The 15 Most Comfortable Work Shoes To Wear To The Office

Professional settings are the ultimate place to put your best foot forward, and that means ensuring you can stand confidently in shoes that don’t pinch, rub, slip, or dig. The best office shoes for women are comfortable, above all. And while there’s nothing wrong with a quick change on days you opt for status flats or platform sandals, why not avoid that dreaded feeling of a colleague or client seeing you switch out of a commuter sneaker?

Many shoe styles ensure comfort and sleek aesthetic, heels included. It’s a matter of details beginning with a proper fit, says Larroudé cofounder Marina Larroudé. Then, aspects like wide footbeds and memory foam insoles—two signature features in every pair of Larroudé shoes—plus securing accents like toe straps and ankle ties, will set you up for work shoe success.

For a more polished look, Larroudé loves a block heel. “You get the benefits of height without sacrificing comfort,” she explains. As for heeled sandals, thicker straps and refined hardware deliver polish in a work environment. “I’ve been wearing the Milan block sandal a lot this spring,” the footwear expert says. “The sophisticated hardware and secure straps allow me to move around the city all day long—we’ve coined them the perfect city sandal.”

If true heels are your comfort zone, the designer highlights sturdy sandals like her Miso platform for longer days spent on your feet. “I can walk for miles on end without a second thought because my feet are properly secured within the toe strap and perched atop a cloudlike cushion,” she reveals. For those seated most of the workday, she suggests experimenting with playful wedges, particularly styles that go from day to night. For a more summery option, she proposes lighter materials, like raffia wedges, which “pair perfectly with a linen blazer.”

Whether you work in a creative field or a corporate environment, make it through the day blister-free in the 15 best office shoes for women, ahead.

Related article: The 5 Most Comfortable Work Shoes To Wear To The Office

The Best Comfortable Work Shoes of 2023

MOST COMFORTABLE BLOCK HEEL

Everlane The Italian Leather Day Heel

Everlane knows essentials, like this versatile block-heel pump with round toes taking inspiration from the classic ballet flat.

Sizes: 5–11

Heel height: 2"

Colours: Bone stacked, black, light taupe, pale pink, almond suede

What reviewers are saying: “These are so comfortable! So simple and just the perfect heel for every day!”

MOST COMFORTABLE LOAFERS

Jamie Haller x Pierce & Ward PW Woven Loafer

Inspired by the classic silhouette of a men’s Italian loafer with the understated soul of a slipper, these woven two-tone leather loafers boast a glovelike fit and a soft, buttery feel. They’re the comfortable summer update your footwear wardrobe has been waiting for—pair them with dresses and separates of all kinds.

Sizes: 36–41

Heel height: N/A

Colours: Black/brown weave, brown

MOST COMFORTABLE WEDGE

Emme Parsons Suede and Leather Wedge Sandals

This elegant wedge is impeccably crafted for comfort and style, pairing beautifully with slipdresses, suits, and beyond.

Sizes: 6–11

Heel height: 3.15"

Colours: Black, caramel

MOST COMFORTABLE SLINGBACK

M.Gemi The Mia Due 50mm

The sculpted heel takes this comfortable slingback pump into ultra-chic territory. It’s more than eye-catching but plenty walkable, whether paired with jeans on casual Fridays or a midi skirt for the Monday meeting.

Sizes: 35–42

Heel height: 2"

Colours: Sand, black, silver, tangerine, gold

What reviewers are saying: “True to size and very comfortable. The shoe is well constructed with soft, very pliable leather. Highly recommend.”

MOST COMFORTABLE BALLET FLAT

Mansur Gavriel Dream Ballerina

Mansur Gavriel’s knack for minimalist essentials certainly extends to the brand’s footwear assortment, where you’ll find these incredibly timeless ballet flats. The high vamp ensures a supported and secure fit as the supple leather molds to your foot for ultimate comfort. For something even more modern, go for the square-toe silhouette.

Sizes: 35–41

Heel height: 0.40"

Colours: Maple, sand, cherry, leaf, cacao, dark navy, black

What reviewers are saying: “Comfortable from the get-go. Love the higher vamp. Very chic.”

MOST COMFORTABLE HEELED MARY JANE

Larroudé Blair Block Pump

This just-launched block heel from Larroudé is the ultimate work shoe. “It fuses the spirit of the Mary Jane with the ideal heel height [and] brings a much-needed rebrand to the traditional commuter-shoe stereotypes,” Marina Larroudé tells BAZAAR. “From the subway to the office and then out for dinner and drinks, the shoe will feel both appropriate and comfortable every step of the way.”

Sizes: 5–11

Heel height: 1.9"

Colours: Black, ivory, silver

MOST COMFORTABLE BLOCK-HEEL SANDAL

Loeffler Randall Olivia 55mm Leather Knot Sandals

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This neutral sandal is a pretty option you can pair with everything from linen suits to crisp cotton work dresses.

