Issue Date: September 16, 2007

Ballet flats are in, platform shoes are out

It took one swift kick from the new shoe trend -- ballet flats -- to topple platforms from their perch.

"Quite simply, customers have had enough of high heels,'' says Robert Burke, president and founder of luxury consulting firm Robert Burke Associates. "Flats seem young and fresh.''

It certainly helps that they're easier to wear than the ankle-wrenching wedge, and they can look elegant or coquettish with this year's empire-waisted dresses, hot pants and capris. And despite a more casual work attitude, flip-flops and sandals flunk many office dress codes, but flats won't.

"As for the customer older than 40, platforms never really were popular this time around,'' says Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at the NPD Group. "But offer women ballet flats, and they'll take them in a second. Flats are just so comfortable. If I gave you permission to wear slippers to work, you would, wouldn't you?''

The trend-forecaster Tobe Group has heard from clients that ballerina flats account for two of every five pairs of flats that are sold.

Even Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin, both known for stilettos, did flats this season rather than risk flat-lined profits. More affordable versions are offered by J.C. Penney in a black or red patent round toe, J. Crew in a plaid fabric with brown suede bow, Stuart Weitzman in a round-toe quilted leather with bow and Banana Republic in a big-buckled soft saddle-brown leather.

"This trend is here to stay,'' Cohen says. "Women have created their own collections of flats.''

-- Michele Meyer

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