Comfortable shoes for being on feet all day

[FrenchFancie]

I’ve just started teacher training, and I’m on my feet all day. My feet are killing me! I worked as a TA before but my old school allowed us to wear trainers (or at least never said anything to me when I wore trainers all the time!).

New school that I’m on placement at has really really strict dress code rules and I’m stuck for shoes. They need to be smart, polishable and not ‘pumps or trainers’. (I assume that ballet flat type shoes would be ok?)

I’m trying to find something comfortable and not too expensive (the student loan is not going very far!). I wear mostly black or navy trousers or the dreaded leggings / dress combo. I’m not the most fashion- forward person and comfort will definitely beat style any day!

anyone got any suggestions? I’m at a loss…

Clarks maybe, ballet flats usually have hardly any sole and no way I could wear them all day without my feet hurting and I sit in an office all day let alone on my feet

What are your colleagues wearing on their feet?

Have a look at Hotter. They used to be really frumpy but they have improved a lot in recent years. I swore by Hotter shoes when I was teaching.

There's quite a lot in the Outlet on their website if you are tight on money. I just bought the Bree chelsea boots down from £100 ish to £39 for example.

Spent years on my feet as a teacher and wore Clarks unloops a lot of the time. They have good support and are very comfortable. I had more than one colour which was fine until the day I got to school and then spotted that I was wearing one black and one brown.... No opportunity to change so had to style it out for the rest of the day.

I've had some shoes from Pavers that are as comfy as trainers, they're a bit cheaper than Hotter.

DMs? Polishable and not trainers….. smart… I’m sure you could sway them smart!

Ive never worn a DM personally but know loss of people find them really comfy and easy to put an insole in!

The women seem to be mostly in sandals still (no way on my account! My feet would get too cold). I’ve only been in placement for 6 days in total so far, the men are in brouge-type shoes, the women I’ve seen seem to be in sandals or ballet flats (not a chance I’m wearing ballet flats all day!)

old school was more or less wall to wall trainers but we had more than one child who was a flight risk, so something you could run in was a necessity. That’s not the case on my placement as far as I can tell.

I have looked at hotter shoes and realised there’s an outlet near me so might have to investigate them. I like the ‘un’ shoes from clarks, will definitely have to try those on, thank you!

I'd second Hotter and you can get a lot brand new in box on Vinted.

Hotter and Pavers on a Style and Beauty thread??

Those Clarks things are truly revolting, sorry.

Clarks usually do a lace up with a squidgy sole. I tend to wear those or soft leather DMs in the winter.

I agree, I find these Clarks Unloop so comfy. Or alternatively Clarks Unstructured Mary Jane style shoes. Both styles can often be found on eBay, new or hardly worn for a fraction of the original price.

Elle magazine etc are full of Mary Janes and ballet flats at the moment, so yes, if they OP needs comfort for work then Hotter do comfortable versions of these that look presentable. If she was looking just on aesthetics she wouldn't be asking about comfort.