Comfy, stylish work shoes

[BBBear]

I’m returning to work soon and need shoes!

I’ll be wearing shift dresses and pencil skirts, sometimes smart trousers.

I need shoes that are smart enough to go with these outfits but comfortable enough to walk from the station, run to catch a train, etc.

My back up plan is to wear trainers and change at work, but I would prefer to buy a practical yet smart/stylish pair (if that exists!)

I’ve spent the last few months in a pair of Toms... that’s the level of comfort I am after!

I am 40+ returning to work in the city, so don’t care about glamour, but don’t want to look like an old frump!

I've come here as am looking for the same. Preferably shoes I can wear with socks too!

I have a pair of Clark's chorus pitch heels and they're v v comfy

Brogues. Loafers. Anything with a chunky, low heel. Clark’s or M&S for reasonable heels, they both do quite comfortable options.

But are they stylish?

@Peoniesandcats, yes, I definitely need socks ( I am so not stylish 😂)

Yes they are stylish (although a lot of it is to do with how you wear them). People are always amazed when I tell them that some of my shoes are from there. I have lots from a range of brands, some of them much more expensive and fashion forwards brands, but both Clark’s and M&S stand up well to the rest of my footwear.

Otherwise I’d probably go to Russell & Bromley or similar, if your budget allows. Their shoes are great quality, but a fair hike in cost.

And I always search John Lewis by shoe type as that way I can see a range of brands and price levels.

Also:

Dune
Kurt Geiger
Boden
Toast
Whistles
Jigsaw
Jaeger

These M&S footglove wide fit shoes might work. I accidentally bought wide fit stilettos from them one year and they were so comfortable I forgot I was wearing 4 inch heels all day long.

Another problem you may have to consider is that heels will deteriorate faster if you regularly use them to walk/run. (By walk, I mean a 15 minute walk twice a day to/from the station rather than just walking around indoors.) Think worn heel tips/soles, strap problems, weird creases etc so it may actually be easier to bring a change of shoes. Not necessarily trainers, you can try something more compact.

My go-to work shoes are Russell and Bromley’s Charming range. Smart and stylish (I think) but most importantly very comfortable! Expensive but work out brilliantly as they last ages

Has anyone tried Gabor shoes? Apparently they are cushioned/padded so comfortable. They never look very stylish though but I'm tempted.

I wear trainers/boots for commuting and keep my work shoes in a box under my desk - black, nude and navy heels all from
M&S.

I also have black patent brogues and tan suede ankle boots, but I can commute in those easily.

I think all my work shoes are M&S!

I’ve got Gabor shoes and they are very comfortable, but not particularly stylish. I don’t wear them to work, I’ve got a couple of pairs of wedges for summer evenings and holidays.

I’m inclined to agree with others - better to get a good pair of smart trainers and wear those for the commute. Or have a few pairs of good work-horse shoes to rotate between otherwise you will wear them out very quickly.

Is there a Hotters near you? AMAZINGLY comfortable shoes (and I do not care that my friends tell me they're for old people ha ha).

Apparently there's a hotters not too far away from me so might go and take a look... these look acceptable: www.hotter.com/gb/en/amalie-shoes?searchterm=AMALIE%20SHOES What do you think?

I like these in black too: www.hotter.com/gb/en/padstow-boots?fit=Standard+Fit&colour=Dark%20Tan

Those hotter shoes just linked are awful, particularly the first pair. My granny wouldn't even wear them, sorry!

I much prefer the M&S simple ones linked earlier.

I just bought brogues from Next and they were too small. But I liked them.

Geox have nice shoes. I walk 15 minutes to bus stop and then from stop to work and same again the way home, so I can't do high heels either, not even block heels. They just wear out in a month/

Sketchers sweet pea black.
www.skechers.com/en-gb/style/22625/ez-flex-2-sweetpea/blk#

@teensrule but the description of Hotters make them sound like the comfiest things ever!

M&S definitely look nicer but haven't found them very comfy before. Might go and try them on though!

I’ve tried Gabor in the shops but not bought any - they felt quite comfortable. I haven’t tried Geox yet - are they all cushioned soles?

I’ll get down to M&S and Clark’s as they both seem popular.

I can’t wait until I’m old enough to wear Hotter shoes... just another 30 years to wait!

M&S shoes here for daily stuffy - comfortable, repairable and reasonably priced. Their flat form brogues are good. I quite like Boden shoes as well - expensive but well made and they last.

Geox are good too.

can you not just change into high heels in the office? I think that shift dresses and pencil skirts look much better with high heels.

I just wear trainers in between home and work (usually cycle) or I also have a pair of flats from Jigsaw if I'm gong straight to a meeting on my bike.

Have a look at fitflop. I've just bought some of their ballerina style which are very comfortable.

I wear a mix of platform brogues, pointed flats, shoe boots with black tights and court shoes. I have a drawer full of shoes at work to mix it up!