The trick with flats that look stylish instead of dowdy is finding something with visual interest that isn’t infantalizing. I always say everything you put on, in and around your body should be done with a purpose. Most of this can be done during the acquisition process, it just takes a little forethought.
Case in point are these striped slippers from Tapeet. They’re great, they’re chic, they’re linear, they’re going to look fantastic peeking out from beneath a pair of jeans and they’re totally the type of shoe that even though there’s no heel or fancy embellishment, they’ll totally get you called out during the No Eye Contact Elevator Shoe Check.
Plus they just make an outfit. Let’s say you’re wearing a pair of jeans and a plain knit top. Offensive? No. Exciting? Not hardly. You could pop on a pair of black flats and nothing would have changed. Put these on, maybe a pair of earrings you keep in your car and suddenly you’re not Rushing Out The Door Ten Minutes Late Woman, but Chic Minimalist Woman. We love that woman!