If you work at professional events or trade shows, what do you wear on your feet?

[NotOneMore]

This is a fairly conservative industry and mainly men who would not notice anyway what I have worn for a whole week on the stand. But I still want to look polished and professional as I am the most senior person on the stand.

My clothes are either an old fashioned trusty plain perfect for this occasion baby Hobbs pencil dress. Other days - straight full length trousers and a blazer. I do not wear dresses like this in everyday office life. Usually, I wear heels but will not be able to wear them for 5 days of solid standing. I do not like loafers, maybe because I am short, they just don’t feel feminine. Ballet pumps - seem frumpy with these outfits. I do have fan feet, so pointy toe is going to be killer. Do I just lean into the frump in ballet pumps?

I have events like this, I wear trainers to be honest, they can look good with a trouser suit or wide leg trousers and a good top. I cannot cope with anything else and even though I am shorter I cannot cope with sore feet. I think my it can still look smart and I wouldn’t worry at all. As long as they are clean and sleek they can look good

I don't do trade events but I do a lot of mingling at conferences and networking events. I am also short and in winter I wear ankle boots and in summer either Mary Janes or my trusty Superga, or flat Camper shoes.

Trainers here! I wear them with dresses or trousers. I’m senior, but never feel like I’m too casual as smart on top. I’d rather be comfortable.

I have flat ankle boots that are super comfortable and which I bought especially for trade shows. I wear trousers or sometimes a dress with black tights and the ankle boots works fine.

Vivia shoes are the most comfortable I have ever tried - I was sceptical but they are amazing

I with you on them too. They’re the only shoes I can wear day in day out on events.

These are the one I have https://www.vivaia.com/products/XRPD01045/Azura?gid=10028872

I thought they were just and influencer thing but they are seriously amazing

I was really skeptical as well but one of my team ordered them for an event (we all had to wear the same thing) and I am a total convert.

what I love also is they have every type of shoe! want loafers - yep. want trainers yep! want Mary Janes - yep! every single thing!

I have about five pairs now. winter snow boots, Mary Janes, red sneakerinas, Chelsea boots, leopard print (love!), red falls

https://www.marksandspencer.com/leather-metallic-block-heel-pumps/p/clp60777746?color=SOFTWHITE&_gl=1jhf02t_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAiAqprNBhB6EiwAMe3yhhU1JiQaA5KgN_qg-VYOuCJURk-q3lXwxymXqpQn8C4LZ9b5AUAYNhoCdB8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bRA3r3TKS5-GkoTr3BfoiHTs#intid=carousel_FUNH_AT_PHOENIX-RECENTLY-VIEWED_END_PLP_23_1:642bd94b-2753-467a-ac55-efea49ecdc12 block heel pumps?

OMG, thank you - I love the look of these Vivaia shoes, will give them a try.

Ref. Trainers - any particular models you wear that do not stand out too much? I have bought all black before but DD laughed and told me I give roadman vibes, whatever that means.

Trainers wouldn’t work with a pencil dress but would be fine with wide leg trousers. Some styles of trainers would also be okay with a midi dress.

Sketchers arch fit. Can do long back to back days in them, without sore feet and backache. I think some occasions need a feet first approach and trade shows are one of them. Get the shoes right and the rest of the outfit can follow.

I worked in an conservative industry full of men in suits so needed to look equally smart but was on my feet all day. I found Gabor flats/ballet pumps to be just the thing. If I wore trousers, I wore loafers or brogues with them. Younger colleagues could pull off the floaty dress + trainers look.

My flat ankle boots are Pikolinos and incredibly comfortable and have done all my trade shows in the last 5 years. I love them.

From very long experience my priorities are arch support, shoe width (even if you don't normally have wide feet, swelling will widen them through the day), and cushioning. Very flat shoes like ballerinas can be weirdly worse than a small heel as there is no support or cushioning. With trousers, my preference was flatform brogues, and with a dress/skirt a wedge shoe. For as soon as the end comes, lovely fit flops! Nothing feels better. Compression tights/socks are really good too, and a theragun to relax your legs in the evening.
I know a few people who wear the Vivaia shoes, but they don't work for my feet at all

Trainers here too! Also ballet flats or flat boots. I usually take all 3 and rotate so I don't do 2 days in the same shoes. Helps with the pain!

@NotOneMoreYou can get fairly refined loafers. No one will look at your feet will they? Other flats can look too casual or you could get a pair of Gucci copies of their Mary Jane’s.

I wear these under wide leg trousers. As long as they’re clean they look smart enough. https://www.veja-store.com/en_gb/p/nova-canvas-black-pierre-NA0101397.html

Im short so I get it but I just do trainers tbh, but if you want to wear dresses it's a bit harder. Otherwise a pointed tie Chelsea type boots or if you don't like loafers cos of the femininity, I find patent shiny ones look more feminine. I would do trousers instead of dress noone will notice you wearing trainers and infact people don't care. I've turned up to meetings to meet directors and they've been in jeans and a tshirt whilst I've been in heels and dress.

Ballet flats, loafers, boots, or trainers.

Have you tried chunkier loafers that are flat but add a bit of height? Or a fresh pair of Birkenstock slip on daps or white Birkenstock trainers.