In this detailed article, we will explain to you the most comfortable shoes to wear with dresses not heels.
Are heeled shoes the only trendy things? You bet not. Apart from heels, there are many other types of shoes that you can wear with dresses without having to trade comfort for style. In fact, heels aren’t all that healthy.
The shoes we will review in this article can lengthen and straighten your figure just the way heels will do, but you won’t have to go through pain the way you would if you wore heels.
It is more ideal in choosing your dress shoes that you go for those that will not impede your health or your productivity.
Why You Should go for Dress Shoes that are Not Heels
Here are some reasons why going for dress shoes that aren’t heels will do good for your health.
- You Shouldn’t Wear Heels for Long Hours: Many people wear heels to work and end up standing or walking all day in uncomfortable shoes. Wearing heels for long hours will cause damage to your feet and even distort your natural posture.
- You can Prevent Tiredness and Even Depression: Good shoes have been found to boost your mood and mental health. You can promote your stamina by buying supportive shoes.
- You can Save Yourself from Pain and Foot Injuries: Avert a pile of foot injuries by going for dress shoes that have low to medium heels. Pain in the feet is common to people who wear heels consistently.
Features of the Best Non-Heel Dress Shoes
If you won’t cause serious health problems to your feet by wearing heels consistently, go for shoes that have the following features. That way, you won’t even miss wearing heels at all.
Versatility: Buy shoes that are versatile and can fit well for a wide range of occasions. It does not mean that you should wear the same shoes that you wear to work to an evening out, but you can pick out colors and styles that can match more than one dress in your closet
Adequate arch support: Flat shoes aren’t the best in this case as they don’t have adequate arch support. Go for shoes that hold up your arch well. We will review these in the article.
Low to moderate Heels: High heeled shoes put a strain on your muscles and cause stress to your feet. It is better to use low to moderate heels that will take away the strain you feel when you put on heels.
Shock absorption: Whether you’re shopping for work shoes or outing shoes, the shock absorption capacity of your shoes should be high. Use shoes that help you distribute the impact that your feet feel every time your feet strike the ground.
Durability: Shoes that easily fall apart after a few uses are not going to provide you value for your money. Make sure that you check the review of your shoes very well, as well as the materials they are made of.
Stylishness: We all want the stylishness that is associated with heels, don’t we? You can get non-heeled shoes that will provide you so much in style and trendiness.
Firm grip in the sole: Buying shoes with rubber soles will give you a firm grip that will help boost your confidence when you dress up.
Firm heel cup: To prevent your feet from moving around in your dress shoes (flip-flopping), get ones with a firm heel cup that will keep your feet stable.
Space for toes: Whatever you do, ensure you get shoes with space for your toes so that you don’t cause health problems for your feet.
Review of 10 Comfortable Dress Shoes Not Heels
1. NAOT Women’s Arataki Maryjane Flat
We’re opening our exquisite review with this pair of Naot sandals. It is an imported shoe made with leather materials all through.
The measurement of the heel is about 1.25″. That’s low without being too flat. The shoes provide you stable arch support and the Velcro straps keep your feet snugly fitted in the shoes.
The hoop and loop closure design at the shoes’ instep is a great plus for keeping you confident when you walk. The sole is also very light in weight.
You can wear these Velcro vandals on virtually any kind of dress. The footbed is made with latex and wrapped in suede which takes up the shape of your feet in a short time.
The shoes feature a hand-sewn Strobel construction that gives it a flexible, sturdy, and durable finish. This shoe has been reviewed to check all the boxes, and that’s why we highly recommend it for you.
- The shoes come in a neutral color that you can rock on virtually any dress.
- They are highly versatile shoes.
- The shoes have removable footbeds.
- They are quite expensive.
Fit As Expected: 80%
Durability: The shoes have polyurethane soles that give it extra durability.
2. Cole Haan Women’s Emory Bow Wedge (40mm) Pump
Let’s look at Cole Haan, shall we? This is a simple wedge. But simple doesn’t mean ordinary. You can hardly describe these leather shoes with a durable rubber sole and 100% padded footbed as ordinary.
There’s no fear of high heels for you here because the heels measure only about 0.5″. The upper is made of synthetic materials and smooth leather.
It also rocks a front bow and branded detail that will amplify your dress. The fully padded footbed makes for a high amount of comfort and a safe haven for your feet whether you’re at work or at a party.
Looking for the perfect dress shoes that can give you the elegant feeling of wearing heels without actually wearing heels, these are your new best friends!
- The shoes have an excellent waterproof upper.
