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If The (Flat) Shoe Fits...

Are you sick of your high heels? If so, you may want to consider flats. And, now is a great time to do so, since these "sensible" shoes are extremely stylish. But how do you find a pair that's "Just Perfect"? For its "Just Perfect" series, The Saturday Early Show invited Alle Fister to share advice.

Ballet flats are a great complement to many of this season's hottest trends, such as skinny legged jeans, tights, leggings and pencil skirts.

A perfect flat coordinates with so many styles that it will definitely transition into spring. Fister points out that a ballet flat is more of a wardrobe staple than a trendy item, especially in a classic color like black or brown. More trendy colors and patterns (such as red patent leather or animal print) are good choices for fall.

You don't have to spend a lot of money but if you do, that means you are probably paying for such "extras" as contour soles, extra padding in the soles, and additional detail to fit such as how wide the toe and heels are cut.

Fister prefers a flat that has a sole with some "give" to it; you do not want it to be stiff as a board. Also, go for a wider-cut toe with room at the bridge so that they will not rub!

Buy shoes in the mid-morning, when your foot has expanded but is not swollen from the day.

Here are some of Fister's favorites:

  • Cole Haan and Nike are part of the same company. You've probably heard about their heels with Nike technology. But some of their flats have them, as well. If you look at the heel, you'll see the same bubble you see in a lot of Nike sneakers. Cole Haan also has shoes available without the Nike technology.
  • Dr. Scholls inserts: $60, and shoes, boa silver snake and boa gold snake
  • Crocs rubber ballet flats, $29.99 each
  • The Gap. Gold ballet flats, about $39.50
  • Aldo, red round-toe patent leather, 39.99, and red point-toe w with bow, 69.99
  • London Sole, pony with leopard spot, red patent leather croc ballet and plum patent leather croc ballet, $150
  • Tory Burch, black patent leather with gold elastic back and leopard print, $195
  • From Steve Madden (about $100 each):
    blue/black patent pointed
    red pointed patent with buckle
    gray pointed patent with buckle
    leopard round toe
  • From Target:
    Xhiliration black studded ballerina flats $17.99
    Mossimo red suede pointed toe flats $24.99
    Isaac Mizrahi black suede round toe $29.99
    Isaac Mizrahi red suede round toe $29.99
    Isaac Mizrahi leopard print round toe $29.99
  • From ShopBop.com:
    Loeffler Randall, metallic ballerina flat with bow, $349
    Pedro Garcia, Albany Ruffle Ballerina (pewter), $336
    Twelfth St. By Cynthia Vincent, Camilla flat, brown withbronze with open toe, $325
  • Michael Stars for leggings
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