The 21 Most Comfortable Dress Shoes for Women, According to Podiatrists
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Whether it’s a big meeting, conference, interview, or a special event, a certain excitement comes with dressing up. Finding sophisticated yet comfortable dress shoes for women and a polished outfit to match makes you look good and feel good, so you can conquer the day on solid footing.
The truth is that dress shoes for women have earned a reputation for being uncomfortable. Last year, many women experienced foot problems brought on by a return to the office, in-person conferences, and other professional events that required formal footwear, per a recent Bloomberg report. Beyond the temporary soreness and abrasions, many women experienced side effects such as poor posture and lower back, neck, and shoulder pain. According to a report from the American Osteopathic Association, dress shoes with a heel place the foot at an angle and often throw the joints and muscles out of alignment, further emphasizing the need to choose comfortable women’s dress shoes that promote good health from head to toe.
Sure, the most comfortable sneakers will always be the number one choice, but thanks to innovations from podiatrist-backed brands like Dr. Scholl’s, Vionic, and Naturalizer, there are now women’s dress shoes that are more on-trend than what people associated with orthopedic shoes in the past. While the luxury shoe market still has a long way to go when it comes to creating comfortable dress shoes, some high-end brands, like Tamara Mellon with its signature Pillow Top technology, have taken steps to provide comfortable footwear that doesn’t sacrifice style.
High heels may have long been considered the natural partner with occasionwear, but when it comes to this year’s shoe trends, kitten heels, loafers, and ballet flats are very much on the agenda. We’ve seen these styles across the spring 2023 and fall 2023 runways (think Tod’s spring 2023 and Miu Miu fall 2023), suggesting that fashion and function can co-exist no matter the season.
Considering all this, we rounded up the most comfortable dress shoes for women that you’ll want to wear even while standing all day. Whether you have flat feet, wide feet, high arches, or a foot condition like plantar fasciitis, our list includes specific options to suit every need. Backed by hundreds of glowing customer reviews and our own testing, these styles come courtesy of top comfort brands and other popular labels that are getting it right in the support (and style) departments.