What shoes are people wearing for work now?

[Hoppinggreen]

I am a 40 something size 16 woman and as I have been wfh for ages I usually wear trainers or ankle boots in winter.
However, I have a work meeting in London in a few weeks and I wondered what everyone was wearing on their feet. I am not sure what I will be wearing yet but I quite often do the midi dress trainers combo (sorry) or black trousers with trainers. I am not sure trainers are smart enough and it’s too warm for boots so I was wondering what to wear/buy
I hopefully won’t be walking far but I have fat feet (to match the rest of me) and arthritis in my toes so even comfy shoes will probably hurt after a while
Any ideas on how I can be stylish and comfy (ish) please?

I’m looking for smart and comfy but not too boring.
Trendy would be a bonus

Piggy backing on here because I will be going back to the office next week, and need a pair of flat shoes that look OK with midi skirts and midi dresses. I already have a pair of black loafers, but they look better with trousers. Most of my clothes are blue.

Trainers contravene our dress code, and I already have sandals for warm weather.

www.hush-uk.com/sleeveless-shirt-midi-dress-black/002278-2809.html
Not shoes I know but can I ask what we think of this?

@Hoppinggreen

www.hush-uk.com/sleeveless-shirt-midi-dress-black/002278-2809.html Not shoes I know but can I ask what we think of this?

It's... Nice? Smart, fairly classic, reasonably on trend, not in any way offensive, not massively standout either but not everything has to be.

OP as someone who also has meetings at embassies in London and similar venues, I wear trainers on commute, wait until I am a few metres from the building and swap into more work appropriate shoes and pop trainers into bag. Once inside the building I am usually in meetings with very little walking involved. Leave the building and pop my trainers back or go to their loos and change shoes in there.

Oh God I’m so boring.
I think I’ve lost my style a bit in lockdown.
I am told I usually look “nice” and at my age and size I have to be careful not to look like a quirky snag tights model but I don’t want to blend in too much either.

@bonfireheart

OP as someone who also has meetings at embassies in London and similar venues, I wear trainers on commute, wait until I am a few metres from the building and swap into more work appropriate shoes and pop trainers into bag. Once inside the building I am usually in meetings with very little walking involved. Leave the building and pop my trainers back or go to their loos and change shoes in there.

That may well be the solution. However, I am meeting my boss for lunch afterwards - mind you I doubt she will care about my feet

Wow you all wear really expensive shoes!!

I'm wearing these
www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-lacyie-mary-jane-pointed-velvet-ballet-flats-in-leopard/prd/21883055?

I bought them in a hurry and was prepared to dump them if they were naff, but they're really nice and comfortable too

I like the sound of your brogues

Don’t wear trainers to a formal London meeting.
Brogues, loafers, even nice ballet flats. Look at Russell and Bromley

@bonfireheart

OP as someone who also has meetings at embassies in London and similar venues, I wear trainers on commute, wait until I am a few metres from the building and swap into more work appropriate shoes and pop trainers into bag. Once inside the building I am usually in meetings with very little walking involved. Leave the building and pop my trainers back or go to their loos and change shoes in there.

I do this too - have done since pre-Covid. I'm now quite brazen about it and my (male) boss knows that we always need to find a spot for me to change my shoes before a meeting.

Thanks @SocksAndTheCity - just bought a pair of those! I usually wear trainers to walk to meetings and these look perfect to put in my bag to slip on. I have a pair of black lace style toms I usually carry for that as they are very light, but also the soles are very slippy so not ideal in offices!

I'd go brogues.

Brogues
Chunky loafers
Flatform / chunky sandals
Decent ballet pumps (need to be more structured ones not the cheap ones with trodden down heels)

It's very rare for me to recommend M&S for anything, but they do have a good range of flat, smart shoes at the moment, which come in all sizes and different widths, and usually have at least some arch support. (If not you can always stick an insole if).

www.marksandspencer.com/leather-bow-flat-square-toe-loafers/p/clp60456002?color=PINK#intid=prodColourId-60456002

www.marksandspencer.com/wide-fit-leather-tassel-loafers/p/clp60456374?color=BLACK

www.marksandspencer.com/leather-patent-buckle-block-heel-loafers/p/clp60456164?color=BLACK#intid=prodColourId-60456164

😂😂 a quirky snag tights model

@Lulola

😂😂 a quirky snag tights model

I also giggled at this 😁

Op I have a pair of patent loafers with a small flatform sole from Next and they are the comfiest work shoes EVER. They look best with ankle grazer tailored trousers but fine with dresses too. They work year round and I bloody love them!

www.next.co.uk/style/st349500/800186#800186

Similar to these but mine are patent all over (and nicer tbh).

Brogues or loafers with invisible socks. I got nice chunky patent tassel ones from marks a couple of years ago and they’re so comfy, never worn my heels since.

These are almost identical to mine: www.kurtgeiger.com/women/shoes/flats/loafers/morly-black-patent-kg-kurt-geiger

www.johnlewis.com/dune-carmeli-reptile-slingback-court-shoes-black/p5420122

I have these:
www.next.co.uk/g25653s4/720281#720281
I wear them with invisible socks. I have a wide bridge and high arches and they are super comfortable.