For more of the Cut’s favorite fashion, beauty, and home finds, sign up for the weekly Cut Shop Newsletter.
Flats are having more than a moment. They’re the kind of shoe you can wear with almost anything anywhere. In her journey to find a flat for every occasion, the Cut’s fashion director, Jessica Willis, found a pair perfect for dressing up. If you’re ready to trade in your heels for flats temporarily (or not), Willis has created a look that’s functional, edgy, timeless, and comfortable enough to wear to all your fall social events.
.
Start with your mary janes
Flats are “comfortable, cute, functional,” Willis says. “They really make a look.” She gravitated toward this pair from Le Monde Beryl in a rich velvet that’s easy to dress up. “I appreciate richer, more saturated colors, and this brand has colors that look very subdued but still impactful and sophisticated.”
.
Get the most out of your buy
“Its nice to have a shoe you can wear to the office or wear to run errands; you can take them to so many stages of your life,” she says. While you’re throwing these on for a nicer occasion, the velvet is the perfect texture to take you into fall. Willis suggests pairing these with brightly colored socks and tights to complement the color and keep you warm.
.
Consider decadent textures and materials
When you’re looking for flats to replace your heels, “velour, satin, and even patent leather are something you’d see on a pump,” Willis explains. Materials like this “feel a lot more dressed up and precious.”
.
Find your fanciest dress
Step away from the basics and pick your nicest dress to pair with these. Willis went with this vintage-inspired dress from Bode. With beaded details and flecks of blue and green, the dress feels “very royal,” she says. “It’s timeless, almost like a family heirloom.”
.
Add on your everyday jewels
Willis opted for her bold go-to earrings and rings from Tabayer and watch from Cartier that’s worth the investment. “These are statement pieces that you can carry over into your wardrobe,” she says. “Signature pieces that are basically part of your personality.”
.
Finish with a clutch
Willis skipped adding a clutch for this photo, but in the real world, she’d need somewhere to hold her lip gloss, keys, and wallet. Willis would opt for something simple but not too simple, like a pearl egg bag from Simone Rocha with fun details and texture that complement the rest of the look without distracting you from it.
Get the Look
