Fashion

9 Black Flats Perfect For Work & Happy Hour

by Eliza Florendo

March 21, 2016

This year, I'm taking a stand: No to uncomfortable shoes. I'm tired of the time and effort spent on trying to wear cute but uncomfortable footwear, meaning black flats will officially become my new best friends. While flats often get a bad rep for being basic or not dressy enough, that just means the shopper is looking at them all wrong. It's all in the details, and there are definitely some black flats out there that are even better than heels.

Living in a city like New York, you do a lot of walking. Whether you're walking to and from the subway, around parties, and maybe enjoying a coffee and pastry while shopping around Soho, walking is just part of the city's DNA. And night life, too. In some clubs, heels are mandatory. Wearing a flat shoe or sandal? Sorry, but it looks like you can't get in.

But after a few summers of carrying around a pair of heels and a pair of flip flops in my purse, I've had enough. How many people are actually looking at my shoes? And wouldn't I have more fun enjoying my time at a bar than sitting around at a booth with throbbing feet? Sure, pain is beauty. But comfortable is fun, and that's what I'm going for.

And don't even get me started on changing into heels in the winter. I've basically just learned to stay inside from the months of November through March. But this spring, I'm trying out the whole flat over heel thing. Starting with these beauties, that are dressy enough for work and happy hour. Let me be clear: Some of these do have a tiny heel, but not tall enough to cause serious pain.