THE WORLD IS FLAT; FOOT FASHION GETS COMFY IN TIME FOR FALL.

Byline: Julie Bonnin Cox News Service

Only a decade or two ago, the click click click of high heels on hardwood or tile floors was the sound of women at work.

Not every woman, of course. Nurses squeaked by in thick-soled comfort shoes, cowgirls clomped around in work boots, and those who could get away with it wore tennis shoes or some other footwear designed less for success than for casual comfort.

Still, in many work situations where dressy clothes were required, high heels reigned. Now - despite holdouts who don't consider themselves dressed without an extra inch or two spiked beneath their feet - the high heel is losing ground as a woman's work wardrobe staple.

A national telephone survey of 500 women conducted this spring by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society found 24 percent of working women wear high heels on the job, down from 37 percent in 1990.

That's good news for women's feet, because according to the orthopedic society, more than 90 percent of all major forefoot problems occur in women.

But the trend toward sensible shoes may have as much to do with fashion and comfort as a conscious nod to health. Pairing high heels with much of today's casual wear makes about as much sense as sipping expensive champagne while eating pork rinds.

Ntina (pronounced ``Dena'') Antoniou, 25, office manager at Girl Games, glanced around at the footwear in her all-female office one recent afternoon and reported an assortment of Doc Martens, Birkenstocks and tennis shoes.

``The only person here who wears heels is a salesperson who hasn't worked here very long,'' says Antoniou, one of the 20-somethings driving the trend toward low-heeled shoes.

``I think I (wore heels to work) once with a pair of pantyhose and said, `Never again.' It always just seemed absurd to me. People are just a lot more individual these days. I don't see a lot of young women walking around in pantyhose and skirts.''

High heels, she says ``seem like more of an evening thing. If you're gonna get dressed up and go to the opera maybe. With an evening gown, they're just beautiful.''

Al Remer, who sells shoes at Leon's Fashions, says he's noticed a swing away from high heels.

``There's no doubt that there's a trend toward comfortable, low-heeled shoes,'' he says. ``Even the ladies who used to wear a high heel aren't wearing them as high. Years ago, 2-1/2 to 3 inches was standard, and 3-inch heels really don't exist anymore. Now 2-1/2 would be considered high.''

CAPTION(S):

5 Photos

Photo: (1--Cover--Color) On the cover: Pancake flats in plum velvet by Max Azria for BCBG, $105 at Macy's. All shoes courtesy of Macy's, Fashion Square, Sherman Oaks.

(2--Color) They may be flat, but DKNY's new aqua socks have plenty of sole. Now meant for the street as well as the beach, they're $90.

(3--Color) Leopard print is still in the spotlight for fall feet. These are by BCBG, $115, available at Macy's in September.

(4--Color) The newest silhouette is a well-grounded and comfortable alternative to last year's stilettos. This purple satin mule is by Hype, $79.

Myung J. Chun/Daily News

(5--Color) Ensemble by Mossimo, available at Macy's and Bloomingdale's.