So long, heels! Here are the shoes our MNers are wearing with work dresses these days

Bid adieu to the days of sore feet and cramped toes at work. It’s 2024 and these days, Mumsnet users are ditching the heels and choosing lower, more comfortable footwear that still look stylish when paired with a dress. 

And while trainers are comfy, they might not always cut it in the workplace. Plus let’s face it, they’re not always great with dresses and they’re not a popular choice for many users on our boards, as FatLarrysBanned confirms: “I can’t get on board with the trainers at work look.”

Related: Five of the best black trousers for work our MNers rate

So, we’re here to help you find the best shoes you can wear with dresses at work, including sleek loafers and chic flats, that strike a perfect balance between professionalism and practicality. 

"I find them more supportive than ballet pumps… I am slightly evangelical about them." Marchingonagain

Allbirds Women's Tree Breezers, £105 | Buy now from Allbirds

SnapdragonToadflax added: “I tend to wear shirt dresses or similar in summer, with ballet flats - these are really comfy.”

“I really like these... would be really nice with the dress linked upthread, if open toes are acceptable", MotherWol

anonymous Sanni 20, £155 | Buy now from anonymous

“I like a low block heel slingback or Mary Jane", mdinbc

Sam Edelman Teana Slingback Loafers, £136 | Buy now from John Lewis

"I wear my Dr Martens with everything but I would not take fashion advice from me 😁", BeReet

Dr. Martens 1460 Pascal Virginia Leather Boots, £170 | Buy now from Dr. Martens

“I like a pointed toe flat or small heel”, JaceLancs

Jones Bootmaker Sunstone Leather Court Shoes, £89 | Buy now from Jones Bootmaker

“These . No they aren't leather, but they are incredibly cheap, seemingly indestructible, very very comfortable..." Icedlatteplease

Uniqlo Comfeel Touch Loafers, £39.90 | Buy now from Uniqlo

Icedlatteplease adds: "I've walked miles and miles in them literally and they go with everything. And they are lazy to take on and off.”

“It depends on the type of dress but in the summer I used to like a driving style shoe for work, something similar to these…” ThisHonestQuail

Jones Bootmaker Suede Slip On Loafers, £89 | Buy now from M&S

“And these are my staples in the winter, or even very formal summer meetings”, ThisHonestQuail

CLICK Black Leather Loafers by Carvela Comfort, £139 | Buy now from Carvela

“I wear black Chelsea boots most of the time, have three pairs, one very chunky, which are longer (go up to mid calf, these were cheapish, Zara) and two less chunky/lower (both Tracey Nuels)”, idratherbedrawing

Tracey Nuels GEORGE Smoke Leather Chelsea, £325 | Buy now from Tracey Nuels

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she commissions, writes, and edits to bring parents content designed to make life easier. After birthing and breastfeeding two babies in two years, Rebecca knows how hard it can be to prioritise yourself. So, she’s on a quest to find the best style and beauty products, with the help of Mumsnet user recommendations. 

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog up and down country lanes.

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