Yea or Nay: Black Ballet Flats

Emmy Rossum, Liv Tyler and Lauren Conrad all love their black ballet flats.
Solid black ballet flats are everywhere, on everyone, and have been for a while now. They're a classic style that matches almost everything and can morph to suit your personal style, from downtown chic to impish gamine and beyond. Yet while this simple black flat seems innocuous enough, I've discovered that many fashionable gals have very bitter feelings towards it.

Personally, it's been a love/hate relationship. For years, I avoided this shoe like the plague. I thought it was too delicate, too flat, too much like a slipper. Then, slowly but surely, the look started to grow on me more and more, until I finally caved, and bought the most adorable, buttery leather black flats from--of all places--the Gap, for $40 (just last week, so they might still be in stores.)

Here's the thing: The right style can make your ankles look graceful, your legs longer and your feet smaller. The wrong style, however, can make your feet look like saucers, and your body look squat and schlumpy. Cheap versions of this shoe can also kill your feet, causing blisters and pain from lack of arch support. My recommendation is to buy the best quality flat you can afford, as they will actually serve their function by providing a stylish slip-on that's comfortable to wear.

Is the black ballet flat an essential part of your wardrobe?