If you can't wear high heels, you can still have fun with shoes

The other night I was reading some of my favorite blogs, and then started reading Elle magazine.  I saw several really amazing-good pairs of shoes, almost all of them high heeled.  I do occasionally wear high heels, but I'm not supposed to. Seven years ago I had a herniated, bulging disc in my back that was pressing on my sciatic nerve.  The doctors tried different things to alleviate the pain, and when none worked very well I had surgery.  Unfortunately, like many people, the surgery didn't completely alleviate the pain.  My Dr. gave me a list of things to do and not to do, and you guessed it, one of the "don't do's" was wearing high heels.  This past year my left knee has started to bother me also, and from the reading that I've done on my condition, once again, high heels are to be avoided.

This sometimes really depresses me.  I love fashion.  I've always enjoyed finding a killer pair of shoes and knowing how good they look on me.  And now that's been taken away.  **sigh**  While I was thinking my depressed thoughts, a thought popped into my head (honest - I do occasionally get some of those).  Aren't there fun or maybe even sexy shoes without much of a heel?  I decided to do some sleuthing.  What I had in mind was something like this first pair, but without the heel.  (I might have even gone for these despite the heel had they not been $225.00.)

Ted Baker, Lissome

I liked these Born shoes - specifically the purple straps.  Purple is one of my favorite colors, and Born shoes are supposed to comfortable.  The blue flats with the ribbon were cute, too.

Born, Joya

Born, Marnee

Then there's my go to brand when I want something funky - Doc Martens.  I always get their boots, but now they have some pretty cool shoes, too.

Dr. Martens, Ceri Brogue

Dr. Martens, Hackney

How cute are the pink boots with the smiley face on them, and the tongue sticking out on one of them?

Dr. Martens, Hincky

And these floral ones are so perfect for spring!  They have them in yellow, too (and now so do I).

Dr. Martens 1460 Pink floral leather

Then there's Birkenstocks. I've never owned a pair but have heard a lot of good things about them.  Right now I'm debating on buying a pair.  I know that they're not the trendiest or funkiest shoes, but some of them come in nice colors and styles, like the fuschia ones below.  And as I've learned the hard way, good shoes can be really important and save you a lot of pain later in life.
I'm wondering if any of you have worn Birkenstocks?  If so, do you think they're worth the price?

Birkenstock, Turin

Then there are the metallic flats.  Metallics are in this spring in general, so a pair of metallic shoes sounds like a good idea.

Lucky Brand, Emmie

These Superga shoes had two big pluses for me - metallic AND studs.  And I've heard they're very comfortable.  I had to try them, but I had a hard time deciding between the regular ones and the high tops.  (High tops are back, if you haven't noticed.)  I finally ordered the regulars (from Zappos), but I'm still not sure if maybe I should have gotten the high tops.  Regardless, I got the regular ones today and LOVE them.  The metallic fabric will need a little breaking in, but even with the first wear they were comfortable (with socks) and looked SO cool!!  I'm a happy camper! (In a manner of speaking.  I actually hate camping, but there's that phrase... you know what I mean.)

Superga lame studs (they're not Lame as in pathetic, but rather lamaa fabric. I don't know how to put the accent above the a. Neither did Zappos.)

Superga lame hi-tops studded

And last, I had to include these Doc Martens just because they're the most gorgeous color purple!

Dr. Martens 1460 purple patent leather

So, there are some good examples of flat shoes that are still unusual, cool and/or fun. Do you have any other suggestions?  I must say the Superga studded shoes made me feel like ME again.  At last I have some hope that I can still be stylish and cool even in middle-age.  I do have a question for all of you - does anyone out there wear Havaiana's?  I can't figure out what the big deal is about them.  They're fine-looking, but don't look much different from any other flip-flops I've seen.  And their price seems a bit high for what they are.  Am I missing something?

Donna