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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.
If you’re returning to the office soon and aren’t exactly excited about slipping your feet back into heels, don’t worry, we’ve got you — today we’re rounding up some of the best comfortable flats for work (and, over at CorporetteMoms, we JUST rounded up the best washable flats!).
What are your favorite comfortable flats for work and weekend? Do you see yourself being an all flats, all the time kind of woman going forward, or are you eager to get back to your office heels?
Some of our favorite Hall of Famers, also pictured at top:
- Hall of Famers: AGL, Born, MMLF, Rothy’s, Rockport, Sam Edelman, French Sole, Valentino, Cole Haan, Tory Burch, Chloé,
- Under $100: Rockport, Sam Edelman, Børn, Sketchers
- Classic Flats for Splurges: AGL, Ferragamo, Chloé, Chanel, Valentino, Sarah Flint
- Extended widths (AA, C, W): Børn (M-D), Sam Edelman (NMW), Ferragamo (N M W 2A B C D),
- Extended sizes (4–13): Børn (5–12), Sam Edelman (4–13), Ferragamo (4–11), Sarah Flint (4–13), Rothy’s (5–12)
- Foldable Flats: Yosi Samra, Boden, Tory Burch, drugstore brands like the highly rated Silky Toes
- Commuting Shoes (They look OK coming or going but won’t work for the entire day at most offices): Puma, FitFlop, Crocs (see also foldable, above, and washable, below)
- Washable Flats: Rothy‘s, Birdies, Allbirds, Vince Camuto, Vivaia, Sketchers
Hunting for older versions of this post? Here they are in 2020 (investment ballet flats), 2020 (best foldable flats), 2019 (comfortable flats for summer), 2018 (cute flats for the office), 2017 (4 kinds of comfortable flats every professional should own), 2017 (sophisticated strappy flats), 2016 (ballet flats), 2016 (nude flats), and 2014 (interview flats).
{related: check out our Guide to Comfortable Heels!}
The Best Affordable Comfortable Flats for Work
Affordable flats aren’t difficult to find — but comfortable affordable flats can be. Here are some of the highest-rated and reader-favorite ones that are under $100!
The Best Investment Flats
If you want to make an investment in flats, these are some of the most classic options. AGL and Ferragamo are reader favorites for comfort, while Chloé, Chanel and Valentino are all recognizable status symbols.
The Best Washable Flats
There are a ton of machine washable flats these days, and we just rounded up some great options at CorporetteMoms! Whether you need or want these because you’re a parent, a pet owner, or a medical worker — or just someone who tends to hate shoes that aren’t pristine — there are a ton of affordable and polished styles of washable flats to choose from.
Some of our favorites are these:
The Best Foldable Flats
These can be amazing if you’re a) traveling for work and want something super lightweight that won’t drag down your bag, or b) you’re adjusting to heels or new shoes and just aren’t sure how long you’re going to last in them. (I’ve sometimes brought these along on date nights with my husband if I’m really out of practice with heels!)
Other Types of Comfortable Flats
Hunting for strappy flats, oxfords, or more? Here are some of our latest favorites…
These are some of our latest favorite loafers, oxfords, and other closed-toe shoes — these $130 loafers are incredibly highly rated (see also)!
Stylish srappy flats can be hard to find! As of 2023, these are some of our favorites — also, in general, check J.Crew and Valentino (on the pricier side, obviously).
Readers, do tell: What do you think are the best comfortable flats for work?
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!
Senior Attorney
I’m just over those kinds of flats these days (not that I ever really wore them). I am wearing sneakers and loafers with my skirts and dresses and it feels kind of bada$$. Don’t think I’ll ever go back to high heels every day.
anon
I’ve never been into them, either. Ballet flats don’t have enough support for my bony feet, and I despise pointy-toe shoes (not because of how they look but because they are torture devices).
Anon
I keep holding out hope for another Cole Haan/Nike Air-style collaboration. Cute flats with good support should not be rocket science.
kitten
+1
I’m kind of annoyed I spent money on two pairs of Chloe flats a few years ago. Ballet flats look dorky to me now.
Anonymous
I wear rothys flats in the office (although I’m mostly in socks unless I need to go leave my actual office) and sneakers to commute. I’m looking for the perfect pair of oxford loafers but I’m very picky and have difficult feet so I’m happy
Anonymous
Can you recommend some good loafers?
Senior Attorney
I’ve had great luck with Naturalizer and Munro.
Senior Attorney
And I have these and they’re on sale right now: https://www.nordstrom.com/s/naturalizer-august-loafer-women/5161882?siteid=fV7QgDWUWe0-XreC7U3lHxaS2nv4T1AJ4g&fashionColor=Silver
Senior Attorney
Oops wrong link. Meant these: https://www.nordstrom.com/s/cc-corso-como-carlynee-loafer-women/5365453?origin=coordinating-5365453-0-4-FTR-recbot-recently_viewed_snowplow_mvp&recs_placement=FTR&recs_strategy=recently_viewed_snowplow_mvp&recs_source=recbot&recs_page_type=category&recs_seed=0&color=STONEWASH%20PERFORATED%20NUBUCK
Anonymous
So sad, these are sold out on my size!
Anon
Paul Green loafers. Spendy and worth it.
Anonymous
I have worn many pairs of Franco Sarto loafers.
Anon
I used to wear these type of flats every day, and I now have fallen arches.
Julie
Over the course of the pandemic, I was forced to start wearing prescription orthotics which means that my work shoes (heels and dress flats) are all pretty much useless. I’ve looked at http://www.barkingdogshoes , which is a great resource for problem feet, but does anyone here have recommendations for lower heels or flats that can accommodate orthotics? Bendy flats are the absolute worst possible shoes for me since I’ve developed arthritis in my big toe joint on one foot. I also have high arches & bunions. Working from home, I’ve lived in my Hokas and other sneakers and Ugghs w/ my orthotics. Also, I need to wear wide shoes. This blog should highlight shoes that come in wide and narrow.
Anon
I don’t have prescription orthotics (yet) but I feel you, as I have high arches, high instep and wide feet. When people talk about arch support, I always wondered what they meant because no shoe ever touched my arch, much less supported it. But then one day I discovered Abeo shoes, the “metatarsal” styles. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
AllieMiles
I like to wear Born and Vionics loafers, which are really comfortable and should allow for orthotics. I wish there were loafers in the shape of my Altras, though.
Anonymous
I hear you, I have had orthotics since I was a teenager, and finding cute shoes that accommodate orthotics can be a pain. But there are definitely some out there. I look for shoes with a removable insole and a strap (either ankle, or diagonal or ghillie laces, etc. Cobb Hill and Vionic often have removable insoles and straps. Naturalizer sometimes does. You can search “removable insole” on Zappos and the Walking Company then filter for career style shoes/flats/heels/ etc.
Anon
I’ve had the surgery to repair that big toe joint. Now, with a metal plate, I can’t wear heels anyway. I’ve also found that man-made soles are very hard on my feet, so I have to wear all-leather shoes. I can get the orthotics in the men’s Italian lace-ups I wear, and in my sneakers, of course. I have a pair of Sesto Meucci woven loafers with leather soles that are pretty comfortable.