Ok what shoes can I wear with dresses and black tights that feel like trainers?

[Oceangreyscale]

I walk all over London for work between meetings for my corporate type job. I wear dresses and skirts, and in the winter this means black tights.

To make things more difficult I have plantar fascitis. While I have boots and loafers from 'comfortable' brands like Gabor, and I have also added squishy insoles, it's just not enough and my feet can really hurt. What I should be wearing is sports type trainers but they don't work at all with my work wardrobe, particularly in the winter with the tights. Summer I can get away with more. No one is going to tell me off for wearing the wrong shoes but I need something that looks ok.

So, please help. What smartish shoes are there out there as soft as trainers?!

They were cheapies from Shoe Zone £15 but Next do them so do Schuh l believe

I feel your pain. It's so difficult to find decent looking shoes & boots in 'Confort' ranges.
But what about something like this Joya boot pictured?
I have Plantar Fasciitis too & Joya are really comfortable & supportive.
For really sore feet I find Oofos are fantastic & better than Vionic. The arch support is really good & they're soft & squishy. They were recommended by my foot specialist. Sadly they're not very beautiful though. But fantastic for home, walking around town shoes.
Sadly Fitflop shoes made my P.F. worse because of the lack of arch support in most of them.

Instead of dresses and skirts, could you not wear wide leg black trousers - then your choice of footwear would be much more hidden and you could wear more relaxed trainer type shoes?

Hoka have several gore tex models in black.

What about a some nice ankle boots or mid calf boots? Can get some really comfy ones from Clarkson or pavers

Try these from FitFlop. With the right socks (crucial for me, very tender feet that blister easily in thin socks), I can walk for miles in them. They are supportive and squishy at the same time!

www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/f-mode-leather-lace-up-flatform-ankle-boots-p-GM4#090

Oooh they’re nice @graduand

I have flat feet and have had PF in the past. I love my Clarks' brogues but they are actually the worst for me even with special insoles in them as they are so flat. Loafers/anything slip on is the least comfortable as it affects how I walk trying to keep them on.

I mostly wear trainers or ankle boots with a small heel at this time of year. I have these in all my shoes:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PRO-11-WELLBEING-Metatarsal-Fasciitis/dp/6040791608/ref=asc_df_6040791608

https://www.vivaia.com/promotion/VIVAIA-ENA-work-shoes.html?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACQSLpPGTwgq45VqIhV3RDliLJk5M&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi_G5BhDXARIsAN5SX7op0GaRJuZllMgVz9g2uy-67Z61Wp5i6XHkvQWJlds6DITsb0fa6IwaAqu8EALw_wcB

https://www.vivaia.com/item/water-repellent-sneaker-boot-sliders-delilah-p_10025204.html?gid=10025204&currency=GBP&shipping_country_code=GB&select_size=1&ccode=GB&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACQSLpMfSgUmNRVYH8FEO_HqmbFff&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi_G5BhDXARIsAN5SX7pjr_y4LK_M6aetvTRo2IwCTNo4YReSVm1yEXbh9Hpn1uqTVZac1IsaAtAFEALw_wcB

id get two pairs of slip on footwear, one for in the office and one for walking the distance outside - then swap when you arrive inside for the shoes that will go in your handbag in a gym drawstring bag

I got some boots like this for about £25 last year in Sainsbury's and they are ridiculously comfortable.

https://direct.asda.com/george/women/shoes/silver-western-heeled-ankle-boots/G007945401,default,pd.html

Would ankle boots work for you? I live in my Pavers boots and wear midi skirts/dresses with opaque tights throughout autumn and winter (and spring if I can get away with it!)

Thank you for all the suggestions, will be going through them but have to do some work! Feels like I'm going to have to order loads and then return most but hopefully find something!

My workwear is all shirt dresses, fitted midi dresses, lace pencil skirts with silk tops, occasionally a jersey wrap dress, all pretty formal (although less so than pre COVID). So ankle boots are ok but clumpy ones or trainer type shoes don't look right even if they are in fashion.

If I have a day without external meetings then it's black jeans and smart trainers all the way.

Reiker shoes in general are good for plantar fascitis due to the way they're made.
https://www.rieker.co.uk/ladies-footwear-c2/ladies-shoes-c82#page2

I think Chelsea boots, if you need them more cushioned look for ones with a thick crepe sole.

They are not trainers, but they are the most comfortable shoes/boots I have after trainers.

https://www.clarks.com/en-gb/hope-roxanne/26137200-p. I find these really comfortable and supportive.

Another vote for Ecco Nouvelle. I have them both in the shoes and the ankle boots. I have plantar f. and a dodgy knee, and I have no problems with either when wearing them. I think it is the arch support in the insole that makes the difference.

@SharpOpalNewt and those who wear insoles, do you buy in your own normal shoe size? Or do you have to wear shoes a size bigger? Like if I buy them in size 5 and put them into my (size 5) shoes, will they not take up a lot of room in the shoe?

What I usually do is buy my approximate size - there is usually a range, size 6-8, say, then you can cut them to size. It actually has size indicators on the product so you can see where and how much to trim it. Then it will usually fit in the shoe. With most shoes you can remove the insoles that are fitted in it and replace it with the orthotic one.

Clearly funny dream are the most comfortable shoes I've ever had.

Flashback! Those are just like my 1990s 6th form school shoes

Thankyou. I didn't think about removing the existing insole, that makes sense.

I have ordered these to try and yes they are also like my old school shoes!

Going to take a trip to Covent Garden where there's a Fly and a Camper. Are hush puppies stocked anywhere? So annoying ordering everything and then sending it all back when it's bulky stuff like shoes.

Would a plain high top style trainer work in black so t looks lke a boot but is as comfortable as a trainer - I think these are some of the smartest https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/gobi-boot-womens?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi_G5BhDXARIsAN5SX7p38PxBjGyprJtxVdFx-gZ1oJ_Bvw2WJf0x-vCSzItKtUa6u3LXVegaAsTFEALw_wcB