the Instagram account of the endlessly inspirational Kate Hiscox . She is regularly responsible for separating me from my cash. I was intrigued by these. So elegant looking for such a tiny price. So, for £25, I thought I’d give them a whirl. And my god, they are so frickin’ comfortable. I want all of them now.

Charles & Keith
Disclaimer: There’s quite a few dodge things on there currently. I mean, what the actual fuck are these:
But I’m going to loyally give a shout out because the prices are just so good. You have to be quick though. Don’t put it in your basket and think about it. Nothing hangs around . I’d jump on these if I were you:

Camilla Elphick
Another fantastic, mid-priced British brand from a woman who really gets that shoes need to be pretty and wearable. My favourite thing is the snow boot. So cosily gorgeous and practical for all those chalet holidays I will (never) take, as well as stomping around my rainy London.

Ops & ops
Full disclosure: This brand is the brainchild of a close friend, Teri Olins. She is one of the coolest women I know. Teri lives and breathes a ‘60s aesthetic and has lovingly and authentically poured that vibe into these incredible shoes and boots that are as comfortable as hell. If I didn’t genuinely love them I’d say nothing but I have several pairs of the loafers. My favourite are a patent pair in avocado green. But love these cheery little babies too:

Little tip from me: they come up small. Order a size larger than usual.
Believe me, I could go on. But these are my super top faves. Let me know if you have secret flat shoe brands to share.
Currently my flat shoe collection extends no further than brogues from Dune and loafers (errrr, also from Dune.) Pre working from home era, I was always in the office in heels. I loved them. I still do and always will. But years of spending most of the working week at home now means I have lost all ability to walk semi-gracefully in the damn things. Thank you for the inspo to help me up my flat game Jo!