I have searched FAR AND WIDE for the most comfortable shoes (that also look cute) for those who are on their feet all day at work. This post is actually a YEAR in the making because I wanted to make sure I left no stone left unturned.
I’m a wedding photographer and most of my job involves sitting my booty in an office chair all day while my body deconditions. But on the weekends when I have weddings I’m on my feet for 8-12 hours straight! We typically have 30 minutes to scarf dinner down, but other than that it’s go go go. It’s a lot of work and my feet have started to get very fussy in my “old age” (I’m almost 30 😂).
Last year I made it my mission to find shoes that were:
Comfortable
Stylish
Well made
Affordable
I tried Rothy’s. I’m sad to share that they let me down BIG TIME.
I loved how they looked, but hated how they felt. There seems to be a Rothy’s craze sweeping the wedding industry, and I honestly can’t understand why. Their flats have ZERO cushion and the fabric is so rough to the touch. You might as well be walking barefoot with thick scratchy socks on. I found more comfortable flats at TARGET that cost about 1/5th of the price (I’ll share below).
About my feet–They’re picky. I have SKY HIGH arches and wear inserts in my shoes, so I like having close-toed shoes while I’m working. I also have a wide toe bed and a normal/skinny heel, so typically pointy shoes aren’t very comfortable for my little toe. I also appreciate shoes that are breathable and have cushion.
Now that you know too much about me 🤪 let’s jump right in.
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They are actually orthopedic shoes and have cushion for DAYS! I have had a few pairs of Fitflops for over a year now and they’re still holding up well. They are on the more expensive end of the spectrum, but they’re completely worth it! There’s no break-in period and when you sign up for their newsletter you get 20% off, so you can easily snag a pair for less than $100!
*I wear a 6.5 typically and that’s also what I wear in Fitflop shoes. If they only come in whole sizes, I size down to 6.*
These shoes are like walking on clouds.
They have a ton of options and they come in different shades as well. I prefer black or brown shoes for weddings, so that’s what I pictured here. Here are some of my favorites:
1.Leather ballet flat in Hazelnut
2. Leather ballet flat in Black
3. Crinkle-patent ballet flat in All Black
4. Leather Slingbacks in All Black
5. Leather Slingbacks in Hazelnut
6. Crinkle-patent superballet flat in Black
7. Leather lace-up derbies in Light Tan
8. Knot leather loafers in All Black
9. Lace-up boat style shoes in Black
10. Leather sneakers in All Black
11. Leather sneakers in Black and White
13. Closed-toe leather sandals in Black
14. Weave leather closed-toe sandals in All Black
Or shop here:
A Runner-Up brand that I tried and liked was Vionic. They are also orthopedic shoes, but at the time (last Summer) they didn’t have a ton of cute options. They definitely had that orthopedic “look.” BUT I noticed recently that they have added so many cute styles to their line! Last summer I tried one of their ballet flats and did like them. These are great shoes for people with high arches since they have more of a structured arch in their shoes. I usually wear arch inserts from the Good Feet Store, but I didn’t need them with the Vionic shoes.
Here are some favorites:
1. Point ballet flat in Macaroon Leather
2. Savannah flat in Black Suede
3. Point ballet flat in Black Leather
4. Shiny-patent Adina lace-up shoe in Beige
5. Caroll ballet flat in Black
6. Savannah flat in Rose Suede
7. Slip-on flat in Black Suede
8. Perforated design flat in Toffee
9. Peony heeled sandal in Black Leather
10. Weather resistant ankle boot in Black
11. Serena low-heel ankle bootie in Black
12. Clara ankle boots in Black Leather
Or shop here:
Last, but not least– I found a comfy pair of cheap flats at Target this season! Now, I don’t expect them to last as long as my other shoes, and they might not get me through an entire wedding pain-free, but they are cute, they have cushion, and they’re not too pointy for my feet! I’ll probably just wear these every day, not at weddings, but it could be an option if $80-$120 shoes aren’t in your budget right now.
Or shop here:
(PS next week I’m sharing my favorite outfits for photographing weddings!)
Shop my shoes here:
Did you like this content? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to pin this for later! And heck, send this post to all of your friends who have standing jobs!
xoxo, Allison
Allison Jeffers is a photographer and educator serving sweet couples and helping other creative entrepreneurs reach their goals. She specializes in wedding photography, elopements, and proposals as well as Bridal and Engagement portraits in Texas. She is available for travel worldwide and has her passport ready!
I was so glad to see your review on Rothys. I bought a pair for wedding season after seeing all of the amazing recommendations, but my feet KILL for an entire day after a wedding in them! I was starting to think I was alone in my suffering. 😂
Nope, you’re not alone! They’re definitely AWFUL LOL.