Over the last 3 years I have seen the emergence of a new type of fashion 
disgrace. Yes, these flat vulgar shoes often accompanied with 80’s charity shop clothes and pastel shaded makeup are combined to create some kind of 50’s/80’s mutant. I detest this current trend and find these ‘ballet flats’ extremely offensive. Firstly the colours are generally silver or gold. That in itself is grotesque. Secondly they are a ballet shoe, looking completely impractical and extremely flimsy. This pathetic excuse for a shoe rises to the very heights of the shoe obscenity top ten that includes Espadrille’s and Cork Platforms.
Then there is the fashion style that goes along with these shoes. Often with the ‘common’ wearer they are just in jeans (often ankle length) and other than that a casual top of sorts. However the ‘hardcore’ go for ‘ra ra’ skirts, or 80’s charity wear and for the life of me they look like such sad try hards I can only weep for their lack of originality. These shoes make women look like the fake ‘beatniks’ or 50’s ‘jazz’ girls, an image that lacked any substance or conveyed any articulation at the time, let alone now. Unless you perversely like the overt pretentiousness of these ethnic mixing ‘cool cats’ and the posturing egos that beat poetry drivel shat out of the early sixties I advise you to ‘ditch this kit’ before you become more shit that kitsch.
Friday, 23. November 2007
They are comfortable to wear. You ignorant male creature!
Try on some heels and then these, perhaps you’ll understand.
Monday, 17. December 2007
I didnt suggest you had to wear heels, try trainers
Sunday, 10. February 2008
hello! I didn’t read this article but I think that those ballet flats are ugly.
Tuesday, 11. March 2008
i like them too
Wednesday, 19. March 2008
I second what you said, Mark.
Friday, 11. April 2008
flats are extremely comfortable. although you can look really sexy in heels, you can look really cute and innocent in flats.
Wednesday, 23. April 2008
go back to the void where you belong because obviously you know nothing about fashion
Monday, 12. May 2008
Then make a balanced counter argument rather than accusing me of knowing nothing about fasion. Please tell me what is so great about these obscenities.
A nice quote a friend recently put on his MSN ‘Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.’ - Oscar Wilde
Monday, 2. June 2008
just the fact that guys can get away with the worlds ugliest shoes, should be a reason for no one to listen to this! Flats are not only in style, but they are also cute and comfortable! No one should listen to this! A note to the author: just don’t insult womens clothing items, unless you are trying to lower someones self esteem! I don’t know why you even wanted to write a whole page on this, but here is what this is:
Man+womens clothing choices= a messed up style!!!!
Tuesday, 3. June 2008
Firstly, its my opinion and people are more than welcome to ‘read’ my opnions like you have.
Secondly, just because flats are in ’style’ does not mean I have to like them.
Thirdly, the fact that there are many women wearing them means that I hardly think they are going to take my critisism’s to heart so I’m not hardly trying to lower ANYONES esteem. I am in the minority but a minority that needs to shout ‘I hate ballet flats!!!’
Mens shoes are crap, I agree, so are you trying to put down men? No its your opinion, one I agree with, but generally they are no where near as bad as ballet flats. They will be out of fasion soon anyhow, phew!
Tuesday, 3. June 2008
I had actually begun to wonder what these curious items of clothing were. I had assumed, in my ponderous way, that Ballet had suddenly taken off as a popular mass-passtime. Alas, as it turns out, it was merely an appaling fad, with no practical application whatsoever, much like those canvas boots girls were wearing over their jeans not one year ago.
As for the claim to comfort, I dismiss that entirely. Were that the case, then skimpy panties and thongs would be completely out of fashion/style, as so many women detest them, yet slavishly wear them to avoid the dreaded VPL.
A bit of honesty would be refreshing. You like them because they’re shiny and all your girlfriends wear them too - that, is the limit of your deliberation on the matter.
Tuesday, 3. June 2008
I think they look cute. My daughter wears them and she looks funky and cool. Get back playing computer games, you sad closet geek boy. Retro style is cool because it feels right to follow the herd and gain acceptance from fellow followers. Don’t knock popular culture, you grumpy old sod.
Don’t get me onto those Croc things though. They are the ultimate insult to mankind, vacuum processed rubber clogs. If you own a pair Mark it will discredit your complete argument on ballet shoes.
I agree about comfort though, I would choose flats over heals if I was going “out on the town”. Comfort and conformity in one package. Sweet.
