Your Feet Will L-O-V-E These Comfy AF Dress Shoes, Promise
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I don't care how cute a pair of shoes may be—if they're not comfy, I'm not wearing 'em. To me, it's just not worth hobbling around an event in five-inch stunners, no matter how good they look in pics...and ftr, wearing an uncomfortable shoe can give you worse things than blisters. Too tight or ill-fitting shoes may lead to everything from hammer toes to plantar fasciitis to Achilles tendonitis, and trust, none of that is cute. That's why I'm here to point you towards the most comfortable women's dress shoes your money can buy, because yes, it's possible for your feet to look good *and* feel good.
When you think of dress shoes, the first word that comes to mind most likely isn’t "comfy"—but IMO, comfort should be a top priority. (And btw: When I say ~dress shoes~, I'm talking about everything from office-appropriate footwear to going-out heels—whatever makes you feel fancy!) If a shoe feels constricting the moment you put it on, it won't feel any better later on in the day, promise. "As a foot expert, I always recommend shoes that have a little bit of arch support and cushion inside," podiatrist Marion Yau tells Cosmo. "I also recommend shoes that have a wide toe box." From arch-supporting flats to actually comfy heels, here's a lil peek at my faves.
Ahead, the most comfortable shoes that'll take you from the office to happy hour pain-free, as well as some expert tips for finding the comfy dress shoes of your dreams.
Bianka Slingback Pump
If you're looking for a less restrictive style than a classic pump, slingbacks are a primo choice. These bestsellers from Sam Edelman (which come in a medium or wide width) feature an adjustable buckle on the back and a chic pointed toe that's roomy enough to keep from pinching your toes—plus, they come in SO many color options.
Size range: 6-10 with half sizes; medium or wide width
Material: Suede, patent, leather, or fabric
Heel height: 2.4"
Colors: 15 options
Glowing Customer Review: "I’m not that big a fan of heels but THESE are different. I have a bigger foot and am always self-conscious of it when wearing certain footwear, but these are so cute and don’t make my foot look so wide. The heel is a perfect height for comfort but to still feel hot!"
The Danza
Head's up: Ballet flats are having a major moment right now, and these cuties are a great way to get in on the trend. Reviewers <3 the secret wedge built into the footbed (which provides some nice arch support) as well as the modern square toe and v coquette ribbon detail. Choose between Italian naplak leather or tumbled calf leather and get ready to receive aaaaaall the compliments.
Size range: 5-11 with half sizes
Material: Leather
Heel height: 0.8"
Colors: 8 options
Glowing Customer Review: "These are probably the most beautiful ballet flats on the internet. They are the only ones that actually support your feet. Love the padded footbed, hidden wedge, and slightly squared-off toe. Just beautiful."
Mary Janes
Looking to step out in a sweet pair of Mary Janes? These highly-rated heels are here to help (and for less than $50, too!!). I'm obsessed with the chunky block heel and cute pearl strap detail—and though they're made with faux leather, hundreds of reviews say they look and feel just like the real thing. Just note that they run a lil small, so you may want to go up half a size.
Size range: 5-12 with half sizes
Material: Faux leather
Heel height: 1.6"
Colors: Black, Silver, Ivory, or Red
Glowing Customer Review: "I love this shoe. It allows me to be dressy but with good support. Nice cushion on the bottom, and I can wear them all day with comfort. I can't believe how comfortable they are. The heel is perfect—not too high."
Melody Pro
Fun fact: I wore a pair of Melody Pros to a wedding while in my third trimester, and they kept me comfy on the dance floor for H-O-U-R-S. That's because they're made with fibers from plastic bottles, so they have *tons* of stretch to accommodate swelling throughout the day. Other comfy perks include the padded insole, the roomy square-shaped toe box, and the sensible block heel.
