Guide to Retailers Selling Flat Boots

Come every fall, there are all these magazines hinting at how boots should have heels. These are the magazine articles that make the flat boots or boots with 1/2" heels look like dowdy rejects for those who can't hack the stilettos. However, there are always a few good retailers to fall back on if you are one of the few who are partial to wearing flats (you like ballet flats in the spring, slippers in the summer and heel-less boots in the fall).

First, give yourself credit for marching to the tune of your own, fashionable drum.

Second, realize the options to find both stylish and smart looking boots that are also comfortable, are in abundance this fall. Gone are the days of walking into a store where all you find are those awful Ugg boots that are well, just plain ugh to look at (ever wonder why they're called that in the first place ladies? Yeah, they were cute for awhile, but not anymore).

If you are into the trendy, look no further than Urban Outfitters. The retailer and e-tailer is selling its suede Promenade boot for $78. And, okay, it's not completely flat at 1.5 inches, but it's close enough so that walking in them isn't a complete catastrophe. Also the heel is cut like a kitten heel for added style. The benefit to this style is that it comes in the traditional colors like black and gray, but also fun colors like pink and turquoise.

The suede material makes them affordable and Urban Outfitters is currently running a promo where you get free shipping on boot orders through mid-September. Subscribe to their e-mail newsletters and you can get further reminders of sales and other promotional announcements as they pass.

Steve Madden also carries suede boots called Tianna and which are completely flat and extremely comfortable. You may have to get half a size to a whole size larger than what you normally wear so ordering online may not be the best option unless you've purchased Steve Madden boots before.

The style is relatively simple. There is a bit of scrunching along the shaft, but not so much as to make the style look frumpy. The suede boots run $99.95, but the boots are also now being offered in patent leather (which don't quite give off the same effect, but if you are into that then to each her own!). The patent leather material boots run $129.95.

If you want something with a little more flair, try Aerosoles' "Caper Off," which is made of leather. The boot features a criss-crossing set of chains at the ankle, which adds a little detail and dresses up the boot if you're just wearing it with some jeans and a T-shirt. The boot is a little more pricey at $260, but if you factor in the fact that they're leather and won't dirty as quickly as other materials, it balances out the price.

If you're not into suede, but don't want to pay the high price tag for a set of leather boots you know you won't wear past winter, try department stores like JCPenney or Macy's. They usually have a wide variety of flat boots some of which are made with synthetic uppers. So, you get the appearance of some shiek leather boots at about half the price tag. Plus, the department stores usually have their weekend sales (which seem to be running pretty much ever weekend nowadays). So, you can end up getting a real steal.