How to Choose Chic Ladies Formal Shoes That Are Comfortable to Wear

source: @hispanitasshoes

I love wearing trainers, and I have a full closet of them in every colour imaginable. But nevertheless, I can’t overlook the importance of a good pair of dress shoes. Even if you may not work in an office, a bank or any other place where there’s a strict dress code, it’s a good idea to own at least one pair of women’s dress shoes. You never know when a special occasion might be around the corner, like a wedding.

Don’t wait until you really need a fancy pair of shoes. I’ve learned this the hard way. Dress shoes are formal footwear and as such they aren’t always constructed with comfort in mind. They are more glamorous than your typical everyday shoes and often come with a higher heel. So, shopping in a hurry and not knowing what to look for can result in buying a pair that is a pain to wear. That being said, here are some great tips to help you find dress shoes that add elegance and sophistication to an outfit without compromising comfort.

Look for Shoes with Feet-Friendly Features

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Good arch support and cushioning are always the best signs of comfortable footwear – whether it’s trainers or formal shoes. So, make sure to check whether the shoes have thick rubber outsoles to support your weight, a moulded footbed to provide arch support and padded insoles to reduce the impact the feet receive from the floor.

Additionally, you need to make sure that the shoes fit your feet properly. However, size isn’t very relevant as it only refers to the length of the foot. Plus, your feet can swell throughout the day. To ensure the shoes won’t cause discomfort, it’s recommended to go shoe shopping at the end of the day when your feet are at their most swollen. If you plan to shop online, always check the site’s measurement guide to make sure that you’ve picked the correct size. In general, formal footwear that comes with adjustable straps or laces is the best as it can be easily modified should your feet swell later in the day.

But if you want to save yourself the time and effort looking for shoes with these kinds of features, I’d recommend to check out the range of comfort shoes first. Plus, comfort footwear is usually made of flexible materials that can mould around the shape of your feet. There are many Australian comfort footwear suppliers that have a stylish selection of orthopaedic ladies formal shoes.

Pay Attention to the Heels’ Design

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Most ladies dress shoes will have a heel. Plus, wearing heels that elongate your legs and add extra centimetres of height can make you feel more confident during formal occasions. However, heels also change the natural posture of the body, so wearing them can come with a host of side effects. Luckily, some high heels can be safe to wear without causing any problems.

In general, the more the ball of your foot is elevated, the higher the risk. That being said, it’s recommended to avoid heels higher than 5 cm. Additionally, some heel designs are more comfortable to wear than others. The thicker the heel the better the weight will be distributed across your feet. As a result, wedges, block heels, stacked heels or cone-shaped heels are the best option for ladies formal shoes if you want to stay comfortable. On the other hand, stilettos and similar designs with thin and pointy heels should best be avoided or at least reserved for brief occasions.

But If You Can’t Stand Heels – Ballet Flats Are a Great Alternative

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No matter how comfortable they may be, when wearing heels for long periods of time, your feet will eventually start hurting. So, no matter how good you look, if your feet are aching, you’ll feel awful. In situations where you need to spend several hours on your feet and are not quite sure you can succeed while wearing heels, ballet flats can come to the rescue. Not only are ballet flats extremely comfortable to wear, but they also have a sophisticated sleek design to make you look super chic.

Ballet flats in a neutral colour like black, grey or beige are so versatile that you can pair them with all sorts of outfits and wear them for all sorts of occasions – whether with a casual day outfit or paired with a stunning dress to dinner parties and other formal events. However, if you have wide feet, avoid designs that have pointy toes which can cause discomfort and opt for ballet flats with more rounded toes.

Minimalist Designs Are the Most Versatile

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The fact is that comfortable and durable dress shoes can cost a lot. Plus, if you’re don’t really need to wear dress shoes often, you don’t need to get many pairs. That being said, a single pair of durable formal shoes can be enough for you. In this case, it’s crucial to invest in a pair that is versatile and can be worn with any outfit.

In general, it’s best to stick to neutral colours like for instance the unmistakable classy beige, black, white, navy and grey, and avoid accents that are over-the-top, like sparkles or beads. In general, the simpler the design the better. And now that minimalism is on the rise  in fashion, these pairs will also make sure you look stylish as well.