- They’re great for comfort when standing for long hours at work.
- They have excellent arch support.
- The shoes may run small, so go up a size.
Fit As Expected: 76%
Durability: These are trusted shoes with rubber or flocked outsole and polyurethane midsole
3. Dansko Women’s Liliana Wedge
This slip-on from Dansko is the perfect workday shoes. They will fit with your dresses easily, and guess what, you won’t have to sacrifice your comfort or health for that to happen.
They have leather uppers and rubber sole, easy to wear design, and removable footbed so that you can insert your own orthotics if need be.
The soft textile linings and memory foam of the shoe provide comfort for your feet all day long. It also features a comfort-optimized tuck board with latex foam.
- The shoes have notched vamp that prevents binding.
- The arch support is superb.
- They may run large in size.
Fit As Expected: 57%
Durability: These exquisite shoes are highly durable as they’re made for constant wear. The leather materials used in constructing them make sure of their durability, as does the strong rubber sole.
4. Cole Haan Women’s OriginalGrand Stitchlite Wingtip Oxford
Wingtip Oxford is quite an elegant shoe. Available in a whopping ten color schemes, this shoe is built with synthetic materials and the upper is very breathable and comfortable.
The shoe’s construction is very innovative and it’s quite comfortable, especially for people who have sensitive skin.
The shoe’s outsole helps with improving the walking motion, and the lacing system of the shoe is very easy to use. The shoe’s footbed is the comfortable EVA footbed.
The shoe is an imported one, so it might be worth it if you consult the size chart of the manufacturer to try and deduce what size would actually be yours.
- The shoes are very versatile, as they go with either a formal dress or a more casual one.
- The shoe is very comfortable and needs a little breaking in time once you have gotten your size.
- Some customers complained that the shoe was too big.
Fit As Expected: 62%
Durability: The shoe is well cushioned with the Grand OS technology for better durability.
5. Naturalizer Women’s Emiline Loafer Flat Slip-On
The Emiline loafer is a perfect cross between an innately feminine style and a lot of comfort in every step.
The patented N5 contour provides you with a lot of arch support and also adds to the comfort level the shoes give.
With a minimalist style that will appeal to you, this shoe’s synthetic sole is quite tough and sturdy. The shoe fits like a glove and the solid, compact low heel will provide cushioning and absorb the shock of walking.
- The shoes are very well priced.
- The versatility of the shoe was lauded by some customers.
- The shoe needs little or no break in time, straight out of the box.
- The shoe sometimes runs narrow, so it’s better to order a half size up at the very least.
- Some customers complained about the width not being true to size.
Fit As Expected: 67%
Durability: The shoe’s synthetic sole is very tough and provides a lot of cushioning and shock absorption.
6. Dansko Women’s Fynn Mary Janes
The Dansko Mary Jane is a shoe that is made with good quality leather that is constructed on a synthetic sole.
The sole of the shoe is rugged and gives you confidence about being able to wear the shoe on almost any terrain.
The shoe also has soft linings that give you comfort anytime you put on the shoe. The shoe’s footbed is removable, so you are able to insert your own custom orthotic, should you need to. But if you decide to go with the shoe’s footbed, it is an EVA model that guarantees great arch support and good cushioning.
- A lot of customers lauded the comfortable wearing experience the shoe provides.
- The shoe’s good arch support was also lauded.
- Some customers complained about the shoe being too wide.
Fit As Expected: 78%.
Durability: The shoes have a very durable and resilient rubber outsole
7. Womens Sorel Joanie II Lace Webbing Open Toe Cut Out Wedge Heel Sandals
These stylish and classy shoes are built upon a synthetic sole that is tough and ready to battle different terrains.
The shoe’s construction is very eye-catching and with the statement straps of the shoes, you’ll turn heads from the get-go.
Made with full-grain leather, this shoe is very comfortable and has an EVA footbed that helps with comfort all day long.
The shoe is also very versatile and it can be used for nearly any outing, and it’s guaranteed to still make you look classy and elegant.
- The shoe is a very comfortable fit.
- The shoe has a very trendy look.
- Some customers complained about the packaging of the shoe, that sometimes their shoes were delivered to them a bit dirty.
Fit As Expected: 87%
Durability: The shoe’s outsole, just like the rest of the shoe is very stylish but is also durable as it has extra traction to help you walk across many terrains.
8. Cobb Hill Women’s Aubrey
The Aubrey is a high-quality leather shoe that is built on a rubber sole. The shoe has an adjustable buckle that allows you to adjust how tight you want the buckle to be at the ankle.
