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These are some of our favorite heels as of 2023, but check out our entire Guide to Comfortable Heels!
Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work 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.
It is time for our yearly roundup of comfortable heels for work — if you’re looking for the best black heels for business attire, look no further. As you can see from the top collage we’re still seeing a lot of pointy-toed, classic silhouettes, but block heels, rounder toes and architectural heels are making a stronger showing all the time. (The only thing I’d say is definitely rare at this point is a square toe, at least for pumps, but heeled loafers are also making a comeback.)
A few notes, to start:
- of course you don’t have to wear heels to interview or to work – flats are more and more acceptable (see our latest roundups of comfortable flats); we’ve also picked out a ton of low heeled shoes and wedges
- we do a roundup of black heels because they tend to be the most versatile and should probably be the first pair of shoes you buy to wear to work — but gray, nude-for-you, and cordovan shoes are also basics. I would say that kidskin (matte leather) pumps are the classics, but suede, patent, fabric/textured/embossed heels can work in a pinch for interviews if that’s what you already own and are comfortable in.
- don’t forget you can wear black with navy
- take care of your shoes — scuffs, scraped leather, and more can be taken care of pretty quickly either by yourself or by a shoe professional — you can also replace heel tips and even the soles of your shoe with rubber portions to increase the comfort (here’s our post on how to make your shoes last longer if this is a big problem for you!)
Readers, I’d love to hear from you — what is your go-to pair of black heels for business attire? For those of you who have splurged on a Really Fancy Brand, what shoe did you get, and how are you liking it?
This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!
These are some of our favorite heels as of 2023, but check out our entire Guide to Comfortable Heels!
(List updated 2021!):
- Hall of Famers: Sam Edelman, Vionic, Marc Fisher LTD, Rockport, Cole Haan, Calvin Klein (3.25″ and 1.5″), M.M.LaFleur
- Under $100: Sam Edelman, Vionic, Marc Fisher LTD, Rockport, Cole Haan, Calvin Klein (3.25″ and 1.5″), Naturalizer, Comfort Plus by Predictions
- Worthy Splurges: Christian Louboutin, Ferragamo, Manolo Blahnik, Prada
- Extended widths (AA, C, W): Sam Edelman, Vionic, Trotters, Walking Cradles
- Extended sizes (4–13): Sam Edelman (4–14), Calvin Klein (5–12), Calvin Klein (5–12), Prada (4–12), Manolo (4–12), Naturalizer (4–12), Rockport (5–13)
- 2″ or Under: Vionic, M.M.LaFleur, Ferragamo, Cole Haan, Sam Edelman, Calvin Klein
- Comfort: Ferragamo, Naturalizer, Comfort Plus by Predictions (don’t forget to check out our entire guide to comfortable heels!)
These are some of our favorite comfortable low heels for work as of 2023… also check out CK Calvin Klein, Trotters, Sam Edelman, and Sarah Flynt!
(Curious for our previous roundups of black pumps? In addition to the several specific shoes mentioned in our Guide to Comfortable Heels, here are our roundups from 2021, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2016, 2015, 2013 (interview pumps AND our low heel roundup), 2012 (under $250) and 2008, as well as our comfort-focused roundups of 2016 and 2010 and our posts on extended sizes for professional women’s shoes.)
We wrote before about the affordable dupe we found for this super popular block heel — and while that dupe doesn’t come in solid black), this shoe (from the same maker!) looks like another great dupe — and it starts at $43. Nice.
These $128 pumps at Ann Taylor have mostly great reviews for comfort, and reviewers love the 2.5″ heel.
They’re available exclusively online.
If you’re looking for a very low, walkable heel from a comfort shoe, strongly consider these pumps from Vionic — they’ve got rave reviews at Zappos and Nordstrom and have been around for several years; I also think the lower vamp on the toe is really flattering.
Another great option for low heels is this heel from Calvin Klein, and the popular Everlane heels are the same height (2″). Vionic also makes a strappy version if you like the look better or need the strap.
If you currently fall into the category of “person who doesn’t wear heels but wants to for an upcoming event,” I’d take a look at this blocky pump from L’Amour des Pieds — not only does the pump have rave reviews at Nordstrom, but select colors and sizes are 10% off right now. (There’s a kidskin version at the company’s website (lucky sizes only), and Amazon also has a variety of colors and materials for $129.
Other good brands to look at for comfort heels include Ferragamo, Michael Kors MK, Clarks, Naturalizer, and Comfort Plus by Predictions — and don’t forget to check out our entire guide to comfortable heels!
On the splurgey side, the MMLF heels are getting a ton of great buzz — we’ve pictured the 3″ pump (available for $365) but note that they also have a 2″ pump if that sounds better to you. The product description is pretty interesting, and sounds like a lot of thought went into the heel:
As part of the MM Duo Craftsmanship family, these shoes are made with Glove Flex technology, an extra-supportive footbed, and signature scratch-resistant heels. We crafted these shoes with a special Italian construction, “sacchetto,” to give them a fit that molds to your feet and allows for ultimate flexibility—all the better to leap across the conference room when your next brilliant idea hits. An extra-thin but extra-supportive Poron™ memory foam footbed and a rubber-injected outer sole mean these shoes aren’t only super comfortable, they’re also breathable and naturally odor resistant. These heels are sculpted in an elegant curve that allows for your weight to be steadily balanced—no precarious teetering here.
