10 Best Flat Shoes For Work
When it comes to office footwear, flat shoes can’t be beat. They’re (usually, at least in my experience) the least fussy and most comfortable option. Flat shoes are what you’ll find me wearing to work the majority of the time, because thankfully, I don’t need to wear pumps or anything with heels! (I do love low-heeled boots, though. And you may or may not consider shoes with platforms “flat”, but those can work for the office, too!)
If you commute by foot and/or walk or stand around a lot during your work day (or enjoy walking breaks), flat shoes will keep you comfortable and supported. Even if you’re like me and sit at a desk for the majority of the day, flat shoes make the perfect work shoe. Below, I rounded up 10 of the best flat shoes for work, no matter which season you’re dressing for!
READ NEXT: 12 of the Best Summer Work Shoes
10 Best Flat Shoes For Work
I’m excited to dive into the world of flat shoes with you! Read on to find out if wearing flat shoes to work is appropriate, a list of my personal 10 best flat shoes for work along with shopping widgets, and a roundup of 14 outfit ideas showing how to style a variety of flat shoes for work. There are so many styles of flat shoes; there’s sure to be something that works for you!
Is Wearing Flat Shoes To Work Appropriate?
I honestly can’t think of a job where flat shoes aren’t work-appropriate! In some cases, like in a lab, you need to always wear closed-toe shoes…but there are plenty of closed-toe flat shoes you can wear. (As a former equestrian, I must also mention that you should always ride horses with heeled shoes! They help keep your feet in the proper position in the stirrups/prevent them from going through the stirrups.)
Flat shoes are definitely common in office environments (a.k.a. cubicle land), which is what my workplace looks like. I like a good pair of heeled boots in the fall and winter, and might wear pumps if I’m attending or hosting an event or conference, but otherwise…you’ll find me wearing one of my many pairs of flat shoes. Comfort wins!
What Are The Best Flat Shoes For Work?
Sandals
I own a wide variety of flat sandals that I’ve worn to work! They range from super casual (slightly fancier flip-flops) to somewhat dressy (embellished). I am partial to my many pairs of Everlane Day crossover sandals. They don’t offer any foot support, so I don’t recommend them for lots of walking, but simple leather sandals like that are perfect for the workplace.
Look for sandals made with high quality materials (such as leather or suede) and minimal details. If you’re short like me, a flatform sandal is a great option; you’ll add some height (helpful if your pants are long) but without the pain of a heel. Keep your eyes peeled for sandals with foot support if you commute by foot.
Ballet Flats
Ballet flats are a super common and classic flat work shoe; even though they are considered classic, little details change every few years, like the shape of the toe box and type of embellishments (bows, for example). I prefer wearing almond- or pointed-toe ballet flats, but I remember when round-toe was was super popular.
I’m personally not a fan of the square-toe trend that’s been more common these past few years, but you might be! I recommend purchasing more than one pair in a style you like (in case you worry about the trends changing, ha). If they’re worn frequently, the soles will break down faster, so I recommend having the soles reinforced by a cobbler to extend their life!
Mary Janes
Mary Jane shoes are a fun twist on a classic ballet flat. These shoes feature a strap that goes over the top of your foot. Sometimes, the strap is elastic (elastic straps can pinch), and sometimes, the strap is made from the same material as the shoe and buckles over the top (less pinchy but may or may not work for feet with high arches).
Mary Janes are perfect if you like to lean into your girly side. That little strap adds a touch of extra elegance. It also provides some more security so you’re less likely to slip out of your shoes. Try a new style or material, like mesh (popular right now!), denim, or velvet! I rounded up a bunch of fun Mary Jane options below.
Mules
Mules are a great flat shoe option if you don’t like the feeling of shoes at the back of your feet or if you just want something easy to slip on before you head out the door in the morning! Mules are essentially only the front half of (most commonly) a pair of loafers or a pair of ballet flats. You can find them in a variety of toe shapes, including pointed and almond.
If you’re like me, your feet may need some time to feel comfortable in ballet flats or loafers again after a summer of sandals or a winter of boots. I recommend mules if the backs of your heels need a break! I will say that sometimes mules can cut into the top of feet with high arches, and they can slip off pretty easily, so keep that in mind.
Loafers
I love loafers for work! They’re a classic shoe that is always in style even if there are slight variations from year to year and from decade to decade. When I first started blogging over 11 years ago, there were a lot of flat loafers (or loafers with a low heel) being worn. Now, lugsole loafers are much more common. Penny loafers are always on trend, no matter the sole!
If you’re on your feet a lot during the workday, look for a loafer with more support through the feet and with a thicker sole to separate yourself from solid ground. I do recommend leather loafers over faux leather if that’s in your budget because it’s more supple and less likely to dig uncomfortably. I’ve owned my black leather Vince Camuto loafers since April 2014!
Oxford Shoes
If you’re looking for a flat shoe for work that looks like an elevated sneaker, oxford shoes are for you! They add a masculine edge to any of your work outfits to give you that extra boost of confidence (you know what I mean… they’ll help you channel the confidence of a mediocre white man 😉). Wear them with thin socks and/or tights to prevent chafing.
A lot of oxford shoes also feature the classic wingtip detail along the toe box! If that’s not your thing, there are plenty of oxford shoes that have a sleek appearance with none of the extra details around the toes. Like with many of the other flat shoes I shared, most oxford shoes are flat with maybe a very slight heel, but you can also find them with a lug sole.
Sneakers
I love wearing a trusty pair of sneakers to work so much that I rounded up a bunch of casual workwear outfits with sneakers to inspire you, too! I’m partial to my white sneakers, which are very old and long sold out. They’re so comfy, though—make sure to also find a pair of sneakers that hug your feet and provide arch support, especially if you’re on your feet a lot!
