You have the right to be comfortable at work.
Here are 14 places to find comfortable work shoes whether you’re a doctor, a chef, a teacher, server, retail clerk, CEO, mail carrier, investor, real estate agent, or anything in between.
Rothy’s ($$$)
Dress code: Casual to business professional
Where to buy: Online or at their storefront in San Francisco
Rothy’s are breathable, machine washable, and especially great if you need a work-appropriate shoe that’s great in the rain. Rothy’s flats come in rounded toe, pointed toe, and loafers, and they now have sneakers and Chelsea boots too!
Nisolo ($$$)
Dress code: Casual to business casual
Where to buy: Online or at their showroom in Nashville
Nashville-based Nisolo makes ultra-cool high-quality leather shoes and boots. Heeled and flat sandals, modern leather loafers, buttery leather mules, sleek oxfords, and heeled Chelsea boots.
Soludos ($$$)
Dress code: Casual to business formal
Where to buy: Online or at their stores in New York City, Brooklyn, or Venice (CA)
Soludos shoes are made with travelers in mind, so all are very comfortable, very durable, and very European-inspired. Soludos is famous for its espadrilles, but the brand also makes work-appropriate sneakers and sandals, plus mules and boots for cooler weather.
Boden ($$$)
Dress code: Casual to business formal
Where to buy: Online only
Think bright colors, wild patterns, impeccable attention to detail, and boardroom ready. Boden makes classic flats (with a little something extra, like scalloped edges), pointed-toe stiletto ankle boots (trust me, more comfortable than they sound!), plus wild-cards like Victorian-inspired lace-up ankle boots in leopard print.
Everlane ($$–$$$)
Dress code: Casual to business professional
Where to buy: Online or at their stores in New York City, Brooklyn, San Francisco, and Los Angeles
Everlane sells sustainably sourced clothes and shoes. We like Everlane’s Day Glove, which is meant to be just that for your tootsies—a sweet leathery glove. It’s meant to take you all day, from work commute to dinner commute. It’s basic enough to wear with a dress or with jeans and can be dressed up or casual.
Dansko ($$–$$$)
Dress code: Casual to business professional
Where to buy: Online or in stores across the U.S. (find a retailer)
Danskos are some of the most comfortable work shoes, especially if you need to be on your feet all day. If you’re not a fan of their classic clog, check out their ankle booties, wedges, sling-backs, sneakers, and flats.
Read more: 19 Ways to Do Business Casual for Women in 2019
TOMS.com ($$)
Dress code: Casual to business casual
Where to buy: Online and at retailers across the country (check their store locator)
The classic 1:1-model brand makes more than just the original alpargatas—they now have work-ready Chelsea boots, low-cut booties, D’Orsay flats, and canvas wedges.
Clarks ($$)
Dress code: Casual to business professional
Where to buy: Online or at retailer across the country (store locator)
Ultra-comfortable Clarks are great for workers who need to be on their feet all day. They make desert boots, classic pumps, platform oxfords, clogs, sneakers, ballet flats, ankle booties, heeled Mary Janes, flat and heeled sandals, loafers, and knee-high boots.
Allbirds ($$)
Dress code: Casual
Where to buy: Online or at Allbirds stores in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Seattle, Venice (CA), and London
Allbirds makes super comfortable, light-weight, and breathable sneakers and flats that are great if your job requires you to do a lot of standing or walking. Allbirds is a Certified B Corp and makes their shoes out of all-natural materials.
Birdies ($$)
Dress code: Casual to business formal
Where to buy: Online or at Nordstrom stores
Birdies sells a small line flats, slides, and sandals for the preppy dresser—think green velvet loafers and bright pink tassled sandals. Birdies also offers several vegan shoe options.
Madewell ($$)
Dress code: Casual to business casual
Where to buy: Online or in stores across the U.S. (check their store locator)
Madewell shoes are no-fuss and Southern California–cool, balancing trend with that broken-in look. Leather loafers and oxfords, heeled boots in fine leather, mules (some in corduroy!), sandals, and sneakers.
Read more:How to Do Business Professional for Women 28 Ways
J.Crew ($$)
Dress code: Casual to business formal
Where to buy: Online or in stores anywhere
J.Crew work shoes are classic and polished in leather, patent leather, animal print, houndstooth, jacquard, and even velvet (yes, velvet!).
Dr. Scholl’s ($$)
Dress code: Casual to business professional
Where to buy: Online or at stores like DSW, Macy’s, and Kohl’s
Perhaps the exemplar of comfortable work shoes, Dr. Scholl’s is a great brand for women who work on their feet or do a lot of walking during the day. Dr. Scholl’s has really upped their game in the last five years, with an extensive line of sandals, sneakers, boots, flats, slides, clogs, and wedges.
Old Navy ($)
Dress code: Business casual to business professional
Where to buy: Online and at storefronts pretty much anywhere (store locator)
Find very affordable and comfortable work shoes—slingback heels, sneakers, flats, slides, sandals, and booties in up-to-date styles that work with just about anything.