Sizes: 5–12

Heel height: 2.25"

Colours: Dune, champagne

MOST COMFORTABLE MARY JANE FLAT

The Row Ava Leather Flats

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Unquestionably an investment but well worth it, The Row’s Ava Mary Janes are a pristine take on the au courant trend. The pared-back design is genuinely enduring, from the rounded toe with gorgeous curvature to the supple leather you can last in for hours.

Sizes: 5–11

Heel height: N/A

Colours: White, black

MOST COMFORTABLE KITTEN MULE

Inez Luna

Inez founder and creative director Hannah Spinelli set out to design truly beautiful and comfortable footwear for daily life, including stunning office-ready sandals like these modern square-toe beauties. The label’s comfort technology regulates pressure as you walk, with a proprietary plush insole. Plus, there are embedded heel cushions to absorb impact and arch support to cradle and stabilize the foot.

Sizes: 6–10.5

Heel height: 2.2"

Colours: Rose, black, silver

MOST COMFORTABLE PUMPS

Gianvito Rossi Piper 85 Suede Pumps

Gianvito Rossi’s high-heeled pumps are among the most comfortable and classic. The Italian label works with the finest leather and suede, culminating in beautiful silhouettes with a sumptuous feel. Seasoned heels wearers can last for hours in these. They also come in a lower 45mm version.

Sizes: 4–12

Heel height: 3.35"

Colours: Purple, black, beige, grey, brown, blue, pink

MOST COMFORTABLE BLOCK-HEEL SLIDE SANDAL

Marion Parke Trisha 60 Slide

Say hello to your perfect summer work slide, designed by a female podiatric surgeon. The ultra-thick heel offers stability while serving as a modern focal point, featuring the brand’s twice-patented invisible insole. Picture them popping with summer whites or enhancing the colours of a printed billowing blouse half-tucked into flowing trousers.

Sizes: 35–42

Heel height: 2.3"

Colours: Orange, gold, metallic

What reviewers are saying: “I’m still recovering from a broken ankle and Achilles tendon surgery a couple of years ago. Most important—I can walk and hope to dance in these at a wedding, which is why I bought them. However, since they are a slide and not too dainty or dressy, I plan on wearing them to work with summer dresses.”

MOST COMFORTABLE HEELED LOAFERS

Stuart Weitzman Sleek Leather Square-Toe Loafers

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Stuart Weitzman is another purveyor of sleek comfort. You’ll always go right with silhouettes from heels to flats. However, we’re partial to this season’s seashell-heeled loafers.

Sizes: 4–12

Heel height: 1.38"

Colours: Off-white, beige

MOST COMFORTABLE ANKLE-STRAP SANDAL

Margaux The City Sandal

Margaux’s simple yet striking designs always maximize comfort, from the darling demi flats to the so-slick boots. This gingham-print block-heeled sandal is a sweet, new-season iteration of the label’s best-selling City Sandal, featuring a just-right heel height, precisely placed straps, and a cushioned insole.

Sizes: 34–43.5"

Heel height: 2.5"

Colours: Tan and black gingham, silver mirror, wisteria suede, fog nappa, saddle nappa, champagne, python embossed, rose nappa, black suede, poppy suede, chestnut suede, ivory satin, powder satin

What reviewers are saying: “Extremely comfortable, high quality and stylish shoe. Easy to wear on multiple surfaces and for extended time. Highly recommend!”

MOST COMFORTABLE TALL BOOT

Neil J. Rodgers Meg Knee Boot

Neil J. Rodgers’s knee-high boots come with a strong editor fashion following for several reasons: the buttery soft leather, the distinctive yet walkable low-angled heel, and the pared-back silhouette from the squared toe to the slightly slouched shaft. Pair them with a midi skirt or dress and blazer for the ultimate fashion-editor office ensemble.

Sizes: 35–41

Heel height: 2.25"

Colours: Black leather, bone leather, black suede, brown suede

What reviewers are saying: “I absolutely love these boots. They are extremely versatile and ‘trend-less.’ They go with everything quite well, from jeans to dress-up. They feel fantastic on my feet!”

MOST COMFORTABLE SNEAKER

Loewe Ballet Runner

If your dress code allows for sneakers, this pair by Loewe is an elevated option. It features the construction of a ballet flat with the style of a 1970s track shoe, with an incredibly lightweight feel to keep you agile on the job.

Sizes: 35–41

Heel height: N/A

Colours: White/off-white, black/white/brown, soft white, soft white/cherry/royal blue

What Makes a Good Work Shoe?

A good work shoe is one you can wear throughout the day comfortably. While different office cultures may require different footwear—some fancier, some more casual—the goal is to find a style that fits your personal aesthetic and needs while still allowing you to stride confidently into a meeting. Specifically, look for styles with low heels or a memory foam sole.

Why trust Harper’s BAZAAR?

For more than 150 years, Harper’s BAZAAR has been the preeminent fashion, beauty, and lifestyle resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in fashion by working with the world’s leading authorities in ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories, and more. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of editors and industry experts.

This article originally appeared in Harper's BAZAAR US.