Size range: 5-11 with half sizes
Material: Recycled plastic bottles
Heel height: 1.8"
Color options: Almond, Black, Espresso, Nude Peach, Navy, Denim Blue, or Black Cream Ivory
Glowing Customer Review: "I thought I was past the age of wearing a higher heel due to my foot issues, but not with these beauties! These are super comfortable and easy to wear all day. The toe box is roomy and the look is timeless. Beautiful shoe!"
Block Heels
Available in your choice of faux leather or suede, testers are SO impressed by these strappy dress sandals, which come with a latex-padded insole for cushioning each step. You'll love the adjustable straps for keeping your ankle supported, as well as the high (but not too high) 2.5-inch block heel.
Size range: 6-11 with half sizes
Material: Faux leather or suede
Heel height: 2.5"
Colors: Black, Clear, Nude, Silver, or White
Glowing Customer Review: "Super cute and comfortable to wear! I have wider feet, so it’s hard to find heels that don’t squeeze my toes and hurt to stand in. These are the exact opposite of that—super comfortable and the quality of the material is great! Highly recommend!"
The Vesper
From the roomy toe box to the quilted satin footbed, these loafers (which are available in your choice of nappa leather or kid suede) look and feel like luxury. It's not an exaggeration to say I wear my Vespers at least once a week, and just a warning: Once you experience the cloud-like comfort, you'll be tempted to buy at least three more pairs.
Size range: 5-12 with half sizes
Material: Leather or suede
Heel height: 0.3"
Colors: 10 options
Glowing Customer Review: "These shoes are so soft and comfortable right out of the box!!! Not to mention how sharp they are! I work in a high-end boutique, so I need things that look nice but are comfortable! This is my third pair—I couldn’t be more pleased!!"
The Day Twist Heel
Found: a simple mule with a cute lil ~twist.~ Because these slip-ons feature a flexible vamp strap and an open toe, they offer plenty of breathing room—and yes, that flared block heel is perfect for walking, even if you *hate* heels. Side note, testers suggest going half a size down with these for your best fit.
Size range: 5-11 with half sizes
Material: Leather
Heel height: 3"
Colors: Blush, Desert, Canvas, or Black
Glowing Customer Review: "This heel is so beautiful and comfortable. The sole has a lot of support and padding, and the leather is buttery soft. I'm not normally a fan of a slip-on heel, but again, these are so comfortable and easy to walk in."
Chardonnay Heeled Sandal
Known as the "world's most walkable heel," I can personally attest that these chunky heeled sandals are indeed very, very comfortable. The secret: the deep heel cups, which help to cradle and stabilize your feet as you walk, as well as the incredible arch support, which makes full underfoot contact to reduce pressure.
Size range: 5-13 with half sizes; medium or wide width
Material: Leather or suede
Heel height: 2.5"
Colors: Gold, Black, Camel, Pewter, Red, Light Pink, or Tan
Glowing Customer Review: "Finally, a dressy and comfortable shoe! I have a wide foot and it fit perfect. Love the pewter color, style, and heel height (not too high but enough to feel dressed up). Highly recommend!"
Betsy Pump
A classic closed-toe pump can be a recipe for disaster when it comes to all-day wear. However! These internet-famous shoes (which come in two width options and a bunch of different colorways) are legit *so* comfy, thanks to their cushy foam insole, stable block heel, and flexible leather upper—all for less than $100, too.
Size range: 5-12 with half sizes; medium or wide width
Material: Leather, calf hair, or suede
Heel height: 2.8"
Colors: 10
Glowing Customer Review: "I have arthritis in my big toe joints, and wearing heels can be problematic. But I refuse to give up! These are attractive and comfortable heels that I will get a lot of wear out of. I really appreciate the wide width and extra cushion, while still looking stylish!"
Poppy
Flats typically make my arches scream—but not these pointed-toe wonders. The Poppy includes a hidden heel raise and triple-layer support system to give your feet the cushion they need, and like all Frankie4 shoes, these flats come with removable inserts that will give you a regular, wide, or narrow fit. Genius stuff!
