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Forget diamonds: shoes are a girl’s best friend. There are endless styles to choose from, and often, a good pair of shoes is the pièce de résistance of any good outfit. While we love the best sneakers and boots, one piece of footwear will forever have our hearts (and pockets): heels. Just as versatile as any shoe, a pair of heels offers a certain level of confidence to the wearer while elevating one’s look no matter the occasion, from a casual brunch date to a fancy soirée. But there’s a new category of shoes we’re most happy to see on our radar, and that’s the most comfortable heels you can imagine. We’re talking all your favorite styles — stilettos, wedges, mules — but tailor made to provide comfort instead of pain.
Right now, a certain style of shoe is trending — Zendaya’s pump of choice — for being gorgeous and famously uncomfortable (so much so that people question whether you can train your feet to wear those high heels). But you can get Zendaya’s classic-pump look in a way that protects your feet from pain. Try Cole Haan’s Grand Ambition pumps that come with a supportive, anatomically-contoured footbed to pad each step. Sarah Flint offers a stylish pair of pumps featuring arch support and extra footbed padding. And finally, Tamara Mellon’s Pillow Top ankle-strap pumps boast an insole with 8mm of high-density foam.
Clearly, more brands are defying the “fashion is pain” stereotype, creating comfortable yet stylish heels like never before. And these comfortable heels aren’t just regulated to the low-heel shoe variety. The most comfortable designer heels are having a moment. Think Bottega Veneta’s mesh sandals that have dominated the market for nearly four years or the the “ugly” yet snug shoe trend that has seen a resurgence on our social media feed.
And there’s also a resurgence in the most comfortable heels for weddings and other fancy outings. Shoppers are opting for strappy heels by designer Amina Muaddi for parties or platform sandals by Flor de Maria for date night. Even in the corporate sector, the most comfortable heels for work are offering more variety than ever with brands like Aerosoles, Everlane, and Sarah Flint. Consider this your sign to trade in your favorite stilettos and power pumps for thick mules and lower heel heights this season.
Ahead, we’ve curated some of the best shoes that are innovative in silhouette without causing blisters. Seriously, if you’re looking for the most comfortable heels for standing all day, look no further. Whether you’re on the hunt for a sexy sandal for a summer wedding or the perfect pair of slingbacks for long days at the office, keep scrolling to shop our top picks.