Help me find COMFORTABLE non-frumpy shoes that go with dresses

[Salisburyspire]

I am about to start a new role - semi-corporate but also arms-length public sector. I will be working with a chief exec as well as creative types.
I am pretty huge so my staple wardrobe is Boden dresses (some wrap, but some structured A-line ones). I had a social lunch yesterday and trialled one of my dresses with my usual pair of Clark's boots (not much of a heel, usually comfortable). Dear reader, I was in agony by the time I got home. I am so used to wearing trainers. I cannot wear heels due to age and weight. Also I have huge legs so ankle boots outside of the winter season when I can make my legs blend in with dark tights that match the boots are going to be problematic. What flat (but padded sole) shoes can you help me find? Trainers I fear will be too casual. Are there are other shoes that go with dresses that are not boots or heels? I quite like platform type leather sneakers in black leather with a white sole but are these too casual? My usual staple is black but will consider a navy pair to go with blue dresses too...

• * [Thread title edited by MNHQ] **

Have you looked on Shuropody?

M & S do a black tassel loafers (struggling with attachments) in both patent and vinyl which are comfy. The patent ones are stiff initially so you may wish to stretch them. About £35.

I wear them when couldn't be bothered with heels.

I have the black M&S patent loafers too - very comfy.

Moshulu would be worth looking at - something like the Lakota maybe?

Might be worth trying something with a bit of a block heel though, if you wanted something a bit smarter - their shoes are normally so comfortable you might find you can wear them.

I don’t get these posts, OP said no granny shoes and has been suggested Gabor, Ecco, Crocs and Shuropody.

I have some of these for work, they aren’t particularly glamorous but have an special sole. www.toms.com/uk/women/shoes/flats/jutti-neat-flat-black-suede-ortholite/10016804.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwlcaRBhBYEiwAK341jTGQHKSdN2144kTPmRicJ9Oq_zk748tJujSDruHXbdpCWA7wCWOMDRoCEp4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I also have some Fairfax and Favor loafers that you have to break in but are so comfortable afterwards.

Just for the avoidance of doubt, the reason I said non-granny ones is that these are the ones that I would probably naturally buy as I am so much more about comfort than style but now that I am getting older (44) I feel too frumpy in them!

There are some amazing suggestions here thank you!!

Would these be OK for work with a smartish dress? (I know, still a bit granny right?)

www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/rally-leather-trainers-p-X22#090

Those Fitflop ones awful, and my bar for caring about fashion/ frumpy isn’t the highest. 😆 However, nowt worse than sore feet, so whatever is comfortable and isn’t going to scare the horses at the level/company you are working in will be fine, I’m sure.

Am pondering whether trainers would be OK in our corporate environment. I actually suspect a more conscious ‘on trend’ deliberate trainer would work better than a ‘trying not to look too much like a trainer’.

Damn it Whitney you are so right.
Are these just too ghastly?
www.johnlewis.com/hotter-elevate-leather-slip-on-loafers/black/p5803569?size=7-5#product

Some options perhaps...

https://www.birkenstock.com/gb/mary-ring-buckle-natural-leather/maryringbuckle-pureleather-naturalleather-0-tpu-w1.html?dwvarr_maryringbuckle-pureleather-naturalleather-0-tpu-w11width=S

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/mela-canvas-wedge-espadrille-sand?variant=40761543819430&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxW4neDK9gIVjbTtCh0ivQr0EAQYBiABEgLvNvDD_BwE

https://www.shoeaholics.com/women/flats/loafers/nieve-black-synthetic-miss-kg?istCompanyId=6a1ec95c-889a-4f84-8775-654475a69cb5&istFeedId=3bb9a667-84c3-4f7a-b544-ab46c8f45f8e&istItemId=wmrxxtllw&istBid=t&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl8f01eDK9gIVqetCh2TdwTLEAQYCyABEgKGavDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Please not Gabor, crocs or fit flops

If you wanted to go with a trainer how about something like ....

www.katespade.co.uk/en-gb/gifts/valentines-day/keswick-sneakers/K5939.html#start=1&page=1

Flat shoes can be a nightmare with dresses, but sandals are a lot easier? Another 6 weeks and it's almost sandals season?

I actually quite like these, I bet they'd be super comfy! www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/rally-leather-high-top-trainers-p-EK8#399

A pp mentioned Fly London, I can confirm these are super comfortable without the granny vibe. I've got their shoes and boots and I'm really impressed. I'm riddled with arthritis and these have been fantastic.

I’m in exactly the same predicament as you. I have just started a new job and want to look smart, but my outfits seem to require heels. After much research I got these. They are really expensive (for me) but have bought them, they are comfy and go with everything.
www.lkbennett.com/product/SFPANDORASUEDEBlackBlack~Pandora-Suede-Flats-Black

Let us know what you decide on!

I’d go smart white leather trainers. Maybe with ballet flats for particular smart occasions.

Thanks for that @Guardup. They look smart but I'm pretty heavy on my shoes (pretty heavy in general!) so the soles on those would not offer much support. Plus I commute by foot and train so need something that I can walk in comfortably. I could wear trainers enroute but that involves having somewhere sensible to stop and change and there isn't anywhere.

I have a pair of Gabor wedge type shoes, they look smart with dresses as wedge part is same colour as shoe part and are very comfortable.

@Salisburyspire I’m curious to know what you decided on- I might copy you so I can alternate- keep us posted!

Some really good suggestions on here and, as a granny, I'd say go for what's super comfortable - people are unlikely to notice/comment on shoes if the rest of you is pulled together.

@Guardup

I’m in exactly the same predicament as you. I have just started a new job and want to look smart, but my outfits seem to require heels. After much research I got these. They are really expensive (for me) but have bought them, they are comfy and go with everything. www.lkbennett.com/product/SFPANDORASUEDEBlackBlack~Pandora-Suede-Flats-Black

Let us know what you decide on!

These are lovely, they'd be lovely with trousers too.

My go-to flat shoe for years has been brogues. Clarks hamble oak are lovely and go so well with most things.

I've also recently bought some Doc Martens shoes which are well on their way to being the most comfortable shoes ever, and the breaking in period hasn't been too bad! I think they are harder to wear with dresses though - I'm much more a trouser person.

I really like these from & Other Stories but don't own them myself so no idea whether they are comfortable.

www.marksandspencer.com/lace-up-leather-trainers/p/clp60505472?color=BLACK#intid=prodColourId-60509498 These are incredibly comfortable like slippers and I wear them for work and they look pretty smart and non frumpy

Moda in pelle do some nice Loafers. I saw some nice ones on Qvc the enlie loafer that had a cushioned footbed. The off white looked nice and you can actually wear them from QVC and still return them.

Some really good suggestions on here and, as a granny, I'd say go for what's super comfortable - people are unlikely to notice/comment on shoes if the rest of you is pulled together.

Definitely. I rarely notice what people wear on their feet. And I've often thought you can get away with a slightly more comfortable option with shoes if you get everything else right.

Or what about these.

www.linzi.com/products/katia-taupe?gclid=CjwKCAjwlcaRBhBYEiwAK341jddrvpHiqy4xQbHmlGNOpQsCxnddvUEZV04oO0k1bxi5IvXtnqw3xRoCG_cQAvD_BwE