Size range: 5-12 with half sizes
Material: Leather
Heel height: 1.25"
Colors: Tan, Black, or Brushed Gold
Glowing Customer Review: "These are the comfiest work shoes I have ever bought. Great arch support and love the cushioning around the heel. I also love the idea of it coming with inserts for the toes in case you want a more snug fit or more cushion. I can’t wait to buy my next pair."
All-Day Heeled Mule
Who doesn't love slipping their feet into an easy pair of mules (especially when they're as cushioned as these bbs)?? From the stacked leather heel to the shock-absorbing, padded insoles, Nisolo really thought of everything when making these heeled slip-ons.
Size range: 5-11 with half sizes
Material: Leather
Heel height: 2.5"
Colors: Bone, Almond, Black, or Brandy
Glowing Customer Review: "I love my new shoes. They are so beautiful and surprisingly comfortable. I've already had three people ask me where I got them."
Slingback Kitten Heels
A dainty kitten heel > a sky-high stiletto any day, and these slingbacks are proof. The two-tone design makes this shoe look *way* more expensive than it actually is, and the quilted insole design will help ensure your feet aren't aching by the end of the day.
Size range: 5-11 with half sizes
Material: Faux leather
Heel height: 2"
Colors: White, Black, or Nude
Glowing Customer Review: "These shoes are very nice in person. They are perfect for work or a night out. They fit well, and they are pretty comfortable. The shorter heel is nice, and the contrast of color looks fantastic with just about any outfit."
Platform Sandal
They may be a little spenny, but you're sure to get plenty of use out of these strappy stunners. The Margaux Platform Sandal is a fan fave for its soft leather lining, plush foam padding, v walkable platform, and variety of width options—plus, it comes in your choice of a suede or nappa leather upper.
Size range: 3-14 with half sizes; narrow, medium, or wide width
Material: Leather or suede
Heel height: 3"
Colors: Gold, bronze, rose, or black
Glowing Customer Review: "These shoes are the most comfortable heels that I have ever worn on my wide feet. Walked for miles in them on the first night. Rare to find a pair of comfortable heels that aren't dowdy. These are actually quite hot. Immediately ordered another pair. So grateful to have found this brand!"
Perfect Pump 85
K, I know these are on the pricier side, but they're SO worth your coin, trust. With celeb fans like Meghan Markle, Serena Williams, and Blake Lively, among MANY others, Sarah Flint heels are beloved for their extra foot padding and anatomical arch support—and while that heel is pretty skinny (and high!), you can be rest assured it won't snap on you, since it's reinforced with a steel rod. Talk about quality!!
Size range: 4-13 with half sizes
Material: Leather or suede
Heel height: 3.3"
Colors: 18 options
Glowing Customer Review: "These shoes are fantastic. I've worn lots of designer pumps in the past, but none are as comfortable as these. I was able to wear them for 9 hours straight...right right out of the box. I already have another pair in my cart!"
Block Heel Loafers
When it comes to versatility, these heeled loafers are such a good investment—I mean, they just scream "day to night," no? The chain link hardware and sleek silhouette give 'em such an elevated lewk, while the roomy square toe, padded insole, and walkable block heel will keep your feet happy for hours.
Size range: 6-11 with half sizes
Material: Faux leather or suede
Heel height: 2.7"
Colors: Deep Blue, Red, Black, or Nude
Glowing Customer Review: "I absolutely love these shoes. They were comfortable from the moment I put them on. I love the silver hardware, including on the inside of the block heel (facing the toe), and the color is a gorgeous dark blue."
Corinne Lugsole Loafer
I'm so picky when it comes to loafers, and these are the most comfortable ones I'd ever worn. Unlike a lot of chunky loafers, these have a flexible sole, a vamp that isn't overly tight, and a slight lift for supporting your footbed—plus, that '90s-inspired lug sole is *just* the right amount of chunky.
