Quality flat shoes

[Passmethecrisps]

I am looking for a really good pair of flat shoes to wear both for work and casual. Sort of ballet flat type but am open to other shapes. I want something which has support and where I can’t feel the ground under my feet (if that makes sense)

I walk up to 5 miles a day during the course of my work - lots of up and down stairs and standing monitoring things. Also I can randomly end up outside in the rain on grass. So I can’t decide whether to go for something relatively disposable (which I don’t really like but sometimes good stuff gets ruined.) or high quality which will last.

any thoughts?

I like these loafers
not sure if it quite what your looking for, mine get wet from time to time on grass or when cycling/walking and have coped well.

Thank you. They look quite good quality. Not sure about the style - I wear dresses all the time. Casual ones at weekends and smart during the week. Not sure if this would work with my style but I am definitely putting them in the maybe pile

I have several pairs of Nina's and a pair of Odessa's from Church's - they're fab quality and really easy to wear. Nina's might be more what you're after?

Wow! Those look fantastic quality. My DH has a pair of Church brogues which he has had for about 30 years. I am not sure I am careful enough to own a pair of shoes which cost that much though! I think my style is slightly more feminine than those also. Softer perhaps.

I think my budget is probably £150 absolute max.

Empress shoes from Australia have good reviews but you might not like the square toe.

I absolutely love them actually! They are a fantastic recommendation and one I will definitely look at again. They only thing I am slightly concerned about is they describe the shoes as wide fitting - I have narrow size 3.5 feet.

Pretty Ballerinas

As ballet flats don't really ever go away I've got pairs which are years old. They are very comfortable and wear well.

www.prettyballerinas.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIva_H8qGL-gIVke7tCh24cgvsEAAYASAAEgKMWvD_BwE

Don't know anything about these but they look fab.

www.mandarinashoes.co.uk/browse/c-Ballet-Pumps-Flats-49/

Geox shoes are good.

Have a look on flattered.com. I am coveting a few on there.

Boden have nice flats too.

Fitflop allegro are really comfortable for walking long distances and reasonably priced. Regularly spray any leather shoe with waterproofing spray to help with the times you end up outside in the rain. It would be better to have a couple of pairs rather than just one if at all possible, it's better for the shoes (and in turn your feet) to be properly aired out between wearing.

I would have said Vivobarefoot as they're best for your health and allow your body to do as it's designed.

Thank you so much for the recommendations. I have really enjoyed going through them. Flattered is a great site - I will be looking more closely at that as well.

I am considering the advice of two pairs. I have a pair of Mary-Jane heels which I do usually wear but some days I just can’t face thinking about walking so I need flats

I'm a huge fan of flattered.
The sizing can vary between styles and you have to pay to return things but they are fantastic quality, really comfortable and very stylish. I'm thinking about their handbags next.

Following as this is just what I'm after. I'm on my feet at work all day but have to wear professional dress. So hard to find a pair of flat black shoes that look nice with a dress and don't fall after a few weeks!

This is exactly it @WhiskersPete. I have ruined many a pair of shoes by standing in a wet field unexpectedly or by driving the car. But I want to look smart while also being comfortable.

I tried on basic ballerinas in next and M&S the other day and they were so disappointing. next ones had almost no toe area and just felt like there was nothing of them. The M&S ones were the same. They just look and feel so inconsequential on my feet. I want something which kind of balances my top and bottom. I have a suspicion I may be asking too much 😂

French Sole. Best pair of ballet flats I’ve ever owned!

can you feel the ground under your feet @Bigoldmachine ? I was tempted by a pair of loafers from there but not sure about the sizing.

I do a lot of walking during the work day and I swear by Ecco.

If you don't want to feel the ground, stop looking at ballerinas. You'll definitely feel the ground in them plus they're terrible for your feet. Not shoes you want to be walking lots in.

Have a look at Tracey Neuls. Your budget is at the low end for her shoes but she does good sales and discounts (she didn't use to but desperate times for independent businesses so...) and you should be able to pick up a pair in your price range. Her shoes are well made (often handmade) and designed to be comfy but stylish with an edge.

traceyneuls.com/

I think you are right @HundredMilesAnHour . Maybe I should get a couple of nice cheapish pairs of ballerinas/trainers for weekends and invest in something more sturdy for work rather than try to multi-task. I don’t know why I find shoes so hard to buy.

those do look very cool

I am going to keep looking at brands like Ecco, FitFlop and the like as well. Maybe for days where I don’t think I will be ‘on display’ as much

It's better for your feet to change shoes on a regular basis (rather than wear the same ones every day).

I can't imagine finding shoes hard to buy (apart from financially). I have the opposite problem ha!

I have your problem- although having said that as all my shoes are either ballet flats or low heeled Audrey Hepburn style courts, rather than high fashion, rotating round a large number of shoes does mean they last a very long time.

Hmm you can feel the ground, but the soles are a lot more substantial than say the everyday type ballet flats I’ve had from Office or other shops. The sizing is slightly odd if I remember rightly. If you’re anywhere near London it might be worth going to try them on in the store as there are variations in fit as well due to different shoe styles so you have to find “your” style.

I walked a LOT in my French soles and they were very very comfortable.