Tuesday, 3. June 2008
There is enough written about the utter utter utter filth that are crocs. However trainer = better and more comfortable than ballet flats = better than high heels. I am retro I even have a C64 T-shirt how cool is that
Yeah my blog has a lot of moans so I will write about something I like next time. But I still think ballet flats or not ‘cute’ or ‘funky’ they are flimsy, worthless and insulting footwear.
Tuesday, 3. June 2008
p.s. this might make you laugh
http://www.markmitchell.co.uk/2008/01/09/the-hounds-of-the-dyke/
Tuesday, 3. June 2008
I don’t agree on trainer comfort. Historical analysis of ancient leather footwear (mostly flat and ballet like) would suggest that care over comfort was provided whilst still delivering a ballet feel.
Trainers which often have a contour to sit into the arch of the foot and provide bounce, don’t always = comfort. I have a pair of Merrel trainers that I had to stop using because they gave me cramp due to the excessive internal padding.
I challenge the argument that trainers are more comfortable than ballet flats.
Tuesday, 3. June 2008
A slice of wiki history:
The essence of the ballet flat has existed since at least the 16th century, in which men wore a similar shoe, then known as pompes. In medieval times ballet flats were popular with both men and women. They only came out of fashion in the 17th and 18th centuries when the high-heeled shoe came into fashion after Catherine de’ Medici requested that her cobbler add two inches to her wedding shoes. Heels went out of fashion quickly after Marie Antoinette walked to the guillotine in a pair of heels. Functional shoes: sandals, boots, and flat shoes prevailed in the 1800s. Ballet flats took off again when Audrey Hepburn wore them with skinny jeans in Funny Face in 1957.
Tuesday, 3. June 2008
Try VANS made for skating they are the ultimate comfort trainer, I challenge your assumption that anachronistic footwear could compare to modern engineering.
Tuesday, 3. June 2008
Same as last posts but further detail.
A brief history of flats.
The flat pump or ballet flat is now a must-have shoe for women. Back in the 1500’s it was a wardrobe staple for men, known as pompes. Not until the 16th century did flats become popular with both men and women. The nobility in Egypt adorned their sandals in jewels. The Roman sandal become popular for long journeys through Europe as it was bound tightly with strong leather cords.
By medieval times the flat shoe was still trendy, yet had morphed into the lanky poulaine. Essentially, the length of one’s shoe reflected their social standing in society. A commoner could wear nothing longer than six inches. A knight could use up to18 inches; and a Baron could wear anything up to 24 inches in length. Heels became popular in the 16th century when itty bitty Catherine de Medici, requested her cobbler add two extra inches onto her wedding shoes. Around the 17th and 18th centuries, high-heels became the norm for men and women of the royal courts. Shoes for ladies were adorned with jewels and fur and the heels of Kings Louis XIV and XV depicted miniature battle scenes.
Return to flats
By the start of the French revolution in 1789 high heels were synonymous with aristocracy and were considered to be crude and garish. When Marie Antoinette went to the guillotine scaffold wearing a pair of high heels, the heel as a fashion statement was effectively cut short. During the industrial revolution and most of the 1800’s flat shoes, boots and sandals were functional choices for men and women. The heeled shoe did not resurface until the late 1800’s at which time it was confined to women only.
The twentieth century
In 1957 screen legend Audrey Hepburn slid on a pair of ballet flats, oversized shades and skinny pants in Funny Face and Americans fell back in love with flats. Today the ballet flat is a cherished style for women of all ages, as they pair nicely with a suit, are practical for running errands and wear well with short dresses.
Tuesday, 3. June 2008
On this basis I would like to propose that flats are the footwear of the common people and chunky healed trainers are nothing but an attempt to raise your profile.
You can’t fight history Mark. You can clearly see that we often return to the flat after a period in bulky less liberating stuff. It is part of the natural cycle of life, perhaps in these modern times the trend will change more rapidly.
Tuesday, 3. June 2008
VANS are flat trainers… yep FLAT! I have no problem with flat heels but regardless of history ballet flats (not flat shoes) are evidently impractical in their design. Low profile, flimsy material, extremely thin heel. Maybe good for dancing or martial arts but most pairs I see are dirty and distressed and are often seen causing women heel rub necessitating the disgusting plaster affair on the more rigid versions. So stick that in your pipe.
Thursday, 5. June 2008
Why did you comment four times in a row? They suck, we get it. Skateboarding shoes are still #1 on any gender in all aspects, period.
Haha, the math captcha is nice, but what if I don’t know addition. :’(
Thursday, 5. June 2008
There are some comments missing from a poster. How weird.. can’t work out what happened to them.
