Beauty Isn’t Pain: 19 Stylish Yet Comfy Shoes To Swear By
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These shoes actually are made for walking. Whether you’re touring Rome, rushing to your next meeting or just nipping out to get lunch, it’s important to be comfortable while looking good. We’ve searched out the best, most stylish shoes that can take you from day to night and board room to happy hour without missing a beat (or getting sore feet).
“Fits like a glove, hustles all damn day.” That’s the tagline for disruptive clothing brand Everlane’s best-selling shoe, the Day Glove. A go-anywhere flat that looks just as good with a smart skirt and blouse as it does with a pair of well-loved jeans, the Day Glove is made from 100% Italian leather, designed to breathe well and mould to the wearer’s foot. The shoes’ wearability and versatility have earned them cult status in the short time since their release a year ago, in early 2018, and they’re now available in 16 different colours. As a bonus, you get the peace of mind that comes from knowing the shoes – like all Everlane products – were made in a factory with strict ethical standards on everything from employee pay to working conditions.
If your schedule requires a more formal look, but you’re not willing to skimp on comfort, then Everlane’s Day Heel may be worth a try. Though the Day Glove is now the brand’s top seller, the Day Heel made quite a splash when it launched in 2016 – the shoe sold out immediately, quickly racking up a waiting list of 28,000 hopeful wearers. It’s easy to see why: a rounded ballet-style toe combines with a 2-inch block heel, cushioned footbed, stretchable elastic back and buttery Italian leather for a chic, luxurious and professional pair of heels that can accompany you throughout your whole day – no back-up sneakers required.
For comfort, style and sustainability all wrapped up in one, look to Rothy’s – a San-Francisco-based company that makes eco-friendly shoes from recycled water bottles: the plastic is broken down into a “yarn” that goes through a 3D knitting machine, while the soles are made of recycled carbon-free rubber. All of their shoe models – from loafers to sneakers and flats – are praised for their comfort (no break-in period necessary) and ease of care (the removable insoles and the shoes themselves are all machine-washable), but we recommend the round-toe flats if stylish versatility is what you’re after.
Of course, we can’t talk about comfortable, sustainable footwear without mentioning Allbirds. Self-proclaimed purveyors of “the world’s most comfortable shoes”, the start-up is best known for their lightweight Wool Runners made with natural or recycled materials, and engineered with a padded insole (made with castor bean oil instead of petroleum) and unique S-curve outsole that distributes bodyweight more naturally. We never thought we’d use “sophisticated” and “sneakers” in the same sentence, but their runners really can go anywhere, especially in today’s increasingly relaxed office environments. If you need something more formal, however, their new line of flats should do the trick.
It’s true: the age of the formal sneaker is upon us. But if you’re not quite ready to start pairing your office attire with sporty white kicks, then look no further than Cole Haan’s Wingtip Oxfords. With the soul of a brogue and the sole of a sneaker, these ultra-lightweight trainers with dapper suede uppers can take whatever you throw at them in stylish stride.
Just looking at the Finch Sandal by Beek, we can already hear the seagulls and feel the ocean breeze – this shoe is made for summer. If you’re expecting a hard, flat sandal that wears like a wooden board, think again: these were designed for comfort, from the asymmetrical strap that keeps the foot in place, to the super-soft toe ring and moulded arch support. Oh, and did we mention they’re handcrafted by artisans in Mexico?
With British and Italian designers, and Portuguese craftsmanship, Fly London’s shoes are European through and through – and made for a market that values high-quality, fashionable footwear that can easily handle a full day of pounding the pavement. They’ve got trendy chunky platforms, wedges, block heels and sneakers in spades, though their Cloro, Mido and Izzy lines are their most timeless, and therefore most likely to get you long-term wear.
An elegant twist on the classic flat, Rockport’s Adelyn Ankle Straps look too cute for comfort – literally – but you’d be surprised. The shoes are part of the brand’s Total Motion line, made to be flexible, stable and well-cushioned, with retention foam footbeds, TPU insoles and outsoles, textile lining and shock-absorbing heels. There’s even a zip closure in the back so you don’t have to fuss with the tiny buckles. Can it be that they’ve really thought of everything?
Just about everyone can get behind the socially responsible ethos of TOMS, which donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold, but not everyone loves the boho look of their flagship espadrilles. Luckily for philanthropic fashionistas with a more classic sense of style, TOMS offers a full line of smart flats in suede, leather and vegan-friendly canvas, all equipped with the label’s custom-texture German outsole for a no-slip grip.
