32 Comments
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Pola's avatar

Birkenstocks and Vans sneakers are the only horse’s shoes I rely on.

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Marina Cooley's avatar

Which Vans?

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Pola's avatar

Authentic

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Christina Cardy, DNP's avatar

I love vans, but they haven’t been the most durable for me. They always die of sole separation before I’m ready to retire them.

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Jenn Cohen's avatar

An investment, but as a mom to a 3 and 5 year old, my days of super high heels are temporarily (maybe permanently?!) over. I love these sling backs for height that I can still run around in: Check out the Modellerie Pointed Toe Slingback Pump from Nordstrom: https://www.nordstrom.com/s/7988766?color=001&size=5us%20/%2035eu. I love them so much I may have them in three colors!

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Marina Cooley's avatar

Those are breathtakingly beautiful. I mean how elegant!!

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Christina Cardy, DNP's avatar

So sleek!

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Courtney Peters's avatar

My workhouse shoes are:

Rothy's Driver- I did 15k plus days in Montreal in them and best of all could wash them after the trip- https://rothys.com/products/the-driver-latte

Coach Sienna Slide- I have these in white and black and they are my workhorse work shoe- sadly they don't make them anymore but I've gotten the white ones resoled (highly recommend doing this with your nicer shoes that you love!!)- https://poshmark.com/listing/Coach-Sienna-Leather-Loafer-Slides-with-Gold-Logo-Accent-6863008649e17bebcd60f23b

Crocs- Wear these around the house, yard, and beach- love that you can hose them off- https://www.crocs.com/p/classic-clog/10001.html?cgid=women-footwear-clogs&cid=5CI

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Marina Cooley's avatar

I have a pair of the original Rothys and they would be my go to walking shoes - but they give me no height and that keeps them from being perfect.

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Courtney Peters's avatar

Totally understand! I’m tall so all my go to’s are flats.

Phoning a friend who wears heels every.single.day to work- even when she was 8 months pregnant! Will see if I get any recommendations to share for the group

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Lily's avatar

I agree with Afoma about the Tevas! I also laughed when Bailey put ‘court shoes’ in quote marks - here in the UK that style of heeled shoe is called a court shoe!

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Marina Cooley's avatar

That made me chuckle! I need something called a “lecture shoe”.

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Lesley's avatar

Realized one

More I forgot! I also love this brand Steffies smarter heels. I have 2 pairs of the Landmark in both black and beige and these are seriously comfy but look great with pants and dresses and feel like walking on clouds! https://steffies.us/products/space

Love they are a woman owned and created brand as well!

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David Sacerdote's avatar

What a great conversation starter! That was a wonderful read. I felt like I was in the room with women talking. Right now at home, I'm surrounded by my wife and her daughter and 3 of her daughter's girlfriends and I'm loving the conversation. I have always found the company of men and their conversation to be a bit boring.

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Tracy Bech's avatar

Taos and Softt are great brands and I have some white platform Tevas that are cute and super comfy.

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Suzie Morrel's avatar

My black loafers from Jamie Haller are my go-to, walk anywhere, shoes:

https://shop-jamiehaller.com/products/the-penny-loafer-in-black

After a terrible case of plantar fasciitis, I really don't wear any heels anymore, but these are a lower heel and have been comfortable for me to wear. I probably wouldn't walk 10K in them though!

https://www.mytheresa.com/us/en/women/souliers-martinez-nova-tarragona-leather-slingback-pumps-beige-p00888497

I'm also a fan of oofos, and wear them constantly in the summer around the house and going out on errands. Something I learned from my PT was the importance of wearing shoes when at home!

Edited to add these Taos sandals that I bought on final sale last year and have been amazingly comfortable. Really the only sandal I feel I can walk miles in!

https://taosfootwear.com/collections/sandals/products/trophy-2

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Bri Grosvenor's avatar

I'm 5'2" so I like to have a little height too, especially in a professional setting. BUT I recently traveled on a work trip and packed some nude kitten heels, and after the first day in the office I ended up wearing my Adidas sneakers. I felt so much more confident in them, it was amazing. I'm officially a sneakers with dresses in the office person. I think you should try it too!

