Formal shoes for a devoted Doc Martens wearer...

[MissStoHelit]

Hi - I'd be very grateful for some recommendations of reasonably comfortable but smart-looking shoes please.

I have a nice collection of orthopaedic issues which mean that I need my shoes to be pretty firm and supportive, so ballet flats and flimsy strappy things are totally out. I also tend to wear shoes down extremely quickly and unevenly, so it's important that it's possible and viable to reheel them.

Ideally, I need:

• 1 pair of Chelsea boots (black);
• 1 pair of block heels between 1-3" high (black, ideally loafer style);
• 1 pair of non-backless sandals (ideally dark blue or dark red, but otherwise black or brown).

Thanks in advance for any advice!

You probably have looked at the Doc Martens website?

They seem to have relatively smart looking loafers (only looked at first 3 pages of shoes) and appear to sell sandals as well. Would none of these do?

Their Chelsea boots are somewhat lush.

(And there's a pair of gold shoes that I want to rush out and buy even though I'd look ridiculous in them.)

But I have no idea if these can be re-heeled.

With similarly challenging feet, plus back problems that make teetering on heels a problem, I have found that Gabor and Van Dal usually have styles that I can wear. Expensive, but OTOH I have never had them wear out, and the heels are replaceable.

Thank you, both!

Zero - I'm very tempted by those DM Chelsea boots! Unfortunately I wear DMs out very quickly due to my ortho problems, and I've can't find anywhere that will resole them for much less than £60. So, ideally, I'm looking for an alternative option which is still fairly comfortable but doesn't come with the financial drawback of the special DM soles. Sorry, should have mentioned that in the OP .

Oink - Thank you for the recommendations, I've never heard of either brand before. It's good to know that the heels are replaceable - I've recently had to throw away three pairs of formal shoes from mainstream retailers because they're impossible to resole or reheel...

Ah ok. Have you ever looked at Church's or Grenson? They may have the kind of thing you're looking for - proper, traditional leather soles perhaps? And both quite cool.

Not exactly a Chelsea boot but rather lovely.

Any good?

Ooh wow, Zero, those are gorgeous! I had no idea that it was still possible to get such well-made shoes for reasonable money. Definitely something to revisit when I finish my training next year - they look like they'd last long enough and look good enough to merit the initial outlay. Thanks for the recommendation .

I love these...

Here!

Look!

It's true - perfectly normal "good" shoes (of the sort I took for granted growing up) cost an absolute fortune nowadays.

Try Fly. Also worth a look are Art if more dressy shoes.

Oh, those Church's were the ones I would have linked next.

Jolly good.

ASOS do some great Chelsea boots called 'Airtime'

I'm a hairdresser, on my feet all day long and these are my 'work boots' and cost me £20 to totally resole. The leather lasts well.

Thank you all very, very much - you've saved me a great deal of unnecessary buying and returning stuff! Between all of these lovely options, I'm sure I'll be able to get everything I need .

Zero - the state of the footwear industry makes me sad. I really dislike the way that most shoes now are designed and priced to be disposable - it's a waste of money, raw materials, manufacturing opportunities, and customers' time. Well made, durable, cheaply repairable shoes should be a standard product, not a niche luxury - it's a shame that capitalism doesn't work that way!

P.S. Those Greson "Grace" Chelsea boots are perfect, thanks!

I just realised that I wasn't clear in my post. The uppers of my Gabor and Van Dal shoes have never worn out, and the heels are re-soleable, not replaceable.

I love Grenson but wouldn't describe traditional leather soled shoes as especially comfortable. I think you would be better off with their vibram soles, they are very durable but can also be resoled.

And in a very different style, have a look at El Naturalista. The rubber soles are very durable.

You could bite the bullet and have the flatter styles handmade from Conker. Although not smart-smart they are durable and they resole them. I agree that leather soles are not comfortable or durable but vibram is esp in the wedge shape.

The leather they use is wonderfully soft but thick so it lasts years. I like their POBs with the poppers. Some people send their Conkers back in for repair after twenty years so although the initial outlay seems expense - cost per wear makes them v. Economical.

Have realised I should have included these people in the list OP.

And I have to disagree with those of you who say leather soles are uncomfortable. To me it's the same as the difference between a gel saddle and a proper leather saddle for a bicycle. Instant, short term squooshiness or a lifetime of dignified comfort ...