From The Straits Times    |


Maison Margiela Fall Winter 2016 / Image: Showbit

We all know that putting on a pair of sky-high stilettos instantly makes your legs look longer and slimmer — which is probably a universal desire of every woman. 

However, the fashion powers-that-be have been putting their most practical foot forward in recent seasons. Comfortable shoes like sneakers and fancy flatties were seen everywhere during fashion week; be it on the runway or the streets. Even the queen of stilettos Victoria Beckham was seen wearing a pair of stark white Adidas Stan Smiths during her recent show in New York.

I know many of you (especially high heels addicts or the vertically challenged) are questioning the legitimacy of flat shoes, wondering how anyone can look slim and slender in these low-risers. 

I have always been an advocate of flat shoes, so my answer is yes. Flats can be just as figure flattering – you just need to know how to style it. Here are seven super useful tricks that I have learnt throughout my flat-wearing years. 

TIP 1: Nude is the way to go 
We all know that whenever we go for a shade closest to our own skin tone, it tricks the eye into believing that those flats are an extension of your legs. If it works on heels, it’ll work on flats too. 

TIP 2: Flats with a low vamp 
A shoe with a low-cut vamp allows you to show off more of your feet, thus visually lengthening your legs and making them look longer and slimmer. 

TIP 3:Solid and structured 
If you feel like you have chunkier calves and ankles, select shoes with a more sturdy shape, i.e. brogues and loafers. Avoid delicate styles like ballet flats because they can add weight to your legs and make them look heavier. Shoes with a more masculine cut can help to create a more streamlined silhouette for your legs. 

TIP 4:Pointy flats 
Round-toe shoes can have a shortening effect and make your legs look stumpy. Pointed ones help to make your feet appear longer and your legs lengthier. However, if you have a longer foot, you might want to skip this tip as pointy flats have the potential of making your foot look disproportionately long. 

Tip 5: Say no to the ankle strap
Ankle straps visually bisect the legs and add weight to your ankles. Flats with lots of strap detailing will only disrupt your lean, leggy look, so avoid those at all costs. 

TIP 6: Have your hemlines above your knees 
Pairing flatties with shorter hemlines that stop just above your knees is definitely the most straightforward option because the combination gives the most exposure to your legs while still remaining office-friendly and respectable. 

TIP 7:Expose your ankles 
For days where we don’t have free rein over what we wear (read: every day at work), just remember to show off your ankles. They are the smallest and sadly most underrated part of your body, so you should draw attention to them. 

Now go forth and kick some ass in your flatties today!