20-02-2025
I haven't worn heels since 2012 – here are the five flat styles that get me through every occasion
Thirteen years ago, I gave up wearing heels for good. At a time when fashion week's front rows were a sea of heels, I'd often be the only editor in sight not wearing a pair. It was so difficult to find a pair of stylish flat shoes in 2012 that I started writing a blog about it; a book deal followed, and I had two published under the moniker En Brogue (see what I did there?).
Fast forward to 2025, and we're in a much better place when it comes to a healthy choice of shoe styles if, like me, you find walking/dancing/running in heels impossible. But there are still those occasions when the default is to reach for a pair, even if they're neither the most practical option, nor the one that suits your personal style. So as someone who gave up heels and never looked back, here are my five fail-safe flat shoe styles to get you through wedding season, job interviews and every kind of party.
The metallic party shoe
Hannah wears: Broiderie anglaise blouse, £125, The Well Worn; cupro trousers, £135, Beyond Nine; leather ballet flats, £135, GH Bass
Nothing says party like a pair of disco shoes. I'd also argue that nothing says party like someone who is able to dance for hours without taking their shoes off, which is another reason why I am an advocate for wearing flats whatever the occasion (though kudos to you if you genuinely find heels comfortable enough to dance all night in. You are made of stronger stuff than me).
Metallic leather is never not in style, so although there's a lot of it around at the moment, you'll be wearing it at future festivities, too. NB: if metallics aren't for you, feel free to replace with leopard print, or something with feathers – my other party shoe of choice is a pair of white patent leather lace-ups with a teal-coloured kiltie, rather like a pair of incredibly snazzy golf shoes.
The formal (and non-formal) all-rounder
Hannah wears: Organic cotton dress, £130, Beaumont Organic; leather Mary Janes, £219, Penelope Chilvers
As well as serving very well as a formal flat, Mary Janes are also the perfect shoe to elevate the humble jeans and T-shirt combo to a more dressed-up status. I've recently resurrected an old favourite pair of leopard print ones that are about 15 years old, and these from Penelope Chilvers are very similar.
There's something about a Mary Jane that's a little more chic than a ballet flat, but the low-cut vamp still gives the same leg lengthening effect. I have a white pair in my own shoe collection that's seen me through countless parties and was a great office shoe (when I worked in one). For a different spin, I love these square toe beauties from Alohas, which have a neat bow in place of the Mary Jane signature buckle strap.
The office must-have
Hannah wears: Organic cotton dress, £110, Albaray; c otton and nylon blend socks, £19, Lanx; l eather shoes, £190, Beaumont Organic
I'd probably swap the mustard socks I'm wearing in this picture for a black pair if I was actually going to a job interview, but I think it's important to show how you can style a handy pair of black lace-ups in situations that aren't office-based, because the key to shoe longevity is finding styles that work in multiple situations.
My own black Grenson brogues, which were a gift for the launch of my first book in 2014, fall into the Incredibly Useful section of my wardrobe. They have an all-important chunky sole, which stops them straying into school shoes territory.
The smart sandal
Hannah wears: Organic cotton dress, £79, Ivy; quilted bag, £65, The Well Worn; leather fisherman sandals, £195, Mafalda
I spent much of a friend's wedding a few years ago admiring the chutzpah of a guest that had teamed her dressed up outfit with a pair of Salt-Water sandals. I'd never seen the ubiquitous summer go-to for busy mums who want a practical, waterproof sandal worn as a dress shoe, but I liked it.
I have my own pair of white leather fisherman sandals from a brand that is sadly no longer trading, so they are very well cared for. The partially enclosed toe of a fisherman lends a slightly more formal look than an open-toed sandal. My 10-year-old pair is still going strong, but if I needed to replace them, I'd either go for Grenson's Queenie sandals or some of the insanely comfortable 'Ida' sandals by Mafalda that I am wearing here.
The slimline boot
Hannah wears: Organic cotton dress, £139, Align; leather boots, £240, Anne Thomas
The key to finding a versatile black ankle boot is, in my opinion, to hunt out a style that fits nice and snugly to your leg. This means that you can wear the boots with black tights and shorter hem lengths without feeling like you forgot to take off your wellies when you popped the bins out just before you left for your date night dinner.
Unfortunately, I am sad to tell you that my own pair – which are fantastic and very well loved – are from another brand that isn't around any more (this is why it's so important to support responsible independent brands, everyone!), but I've found some great alternatives that do the same job. Of course, black ankle boots look equally as good with all sorts of other outfits, too, so always make a great investment.
