Driven crazy by women’s shoes in the high street

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I want a pair of black shoes for work. Smart, comfortable, modern looking, will go with trousers or a dress.

However, it seems that my options via the high street are:
-5inch rubber soled loafers that weigh 2.5kg each
-Square toed heels with a triangular heel in lime green, neon pink or some kind of sparkly glitter
-Pointy toed slingbacks
-trainers
-ankle boots that resemble wellies

if you want to try anything on there is barely ever any sizes on the shelves and no shop assistants to help you either

I have had feet for over 40 years, and a job wearing black shoes for over 25 years and never had such a problem. What in the Kanye West is going on? I know my DP thinks I am making it up when I tell him I’ve still not found any shoes.

I’ve looked in Clarkes and I cannot afford their prices in all honesty. They have a decent loafer but it’s £80 😑

Any recommendations?

Pavers?

John Lewis?

Yes, you are right, there are no proper black formal shoes out there. Loafers are hugely unflattering with dresses, particularly if legs are on the chunky side, but tbh I have never seen anyone look good in them. Ballet shoes are not great for walking, on me they slide off, but they don't look that great anyway, certainly not with a structured outfit. MaryJanes do stay on , in fact I have a Clark's pair from 15 years ago, which I have never worn because they are so hideous and dowdy. I thought they might come in handy one day, so have hung on to them, but that day has not yet arrived.
I have looked online and in real shops but there's nothing else out there. Have manufacturers decided we'll all stay in trainers?

Try Pavers they do online as well as stores. Have smart comfortable black work shoes. Apparently the flats and smaller heels are used by cabin crew.

Unfortunately you have to move with the times! No one really wears plain black shoes anymore, the chunky loafers are in...I gave up and bought some last year, comfiest shoes I have ever owned and looked much more up to date with dresses.
Do you have to wear black shoes for work or do you have options? I work in an office and I wear trainers with jeans most days. Most places are much less concerned with smart office wear these days but I get it might not be the case where you work.
At the end of the day shops stock what sells, if what you are looking for doesn't exist it means there wasn't much of a market for it.

Pavers have been my go to in recent years, though I haven't looked this year.

I am grateful for those who have sent links - thank you I will take a good look when I get home.

I would prefer to try shoes on in a shop. I have wide feet, 6.5. As you can usually not get half sizes I go for a 7. This is a popular size so often can’t find them. Next do 6.5 but they didn’t have any.

I would like a shoe that has some substance and isn’t made of thin felt and won’t ruin in the rain, but I also don’t want a pair of thick rigid shiny patent shoes. I would like flats but not giant flat forms. I don’t mind a small low heel but I don’t want an open toe shoe. Giant loafers can make my feet look huge so I am avoiding them.

My last shoes were normal loafers from Primark and they split after 4 years! They can’t be fixed. I had them so long. I have some next ankle boots that need a new heel so I will take them to the menders tomorrow. I usually can find a pair in new look but it might be just the wrong time and too much sale stuff is still out.

I saw these in deichmann but I could not try them on as none in my size and they are patent which I don’t like as much as a Matt black shoe.

Did you see the M and S loafers?

https://www.marksandspencer.com/leather-loafers/p/clp60526726?prevPage=srp#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r1c1

Debenhams online have a decent range. Lots of Dorothy Perkins, but also Gabor which are more expensive but good for wide feet.

Pavers are wider fitting as standard. Their wide fit styles are really wide.

Hate ankle wellies with a passion. Yet to see anyone who looks good wearing them. There is no occasion they are suitable for.

I hear you OP. Very few affordable, decent quality shoes around these days. I sourced a pair of Mary Janes from Shein 6 months ago and they still look like new. They aren’t what I would describe as good quality though.

Did you try M&S?

If you have Wide Feet, have you checked out Yours clothing?
Women's Wide Fit Shoes | UK Sizes 3-13 | Yours Clothing these are just the loafers, there is more choice

Just did a search on asos and found these...

Ignore my question about M&S, just saw the update.

Also lots of patent Mary Jane’s for those who like to look like a creepy doll lady 😂 mine are not patent if that makes any difference…..!

There is no occasion they are suitable for.

Dog walks.

Had the same issue last week, I suddenly realised it's been so long since I went to an office that I had no "work shoes" for a business trip!

My haul eventually included:
A pair of black ballet flats from my very last stitchfix order
Black high heeled court shoes from Next - but they were the last ones on the shelf amongst strappy pointy monstrosities and luckily in my size
Disappointing pair of pointy nude low heels from New Look - they're a bit wide (I used to love their wide fit range but they are now super wide) and a bit flimsy.

I too do not want to wear shoes that have such thick soles they look like I could take a factory tour in them, or are so strappy it looks like I have bare feet, or so pointy that my poor toes will die.

I used to have a full range of gorgeous court shoes of various height heels in all the colours of the rainbow. Surely those are never-out-of-fashion basics?!

(Also, I'm early 30s, so I'm not talking about that long ago )

MIL recommended pavers I will have to take a look.

now I’m not out of touch with fashion completely but I have 2 young adult female daughters and do not buy these hideous shoes, who is buying and wearing them? Some of these loafers could be used as murder weapons and inflict a serious injury. I’m asking to buy normal loafers without a giant sole. @HeffyAgain none of my colleagues wear these things either so it’s not just me. I do have to wear smart clothes I can’t wear trainers but I am not wearing full glam or anything. Just something practical and weather proof. I have heeled boots so it is nice to have some flats as well. I’ve never had this issue before and I have the same taste as always. I’m just not into utility wear.

How about La Redoute? Lots of choice there

I bought some chunkster loafers from Dune recently and I never would have thought they'd be my style but they have really grown on me.

The heavy clunky feeling is quite nice!

They didn’t have these in the shop I went into unfortunately as they are more what I was looking for

Have you looked at vinted?

Loafers are in fashion again and quite comfy, I saw a few in peacocks the other day for around £15. I think the fashion is to wear them with white Ankle socks 😂

Fairfax and Favour? Very comfortable and smart.

Could you try some on in Clarks and buy second hand (but good condition) on Vinted?

Pavers lots of black wide fit shoes ( ended up getting sale pair, not navy or black)
very reasonably priced too

Oh my giddy aunt 🤣