Professionalism is such an interesting concept in America. There’s this unwritten rule about what’s considered professional, from what you wear, to how you wear it to your hair and even your body type. Remember the teacher who had that great professional outfit, but some felt she was dressed inappropriately when in reality, she’s just a Black woman with curves? Well, that’s what the office is like for many no matter what you wear or do not wear, there are just constant eyes on you. Anyway, we bring up professionalism because we wanted to give you something good to have while you’re working hard — comfortable shoes. Comfy shoes, especially if you do have to stand for long periods of time at your job a key to at least tolerating your job.
We looked around for the best type of shoes and considered the nature of different jobs like an office job, teaching, retail, etc., Each shoe can be worn in any of those spaces and still be comfortable on your feet.
Take a look below at comfy styles and our curated shopping list.
Loafers
The classic loafer is just the shoe you need to look professional, stylish, and yet still comfortable. Loafers have personally always been a go-to, and they’ve always been super comfy for the days that you have to run around the office and elsewhere.
Mules
A shoe that slides on and off easily is exactly what you need. If you’re an on-the-go type, then a mule is the perfect type of shoe, with optimum comfort. The heel of a mule tends to be a low block, and the platform is always really helpful. If you’re into flats but still like a slide-on-and-off shoe, there are tons of loafer mules out there for you.
Minimal Sneakers
Sneakers in the workplace are gradually becoming more accepted (especially pertaining to your industry). It’s an easy transitional type of shoe, and it works great if you have to stand for long periods of time with your job.
Kitten Heels
Kitten heels scream professional fashionista. There’s just something about wearing a kitten heel, and the versatility of the shoe is endless. You can wear them with jeans or a full-on suit, or if you have a more laid-back office, you can wear them with a flowy skirt and a loose button-down.
Clogs
These are for that wildcard employee who loves walking into the office with a fun and eye-catching outfit; every day in the office for them is like walking a runway. Clogs are also super comfortable and add some height if you’re wanting to wear a longer pair of pants.