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Cynthia's avatar

I can vouch for the Gazelles! I’ve taken them on multiple trips for the last 3 years including the cobblestones of Portugal and they are about to head to Italy. I have them in a cream suede color so they go with everything. I’m going to get the maroon color this fall. A true workhorse for vacation wear. I’m about to put the Olsen twins viral sandal to the test:

https://www.whowhatwear.com/fashion/olsen-teva-infinity-flip-flop-review

I’m a shorty (5’1”) and I wish I could make heels work more as I age, especially in the professional setting. I have an older version of the Sorrel Kinetic sandal but it can rub my foot after 7,000ish steps https://www.sorel.com/p/kinetic-impact-y-strap-high-womens-wedge-sandal-2030461.html. I am still on the hunt for the perfect black block heel pump.

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Lesley's avatar
7dEdited

Ooh I love this workhorse series! I definitely have some favorites.

Favorite white tennis shoes:

Freda Salvador d’orsay sneakers. Have the white and have loved them for years. Soft supple leather, go with both casual or you can wear them with dresses and in my opinion super comfy and well made!

https://fredasalvador.com/products/eda-white-calf

Any sandal by Beek. Are they pricey yes but again the leather is buttery soft and they are great quality. I have the finch and other styles and have never purchased a pair I didn’t like!

https://www.beekshop.com/products/finch-rose-gold-tan-1

Best wedges hands down the Sorel Cameron Wedge sandals. Saw another person talking about how comfy they are and immediately added to cart on Amazon. After wearing them to work one day ordered the other colors! I have both black and camel and these are one of the most comfy ones I own!

https://a.co/d/aFEoHBt

For boots I bought these last winter and was not disappointed! So comfy, goes with both jeans and dressy outfits and I can walk without any pain for hours!

https://inez.com/products/paz70-ginger-suede

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Kelsey's avatar

I haven’t even read this article yet, but I have been waiting for the shoe workhorses post!! Thank you! ☺️

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Kathleen's avatar

I’m a mom to 4 under 5 including twin 6 month old girls and get in 12-15k steps on a daily basis. I’ve just discovered Rothys and LOVE them. I’ve got the slip on sneakers, flip flop sandal and platform sandal and they are easily my favourite shoes.

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Kathleen's avatar

Check these out if you’re looking for height - https://rothys.com/en-ca/products/platform-sandal-wren-whipstitch

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Marina Cooley's avatar

Kathleen - I am going to get these! They are on sale for $99. But it’s final sale so 2 questions if you don’t mind, if I’m between 7 and 7.5 would you say true to size and get my regular size? I do have a wider foot.

Most importantly: are they light?

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Margaret Shupe's avatar

Not OP but these have become a summer workhorse for me this year. These are definitely light. I’m a wider foot gal and between a 7.5 and 8 and got a 7.5 in these and they’ve been perfect.

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Kathleen's avatar

I actually sized up. I’m usually 9.5 but got a 10 in my shoes because of my wide foot. I find them light! I’m also 5 10 though so not sure if that makes a difference?? (Not sure if being taller makes a difference?)

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Afoma Umesi's avatar

Sooo eyeing the Adidas Gazelles now! That color is so cute and the Ferragamo shoes + Bailey’s court shoes! 🤩

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Lisa English's avatar

Agree with Bailey on the foot doc and barefoot recommendation.. I too have the Oofos and love them!

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Marina Cooley's avatar

Do you wear them out to run errands or are they primarily “home” shoes…more like a slipper?

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Lisa English's avatar

Both. At home yes but mine have a fun pattern so I can run to Wegmans in them. Casual.

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Marina Cooley's avatar

Weggies! Greatest of all time.

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