I am 1.79m tall and don't like to wear heels. Are there other types of stylish flat shoes I can wear besides ballet flats?

Smoking slippers are the stars this season.

It Girls, including Emma Watson, Alexa Chung and Carey Mulligan, have embraced the trend started by British supermodel Kate Moss in 2010.

For the uninitiated, smoking slippers look like a cross between flats and slip-ons and are usually made of velvet or suede.

The heels are no higher than 0.5cm and the footwear is a popular menswear trend inspired by the 1970s debonair look.

Originally, smoking slippers were evening shoes worn by wealthy American men in the 1970s when they hosted dinner parties at home.

They gained popularity when Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner was pictured wearing them with a silk robe.

One of my favourite pairs this season is from J.Crew. It is a collaboration piece between the American fashion label and American footwear label Stubbs & Wootton.

The velvet pair is not cheap at $711.50, but it oozes luxe style. Wear the shoes with skinny jeans and an oversized white shirt for a feminine spin on a menswear-inspired look.

Or, channel your inner hipster by teaming them with a dark coloured T-shirt and a midi-length skirt.

For a more affordable option, look to Aldo. The brand stocks smoking slippers which feature studs and rivets for an edgier spin. This pair of Corinette slip-ons ($89.90), for instance, jazzes up a simple shirt-dress instantly for a weekend brunch look.

I also like Topshop's Majestic embellished slippers (from $119), which are casual enough to be worn with shorts or denim cut-offs, but also look smart when paired with a dress.

Another type of flat shoes I'd recommend is loafers. Unlike menswear versions, which are often bulky and cut wider, those for women are slimmer and sleeker. These are often called penny loafers, after American prep school students in the 1950s started inserting a penny into the diamond-shaped slit of their loafers to make a fashion statement.

They usually feature fun colours or details such as tassels.

Asos.com is currently offering discounts of up to 50 per cent on selected loafers.

Other places to check out for women's loafers include Rubi (from $29.90), Steve Madden (from $89.90) and Pedder Red (from $160).

Rohaizatul Azhar

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