We all agree that flat shoes are most practical for running after our kids, but sometimes they make me feel a bit… frumpy.

Somedays I am completely at one with the 12% of people who took part in the Fox In Flats survey on motherhood and fashion, late last year, and agreed with the statement:

“it’s hard to look fantastic wearing flats”

There are three other things that make me shy away from flats, that are not going anywhere, any time soon, and they all begin with the letter ‘F’:

Fat Days, my Face, and Flares.

Fat Days will probably never disappear from my radar, simply as I’m a woman, with the usual hangups associated with our gender.

Sad, but true.

My face, definitely isn’t going anywhere (except south), so I’ve decided I’m choosing my face over my butt as I get older.

Apparently, as you get older you need a bit more body fat to fill out the lines and wrinkles on your face, but obviously, to have a ‘good’ butt, you need a low percentage of body fat.

So you need to choose which one is more important.

In her latest book, Mia Culpa, journalist and social commentator Mia Freedman discusses this in detail, and defines the situation as:

The Sophie’s Choice of female vanity: face or ass. Oh , whatever shall we do?

So how do fat days, and saving my face, impact on how I feel about flats?

Well, sometimes that butt needs an extra lift to give it even the slightest of perk – especially on those fat days – and flats just don’t cut it.

The third thing starting with ‘F’ that aint going anywhere fast is Flares.

Derek Lam Flares SS11 Photo: Fashionising.com

They’re baaaaaack, and according to some, are here for a good innings.

Regardless of the state of your butt, these babies can look great when styled well (click here for some ideas garnered by the experts).

Best of all, they look stunning with a loose top, which can be a lifesaver for those of us who have a bit of a mummy tummy, or are breastfeeding.

To make the most of your flares though, some added length in the leg goes a long way.

Happily, there is a solution to this complex ‘F” based algorithm…

Frumpy + Fat Days + saving Face + Flares = The Flatform

Chanel S/S2011

Spotted on the Spring/Summer 2011 runways at Chanel, Derek Lam, and Prada, they are a hybrid of the platform and the flat, and you get the aimed for ‘lift’ in an untraditional way.

You can pre-order the featured pair by Derek Lam from Saks Fifth Avenue here, or choose from a few takes on the look that are available online now.

Java Coral Suede Peep Toe Platform Wedges $130 Topshop.com

Jeffrey Campbell $163 Pixiemarket.com

Joe's Jeans Bliss $180 Shopbop.com

K. Jacques Jalama Cork Sandals $270 Shopbop.com

Expect to see more at store level in the coming months as this trend takes off.

If and when you do go shopping for these:

• Ensure your feet are strapped firmly into the shoe, so your ankle can’t slip out. Skinned knees are the pits.
• Look for a cork or light-toned base, or risk looking like Uncle Fester.

One final ‘F’. How about becoming a ‘Friend’ of FoxInFlats on Facebook? Just click here to go to our page, and you will receive updates whenever we create a new post.

What do you think of the Flatform?

Fun? Funky? or would you choose a different F word to describe?

And to check out other shoe trends for spring, and to be in the chance to win a $500 shoe wardrobe, click here.

Sharing is Foxy!

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