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Truly, women are magnificent creatures. And, nearly as magnificent as them are their footwear options, or rather the sheer variety available.
We could go on and on about the different types of footwear that women have at their disposal. Heels, flats, platforms, flatforms, boots, espadrilles or slippers, there are so many! With all this variety, the good thing here is that you don’t have to compromise on style if you’re looking for comfort and vice versa.
If both style and comfort are important factors for you, you are in the right place.
Pumps
Typically, when we say ‘heels’, we imagine a sky-high pair of stilettos. While they are really glamorous and eye-catchy to look at, their thin, high pencil heel can be quite painful. A solid alternative for these death-on-heels are pumps.
Equally attractive with a comfortable heel height and built, you can stand on your feet all day long when you wear these. Pumps remain unmatched in terms of versatility too. They can do it all – whether you have a brunch, meeting, or a glitzy event to attend!
Wedges
There are several ladies who love adding a few inches to their height using shoes with heels, but they are not very comfortable with pencil heels. So, this puts pumps and, especially, stilettos out of the question.
A much more comfortable alternative to these heels are wedges. They have a single piece of material that serves as the heel as well as the sole. They are way thicker and hence, give you a much sturdier base when you stand.
Even in terms of color combinations and styles, wedges are available in a wide range.
Gladiator Sandals or Boots
When you describe a specific type of footwear ‘gladiator’, it nearly always consists of several straps that run across the front of your foot. This footwear is extremely stylish, comfortable, and will leave an impact no matter where you wear it. You can select either the boots or sandals version as the basic style remains the same.
Running Shoes
Even though running shoes are not exactly gender-specific, running shoes for women deserve a mention on our list of the most stylish and comfortable footwear for women.
Keeping in mind the needs of women, shoe manufacturers design these shoes to ensure it stays super comfortable against your feet. They have a soft sole in addition to adequate cushioning to prevent any injuries while you exercise or run. However, you should always take care to make sure that this size fits you properly to prevent any potential slips and falls.
Ballerina Flats
We will take the liberty and call the ballerina flats the Queen of all comfortable yet stylish footwear options for women. Whether you call them ballet flats or dolly shoes, ballerinas look extremely cute with their closed-toe and thin heels. In fact, the heel is nearly non-existent in most of the styles.
Platforms
There are many women who confuse the platforms with pumps. Well, we really can’t blame them as at first glance they do tend to look similar. However, platforms have really thick sole ranging from 3 to 10 cm.
Having said this, we won’t really recommend platforms if you are a bit clumsy. You see, as the heel is very high in comparison to the ball of the foot, you need to be careful when you are in them to avoid hurting yourself.
Oxfords
Oxfords are the perfect combination of formality and informality. Pair them up with skirts, pantsuits, or dresses. You’ll score major fashion points either way!
Close-laced, having a little heel height or being completely flat are typical characteristics of oxfords. The versions that have heel height look very similar to booties as well. It’s just that the former will have laces with some intricate detailing on the upper.
Mules
If you walk a lot but don’t want to wear flats, mules might be your best option. These keep your feet protected with a comfortable heel to give you a more elevated appearance. They are mostly minimalistic and made out of leather to last for a long, long time.
Trainers
Yes, even though we have mentioned running shoes, they are not trainers. Trainers are more fashion-oriented whereas, running shoes are better suited for performing exercises or running on tracks.
Also called sneakers, trainers are undoubtedly one of the most comfortable shoes that you can bless your feet with. They have a more sporty appearance and can include detailing such as embroidered appliqués or color blocking.
Mary Janes
Mary Janes typically have a low-cut, closed strap across the instep. Generally, there’s a single strap running across, but there might be two at times too. This is a very popular footwear choice among American women and is also referred to as the doll shoes or bar shoes.
Boots
Boots again are a very common choice among women across the world. You can get ankle boots, thigh-high boots, or knee-high boots depending on what you prefer and how you would want to style yourself. These are definitely extremely durable being made up of sturdy materials that can last decade after decade.
It is also not important for you to only stick to boots that have a heel height. Flat boots are also quite popular among young as well as aged ladies because of the protection it offers.
Takeaway Thoughts
There are a lot of options for women in terms of footwear that are both, uber-stylish and comfy – as you can see from the list above. If you do want to grab yourself a similar pair, just remember to make a careful decision when you go shoe shopping next.
Always try on both the shoes to understand how it feels against your skin. In addition to this, find out the return policy of the store so that you don’t have to be stuck with a pair that leaves you feeling uncomfortable or causes blisters. After all, going that extra mile for the safety and comfort of your feet isn’t something you’ll mind.
Resources – GrabOn, PopOptiq
