Sick of boots. What shoes do you wear for every day?

[BrightnessFalls]

I cant wear ballet flats for too long as the soles of my feet get too painfull. I cant totter about in heels. What do you wear to go shopping/lunch in. For the first time in a long time, I need to sort my shoe situation out!

The thing is (for me anyway) that soles aren't chunky enough any more on 'smart' shoes. It's all nasty thin ballet flats, or heels that are thin and wobbly. And although I applaud the comfiness of the chunky mary-jane styles, they are hard to match to actual clothes I find.

I had a wonderful pair of shoes circa 1997 which would fit the bill now - black suede with thick soles, chunky square heel and moccasin/brogue-style front. Smart enough to wear with officey clothes, but I also used to wear them clubbing with opaques and lycra dress (okay, I know...).

Supportive, bloody comfortable, and super-versatile though.

A bit like this, but with rounder toe and much chunkier sole.

Would these look good with skinny jeans? Feet froze in ballerinas today
www.amazon.co.uk/WOMENS-LADIES-BLACK-OFFICE-ANKLE/dp/B005UNFIM2/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sh_5

drywhite - if your feet are in proportion to your body then they will look great - ie don't buy them if you are 5ft4 and a size7!!

That's spooky drywhite...I've looked at those in my search and did consider...I like the shape and wedge but was a bit about the price and quality. Then I go buy a pair for not much more...go figure!

Or these (wavestodingdong)
www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_60543+043220426_-1?breadcrumb=Home%7ESale%7EWomen%7EShoes+%26amp%3B+boots%7EAnkle+boots

I know they're cheap but might look tomorrow in big city trip....oooooo (have warned dcs to charge up iPods!)

Ooh bad reviews.............can anyone find me some like these?

www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=4765743&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208544&parent_categoryId=208492&pageSize=20

Yum yum !

I too have been on the quest and fancy the look of these Have they been linked to yet?

Wide fitting
Low heeled but not totally flat, no wedges
Deep enough to wear orthotics or decent built in arch support
No bows
No ankle straps
No Mary Janes

Doesn't seem to exist

These.
(just noticed previous post stating no bows, but i think these are nice)

To Clarks haters - Sunday Times Style mag says they are having a brand revival. Alexa Chung 'spotted' in their Desert boots. I still seem to hate most of what they sell but Mary Portas range is good. Could only afford to buy in the sale mind you!

www.clarks.co.uk/p/20349305

I like that Esska site and these especially these although as if to prove a point, they are not mid heel or winter-suitable. www.esskashoes.com/shop/product/205/jam_mushroomyellow/

I can't deal with Clarks. Just slightly too cornish pasty. Hobbs can be good - but expensive and a tendency to put a kitten or spindly heel on everything.

Much as I like them, ankle boots aren't the solution for me, I can't wear them with a dress a la Portas because my ankles are too bony and skinny. I need some high front mid heel smartish shoes that I can wear with opaque tights.

Preferably in dark brown.

And weirdly, ankle boots are not the answer for me either because my ankles are too chunky and chubby and I don't need anything drawing attention to that!

I struggle with the whole shoe boot thing because it just says to me 1980s teenager from Croatia.

I bought these [http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ladies-Clarks-Fashion-Boots-Kitten-Top-/180802866943] today, reduced to ?60 from ?95. I love them, so comfy and look great with a dress, not sure if they'd work with skinny jeans though.

Just back from trip to city in search of perfect shoe solution bloody nightmare with two grumpy teenagers in tow total waster of time.i give up......back to boots for me.

Probably a bit late now and I know these are pricey but this site is worth a look for intersting flats and boots
www.hudsonshoes.com/h-womens.html

what about those? plenty of flats/small heels

My eyes!

Some of these links are... interesting I do quite like the Clarks Yarra though OP. Particularly the lace ones. What's that price point all about though?

I'm with you though sisters. I've spent the whole winter in these and will invariably spend all summer in these and these but what about in-between when I'm not wearing these? I WANT A SHOE!!!

DP likes Hudson and I followed shopaholics link to the ladies styles on anther thread and I really like these but I have the same concerns as others - I'm not svelte or feminine enough to pull off a flat brogue. I worry these are too high and I don't love them enough to spank that much cash on them. These are cute but the sole looks painfully (literally) thin.

I like that Esska site, there doesnt seem to be much variation from the Mary Jane theme. These are probably my favourite but I worry they're erring on the side of orthopaedic looking?

Its impossible isn't it.

Fango Kums

ViviPru that is the most illustrated post I have ever read. Definitely helped by the fact I got on Pinterest today. I was sort of wondering what the point of it was but you have demonstrated perfectly. Fabulous boots too.

Are these too naice? They would go well with my mostly dress-based workclothes...

ViviPru I think I need to get into Pinterest don't I?!
Apparently my shoes from Hudson have been despatched so I will report back on comfort, style vs cost.

Thanks Quenelle I like the toe shape of those, but way too high for me

Look forward to hearing your verdict, shopafrolic

I like pinterest for getting my head around what I like and don't like - I'll chuck something on my pinboard and revisit a couple of days later to see how I feel about it. I'm also crap at remembering where I saw stuff so if I'm browsing on the fly and not in actual shopping mode, I'll just chuck stuff on there to think about buying later.

Midway down my pinboard there are some uncharacteristic dresses and shoes which I compiled when I was planning a winter wedding outfit (on reflection - should have made a fresh pinboard) but it really helped me work out what went with what (and what really didn't!)