Sure, we all know what basics professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
One of our top pages of all time is our regularly updated Guide to Comfortable Heels — and while that guide includes brands outside of those that bill themselves as “comfort” brands, sometimes you just really want a heel that is built like a sneaker, whether for commuting, for long days on your feet, or for general foot problems. Finding stylish “comfort” heels can be a challenge, though, so I thought we’d round some up.
- Hall of Famers (best selling styles that have been around for years): Naturalizer, ComfortPlus by Predictions, Stuart Weitzman, Anyi Lu, Trotters, Corso Como, Michael Michael Kors, Salvatore Ferragamo
- Usual Suspects (brands that are known for comfort): Clarks, Børn, Isola, Sofft, Stuart Weitzman, Salvatore Ferragamo, Naturalizer, Aerosoles, Rockport, Geox, Arche, Anyi Lu, AGL, Munro, Cole Haan, Eileen Fisher, Beautifeel, Earthies, Trotters, Vaneli, UKIES, Mephisto, Bella Vita
- Under $100: Corso Como, Aerosoles, ComfortPlus by Predictions, Michael Michael Kors, Naturalizer, Trotters,
- Extended widths (e.g., AA, C, W, etc): Naturalizer (N M W), Aerosoles (B C), Munro (AAAA-EE), Clarks (B D), Stuart Weitzman (N M W), Ferragamo (2A B C)
- Extended sizes (4-13): Naturalizer (4.5-12), Munro (4-14), Stuart Weitzman (4-12), Ferragamo (4-12)
- 2″ or under: Stuart Weitzman, Gabor, Mephisto, Pikolinos, Gentle Souls, Clarks, Geox, Spring Step, Trotters, Ferragamo
- A bit clunkier but great for commuting shoes (particularly if your pants are hemmed for 3″ heels): Camper, Naturalizer, Naot, Aerosoles, Naot
Some of the Hall of Famers are pictured below:
Pictured, top row: one / two / three
Pictured, bottom row: four / five / six
Some of our favorites for today include:
