The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word FLATTIES
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
F
L
A
T
T
I
E
S
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Shoes" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case shoes = flatties.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does FLATTIES mean?
FLATTIES noun- A flat white (type of coffee).
- A flat marinated cut of meat.
- A flat store.
- A flat-bottomed sloop-rigged sharpie.
- A flattie spider.
- A traditional two-dimensional motion picture, as opposed to a deepie.
- A flatfish.
- A flathead (fish).
- A flat tire/tyre.
- A policeman.
- A flathead V8 engine.
- A hot rod fitted with a flathead V8 engine.