That there was once a time when flat shoes were deemed dowdy seems bizarre to contemplate these days. Audrey Hepburn first showed us how comfort and style were not – and should never be – mutually exclusive; in fact, choosing not to hobble around on footwear that hurts is an active style choice. Luckily, there is a beautifully broad church of styles to choose from when it comes to flat shoes – from ballet styles to loafers to Mary-Janes. We’ve rounded up just a few of our favourites to pair with dresses or cropped jeans this summer.

By Nancy Alsop
April 2023