Flat shoes to wear with smart/casual dresses

[SomethingFun]

Has anyone got any recommendations for flat shoes that I can wear with midi or mini dresses with black tights and I can wear all day walking around 10000 steps, mostly outside?

I have lots of nice dresses I want to wear for occasional work from office, but I don’t have any shoes that go with them! I need to be able to walk to the station and back so there’s a fair bit of outside walking and often in the rain. My dress style is smart casual and I wear trainers with longer dresses but I don’t think they work on me with shorter dresses. I always wear opaque black tights with anything that shows my knees. I’m thinking a chunky brogue or something but not sure where to look. Thanks so much if you have and recommendations 😊

As someone who refuses to wear shoes she can't walk in the sites I always check are Clarks, Hush Puppies, Moshulu and Charles Clinkard (northern chain). Scroll past all the frumpy, ugly or just downright peculiar stuff and you should find some suitable options. All the above have fairly good filtering options, so searching isn't too tedious.

Would a contemporary loafer be an option?

Thanks 😊 what’s a contemporary loafer? I am open to ideas 😁

I like a Russell and Bromley loafer or ballet flats - I have black leather ones from Clarkes that have decent sole on them.

stevemadden.co.uk/products/rejoice-black-leather

www.russellandbromley.co.uk/chester/121318

Can you grit your teeth and wear trainers to the station and change at work?

As we move towards Autumn, knee length boots could also work, if you have the legs for them with a mini skirt?

Thanks for the recommends 😊 Yes I could wear trainers to the office and then swap a la Melanie Griffiths in Working Girl but it feels overkill for flats instead of stilettos 😁

I do tend to walk to work in trainers then change into flats that are fine for work but not for the walk.

As dd is now the same shoe size as me, I’ve realised I could just get school shoes. Mandy are padded like trainers. Obviously I can’t get the same brogues she’s got for September, but will be checking out Clark’s kids for ideas.

what’s a contemporary loafer?
What I really mean is ‘one that doesn't make me cringe’! No fussy adornments (the metal chains look particularly dreadful to my eyes) and a robust (but not absurdly chunky) sole. I always think they look better in something other than standard black leather, but that's probably just me.

Hush Puppies has a good selection (my budget doesn't run to Russell and Bromley). I contemplated ordering these for the summer, but in the end spent my footwear budget on sandals instead, so I've no idea what they actually look like or feel like. I'm not keen on the darker versions though.

Sorry to jump on this, but I am also considering some loafers to pair with skirts and am caught in a 'socks vs sockless' debate with myself at the moment. I hate tights with a passion and think socks look daft (despite the recent trend) but am worried about blisters and smelliness if I go without ...

What do others do with loafers?

What about fitflop or even hotter? I have bought some lovely Mary James with a double strap from hotter this summer

I don't wear loafers but socks look a gazillion times better than cold, blue ankles.