I have been keeping this list of stylish but comfortable women’s shoes for some years. In that time, brands have come and gone and Hotter dominated the High Street.
But I have a new fav and it is Sole Bliss who have been on this list for a while but who have pivoted their business over the pandemic to include a new range of fashionable, chunky trainers. These are an absolute game changer and their wedges and boots are worth a look too. Click HERE
Is this still the definitive list of stylish but comfortable women’s shoes or do you have some more favourites to add?
1. Marks & Spencer
Comfortable shoes in smart designs at reasonable prices. A recent search of the website appears to show that they have dropped the Footglove branding in favour of a wider shoe category. http://www.marksandspencer.com
2. Hotter
Hotter shoes are made by a family company in Lancashire and are all about “delivering comfort and style”. Having only been available online, Hotter had until recently been opening more and more shops. I had the chance to try out a pair of Hotter’s Valettas and was impressed by both their comfort and style. http://www.hotter.com/gb/en
3. FitFlops
Recommended to me by a friend awaiting a foot operation, FitFlops are part of the new wave of footwear promising exercise whilst you walk. FitFlop sandals wearers have apparently also reported relief from plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, chronic back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis, RLS (restless leg syndrome), scoliosis and degenerative disc disease. I’ve not tried them myself but they may be worth checking out if you have problem feet. http://www.fitflop.co.uk/
4. Wolky
This is a Dutch company (which now has a UK website) and its shoes are not cheap – but they are by far the most fashionable range of designs I have seen for so-called “comfort” shoes (shouldn’t they all be?!). And their boots look great too. https://www.wolkyshop.co.uk/
5. Josef Seibel
Shoes which I am told are “stylish – no good for wearing with a floaty summer skirt, but look great with a denim or cord skirt. Soooo comfortable too” http://www.josefseibel.co.uk/ They are also sold through other shoe retailers. They also sell men’s shoes.
6. Duo
Specialises in “well fitting shoes” and offers sizes 2-9 in 3 foot widths and 3 fitted boots styles available in foot size 2-9 and in up to 21 calf fittings http://www.duoboots.com/products/shoes/
7. Crocs
Love them or hate them http://www.crocs.co.uk/
8. Cinderella Shoes
An independent company run by Gina Hennessy which carries a variety of styles ranging from size 8½ – 12 and more importantly different width fittings. ww.cinderellashoes.ie
9. Camper
Hanna contacted me to say : “Having just bought myself a pair in the sale, I can highly recommend Camper shoes. They are expensive, but really comfortable and well made. I think they are fashionable enough to appeal to younger and older generations” http://www.camper.com/en
10. Chie Mihara
Kate Codrington via Facebook says: “I’d go for shoe genius Chie Mihara every time, e-bay or sales”
11. Clarks – High street veterans, Clarks have upped their game in the past couple of years also. They have a great range of widths and sizes. Check out the Clarks Plus dual density cushioning and their fantastic collaboration with Liberty’s http://www.clarks.co.uk/
12. Sargasso & Grey – Owner, Katie Owen contacted us about her business, Sargasso & Grey which specialises in high heels for wider feet. Worth checking out. https://sargassoandgrey.com/
13. Bells Shoes – Bells Shoes are a Derbyshire-based family business who they tell me stock a large collection of women’s wide-fitting & larger-sized shoes (up to size 16 UK) including many of the brands mentioned in this list such as Hotter, Josef Seibel, Clarks and Fitflops. Check them out here https://www.bellsshoes.co.uk/
14. Sole Bliss – Sole bliss were originally focussed on shoes with heels specifically designed for women with bunions. Featuring special technology and celebrity endorsement from Dr Dawn Harper. Their new chunky trainers and boots are a game changer https://solebliss.com/
15. Calla – Also aimed at women with bunions, Calla was started by Jennifer Bailey, a bunion sufferer of the last 20 years and a serial hunter of stylish shoes to wear for special occasions. Unlike regular wide fitting shoes, Calla footwear is wide in the toe box, but standard in the heel. Take a look here https://callashoes.co.uk/
So, is the ultimate list or have we missed some? Would you add ECCO or Moshulu for example? Is there an independent shoe shop or boutique doing a great job out there? Where did you buy your favourite pair of shoes from? Let us know.