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] **

Don’t be afraid to look at Hotter. I know they get a bad press on MN but they have many styles that are not at all grannyish and have different width fittings on a number of them.

I have my eye on some Fitflops soft leather ballet pumps which look very comfortable .
I've lived in my very comfortable boots c for the past 4 months so I'm going to need something soft and light for the spring .

Fitflop Riley are just heaven. And I mean it! My feet are weird, small size but wide chunky feet. I’m hurt from every single pair of shoes except those. I don’t see how they look “granny”, they look neutral, classic. Even if they’re granny… I don’t care. I feel nothing but comfort, no matter how far I walk.

[quote hupfpferd]I have some Hotter Shipley loafers and they are pretty comfy and look good enough with dresses and skirts.

www.hotter.com/gb/en/womens/shipley-shoes[/quote]
I have these and totally agree with you.

@teebee thanks for that

Adding Josef Siebel and HushPuppies to the brand list.

I don’t find Clark’s comfy any more

I've never cracked this nut myself. I will watch with interest!

I'd pick some nude coloured brogues or loafers like this:

www.kurtgeiger.com/women/shoes/flats/loafers/stomper-bone-leather-carvela-9245241109

And choose plain trainers with details and no laces like this: www.jigsaw-online.com/products/lambeth-leather-zip-trainer-white?variant=40761663324326&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5ob5pobO9gIV2u3tCh05yAHlEAQYAiABEgKyzPD_BwE

For winter I wear smart dresses, and chunky boots or chunky trainers:

www.asos.com/topshop/topshop-ariana-chunky-lace-up-leather-boot-in-black/prd/200779147?irgwc=1&clickid=_zpczecdz3gkf6ldndvg1q9rwyv2xtnlsslnnsekp00&affid=25379&pubref=1993646

www.kurtgeiger.com/women/shoes/trainers/hi-tops/kg-loaded-knit-hi-top-black-fabric-kg-kurt-geiger-8107400609

Hotter shoes are very comfortable. Some are grannyish, but the ballet pumps are smart and they have some nice colours. They are well made and last for years. I have RA and my feet are quite damaged and painful, so Hotter are the only shoes I can wear.

I find these kind of things make it look like I'm making style choices rather than that I'm actively avoiding heels or smarter shoes or just looking for something comfy (which I am!)

I am the same on all counts. So placemarking.

Look for proper wide fits, decent thick soles, arch support and a shoe that only bends at the toe - very flexible soles don’t support your feet. If you are in a city you will likely have a podiatrist shoe shop - go and get fitted, with insoles if needed, amongst the granny horrors will be some ok stuff.

Fit flops are good and have a big range

Leather sneaker type things should be ok day to day in a corporate environment, but you might want a smarter option for smart meetings - Duoboots do a range of calf fittings and do shoes too, not cheap but last.

Hotter are generally granny but the odd ok thing

Fly london are good for quirky smart. I couldn’t wear them everyday, but for smart I can.

Look at plus size influences and for images of thr type of clothes you wear for what goes with what.

Agree w Pp you want to upgrade from Clarke’s - they aren’t at all as comfortable as they look.

Where to begin? Thank you for the fab suggestions, all of you. Some great advice here. What do people think of these (more expensive than my normal thing so is it worth it?)

www.johnlewis.com/hush-bampton-patent-leather-snaffle-trim-loafers/p5709627?size=7

Or the Dune ones?
www.johnlewis.com/dune-glides-leather-croc-loafers-black/p5682049

As for all birds, which ones are smart enough for work? They seem pricey for the fabric.

Lastly, I will brave trainers once I’ve got my feet under the desk (excuse pun) but is the white trainer look with dresses done? Too casual? Should I go for slim black trainer? Black trainer with white sole? Anything a chunky woman should avoid (apart from ankle straps obvs!)

[quote Salisburyspire]Where to begin? Thank you for the fab suggestions, all of you. Some great advice here. What do people think of these (more expensive than my normal thing so is it worth it?)

www.johnlewis.com/hush-bampton-patent-leather-snaffle-trim-loafers/p5709627?size=7

Or the Dune ones?
www.johnlewis.com/dune-glides-leather-croc-loafers-black/p5682049[/quote]
I really like the John Lewis ones!

@MimosaFields do you mean the first pair? The more expensive ones 😬?

I think both are good, whether they are worth it will be about whether you find them more comfy I'd say! Which doesn't always seem to be about price. The white trainers with dresses is definitely done but depends on the environment I guess. White trainers would definitely be for summer at work for me and black with unusual details and no laces for winter. Or anything that up-specs them,like velvet). I wear my smarter shoes with trousers and trainers with dresses to balance out smart-casual.

Apart from summer I live in black chelsea boots which go with trousers and dresses. Current ones are patent from Hobbs and I get lots of compliments.

In summer I have ballet flats, light weight brogues and caged sandals.

Rockport total motion shoes are work friendly and you can get them on Amazon but they aren’t cheap.

ART Company shoes - www.the-art-company.com/uk/en/women/heeled-shoes

sooo comfortable and solid but still OK for formal work wear

[quote Salisburyspire]@MimosaFields do you mean the first pair? The more expensive ones 😬?[/quote]
I mean the ones called "hush Bampton Patent Leather Snaffle Trim Loafers"

I have these and they are so comfortable.

www.marksandspencer.com/leather-cleated-flatform-loafers/p/clp60505564?color=BLACKPATENT

I tries these on yesterday and so comfortable too. They are not too OTT . Not brilliant white though which could be a good thing !

www.clarks.co.uk/c/Un-Maui-Lace/p/26140168

Thank you @ChickenStripper, both of those look promising!! I have my eyes on these too:

www.johnlewis.com/and-or-erika-leopard-print-trainers-black-multi/p5620470?size=7

And late last night fell back into the trap of buying comfort over style so have purchased these from Hotter:

www.hotter.com/gb/en/whisper-boots-whisps-product

www.hotter.com/gb/en/elvtesuksl

And

for some inexplicable reason these in a rose gold:

www.hotter.com/gb/en/rbynxs-shoes?selectedColour=Rose%20Gold

Adore the Hush ones above but will wait until there is a voucher code for John Lewis.

Thank you for all of your tips. I will be returning to this thread repeatedly I think x

Those rose gold ones would be very versatile. They’re basically a neutral and very sleek looking.