Flat heeled shoes are footwear with a very thin heel or the look of no heel at all. Sometimes called flats or a ballerina flat, the original styles included a ribbon across the top of the foot and a gathered upper shoe. The modern flat heeled shoe can come in many varieties including tennis shoes, evening shoes and casual shoes.

The ballet flat has been worn since the 16th century. Men also wore a similar type shoe called pompes. This was a popular style through the medieval ages for both men and women.http://www.aboutbritain.com/articles/medieval-costume.asp It was not until the 17th century that high-heeled shoes were in fashion. But there has always been a place for functional low shoes. In the 1800’s, sandals, boots and flat shoes came into style again and in 1957 Audrey Hepburn once again made flats paired with skinny jeans all the rage in the movie Funny Face.http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/12418840/

A flat heeled shoe can be of any material including leather, canvas, tapestry, plastic and even metallic materials. The heel is small enough that it is usually not seen. Flats can be worn for almost any occasion. A decorated upper on a flat shoe can make it a dressy shoe while a casual flat heeled shoe may be one of leather or canvas.

A consideration to remember when wearing flats are that they tend to make a persons legs look shorter. For this reason, shorter women may want to wear them with a shorter skirt or shorts giving the illusion of longer legs. On the other hand, taller women may use them with a longer skirt and pants to appear shorter.http://www.lucyandlolita.com/fashionable-shoes-ballet-flats

Leather flats are recommended with jeans or shorts. Canvas works well with capris, shorts and casual skirts. Dressy flats can work with long skirts or a dress giving a romantic, feminine look. In general, flats look well with Capris, leggings, skorts and skirts with a hemline from the knee or higher. Some clothing to avoid while wearing flat heeled shoes are pants that are too long and pleated pants.http://tips.become.com/Picking-the-Right-Shoe.html