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Fashion Flats IN, platforms^ OUW^ IT TOOK ONE swift kick from the new shoe trend ballet flats to topple platforms from their perch. “Quite simply, customers have had enough of high heels,” says Robert Burke, president and founder of luxury con sulting firm Robert Burke Associates. “Flats seem young and fresh.” It certainly helps that they’re easier to weai - than the ankle-wrenching wedge, and they can look elegant or coquettish with this year’s empire-waisted dresses, hot pants and capris. And despite a more casual work attitude, flip-flops and san dals flunk many office dress codes, but flats won’t. “As for the customer older than 40, platforms never really were popu lar this time around,” says Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at the NPD Group. “But offer women ballet flats, and they’ll take them in a second. Flats are just so comfortable. If I gave you per mission to wear slippers to work, you would, wouldn’t you?” The trend-forecaster Tbbe Group has heal'd from clients that ballerina Cats ac count for two of every five pairs of flats that are sold. Even Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin, both known for stilettos, did flats this season rather than risk flat lined profits. More affordable versions are offered by J.C. Penney in a black or red patent round toe, J. Crew in a plaid fabric with brown suede bow, Stuart Weitzman in a round-toe quilted leather with bow and Banana Republic in a big buckled soft saddle-brown leather. “This trend is here to stay,” Cohen says. “Women have created their own collec tions Of flats.” O Michele Meyer USA WEEKEND ■ Sept 14-16,2007 m : . .... .. . sSBBaaM 4 - *va :I* •',j * \'i - •, WEARING FLATS TO WORK IS LIKE WEARING SUPPERS. Lick-your-lips taste plus a half serving of fruits or vegetables in every ounce of chips. To get a free sample, visit www.garilenharvest.com. New Garden Harvest Chips. The taste that' sin season. j p i 13 “Ml / &'■ *iik 4li