Comfiest work wear (formal) shoes ?

[Newname85]

I have a 3 day conference to attend. I’ll be on my feet most of the day. Last year, my feet were dead my the end of day 3 as my shoes were too uncomfortable. Aibu to just go in trainers this year?

Those who work in retail etc, what are your shoes like? How do you cope with long days on your feet!!??

I’m not in retail but in Education so I also spend a lot of my day on my feet. I actually can and do wear trainers to work but for days I want a smarter look I always have leather flats in my wardrobe in black and/or brown or something neutral. In winter I like ankle boots and in summer brogues or loafers. The trick is to buy a good quality pair that fit well and you sacrifice a bit of current fashion sometimes for better comfort. So I will never ever buy pointy toed boots even if they are in fashion that year because they are not comfortable. I also never ever buy shoes from clothes shops, only from actual shoes making companies. I always go for substantial soles with decent tread on winter boots because no one wants to be sliding around a slippery corridor floor in front of students. I don’t often get complimented on my shoes unless the fashion that year happens to correspond to something comfortable (so my sheepskin lined black timberland ankle boots do get compliments at times, usually from someone with cold feet). Usually my footwear fits the level of formality needed (or close enough, I’m not wearing heels for anyone or anything), but is kind of unremarkable. The other trick is to only own a few pairs of shoes and keep them in good condition and wear them often - saves blisters from new shoes at conferences.

Boots. Nice comfy boots.

I never suggest shoes on mumsnet when someone is looking for comfortable flats for a formal event because every single time someone more masochistic than me will call my suggestion hideous and then suggest pointy toes flats that might actually be kitten heels, possibly with no backstrap. At that point I leave them to their blisters and twisted ankles. I also think pointy toes sling back kitten heels are ugly but apparently they are the only acceptable ´flats’ to women who actually think we should all be in stiletto heels all the time.

When I do conferences I wear trainers, so does everyone else. Too much walking to be uncomfortable.

https://www.clarks.com/en-gb/un-loop/20312837-p?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD6sYkHUC6nBPmZBlCKhpKPPuwumR

these - every time - Clark’s nurses shoes. I have two identical pairs because they are so comfortable. Recommended by my physio.

I'd always go for food quality Chelsea boots.

Good, not food. These boots don't need to be edible.

I wear trainers I think boots round your ankles are annoying after a few hours. When I say trainers, not the running kind, street shoe with a comfortable flatform for cushioning.

I wear my north face duvet shoes for set up and prep, then whatever goes with my outfit for speeches. If I am on a stand I go back to duvet shoes. I work in finance.

Timberland 6 inch boots. Honestly the most comfortable thing i think I've worn. I have a silver pair that look funky but the black look good with a just above the knee skirt. You have to lean in to the look though, you can't just wear a skirt suit with them.

Gabor shoes are pretty comfortable too and they do a nice range of well padded round toed flats that work in a more formal setting

My best advice would be to have different shoes for each day. When I've done multiple days on my feet then changing shoes really helps. Everything gets uncomfortable in a different way after a while. And absolutely trainers in the evening.

Try and get a daily 30 min brisk walk in too. It's tiring on the legs a d back standing for a long time

I get planar facitis from very flat shoes so need a bit of structure. I've found Geox shoes suit my feet. For work I actually wear their girl's school uniform loafers (they go up to size 6) and I've worn them for a multi day conference with no problems.

https://www.geox.com/en-GB/leather_loafers-black-casey_girl-J3620C00043C9999.html

These are comfy. I sized up and they have a squashy insoles like memory foam

I've worn them mon- Friday as a teacher who struggles with shoes since self

The memory foam is wearing a bit thin now but still super comfy

I just bought gabor x 2 pairs x fab