According to Experts, These Are the Best Dress Shoes for Women Who Spend All Day on Their Feet

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If your commute to work requires a good pair of walking shoes or your job itself calls for standing all day, comfortable shoes are an absolute must. There is truly nothing more grueling than being stuck in a pair of ill-fitting shoes all day, especially when there's still the commute back home. No amount of band-aids or pain relieving meds will make up for shredded heels and blistered toes. To avoid that agonizing mess, we’ve put together a list of the best work shoes for women for standing all day (or sitting comfortably at your desk). Because everyone deserves to work in comfy, cute shoes that make their feet happy — or at the very least, not sore!

To determine our picks, we consulted with celebrity podiatrist Marion Yau (a.k.a. Miss Foot Fixer) and celebrity stylist Cindy Conroy to identify what to look for and how to find the most comfortable work shoes for women on the market.

No matter your preferred work shoe style, we have chic pairs for you to browse. From classic ballet flats to the most comfortable heels to work-appropriate sneakers, you can find the fit, size, and style that’s right for you. But be warned: You may have trouble choosing just one pair from this list!

For more office style staples, check out our guides to the best work pants for women, best laptop bags, and fashionable work backpacks.

The Starling

When it comes to finding comfy shoes, Yau says a wide toe box is essential. "If the toe box is too narrow and does not fit correctly, the toes can be injured, and deformities may form," she explains. That's probably why so many people love these luxe flats from Birdies that feature a rectangular toe, quilted satin footbed, and tons of fabric options, like velvet, raffia, and suede.

Square-Toe Chunky Heels Melody Pro

Nothing will ruin your day faster than squished toes, which is why it's so important to pay attention to the width of your toe box. "Poorly fitted shoes with small or narrow toe boxes can cause corns to form, and lead to a lot of pain," Yau says. Luckily, these square-toe heels have a stretchy toe box to fit your feet, instead of squish them.

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Women's Banks Slingback Pumps

For Conroy, leather shoes are unmatched when it comes to comfort. "Thanks to the natural fibers, they stretch and conform to the mold of your feet," says Conroy. "With unmatched breathability, they’ll further adjust throughout the day as your feet swell." This pair comes in a plethora of size and width options, perfect for those outside of shoe-fitting norms.

Lizzy Low Heel Sandals

Sure, cork sandals may not seem like a supportive shoe option, but we can assure you, this pair meets all the marks. It comes in two footbed options: natural and metatarsal. The metatarsal footbed is ideal for those with pain in the balls of their feet while the natural option is ideal for all others. Between the memory foam insoles and adjustable velcro strap, these cork sandals are a dream to walk in.

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Women's Suede Booties

Of all the heel options available, a wedge is by far one of the comfiest. They are stable, secure, and virtually fall-proof. This pair from Toms has orthopedic and eco-friendly insoles, making for comfortable, all-day wear. The stretchy knit cuff ensures the opening won't dig into your heel but conform to the shape of your ankle.

The Collette

Cushioned footbeds don't just feel nice beneath your feet — they actually serve an important purpose. "As you move around, especially on hard surfaces like concrete, the added material will lessen the tension, as it wraps your feet in support," Conroy explains. And that's why dozens of reviewers have raved about these strappy suede heels from Soludos, that have added padding for long-term comfort.

Vera Dress Sandal

Conroy suggests skipping shoes with heels altogether if you know you're going to be on your feet all day. However, if you can't resist, she suggests a modest heel that's not much higher than two inches. These contouring, ankle strap sandals from Naturalizer feature a chunky, flared, block heel and a buckle strap to keep your feet secure.

The Heel

They may be pricier, but Conroy believes that natural fibers — such as leather and suede — beat synthetic materials every time. "Reminiscent of fluffy clouds, leather shoes are a gal's best friend for all day wear," she says. "Unlike restrictive synthetic styles, genuine leather shoes whisper comfort." Enter: this gorgeous leather pump from Margaux that comes in 11 colors and has just the right amount of heel (as well as cushy foam padding inside).

The Flat

You may love the look of pointed-toe shoes, but there's a good chance your feet won't enjoy the feel after a long day. "Pointed toe heels and flats are ultra posh, but by design, they squish your toes," Conroy explains. "While you’ll be able to handle the sandwich effect for one to four hours, a full day on your feet is a whole other story." With its rounded toe, these soft yet durable ballet flats from Rothy's are the perfect wardrobe staple.