Lightweight, comfortable, travel-friendly and utterly timeless – that’s what Georgia Hobart wanted in a shoe, and when she couldn’t find one that fit the bill, she made it herself. Her Australia-based brand Hobes offers super-supple lace-ups in leather and sustainable microfibre, handmade using traditional Italian techniques and available in a range of colours. Not too feminine, not too masculine, neither too structured nor too slouchy, this is the Goldilocks of shoes – and a style you can live in year-round.
Honestly, who doesn’t love a ballet flat? Ageless, versatile and appropriate in so many settings, it’s the perfect go-to shoe that every woman should have in her closet. British-born brand French Sole has been peddling this classic for more than 30 years – Vogue even credited the label with making the modest flat a fashion icon – and they offer a dazzling array of eye-popping designs handmade by European artisans using ethically sourced leather and fabrics from the EU. We recommend getting a pair in all your favourite colours.
If ballet flats are too twee for your modern look, consider these sleek loafers from Madewell. We’re loving the androgynous aura that goes perfectly with some of the current top trends, like wide-leg, paper-bag trousers and head-to-toe neutrals. Plus, an extra layer of cushion makes them the ideal choice when you’re hoofing it from A to B all day long.
Is just looking at leather loafers in this summer heat making your feet start to sweat? Go breezy with the Upena slingback sandal from Olukai. Inspired by the artisanal weaving of traditional Hawaiian fishing nets, these strappy leather kicks have a soft microfibre lining, anatomically built microtexture footbed for comfort and traction, and soles designed for grip and durability. The ideal pair of holiday travel companions.
Born to be worn …and worn, and worn. Børn shoes are outfitted with extra-cushioned insoles, flexible outsoles and roomy toeboxes for maximum comfort, plus uppers made from high-quality leather and specialty materials, all held together through the brand’s own Opanka stitching technique, which ensures a light- yet long-wearing shoe. Some of their models put substance over style, but plenty don’t – like their Gila Oxford and their timeless Driving Mocs.
Moccasins are a truly underrated style, exuding the sophistication of a ballet flat without the girly overtones. Plus, they’re ultra-comfortable, highly versatile, lightweight and easily slip on and off. For a pair that’s hand-sewn in Tuscany and designed to mould to your feet, check out M.Gemi’s collection of beautiful moccasins in every colour your heart desires.
There’s a number of reasons podiatrists don’t design shoes, and yet, wouldn’t our poor tootsies be a lot healthier if they did? Founded by a podiatrist and orthotic engineer, footwear brand Vionic claims to provide stability, comfort and “addictive support”, promoting natural foot alignment with their moulded footbeds and shock-absorbing midsoles. Usually all this biomechanical jargon adds up to one ugly shoe, but the best thing about this brand’s collections is that they actually look good – even Oprah sings their praises. We’re particularly enamoured by the label’s cute low-rise booties, casual wedges and wide range of flats for every occasion.
Your busy life doesn’t stop when the mercury drops, so you need a sturdy, comfy pair of booties to get you through those cold spells. Canadian brand Blondo have made a name for themselves over the past 30 years with their chic, waterproof leather boots, and have recently upped the style quotient of their regular collections. For an all-weather shoe with real wherewithal, we like their Valli Bootie, which features a cushioned footbed, waterproof suede uppers and a low block heel to give you just enough altitude without setting you up for a fall.
Somehow vintage and cosmopolitan, trendy and timeless all at once, these head-turning Royale Flats by Free People add a touch of personality to any outfit. Artisan-crafted using fine leather and high-end materials, they look like a million bucks – and will make your feet feel like a million bucks – but don’t cost anywhere near that much.
It’s a bit of a splurge, though a worthy one by all accounts. Seen on the feet of Meghan Markle and Amal Clooney, Sarah Flint’s Emma Pump – with its V-shaped vamp, pointed toe and Italian handcrafting – is a beautiful shoe with an enduring look, and a reputation as a highly wearable set of heels. The height is ideal for adding length without pushing the bounds of comfort, and the heel is inset to prevent your steps from feeling too heavy. Add in the 3mm of extra padding in the footbed, and you have one of those rare high heels that can actually go the extra mile.
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