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Comfortable Business Shoes for DD Please

martinca_gw sunset zone 24

last year

Wedges are usually most comfy, but needs to be far less casual than those on MTN’s recent post. Her feet are over most heels. Ugh! Nice leather flats go well with her usual dress pants, jeans too. Not ballet, though. Cole Hahn, etc. . We are shopping tonight before she leaves for business trip. TIA!!!

Featured Answer

pricklypearcactus

last year

I love the oxfords suggestion. I really dislike the look of pointy toe shoes on me, but I know some people swear by them. I like an almond or round toe best and am not a big fan of square or pointy (though I've owned both).

I haven't been wearing true business clothes for a while, more casual professional (nice jeans and a blouse or sweater for example). But I've really liked ankle boots, usually with a 1-2" heel. That can work with full length trousers. I don't know if these are professional enough for your daughter, but I have been wearing an older laced version of these boots a lot and have been really happy with the comfort.

https://www.teva.com/women-boots/anaya-bootie-rr/1120153.html?dwvar_1120153_color=BLK

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Comments (22)

mtnrdredux_gw
last year
last modified: last year
Her feet are over most heels.

So you mean no heels?

My business shoes are all heels (height = soft power). But I have three flavors of business heels:

1. Heels that I can traverse airports in in a single bound, but that are not so dorky that they ruin my outfit or cause me to hide if I run into a client/colleague/competitor

2. Heels that I can walk to the office in, often wedge mules.

3. Heels that I keep under my desk, and slip on for an important meeting. These need not be mules or platforms, and are usually closer to a stiletto. Necessary ambulatory capacity - under 3 minutes.

Which flavor does she need? And do you literally mean no heel, because if so I am unqualified to opine!
martinca_gw sunset zone 24
Original Author
last year
She is tall and has the power thing going. 😁 I forgot about block heels, which can be fine.
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mtnrdredux_gw
last year
last modified: last year
I would go to DSW. They have a wide selection at a lot of different price points. To me, the only no-no for business shoes is showing your naked toes. And since hose are out, that means closed toe.

Hard to say anything more specific without knowing the geography, climate, outfit and level of formality in the industry. Stilettos are still big in NYC banking.
Annie Deighnaugh
last year
last modified: last year
Perhaps something like this? https://www.macys.com/shop/product/cliffs-by-white-mountain-womens-bowie-wedge-shoe?ID=14512945&CategoryID=13808&isDlp=true&isDlp=true&swatchColor=Black%20Nylon%20Black

I always struggled with my wide toes and often found that peep toed shoes would be more comfortable while still being more conservative.

Also a nice "tailored" loafer could work with trousers. https://www.macys.com/shop/product/naturalizer-milo-slip-on-loafers?ID=9295808&CategoryID=50295&isDlp=true&swatchColor=Black%20Faux%20Patent%20Black
martinca_gw sunset zone 24 thanked Annie Deighnaugh
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
martinca_gw sunset zone 24
Original Author
last year
Her company is science based and dresses business casual. With DSW, I worry that their products are not 100% true to the brand but are made specificlly for that discount market. Cole Haan has a store in a nearby discount mall. Their manager admitted this to me, and explained the differences. I passed, sadly. DD has had some poor results from some DSW shoes and wonders if that’s why. The trouble with the toe-in wedges, like the ones above that Annie posted( Ty, adn) is how ’mature’ many can look. MTN, many meetings are in Ca,, Texas, and Florida and occasionally NYC, where the dress moves up…but not to “Banker” level.
martinca_gw sunset zone 24
Original Author
last year
below, , though not Gucci$. or these, , but brand comfort?
martinca_gw sunset zone 24
Original Author
last year
Ha, MTN, just my thoughts. Now Im wondering about pointed toe comfort. Sigh I hear there are some wearing Nikes with their suits, white being preferred . Its ”a thing”.?
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
last modified: last year
Yes, all of those are good in my book. Some high end DSW are identical, some are no doubt produced for "outlets."

I have a big foot (10 or sometimes 10.5). For comfort, Clarks work well for me. Also Donald Pliner, Stewart Weitzman and Anthro
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
What do her colleagues wear?

I can only comment on my industry and location. I think of pumps as classic. My DDs wear them. IMHO a block heel is a little more au courant that a wedge so that was what I showed.
martinca_gw sunset zone 24
Original Author
last year
Agree on that, she she is also a 10. Will look at Donald Pliner, Stewart Weitzman and Anthro. Hope the ”dress sneaker” takes off. Love these. hmmm
martinca_gw sunset zone 24
Original Author
last year
Love these two looks. Appreciate the help!so much ! Off now to shop

.
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
I agree. Solids only, neutral colors.
bbstx
last year
Back when I had to wear heels to work, I always found Cole Haan comfortable.

This is the Cole Haan Vandam. You can find it on the Cole Haan site or on Zappos. Z has more colors.

Depending on how ”classic” she wants to go, there is the Ferragamo Vera (round toe) or Viva (pointed toe) pump.

Mtn, since you mentioned your shoe size, may I ask a question? Do you wear pointed-toe shoes? DD also wears a 10 - 10.5. She thinks pointed-toe shoes make her feet look larger. I think they elongate and slim the leg.
martinca_gw sunset zone 24 thanked bbstx
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
last year
last modified: last year
FWIW, I like oxfords with a suit/business dress, they're more comfortable and stable than pumps, and a classic look, IMO.

You can go as high or as low as you like, too...

P.S. I wear sheer black hose with heeled black oxfords for dressy occasions.
martinca_gw sunset zone 24 thanked carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
Bookwoman
last year
My thoughts went to the Everlane loafer, which is alas no longer available, but there are others out there like it: https://www.everlane.com/products/womens-modern-loafer-black
martinca_gw sunset zone 24 thanked Bookwoman
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
Mtn, since you mentioned your shoe size, may I ask a question? Do you wear pointed-toe shoes? DD also wears a 10 - 10.5. She thinks pointed-toe shoes make her feet look larger. I think they elongate and slim the leg.

Yes, I do, for dressy occasions and for work. Does it make my feet look larger? It depends on the shoe; some have a very exaggerated pointed toe. I think the vamp of the shoes can also impact how big your foot looks. IME, it takes some experimentation.
RNmomof2 zone 5
last year
Tall, size 12 here. Yes pointed toes may make my foot look bigger but oh well. It's proportional to my body! As I say I would be even taller if they hadn't turned so much under!

I do agree with @mtnrdredux_gw though, some shoes do make it look longer than others.
martinca_gw sunset zone 24 thanked RNmomof2 zone 5
bbstx
last year
last modified: last year
Thanks, Mtn. I’ll pass along your words of wisdom. The size of someone’s foot just doesn’t register with me. The only exception was a guy I was acquainted with who was pretty tall and had teeny tiny feet, remarkably small feet.

RNmom, just saw your message. Thanks. I think part of the problem is DD has embraced the suburban-mom-athleisure-wear aesthetic. She doesn’t work outside the home and she rarely dresses up.
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
10 is much more common in my DDs' generation, but growing up I hated having size 10 feet and staunchly resisted the idea they could be 10.5.
rubyclaire
last year
I'm jumping in late, but I'm adding these for consideration for you DD or anyone else:

Big fan of Ann Mashburn's buckle flats and heels - they add a little polish to any outfit.

These are the flats but they come in a low stacked block heel as well.
martinca_gw sunset zone 24 thanked rubyclaire

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