Just my spam software blocking him, sorted now.. see im not mad.
Thursday, 19. June 2008
i need get ballet choes how? where can i find?
Friday, 27. June 2008
why do u people even care so much abt mark mitchell’s opinion? its a free world, he can say whatever he wants! i’m not saying i agree with him, because i personally love ballet flats, but just because some author is expressing his distaste for ballet flats, doesnt mean u have to stop wearing them! its ur life, do whatever u want, u dont need advice from a MAN!
Tuesday, 8. July 2008
Hi there,
I wear them all the time and they are the most comfortable shoes out there.
Way to go to judge people by their shoes!
That sir, is very original!
Saturday, 9. August 2008
Hi
I love to see woman wearing ballet slippers. They look so cute and yet so sexy. Keep wearing them girls!!!
Friday, 29. August 2008
I have never worn ballet flats, to me wearing them is as illogical as wearing high heels. They are an insult, as they are as basic as possible, slippers would be better. I do not know why (or maybe i do ) they persist in making shoes that are bad for womens feet, and that slow them down. Lets face it many women would be a lot slimmer if they picked up the pace. Why does it have to be extreem heels or no sole at all. Shoes should support the feet and have a sole thick enougth to absorbe the impact of walking, and they should stay on the feet without having to be too tight. If a shoe does not meet that criteria, then i do not wear it simple as.
Sunday, 31. August 2008
The sexist comments from women on here is shocking and I’m glad you agree Lindsey, your quite right about ‘victim’ women fasion, lets make women ‘cute’ hmmm…
Monday, 27. October 2008
Your are an idiot!!!!! Ballet flats are greeeeeeat!!!!!!! what would you know about them anyway???
Thursday, 30. October 2008
Ballet flats are great and soooo comfy, if you pick the right pair! I am very picky and I do not leave any store with something mediocre. All the flats I have are unbelievably comfy, don’t fall off my feet, and are the more stylish ones. You posted some ugly flats in your picture. There are plenty of sexy, cute flats out there, you just have to look hard enough to find them.
Sunday, 9. November 2008
I actually was looking for the real ballet shoes posts, but google took me here, and while I am still here, I might as well give my insight into the “issue”.
I personally had some troubles with the flats’ pair I had: as someone has already mentioned here, their heel is too low and the feet don’t feel as comfortable as it might seem. The flats are way more comfortable than the heels though, and you can still wear them with skirts. Can’t really wear trainers with skirts, now can you? So this is why I personally might get a pair of those some time next year.
It’s quite interesting how ballet flats deserved a whole blog post of a man. That by itself should give the flats some credit
Saturday, 7. February 2009
Mark you really are foolish. Don’t knock ’till you try ‘em. I wear them around the house and occasinal foreys to the shop because they are so comfortable. And I am a 71 one year old married male person.
Stop being such a pompous p.
Alan
Sunday, 15. February 2009
i dont understand why you are complaining about shoes… why dont you spend your time doing something useful instead of complaining about how stupid you think shoes are…
Friday, 19. June 2009
I am not a guy and I hate them too! It’s been 2 1/2 years since this post was made and sadly this trend is still not dead.
Ladies, these shoes make your feet look bigger and your legs look bigger.
They should not be worn by anyone over age 14.
Saturday, 27. June 2009
Let me rant. I think ballet slippers are too much trying to promote ‘I am the good little girl that likes my comfort shoes’ routine which by the way, in reality they give no support to the feet. I would not even wear them to take out the garbage for fear I would step on a rock or a piece of glass not to mention work where I see even female doctors, who you would think would want to promote a look contrary to ‘I am such the good little girl’ image. There is such an attack on any form of heels right now. Being 5′10″ tall I like to play on my height and wear my professional standard 2 - 2.75 inch heels to work, many times under long pants and as a tall woman I catch so much flak from the ‘goody flat two shoe’ crowd that it drives me to fatigue. Standard heels are not uncomfortable to me and I think women look more competent and professional in reasonable heels. This little girl image needs to go.
Tuesday, 16. February 2010
who is this mark mitchell anyway?
Monday, 1. March 2010
This post is ridiculously funny! I like how you convey you’re feeling towards these ballet flats. it’s said with so much conviction that those pro ballet flats are likely to comment, or insult you. this post as one said is like waaaay too old and ballet flats are still here to stay. i guess, not everyone share your opinion. btw, i like them, wear them, some are too flimsy but some are just too comfortable to wear everyday.