What NOT to wear: Suede City Flats

By Manda

I have been searching for the perfect pair of red flats to replace a pair of red leather Nine West flats that I wore for three years with EVERYTHING and finally had to get rid of because they were embarrassingly trashed. So a few weeks ago I was thrilled when Gap had a pair of red suede City Flats in my size! I've heard tons about City Flats and have been jonesing to try them as an alternative to my constant uniform of flip flops or TOMS. And the moment I tried on these ballet flats I thought - after years of searching - I'd finally found a new pair of "perfect" red leather flats. 

{photo via Gap.com}

Unfortunately? I was wrong. SIGH.

After only a few weeks of normal wear, I looked down to discover that these suede flats appeared to be rotting right off my feet! At first I blamed myself. It was probably that one time I tripped up the stairs! My kids probably chewed on them when I wasn't looking! But then I started thinking ... these suckers cost me forty bucks! They should have made it through the fall AT LEAST! And as one does in a situation like this, I took to Twitter to rant and many replied that they'd had the same problem (or heard of other women having the same problem) and encouraged me to return them. Since I didn't have a receipt I was a little nervous about it, but Gap now has receipt lookup for debit and credit cards ...

Long story short, the girl behind the counter took one look at the shoes and told me to go pick out whatever I wanted in exchange (shoes, clothes ANYTHING!). I chose these faux snakeskin City Flats to replace them and am hoping since they are a different material that they'll wear a little better (also they didn't have the plain black leather or metallic gold lizards in my size BOO).

 

{photo via Gap.com}

I DO, however, have a plan of attack when it comes to my ongoing search for red flats. I recently spied these beauties at Payless.com and as soon as naptime's over I plan on sneaking over there to see if they have any in my size.

{photo via Payless.com}

And for $16.99? I'm also snagging these:

{photo via Payless.com}

So tell me, have you had issues with City Flats? (And? If you've found the perfect red leather flats PLEASE send me to the right website kthanksbye!)

Comments

[Holly]

Awesome! So glad it worked out!

[Amy]

What do you wear all these flats with? I wear loafery-types with jeans and think they're cute, but as I have gigantic boat feet and big hips I don't wear skinny jeans and therefore don't have ballet slippers. I love them though.

[Kelsi]

I own several pairs of flats, of both the leather and suede variety, but I find myself hardly ever wearing them. They HURT me feet. I thought the whole concept behind flats was they are supposed to be comfortable? All of mine rub the back of my ankles until I get blisters. Do your's not do this? Does anyone know of a solution? I'd appreciate it, because I really want to wear my flats!

[Dawn K]

I bought a pair of red flats (I think AE brand) from Payless in spring 09 that were super awesome, and I just finally threw out after wearing them all the time. Here's to hoping yours will work out just as well!

[Natalie]

I'm not a fan of shoes with elastic, they just seem to not fit properly. I like my red Rocketdog shoes.

http://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Dog-Womens-Memories-Flat/dp/B001CROHYK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1315006057&sr=8-2

[Meg]

I have a great pair of Ecco bouillon flats in red that are just perfect!

[Courtney]

I am in love with the website footsmart.com They have TONS of grannie, ortho shoes, but a fair selction of super cute, super comfy shoes that I wear all over the place (and they don't fall apart). Naturalizer (gasp! grannie brand!) makes a super cute ballerina shoe-like flat that I bought in yellow. They also have it in RED! It is called the Creston flat...I HIGHLY reccommend!

[Air]

I work at a gap and can't tell you how many pairs I've had to return! I myself bought a pair, and after just a few wears they had a hole in them. Not worth it!! However, we did just get in different flats (like the snakeskin ones you have)and they are awesome! They are made with real leather and do not fall apart like the city flats.