Wearing the shoe is a very comfortable experience, mainly because of the EVA footbed that is installed in the shoe.
The heel height is medium-low and that helps you if you do not like wearing high heels, but want a little elevation on your shoes.
- The shoe has an easy to use adjustable ankle strap.
- The shoe is very comfortable to wear.
- The heel quality of the shoe can be better.
Fit As Expected: 81%
Durability: The rubber sole of the shoe is very durable
9. André Assous Women’s Florence Espadrille Wedge Sandal
This wedge sandal is made with good quality leather that is supported by a durable rubber sole. The sole of the shoe is very resilient and will not get damaged very easily.
The shoe is imported, so you might have to check the manufacturer’s size chart to find a size to fit you.
The heel of the shoe is very supportive also, and will not give you problems. It’s about 2.75 inches and a very well padded leather insole forms the feet seat of the shoe.
The leather insole, as you can guess, makes wearing the shoe both comfortable and gives it a feeling of having a customized fit.
The shoe’s upper is hand-woven and is of the highest quality construction that speaks class about the wearer.
- The sandal is available in 4 colors: Cuero, navy, silver, and black.
- The leather insole of the shoe makes it very comfortable to wear.
- The quality of the shoe’s Velcro strap can be improved upon.
Fit As Expected: 80%
Durability: The padded leather insole of the shoe makes it more comfortable and durable.
10. Gravity Defyer Proven Pain Relief Women’s G-Defy Mighty Walk
The Women’s G-Defy Mighty Walk is a shoe that has a very good interior, one that is specially made for women with sensitive feet.
The construction is seamless and it especially helps women with diabetic neuropathy.
The shoe also has removable insoles to allow for a more customized fit and it features the patented VersoShock Technology that helps you absorb shock from walking and converts that shock into renewed positive energy.
The fore sole of the shoes features a front rocker sole that helps relieve and prevent plantar fasciitis. The toe box of the shoe is also very roomy.
- The shoe supports removable insoles
- The shoe’s toe box is very roomy
- The shoe has extra depth for comfort
- Some customers complained about the shoe’s arch support.
Fit As Expected: 79%
Durability: The shoe’s VersoShock technology that absorbs walking shock makes the shoe very durable.
How Heels Strain Your Feet and Cause Problems
Wearing heeled shoes can cause problems to your feet. Some of them are:-
Feet Bruises: Heeled shoes can bruise your ankle and soles. When they are too tight or have pointed toes, they can cause your toes to peel and become very painful.
Strain in Your Ankle: When you wear heels with your dress too often, you’ll put a strain on your calf muscle and ankle.
Lower Back, Neck, and Shoulder Pain: Because of the overuse of your muscles, as you try to lift your heels, your center of gravity gets shifted forward and gives you pain in the lower back.
Posture Distortion: Heeled shoes make you shift your body weight to the front of your feet. Your natural posture is then distorted because you have to be able to adapt to the strain that high heels put on your body.
Hammer Toes: Hammertoes form when your toes bend downward permanently. In trying to carry your body weight, this can occur and give you pain, not to talk of the distortion that can be permanent.
Pain in the bottom of the foot: Your foot has its natural cushioning that can wear away when you use heeled shoes excessively. This will result in a lot of pain at the bottom of the feet.
FAQs for Shoes to Wear with Dresses Besides Heels
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions in public discussions about the comfortable shoes to wear with dresses besides heels. We try to cover all the appropriate answer related to these questions,
Is It Better to Wear Loose or Tight Shoes with Dresses?
Neither loose nor tight shoes are good. When your shoes are too tight, you will feel uncomfortable and can even bring foot injuries to yourself.
In the same vein, when your shoes are too loose, you’ll be forced to drag them and walk with less confidence. The best shoes to wear with dresses are well-fitted shoes.
What Shoes are Most Comfortable?
The most comfortable shoes are sandals and slippers with good arch support and low heels. Mules are also very comfortable with dresses. And more importantly, you don’t have to lose your love for style.
How Do You Not Wear Heels with a Dress?
If you’re not going to wear heels with dresses, you can wear other shoes that will give you as super a style as heels will do.
There are many shoes that make you look elegant, powerful, and confident. We have reviewed many of them above. All you need to do is shop carefully.
Time to Look Good!
Heels are not the best for your health. The strain that they cause on the muscles are truly not worth the stress. If your heels are killing your feet, you won’t be able to pretend for long that you’re comfortable.
The remedy is to trade your heels for comfortable dress shoes that will have low to moderate heels. These are the best, and you won’t lose your elegance one bit.
