For those of us who don't live amazingly glamorous lives and the need to be practical outweighs pretty on a regular basis, ballerina flats have become a go-to option for years now. But even though they can scream "sensibility", flats need not be boring! After years of wearing them, I have come to see them as an accessory more than anything-- something along the lines of statement jewelry or a beautiful handbag.

A quick scroll through Net-A-Porter in between classes brought me to these gorgeous pairs:An indigo toned pair of flats turn luxe with satin fabric and tulle ornamentation.
Lanvin Crystal-Embellished Satin Ballerina FlatsMetallic gold leather is such a great way to add a touch of glam to any ensemble and can help tie other elements of your look together.
Tory Burch Amelia Crystal Leather Ballerina FlatsA calf-hair zebra print flat is a statement all in itself and is enough to elevate any outfit to being chic. The pointy toe is a great lady like touch and the silver buckle adds character to the shoe.
Michael Kors Zebra Print Ballerina FlatsBeing a fan of the Reva flat myself, I can attest to these being amongst the most comfortable shoes that I own. And any leopard print accessory will be your best friend this fall.
Tory Burch Reva Leopard Print Ballerina Flats

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Of course, these pairs are out of the price range of many, but retailers are coming out with more and more affordable, non-basic options by the day. The danger with this is that sometimes it is hard to pick a pair that looks worth the pricetag and does not appear "cheap" when there are so many choices. So, here are my...

...Tips for finding inexpensive flats that look (and feel) expensive:

• Look for leather insoles. In my experience, this helps shoes retain their shape so much better. This option is not that hard to find, even in "fast fashion" shops like Zara. A man-made insole will cause your shoes to wear out a lot more quickly and appear much cheaper.
  
  
• Jewel toned satin flats often look more expensive than they are. Look for girly detailing or embellishments on the front of the shoe (so miu miu!). I would advise against fluorescent or loud colours for this option.
  

• If choosing an animal print pair, calf hair always looks sophisticated and helps prevent the print from being tacky.
  
  
• Consignment/discount shops! My Revas were purchased for $40 and $60 respectively and I have Stuart Weitzman (huge fan of his shoes) and Marc by Marc Jacobs flats that were both purchased for under $80. And a pair of forest green calf hair DVF flats? $30 at Neiman Marcus Last Call.
  
  
• Rubber soles are great for walking, but make sure they are not visible from the side. I think this takes away from the aesthetic value of the shoe and can make it look too practical (we want to be sensible but not look it!)
  
  
• Make sure your man approves (written by my boyfriend... hee)
  

Who says we can't have the best of both worlds? An all season, comfortable footwear option that can be just as glamorous as five inch stilettos?! Sign me up.

Tell me about your favourite pair of flats and why!

And on another note: only three days left to enter to win a gorgeous piece of Amrita Singh statement jewelry! Enter NOW!