Black Flats Outfits, From Workday to Evening

Black Flats Outfits, From Workday to Evening

Black flats have become the go-to shoe for everyone from celebrities to office regulars, and they suit far more than a pair of jeans. These outfits pair Mary Janes with a leather skirt, classic flats with straight jeans, shearling flats with tailoring and satin point-toes with an evening dress. Each shows how much a simple shoe can carry.

The Flat That Goes Everywhere

Black flats have become the off-duty shoe of choice for many celebrities, in styles from classic ballet flats to Mary Janes and elasticated slippers. Pick a detail you like and wear it with everything. Zimmermann's knotted Carousel ballerinas, Loewe's cut-out Petal flats, Le Monde Beryl's buckled Claudia flats and Jil Sander's rubber-trimmed satin Elbe flats are all strong options, and Tory Burch's Bunny Knot Mary Janes and Margaux's pointed Roma flats add two more shapes to try.

Black flats collage: Alaïa, Burberry, Dôen, Jil Sander, Le Monde Beryl, Loewe, Stouls, Zimmermann

Mary Janes

A Mary Jane adds a strap and a little charm. Burberry's Robin Check Mary Janes and Alaïa's criss-cross embellished suede flats both suit Stouls's orange leather Winona skirt, and Dôen's cream cropped cable-knit cardigan softens the look.

Classic Ballet Flats

The classic flat looks best with the simplest clothes. Church's black Sheila Mary Jane flats and Mother's light-wash Newbie Skimp jeans pair with Agolde's cream layered T-shirt, and Stella McCartney's taupe Falabella mini bag completes it.

Flats With Tailoring

Black flats with tailored trousers is one of the smartest workday outfits there is. Jimmy Choo's shearling-trimmed suede Margot flats and The Row's black Coleman trousers meet Khaite's army green Armair blazer and Dries Van Noten's crisp white poplin shirt.

Flats for Evening

A pointed satin flat works with an evening dress more often than you might think. Christian Louboutin's black satin Erozeena flats and Aflalo's white polka-dot halterneck Nourin maxi make a playful pair, and Staud's snake-effect clutch and Completedworks' red beaded earrings add the finish.

More black flats I can't stop eyeing

These are the black flats I keep going back to, from Bottega Veneta's Lucia ballerina and The Row's Fay bow flat to Mansur Gavriel's Dream Ballerina and Steve Madden's Calico. Some are studded, like ANINE BING's Ana, some are woven, like Ferragamo's Nena, and Tory Burch's Romy Sport Mary Jane is the pair I would walk in all day. Mansur Gavriel's soft Glove slip on, beek's Swan and Jenni Kayne's Elodie are the quiet leather ones. A pointed or almond toe dresses them up, and a round toe keeps them easy.

Choosing a flat for the long day

Black flats are one of the few shoes that look right in almost every setting. The useful distinction is that a pointed or almond toe looks dressier than a round one, which can decide whether the shoe works for dinner. A strap or buckle adds interest without making the shoe harder to wear. I would skip very thin, unstructured slippers if you walk a lot, since they give little support. Look for a leather sole with a bit of padding, and remember that one well-made pair can serve you better than several flimsy ones. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Plum and Black Outfits to Try This Fall and Camel and Black Outfits to Try This Fall.