Where do you buy your comfortable and smart shoes????

[yesitsuptome]

Dear Mumsnet, Please rescue me from another trip to the shops! I am starting a business, I need to look smart, and I've got very wide front of my foot and narrow heels. Doesn't seem to matter in trainers, but what to do when I need to be smart? I've spent all day (feels like) yesterday and today going round the shops but I can't find anything which is: truly smart, comfortable, looks reasonably OK. I can manage a block heels if it's not too high. I'm OK with flats and I need probably neutral, black and maybe some other nice colour shoe. I struggle with courts if they don't have an ankle strap. Please share what styles you wear to work when you need to be smart, and where you manage to buy them. Thanks a lot!

Gabor!

Thank you! Am googling now. The thing is, I've been a SAHM for such a long time, and in a less smart profession before that, as well as living abroad, I've got no idea what women actually wear! I think I like these www.gaborshoes.co.uk/womens-c1/shoes-c2/azalea-ladies-casual-shoes-p23823 and these www.gaborshoes.co.uk/womens-c1/shoes-c2/court-shoes-c82/callow-ladies-modern-cross-strap-court-shoes-p31928. Any thoughts? Also, do you think ballet flats can be passed of as really smart or not?

shoes

I always buy my shoes from Clark’s, or Clark’s outlet.

What sort of shoe are you after?

I'm a bit clueless. I started off wanting courts. Then I went to an event in low courts and got blisters and they kept kind of falling off. Today I tried on every high heel I could find with a strap and I couldn't find anything that was quality and looked OK/fitted. I need shoes for all business type events. So sort of business casual at one end through to pretty smart at the other. I would like to wear them with trousers and dresses. I'm wondering if I can get some nice boots which would look OK with a dress even in summer or if that's not smart enough? Or whether I can pull off ballet flats with a smart outfit? All advice welcome, I haven't been in the working world for so long, I'm just not sure what women wear to work!

Hotters. Made in the uk.The most comfortable shoes I have bought. For that reason I only buy from them to avoid the disappointments I have had in the past. They do different widths and often have special offers like buy one and get another half price. Sometimes buy two and get third free. They don’t need repairing. They have all sorts of styles.

M&S footglove wide fit. I had a pair of work stiletto ankle boots about four inches high from them that were so comfortable I could wear them all day and walk miles in them. I'd forget I was wearing them. Unbelievably comfortable. Also have a few pairs of party shoes from them for same reason - you can dance in heels all night and your feet don't hurt. I sound like a cliched ad, but it's true.

Any of these any good?

Thank you. Am looking up Hotters right now.

Russell and Bromley. Pricey but last years

Thanks Mina, I've just been having a look at the M and S page you linked to. I love the look of the shoes, but have never worn a stiletto in my life and scared I can't! Some of my work involves trips to London so quite a lot of walking and public transport. I have had a knee operation and tend to be very wary, but your post is encouraging. Makes me think it might be possible. Is it? Till now I've only been looking at flats or block heels. I like some of the M and S ones and they are also quite reasonably priced, just worried I won't actually be able to wear them...

Oly5, I'm on the Russell and Bromley webpage. I found a section called 'dress flats'. Could have been made for me! Sooo many nice, formal shoes which look as if I could spend my day thinking of things beyond my feet. See what you mean by expensive though! Genuinely not sure if I can afford them right now...

I swear by Gabor and M&S for shoes.

I have awkward shaped feet and can't wear most high street shoes.

I have these in about 3 different colours, they are really good quality and will last well.

https://www.johnlewis.com/gabor-indiana-pumps/p3394764?sku=237184858&skwcid=2dx92700028200403794&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxNNXBRCFARIsAIufy1ZGExZmiWRRP3PNTMdxpiT4jlNL2TiBkn2h-ZAgErnMuoBbV0Ldu4aAgRbEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I really like those in the blue! Am surprised as I usually don't like buckles, or pale blue! I'm going to try to order some to my local John Lewis and try them.
How many shoes did you have to try before you found The Ones? I seriously think finding my DH was easier than this! Failingat40 do you have narrow heels and wide toes by any chance? If it's the opposite, I'll know to give the shoes a miss!