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Anon
Any suggestions for a simple pump with an ankle strap? My feet are very narrow and will pop out without one.
anon
+1
Anon09er
Naturalizer has one in matte black leather. 3 inch pointed toe.
Kat G
Anne Klein fabulist
Kat G
Also – https://corporette.com/tag/strappy-heels-for-work/
Laura M Nieusma
I have a pair of Ann Taylor pumps with an ankle strap. Their shoes vary from season to season, but I have found them to be well-made and you can get them for a steal when they go on sale. I would guess that you can find a pair from them.
Live hard and die not too old
I used to love heels… but… there is a direct correlation between aging and my unwillingness to wear uncomfortable shoes.
TJ because I can’t share this anywhere else. I just did my quarterly update and saw that spouse and I have $600K in retirement accounts! But retirement calculators tell me still not on track. Then I noticed my age input was to 95 – once I scaled that back to 83 I’m fine. Just have to hope we die quick and fast in our 70s or 80s without a lingering illness. Ugh.
Anonymous
One other check for retirement planning is the percentage of income you will need. If you won’t have a mortgage, student loans, debt–that changes the amount you need to live. Instead of 100% of current income, you may only need 75% (and live very well). Consider that aspect as you plan, and then maybe you can live a few extra years!!!
Anon
Some standard retirement calculators don’t take into account the gains from interest, groeth, etc. Just saying!
Celia
Try to buy long-term care insurance (if you’re young enough). It’s been a god-send for some people I know.
anon
I still feel weird about wearing black shoes with navy pants. Is this all in my head, or do others feel similarly? I feel like this is one of those old rules that I can’t quite get past.
Abby
I agree, and I also struggle with black tights with navy skirt/dresses. I decided to rotate my navy for the spring & summer, and switch to black for the fall and winter as my solid basic.
Ellen
I agree, but I have the beautiful black pumps from Ann Taylor advertised here, and I can wear them comfortably with either black, blue or white skirts w/o looking frumpy. I love these pumps and will buy another pair, as mine got scuffed on the curb of 34th and Park. FOOEY!
iced coffee
I refuse to mix navy and black because it just looks off to me. I wear navy with nude or a color.
anon
I never mix them. I know it’s chic to do so, but it looks funny to me so I don’t. I wear black shoes with black and black tones (gray, etc) and cognac shoes with navy pants.
Anon
I can’t do it. I like burgundy or nude-for-you with navy.
Never too many shoes...
I am totally not ok with navy and black for me. For navy, I go with tan, wine or maybe a reptilian pattern.
Anonymous
If I wear black shoes with navy, they must be patent. Not sure why that distinction matters, but I feel like the shine and textural difference make it more palatable. I also wear wine, grey, and patterned shoes with my navy suits. I do have one pair of navy shoes, but I really tend to wear them with other colors that don’t match.
Lyssa
I absolutely love my Michael Kors pumps. The only problem is that I feel like I’m always wearing them. For a while, I was trying to build a collection of colored or peep-toe pumps, but it seems like both of those are out of style and hard to find now. I always feel like gray and beige shoes just look weird on me (maybe this is in my head). I need more variety!
Anemone
I refuse to spend too much on pumps because I absolutely destroy them in no time. I bought a new pair of Hazels and wore them once, to a new hire meet-and-greet. Put them on in my car, walked through a tiny parking lot to a reception hall, stood in them on a wood floor for three hours, then walked back to the car. The toe tips are scuffed down past the black leather already, I just don’t get it. I didn’t fall, and I don’t drag my feet when I walk. I can’t keep my stuff nice.
E
Fwiw I’ve noticed the pumps I spend more on lady significantly longer. The MM LaFleur pumps are pricey, but the heels are truly scuff-proof.
Anon
Speaking of destroying shoes, does anyone know if there is a way to DIY fix a scraped “stacked” heel? I bought the cutest pair of cowboy boots and the first time I wore them the heel covering that made it look like a stacked heel scraped off in the back exposing plastic. I’m annoyed to take a new pair to the cobbler (but will do it if I have to) – any ideas? (I’m also annoyed that this pair advertised stacked heel when it’s just the facade).
Claire
My faves are I think Bandolino (i think) which has a nice chunk heel with a black patent leather toe, regular leather -ish shoe, and a golden metal bow on the patent toe. Very comfy and I got them from Ross for a great buy
Anonymous
Does anyone own the MMLF pumps and can speak to comfort over the day, city walking? I tried them on at a pop up and liked them but was hesitant to purchase.
E
I own the 3” and they’re comfortable but if I was walking more than a few blocks I’d definitely change into flats.
Lisa
The Paul Green Tammy pumps!
Anonymous
I like Aquatalia.
Laura L Nieusma
Vionic shoes are amazing especially if you have wide feet. I have the pumps pictured in the article, but in black suede, not plain leather.
I wear them constantly. They are comfortable and professional. I’ve had them for 6 months and already need to have the heel tips replaced, just because of how often I wear them.
I also have a pair of Sofft black pumps that I bought while I was in law school. They have a slight comma heel which makes them a bit more interesting, but entirely appropriate for even the most conservative courtroom.