If your feet can only handle comfortable shoes, take comfort (no pun intended) in the fact that you are not alone. In fact, you are in the majority. This certainly isn’t the first post I have written about comfortable shoes and comfort brands who make stylish styles you would actually want to be caught dead in (all which you can read here, here and here). But in today’s post, I want to talk about how to be stylish when wearing comfortable shoe styles, as there seems to be this weird disconnect. Just because you can’t teeter around in 4″ stilettos or run a marathon in platforms it doesn’t mean that mean you have to dress like a dud.
Go to any department store website or a site like Zappos.com and search comfort styles and you’ll see there is a treasure trove of attractive shoe styles with comfort in mind. Long gone are the days of Frankenstein shoes, block heels and garish square toes that could easily fit a swollen foot that has been hit with a hammer and bandage wrapped. So, really, there are no excuses any longer for looking bad in your shoes. Why is it that when a woman thinks her shoe choices are relegated to comfortable ones that she can’t be stylish? Below are five shoes, all from comfort brands, that are part of some pretty stylish looks, if I do say so myself.
How to Look Stylish in Comfortable Shoes
If you need to wear flat shoes look for styles with some support. Truth is, a small heel is better than a pair of shoes that are totally flat. Plantar fasciitis often comes from wearing flat shoes because the Achilles tendon gets overly stretched, which causes that pain on the bottom of the heels. If you have ever had it, it’s terribly painful, as is the cortisone shot that can be administered to ease the pain.
In this outfit, I started with these orange flats. Not only are they super cute but they are also from Dansko, a company that couldn’t make a pair of uncomfortable shoes if they tried. The rest of the outfit is super stylish with a pair of white jeans from J. Crew, a printed tunic from Anthropologie, a pair of emerald chandelier earrings from Max & Chloe, navy Tory Burch bag and Banana Republic gold bangle.
Outfit #2
There is no way you can’t be stylish with such a trendy pair of heeled oxfords, like these from Earth, especially when styled with these boyfriend jeans from the Gap, this camel cardigan over a short sleeve button down from Brooks Brothers and long green necklace from Bauble Bar. The outfit is weekend ready and finished with this caramel bag from Liebeskind.
Outfit #3
Does your life sentence of comfortable shoes have you believing you can’t be sleek and modern in your looks? In this outfit I am using these leopard Gabriella Rocha mary janes to prove otherwise. The shoes have the perfect heel height and a supportive strap across the instep. Here they are styled with a pair of black cropped pants, a white Reiss tunic, biker jacket from French Connection, camel scarf, black handbag from Nine West and gold drops from Bauble Bar. Nobody is going to assume you have foot problems in this outfit. Trust me.
Outfit #4
If you can wear heels, choose styles from known comfort brands, like this pair of shooties from Bella Vita. Worn with pants or jeans or even with a skirt, like it is styled here with this zipper pencil style in blue from J. Crew, shoes like this are perfect for work. The tan shade creates a longer leg line and the small platform acts like a shock absorber when the balls of the feet hit the ground. Many women shy away from platforms, however, a small one (like 1/2″-3/4″) is actually quite comfortable. Plus, this extra platform height allows you to wear higher heels without as much discomfort. Added to this outfit is a blue wrap knit top from Modcloth, a stunning agate bib necklace by Janna Conner and a cognac purse.
Outfit #5
Talk about trendy, culottes, like this pair from Reiss, have been making their way back on the scene for some time now. To not look squat, or like your legs have been chopped shorter, wearing them with beige or skin tone shoes is the way to go. For comfort, I used these shoes from Aerosoles, and styled the outfit with a white top from Alice + Olivia, a bib necklace from Bauble Bar, stacked bracelets from Macy’s and, for an expensive finish, this red Valentino bag. See, you can combine Valentino with comfort.
Thank you for this post!!!! As an OR nurse for the past 25 years, I have problems with my feet and back, but am always looking for cute shoes to wear with my clothes….I love heels, but they don’t love me:(( Thanks again!!
I totally understand. I run in to a similar problem all the time where I have to look good for work but often stand for hours. I have 3 degrees of shoes- totally comfortable and stylish, mildly comfortable and stylish and stupid uncomfortable. BTW Stacie, I think I sent you an email, did you get it?
I’m an events manager and am constantly on my feet when directing an event. I have specific “events shoes rules,” one of which is that they can be no higher than two inches. I find that that’s my sweet spot — comfy enough to run in and still look dressy/professional.
2″ is actually the ideal height for comfort! I can see why it is your sweet spot!
Thank you so much for posting this! I love that there are 4 different sensibilities and that you added where the shoes are from. I’m not sure WHY it is but I do feel like not being able to wear 5″ heels detracts from my wardrobe. This helps soften the blow
I am glad!!! Yea, you don’t have to wear 5″ stilettos to be stylish!!
Yes, I received the email; however, I don’t know how to navigate through it:(( Of course, I don’t tweet, instagram or Facebook either:(
Well don’t you worry about a thing! We can still talk here. 😉
Hi Bridgette, can u do a posting this spring or sooner abt black and white or navy/white “spectator” shoes that cd fit a person with a bunion (either platform or suppory flat). i’ d like to find some and also get some advice on how go wear em without looking clownish. thx much, Trace
I can consider it, Trace! In the meantime, feel free to post your question over on my forum and see if you can get some immediate responses from the other members! https://bridgetteraes.com/forums
Ooh, I really like all those outfits and I’d add pretty much all those shoes to my wardrobe immediately if they weren’t in the US! (Don’t want to deal with international shipping). I’m always on the look-out for comfy and stylish shoes that don’t cost the earth.
That is a bummer! I wish it was easier for you to order!
The the orange flats and the nude pumps. I have such a hard time finding comfortable flat shoes. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Jeri! I am so glad! Let me know if you purchase them and how you make out!
Br-br-bridgette — is that a bl-bl-black outfit!? Seriously, though, these are some great looks for anyone, not just those with foot problems.
LMAO!! Okay, okay. I do style with black and do put clients in it when the time is right. My dislike of black (for me) is about as well known as my love of bacon. And I am glad you like the outfits. That was my goal, to show that you can look stylish in comfortable shoes!!
Hi. I love the shoes featured. I recently began the move to flatter and more comfortable shoes. However I have found the flat brogues I have bought just don’t work with my straight leg jeans. They look frumpy. They look better when I turn up the jeans to show some ankle but then this rules this look out during very cold and snowy weather. It also makes my legs look a bit short. And my flared and boot leg jeans just look wrong. So a change to flatter shoes also requires some wardrobe reconsideration. Do you have some tips on pant styles for flat shoes?
I am totally in agreement with you about flat brogues. I find they are really tricky. I like the small heel style and like them with tights and shorter skirts and dresses. Flat ones are just a no-go for me too. Maybe with cuffed jeans like you said, but that look is limited. But once the weather gets cold I tend just wear boots anyway. I think skinny jeans work better with oxfords than straight legs pairs and boot cut can look weird, especially if you have super small feet like I do. I do like boot cut jeans with ballerinas though and find they also look good with skinny jeans and cuffed styles.