The Glove Boot

A low heel always beats a super-high one, especially when you're on your feet all day long. "Extremely high heel height can put the foot at an awkward angle, tipping the foot forward," Yau says. "This will put pressure on the toes, and force the toes to claw and jam, leading to pain and deformities." These ribbed booties from Everlane have just enough height to keep you feeling chic and extremely comfortable.

Haupu Sneaker

If you work in a more laid-back office, you may have noticed people pairing their business-casual outfits with chic, white sneakers for a classic-yet-cool look. While there are many white tennies on the market to choose from, the OluKai Haupu sneakers are a fan favorite, thanks to their soft-grain leather silhouette, complete with comfort padding. What's more, they're incredibly convenient to wear, as the heel is designed to flip down so you can easily slide into the sneakers while running out the door for work.

Webster Loafer

No matter the height of your arch, your feet require arch support. "As your feet get tired during the day, your natural arch will get lazy. But thankfully, built-in support can take the stress off," Conroy says. Like all Dr. Scholl's shoes, these super-popular lug sole loafers feature anatomical cushioning and arch support to keep your feet happy.

RELATED: Best Slippers With Arch Support

Ama Woven Mule

Along with arch support, a comfortable shoe must have plenty of shock absorption. "Cushioning helps move and evenly distribute pressure from the ground so that pressure is not isolated in one part of the foot," Yau explains. That's why the shock-absorbing, cushioned insoles in these woven leather mules are ideal for women who spend hours on their feet.

Professional Black Cabrio Clog

Standout features of these Dansko professional clogs include "a roomy, reinforced toe box for protection and comfort," as well as a contoured footbed, padded instep collar, protective heel counter, and anti-fatigue rocker bottom. It's no wonder the brand's iconic silhouette has over 5,000 rave reviews and an average rating of approximately 4.5 stars.

Briah Perf Sling

Instead of heels, you may opt for a pair of wedges, which tend to be more comfortable and stable than traditional high heels because of the even weight distribution. Some of the most comfortable wedges around are these slings from Rockport that have a modest heel and lots of cushioning, as well as a supportive outsole.

Women's Soft 7 Sneaker

If you love the idea of wearing ultra-comfortable sneakers to work but prefer leather shoes for added class, you'll love the look (and feel) of the ECCO Women's Soft 7 Sneaker. Designed with an arch-hugging silhouette, the sleek leather sneakers offer elevated style along with all-day comfort.

The Pacific

Hate the feeling of sweaty feet? That can be avoided with the right materials. "Wearing shoes all day and standing all day can make your feet sweat and smell," Yau says. "Bamboo fibers are antimicrobial and can help fight bacteria and fungus that can make your feet smell." With a lining made from eucalyptus, oak, and birch wood, this moisture-wicking dress shoe/sneaker hybrid will make sweaty feet a thing of the past — even without socks!

What to look for when shopping for work shoes you'll be standing in all day

✔️ Support: If you know you'll be standing in your shoes all day, Yau says the most important thing to consider is whether the shoe will give you support and cushioning. "As a foot expert, I always recommend shoes that have a little bit of arch support and cushion inside," she explains. Arch support is what gives your foot stability while cushioning can help evenly distribute pressure from the ground to all parts of your feet, which causes less stress and strain.

✔️ Comfort: When you think of professional shoes, the first word that comes to mind most likely isn’t "comfy" — but comfort really is imperative. If a shoe feels uncomfortable or constricting the moment you put it on, it's not going to feel any better later on in the day. As Conroy explains, "You’ll know an all-day pick as soon as your foot slides into the shoe. If it’s not comfortable in the first 10 seconds, she’s not the one for you. Hours into your day, your feet will be miserable if a pair can’t even deliver for five minutes."

✔️ Confidence: "For women who spend all day long on their feet, wearing the correct shoes is so important," Yau stresses. "The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident in your shoes."

FAQ

• What is the best shoe for being on your feet all day? Generally speaking, you'll want to look for shoes that have padded, anatomically-correct footbeds, low heels (if any), and flexible uppers that move with your feet (not against them).

• How can I make my shoes more comfortable for standing? Many insoles and heel pads exist to make shoe silhouettes more comfortable. For heels, check out the Dr. Scholl's Stylish Step Ball of Foot Cushions for High Heels ($7). If you tend to feel the most tension in your heels while standing all day, consider adding the Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel Advanced Heel Cushions ($7) to your shoes.

• Are memory foam shoes good for standing all day? Yes. Memory foam offers extra cushion to help distribute weight across the heels, arches, and balls of the feet. In doing so, memory foam helps to make shoes more comfortable for longer periods of time.

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