Size range: 5-11 with half sizes
Material: Leather
Heel height: 0.9"
Colors: Black or Dried Maple
Glowing Customer Review: "I absolutely love these loafers. They fit true to size. I love that slightly chunky look that doesn’t make my foot look huge. They also are comfy to walk or stand in for long periods of time. Would buy again!"
Savannah Booties
I've never worn boots as comfortable out of the box as these heeled booties from Beckett Simonon. Made with full-grain calfskin leather with soft Vachetta leather linings, the Savannah Booties (which are handcrafted by master artisans in Colombia, jsyk) look so sleek and feel like butter—especially since they include removable EVA inserts.
Size range: 6-11 with half sizes
Material: Leather
Heel height: 1.7"
Colors: Black, Dove, Toffee, or Rosewood
Glowing Customer Review: "As someone who walks everywhere, all day, finding comfortable yet stylish footwear has been a challenge. These boots have proven to be the perfect solution, [as] they offer the right balance of comfort and fashion. The fact that my feet remain comfortable even after a full day of walking is a testament to their design and build quality."
How to choose the most comfortable dress shoes
Stick with breathable materials
High-quality vegan leather exists, ofc, but faux-leather shoes are generally less breathable than those made with real leather...and since dress shoes tend to have a snug fit, you def don't want your feet sweating up a storm. As podiatric surgeon Dr. Robert K. Lee previously told Cosmo, "Better leather breathes more, so you have less moisture in the foot from sweat, which reduces the incidence of blisters."
In addition to being breathable, leather also has lots of stretch. Natural fibers like leather can adjust throughout the day as your feet swell, while synthetic materials are less forgiving. Podiatrist Marion Yau suggests wearing shoes made with breathable material such as leather and suede as opposed to synthetic material...and for something a lil different, you can always opt for flats or pumps made with knit uppers (like the Vivaia Melody Pro), which will allow for tons of breathability and stretch.
Find the right height
You don't have to stick with flat dress shoes in order to feel comfy...but before you reach for those gigantic platforms, think about how and when you plan on wearing your new shoes. If comfort is your priority, it's better to stick with a heel that's two inches or less (like the Beckett Simonon Savannah Booties) or a dress shoe with a wedge or platform heel.
And if you do choose a dress shoe with a lil height, make sure your foot has ample support. A cushioned footbed is a must, and heels with wider bases (like block heels) will provide more stability (and less risk of you twisting your ankle). Likewise, shoes with wide, roomy toe boxes—or better yet, an open-toed design—will keep your tootsies from feeling squished at the front of your shoe.
Check out the width
Fun fact: If your toes splay out wider than your heels, you may just need a shoe that's specifically designed for wider feet (and sadly, going up a shoe size doesn't always solve this problem). There are plenty of shoe brands out there that make flats and heels for wide feet, such as the Vionic Chardonnay Heeled Sandal), and you can always read the reviews to see if folks with wider feet approve of a certain shoe.
Meet the experts
Marion Yau (aka Miss Foot Fixer) is the principle podiatrist and nail surgery expert at Harley Medical Foot and Nail Laser Clinic in London, England.
Robert K. Lee, DPM, is a board-certified podiatric surgeon and chief of podiatric surgery at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center in Santa Monica, CA.
Why trust 'Cosmo'?
Cosmo's team of digital fashion experts have decades of combined experience in the industry. They spot relevant trends on the runway before they even hit your TikTok FYP or Insta Explore Page and conduct research across retailers of all kinds—testing many brands IRL—to bring you the best clothing and accessory picks for every season. Basically, we’ve curated the internet to bring you the chicest options like it’s our job (because it is, heh).
Each of our shopping articles adheres to the 15 Percent Pledge and includes products for all sizes. These comfortable dress shoes were chosen based on style, functionality, testability, price point, and so many reviews to put together this shoppable list of the very best for you!
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