PS - does anyone have any advice on the whole ankle boot thing? Can I get away with ankle boots with dresses for a smart outfit, or is that cheating?

I would think that slingback flats would be a good option for you. Next have loads and they are comfortable. This sort of thing or the pointy version- which definitely accommodate a wider foot.

Also buy some heel grippers for a more secure fit for shoes with backs.

Clark’s every time. Smart trainers to walk
To work and then wee heels kept at work

OP, that M&S range isn;t just high heels, they have mid heels and block heels, but wiht the same soft leather upper and deeply padded soles, with wide fit. Like walking on pillows. Try some on.

Another vote for R and B here!

Ecco. You need to choose judiciously because they do some frumpwear, but they have beautiful knee-high boot that I live in during the winter (called 'Elaine'), plus nice plain metallic trainers, plus peep-toe heels that are actually surpisingly comfy to wear.

Hobbs Jesitsuptome very comfortable I bought the Jennifer Court shoes for a wedding last week end love it and its on sale

Thanks everyone for the advice. Have googled it all! So I've got some questions (I am clueless):

How important are tights with dresses in hot weather? Can I wear open toe and still be smart? What about sling backs with tights? Is that allowed? And can I wear black shoes with blue dress/trousers?

Yesisuptome black goes with any colours dress or trousers , I am not sure about tights in hot weather I don't personally ; You could find smart open toe shoes

Like you, my feet are wide at the front and very narrow at the heel. I buy shoes from a variety of places, more about the shoe and how comfortable, wearable and stylish they are - can't do frumpy no matter how comfortable. I find courts difficult, as they often want to fall off, but have a number of mary-jane style shoes which are much better for the shape of my foot. Ecco, Gabor, R&B. Geox, Hotter, Rieker, Jana, Tu, with one of my most comfortable shoes / sandals having come from Primark.

I've got wide feet and can relate
I bought these recently which are now in the sale and also available in nude, good work shoe and very comfortable:
www.clarks.co.uk/c/Orabella-Fern/p/26128241

I second Gabor for comfort and quality ,lmake sure you search for their wider fit range, easy to order and return online. I tend to buy more in winter from them, just had a look at their website but it wasn't very inspiring...unless you're looking for sandals, these I own and are super comfy:
www.gaborshoes.co.uk/womens-c1/sandals-c4/wedge-c79/sizzle-ii-ladies-wedge-heel-sandals-p31934?attribute%5B1%5D=15842

Note for above always choose "E" or "Wide" fit if ordering online.

Finally for evening I got some Mint Velvet black kitten heels recently, just took a punt expecting to return but it seems some MV styles are quite wide so it would be worth trying some on. These are the ones I bought:
www.mintvelvet.co.uk/product/drew-black-kitten-heel/13774?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5Yn2itSH2wIVDdOyCh2eKwM2EAQYASABEgIGQfD_BwE

I also bought attached suede flats to go with a lot of my navy work clothes whilst in Spain recently and I recommend for comfort if you can try similar styles, it's accommodating on wide feet if you choose leather/suede rather than synthetic materials and I love them!

M&S wide fit is another option but best to try in store, quality tends to be hit and miss and manmade materials which don't last well/look meh after short wear

Hope this gives you some ideas, I totally get what a struggle it is!
As far as boots go you'd have to go for a sandy/tan colour for summer? I have seen some summer styles but not in wide fit (so far) and the usual black winter styles would look odd (imho) with summer clothes? 🤔

Sorry yes the Clarks I linked to above are out of stock in wide fit 😢 So apologies I didn't check thoroughly before posting but at least it gives you an idea of what styles to look for if you want a block heel.
I think open toe smart sandals are fine for work if they're good quality shoes. I don't wear tights in summer but always longer length skirts, whereas in winter I'll do above knee skirts with opaque tights and shoes or ankle boots...and above I was referring to summer closed ankle boots rather than full length hope this makes sense!