What are the most comfortable and stylish ballet flats?
Allow me to introduce you! Psst – keep reading until the end for an exclusive discount.
The Natalie ballet flat is how I discovered Sarah Flint. In 2017, Meghan Markle stepped out with Prince Harry wearing a white button-up shirt, jeans, and the Sarah Flint Natalie flat in Saddle Vaccheta. I had to know what this gorgeous shoe was that Meghan was wearing. Since having two children and an ankle that sprains easily, I am often wearing flats and these looked beautifully designed, chic, and I loved the asymmetrical bow detail. It was classic but with a modern twist, which is exactly how I would describe my style. I quickly Googled what Meghan was wearing and found Sarah Flint. In the spring of 2020, I became a Sarah Flint Brand Ambassador. A very natural fit for me. The shoe fits…literally! I would happily fill my entire shoe closet with Sarah Flint shoes. Classic, comfortable, and sophisticated are three words I would use to describe them.
The Natalie flat sold out in 24 hours – three….separate….times. With a waitlist of 20K+, the shoe is now fully restocked, hooray! Plus, there is a stunning new Navy Suede option as well as a new version made with white lace. I currently own the Sand Calf and Merlot Suede which you will see pictures of throughout this blog post.
Shoes have always been a deep love of mine. If you’ve read my About page, then you know when I was little that I used to play shoe store owner for hours out of my grandmother’s closet regularly. Shoes just speak to me, I have always had all of the heart eyes for shoes. To me, they are works of art not only in the design of the shoe but also in the construction and artisanal work that goes into each detail.
In my previous corporate career, my most recent boss used to call me the Carrie Bradshaw of the office and people would ask about my latest shoe crush. It is certainly no secret if you know me, that I adore shoes. In fact, I choose my shoes first before the rest of my outfit. However, the reason is more practical than you might think (not just because I love shoes), you can read my previous blog post about why I choose my shoes first here.
The Details that Create Style Without Sacrifice
Before my first Sarah Flint purchase (which happened to be the Natalie flat), I read a lot about the level of comfort in Sarah’s shoes. She felt style and comfort didn’t have to be separate and I couldn’t agree more. I heard other shoe brands talk about how comfortable their shoes were only to be disappointed after I wore them or to have people tell me that a luxury shoe is beautiful but isn’t meant to be comfortable. And I can only ask in return, why not? Why must comfort and style be mutually exclusive? That makes no sense to me. Have you heard the saying “fashion is pain” before? No thank you, not for me! Fashion is a work of art and the thoughtful details in those styles can make us look stylish AND feel comfortable.
Moving onward, let’s get back to the Natalie flat and why I love it so much. When my first pair arrived, I opened the beautifully wrapped box and saw the note inside sharing the name of the artisan who made my shoes in Italy. I love knowing who made my beloved pieces. There are connections and meanings behind that and I had not truly thought it before. It reiterates what we as a society now consider as we consume fashion more slowly and become more aware of how we consume fashion. Take a moment to think about it now for a second, when have you known who has made your shoes, your shirt, your dress or pants? Unless you purchase clothing/shoes from a smaller brand on their website, a boutique, or through Etsy, you probably don’t know. I certainly didn’t know before! However, it made me stop and consider the countless time, attention to detail, and the craft of shoemaking that went into each stitch and creation of my shoes.
When I slipped on my new Natalie flats, I noticed the extra cushioning in the footbed immediately, 3mm of extra cushioning to be exact. Ahh, now this is what shoes are supposed to feel like.
The rubber forepart on the bottom of the shoe makes such a difference as well. I typically take my shoes to a cobbler to have this added so that I don’t slip. Sarah added this extra item in all of her shoe designs and it is a very thoughtful and appreciated detail. Especially when I want to wear my new shoes right away instead of waiting for my coveted new shoes to be further prepared by a cobbler.
The Natalie fits true to size for medium width feet, I typically wear a 7.5 and that is what I wear in both pairs I own. This shoe does stretch in width with wear but for a wider foot, I recommend ordering a half size up.
A Modern Classic Worth the Investment
The Natalie flat is a pointed toe ballet flat which is one of my top five items that every woman needs in her closet (you can watch the YouTube video here). They are a modern classic that is here to stay in your wardrobe for the long haul. Shoes are one of the items that I suggest making an investment in when your budget allows. Shoes last longer when they are well made and they continue to fit whether or not your weight fluctuates in different periods of your life. With Sarah Flint shoes, you can now be stylish and comfortable as well. How many times have you purchased a pair of shoes and they leave you with blisters, pain, or an inability to walk anywhere except the car to your dinner table? Me too, I’ve been there a million times but never again since I discovered Sarah Flint shoes.
The Natalie flat is a perfect first Sarah Flint purchase to add to your closet, you’ll find yourself reaching for them daily whether it is with jeans, dressed up, or for work. They elevate any look and you’ll look sophisticated and be comfortable as the compliments roll in everywhere you go. The Natalie comes in 7 colorways in 5 different fabrications so there is an option for everyone’s needs.
Use my code for $50 off your first purchase by entering SARAHFLINT-BALAURAY at checkout.
If you have any questions about sizing or the best color choice to suit your closet needs, reach out to me via email at laura@thefashionablebookworm.com or feel free to send me a DM on Instagram at any time! A classic ballet flat is a timeless and versatile piece you’ll continue to wear for many, many years. Buy them once, wear them forever!
