Spring Trend: Flatforms

I remember my first pair of flatforms.  I was about 14 or 15 years old, and they were black velvet with two thick, embossed straps.  We bought them in the shoe store in the Sears shopping center in Commack, NY.  I was still learning my way around shoes and thought they were very stylish.

Years later I’d chuckle at those shoes, since they were really quite ugly when you got down to it.  Ugh, the flatform.  There’s nothing elegant about it.  What was the shoe world thinking?  It was the late 90s; there was so much wonky fashion there.

Today I am sad to report that the flatform is back in a big way.  I will be passing this time around, but if you missed it in the 90s and feel left out, now’s your chance!

The Hectic is a white faux leather sandal on a three-inch platform.  It’s got a wide strap over the toes, and a thick strap around the ankle with a silver buckle.  The white is very refreshing for summer, anyway!  Also available in black; your choice for $50 from ASOS.

This is the Original Flatform Sandal by Teva, which, sadly, combines all the best (worst?) parts of both Teva and the flatform.  (Sigh.)  The two-tone flatform is 1.5 inches at the toe and 1.75 at the heel, and the straps are made of traditional Teva textile in blue and black, thong-style at the toe.  Also available with white straps and an orange and black platform; find them at Nordstrom for $50.

The Strappy D’Orsay Flatform by Qupid is part espadrille and part flatform: a two-inch platform wrapped in braided jute, topped with a black faux leather sandal and ankle strap with golden buckle.  Yours for $40 from Charlotte Russe.

For the office, perhaps?  The Lace-Up Flatform by Kisser is a classic black Oxford atop a 2.5-inch white flatform.  Yours for $85 from Topshop.

Whether you try them or not, flatforms are here.  Hmm, I don’t see any velvet sandals here…