EWP Gift Guide 2011: Tory Burch Flats

Give the gift of style and comfort with my very favoritest flat around - the Tory Burch "Reva" ballerina flat

Tory Burch, $195

Available in more colors

Don't: Sneakers With Work Clothes

There is NO excuse, none none, for wearing tennis shoes with your work clothes. You're trying to look professional, and then, BAM, glaring white tennies staring at you, cutting you off at the ankle and making you look so sad and dumpy.

Instead, try a nice sandal, flat, or boot. You'll be comfy on your commute without sacrificing style.

Neiman Marcus Wine & Shoe Pairing Event

Last week I had the supreme pleasure of being invited by the Waldorf Astoria to attend a Wine & Shoe Pairing at Neiman Marcus. It was small and intimate, but really fun. They'd pair a comfort wine with a comfort shoe, like a spectator Chanel pump. As a non-drinker, I don't know much about wines so I really can't tell you what paired with what, but I can tell you I really did enjoy watching the shoes being walked around by the models. I also enjoyed the dresses they paired them with, but no one was talking about the dresses, so I can't tell you what they wore :( Since my hands were free of wine glasses, I got a hand massage by the people of Fresh. It was divine.

Then our little band of wine tasters/shoe fondlers, made our way to the shoe department where the wine and shoe pairings continued and we were given gift bags that included a $200 gift card to Neiman Marcus. Um... best gift bag ever!

I used my gift card for these simple and useful Tory Burch flats. Lord knows I'll wear them a million times. When it's not Aerosoles soul mate season, it's Tory Burch flat season.

Tory Burch, $235 @

And with my gift card, they were basically free. Who can say no to that?!

I will admit that what I really really wanted were these Valentinos.

Valentino, $645 @

OMG divine. I swear my foot/leg has never looked so darn sexy as when trying on these spiky stilettos. But, sadly, they were not to come home with me. a) I need another pair of black pumps like I need a hole in the head. It's not like I'm working, where on earth would I ever wear them? b) My stay-at-home-mom budget definitely does not allow for $700 Valentino shoes. As much as I would like it to. *sigh*

But I am very excited about the Tory Burches. I wish I had taken my camera to take pics of the event, but it was intimate and I definitely would have been the weirdo snapping pics with my gigantor dSLR. Oh well, maybe next time.

@Available in more colors

EWP's Favorite Things: Tory Burch Reva Ballet Flats

Over the however many next posts, I've decided to bring you my favorite things. It's just like Oprah's favorite things, but without the free stuff.

First up is one of my favoritest, can't-live-without-it items: my Tory Burch reva ballet flats.

Yes, I do actually wear flats. Walking around the city can really tear up a pair of heels, it was just too harmful to do anymore, so I switched to flats. The only problem: flats give me blisters. Yes, I can wear any ridiculous 5 inch heel out there, but put me in some basic flats, and the back of my feet break out in blisters. I think it's their way of rebelling. I've tried every brand, every flat, but they always just rubbed me wrong. Until I found these:

Tory Burch, $195 @

They are, in a word, heavenly. So comfortable. Actual soles that most flats don't give you, so you don't feel like you're walking barefoot on the street. And oh so pretty. I wear them ALL THE TIME. So much so that I had to cover all my neutral basics: black, brown, and nude. They are my babies and I couldn't imagine my shoe wardrobe without them. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

@Available in more colors

Reader Question: Slip Sliding in Flats

What are you supposed to do about sweaty feet in flats? (And no, baby powder is not a solution.) The primary reason I have to resort to sneakers many times is that my feet get very sweaty when I'm not wearing socks, and I have yet to find a pair of flats that work with cotton socks... And when chasing down a run-away toddler, it's just not a good idea to be sliding all over the place in flats, which I have a tendency to do. So what's the solution?

Lots of flat questions these days! And obvi I am totally happy to help.

Below are a few tips to keep you from sliding out of your flats:


1) It's all about the fit.
If you buy the right size, there won't be room for your foot to slide around. I know we all fudge sizes a bit when we see a shoe we like, or if it's a really good deal. But when you want things to be just right, you have to invest the time and the money to find the right pair. If your foot is as snug as a bug in a rug in your flats, then there will be no slippage issues to deal with.

2) Create some traction.
Buy some inserts to put in your shoe that cancel pesky slippage.

Foot Petals, $6.95

Foot Petals, $12.95

3) Ditch the socks.

Most people don't wear socks with their flats. I definitely don't. Ditch the socks and you will definitely no longer slide out of your shoes.

Too worried about odor and sweat to go bare? Then check out the next few tips to keep your sockless tootsies dry and odor-free in your flats.


4) Leather is better.

Fact: man-made materials (e.g. plastic) do not allow your feet to breathe which leads to lots of sweating and lots of smelliness. Switch to natural materials, like leather, and your feet will breathe a sigh of relief and cut out that sweating.

5) Inserts

There are a host of inserts for the bottoms of your flats that will keep your feet dry.

These are both leather and ventilated - double the freshness!

Aldo, $8.99

These inserts can easily be popped out of your flats and popped into the washing machine. Soak up any unwanted sweatiness, and washable for wear after wear. What more could you ask for?

Aldo, $7.99

6) Sprays and powders.
I know you said baby powder wasn't working, but baby powder, for all its virtues, isn't specifically for fixing foot issues. I suggest you try something a little more specialized.

This kills odors

Odor Eaters, $5.99

This absorbs both odors and wetness!

Dr. Scholls, $7.99

Try those out and your sliding worries will be gone. Happy flats-wearing to you!

Reader Question: Arch Support

Do you have a suggestion for arch support inserts for my flats?

As far as shoe inserts go, I'm a huge fan of Dr. Scholls and Foot Petals. Both make arch supports specifically, and just general foot cushioning inserts. I'm sure one will fit your needs and your specific arches - whether you need a little or a lot of support.

Foot Petals, $6.95

Dr. Scholls, $12.99

Dr. Scholls, $8.99

Superfeet, $40.95

Good luck and happy walking to your little tootsies and their arches!