Smart flat shoes?

[KidneyBeans]

So I have a Big New Job and need to look smartish - not legal/city smart but at least vaguely grown up.

I'm ok clothing-wise I think but am struggling with shoes.

I generally wear dresses (smartish wrap/shift dresses) or Boden Richmond trousers with a top, but am struggling for footwear.

I have several pairs of ankle boots of various styles but tend to favour biker/chunkier styles which aren't often appropriate with office dresses. Ditto trainers. Dislike Chelsea boots. Think I need something less clumpy anyway.

In summer I wear ballet flats but am struggling for autumn.
No heels please.

Loafers.

I’ve just ordered these for a similar new job. Really comfy, go with a lot but probs size down by half.

There’s also some really nice loafers by Jones the Bootmaker that I’ve got my eye on too, probably more so with trousers

Something like these?

I have them in a pale pink and they work with trousers/dresses.

Very nice leather brogues

Have a look at shoe embassy

I have these

I have awkward feet and often find that Pavers shoes are more comfortable than other brands.

I'd go for leather brogues or flat boots. What about Dr Marten Emmelines? They're much less chunky than normal Dr Marten boots. I'd love a pair to wear with cord skirts. They might still be too chunky depending on the workplace though.

I think these are nice but they may be a bit marmite. They should stay on the foot well:
www.clarks.co.uk/c/Pure-Flat/p/26158800?

I would say loafers

I've recently purchased these but, haven't arrived yet

Or what about Doc Martins?

I like these as well

www.schuh.co.uk/womens/schuh-livia-croc-tassel-loafer-black-flat-shoes/1312607060/

Whistles have some very nice shoes / boots. I have several pairs of boot from them and really rate the quality

Also Sezane have great shoes and boots

www.marksandspencer.com/leather-loafers/p/clp60275449?cq_src=MICROSOFT&cq_cmp=M&S-UK-PLA-XX-All-SE-Womenswear-LC-High-Encore-XX-Core.&cq_con=Women%20%3E%20Footwear%20%3E%20Shoes&cq_term=PRODUCT_GROUP&cq_net=o&cq_plt=gp&cq_gclid=&msclkid=eb40e4d15d8b12b37cb185ea1ce6a7a7&gclid=eb40e4d15d8b12b37cb185ea1ce6a7a7&gclsrc=3p.ds

I tracked down some "lightweight" Dr Martens and now I want to wear them with everything. A bit like these www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/p/25009001
Great with trousers.
There are lots of lighter brogues/lace up shoes around - John Lewis have a good round up of the usual brands.

Ballet flats might not be so “in” at the moment but my Russell and Bromley Charming flats are great in autumn/winter and go with loads of stuff

I'd go for loafers too I think - Cos has some this season, and Russell & Bromley has a whole load.

Ankle boots? I wear ones lIke this with dresses

Clark's Hamble Oaks: www.clarks.co.uk/c/Hamble-Oak/p/26156362

They do new colours every season, super comfy, look smart with trousers, dresses, skirts.

www.marksandspencer.com/leather-flat-chisel-toe-ballerina-pumps/p/clp60477632?color=BLACK#intid=prodColourId-60477632

These are lovely irl. Look much more grown up than ballet pumps

I have hobbs brogues to wear with cropped trousers and jeans.

www.espyexperienceonline.com/carrano-viper-pointed-flat.html
I have these in different colours

Loafers, brogues or smart flats. Loafers can be worn with skirts and dresses as well as trousers. The ballet flat is also back god help us all in some smart iterations.

Ooh! Thanks everyone - I wasn't expecting so many replies!

Reading through the thread has made me realise why I'm having so much trouble. I'm clearly awkward.
It's made me realise that:
I definitely want shoes not boots (have quite a lot of those)
I don't want ballet flats (ditto)
No to loafers/anything with tassels/patent leather
Def want flats
Like the idea of brogues but worried they're too 'masculine' for me - I'm quite tall and broad anyway.

My favourites are the doc martens @BippityBoppity87 linked to, but the price

Thank you
Please keep any more recommendations coming!

I love Clark's Hamble oaks, they're beautiful. And they're not masculine, they're androgynous 🙂.

If you aren't keen on lace ups or loafers then you're looking for pointy flats probably. More substantial than ballet pumps but still very feminine. What's your budget? They are expensive but I love Rogue Matilda, and their laceups are very feminine.

Some less severe brogues might work

www.joebrowns.co.uk/lolas-tea-room-suede-shoes-kc177#colour=613
embassylondon.co.uk/products/vivienne-pink?currency=GBP&variant=32375418912828&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping?utm_source=google&utm_medium=surfaces&utm_campaign=surfaces-tracking

embassylondon.co.uk/collections/sale/products/quarter-oxford-light-blue

@UnfinishedBunting

I love Clark's Hamble oaks, they're beautiful. And they're not masculine, they're androgynous 🙂.

I'll take a look at them in store I think. Thanks