Sneakers come in all shapes and styles, it seems, and the trends seem to be a little less glaring. For example, Veja sneakers have continued to be popular for years, and classic dad shoes never really went away. I personally love my Allbirds sneakers for maximum comfort during work OR travel, and they’re also machine washable. Of course, Converse are always wonderful.
Chelsea Boots
There are so many flat boot options that you can wear to work in a fall and winter, but I think my favorite is the chelsea boot. These boots feature either a thin and flat or a thicker lug sole and a shaft that hits above the ankle bone. Most chelsea boots (including my favorite pair) have a very short heel that feels barely noticeable.
Chelsea boot toe shapes range from round to almond to pointed (and probably square, too, but I personally am not a fan of that toe shape, haha). I especially love wearing mine with jeans (cropped jeans that hit at the top of the boot or longer, wider jeans that cover the top) and with looser work pants, like paperbag pants. They’re versatile, three-season shoes for me.
Lug Sole Boots
You may not consider lug sole boots to be flat because of the platform, but I am including them here because there are plenty of lug sole boots that don’t involve a noticeable heel. They’re basically like wearing flat shoes…except they have better grip on the soles for inclement weather! They also give you extra height (if you’re short!) without the extra pain of a high heel.
Lug sole boots come in a variety of styles, including chelsea boots, which work great for a casual office. (There may be some overlap between the widget above and the widget below, but I tried to find some new options!) You’ll also find a lot of lace-up lug sole boots for a more rugged look. Water resistant or waterproof boots are great for rainy day work outfits.
How To Wear Flat Shoes To Work
Casual Work Outfits with Sandals
I live in sandals during the summer months! It just gets far too hot here in Boise to have my feet enclosed in sneakers, ballet flats, or loafers. Sandals make your work outfits feel a little lighter, so I love pairing them with anything linen, midi skirts, dresses, and lightweight denim.
I carry the same bag to work every day and I don’t care if my shoes match on any given day, but it is a fun bonus when that does happen. I own sandals in a variety of colors plus a metallic gold to go with any of my work outfits. You don’t need multiple pairs of sandals, but it helps me find joy in my outfits.
Casual Work Outfits with Ballet Flats
I’ve worn ballet flats in a LOT of my past work outfits, including these two! There’s something about a pair of classic ballet flats that makes me want to wear them with a button-up shirt and simple pants. As you can see from these outfits, I often wear my ballet flats with ponte pants for work. Ponte pants are a wonderful invention, so comfy yet polished and relatively immune to wrinkles!
Other ways I’ve worn my ballet flats for work: with a long cardigan, tank, and jeans; with a blazer, tee, and midi skirt; in a monochrome outfit. Ballet flats aren’t the most comfortable option if you’re on your feet for most of the day, though; look for flats with arch support and that don’t rub! Also keep in mind that they may need a break-in period.
Casual Work Outfits with Mules
Mules are the less popular flat work shoe option. They aren’t typically my first option because I sometimes step out of them on accident (mules require that you constantly grip the inside of the shoe with your toes to keep them on). Like I mentioned above, though, I love them when my feet need a break from wearing shoes with backs, like if I have a blister from ballet flats or loafers.
Mules tend to cover a larger portion of your foot than ballet flats, so they work well with cropped jeans and other bottoms that show a little bit of skin above the shoe. But, you could also wear them with wider leg pants or jeans that skim the top of the shoe (but avoid bottoms that hit the back of your feet if they’re healing!).
Casual Work Outfits with Loafers
Add some masculine energy to your work outfit with a pair of loafers! (I do realize that my two pairs of loafers shown here don’t look super masculine, but the penny loafer shape in general is a traditionally masculine shoe.) You can make them work with any of your work outfits!
I’ve owned the black loafers for nearly 11 years, and they’re still going strong (I just wore them to work yesterday!). I love that I’ve been able to rely on them for so long. They even survived a deluge in Austria in 2016! Try wearing yours with your favorite work uniform—mine is a knit blazer, thin top, and pair of jeans.
Casual Work Outfits with Oxford Shoes
Oxford shoes are another more masculine-style flat shoe for work. Because I own shiny black oxford shoes, I like wearing mine with black jeans (or ponte pants) so there’s less of a contrast between my legs and feet. Somehow, I feel like this makes it so my feet don’t look as long as they would if I wore another color… (yes, even though my skin shows!).
Don’t just wear your oxford shoes with jeans or pants, though—try them paired with your favorite work-appropriate dress or skirt. I also love wearing mine in the cooler (but not cold) months with tights! Oxford shoes come in all the typical shoe colors. Try something different with a patent or other textured shoe, like croc.
Casual Work Outfits with Sneakers
I can’t talk about flat shoes for work and not mention sneakers, my go-to flat shoe for work. I’m all about comfort, and my sneakers are some of the most comfortable shoes I own. (Arch support makes all the difference, especially if you walk or stand a lot during your work day.)
Because I wear jeans most often to work, I pair my sneakers with jeans the majority of the time. I’ve worn them with every denim style—skinny, boyfriend, kick crop, and wide leg. Dress up your denim-and-sneaker work outfits with knit blazers and/or a wool coat!
Casual Work Outfits with Chelsea Boots
Last but not least, chelsea boots! I’m cheating just a tiny bit by sharing these shoes because they have a very short heel on them. I honestly don’t notice it anymore. The majority of chelsea boots you’ll find—whether with thinner, smooth soles or thicker, lug soles—have a short, maybe 1” heel. You might find that you prefer a short heel like that.
I wear my chelsea boots SO much, and I still get compliments on them! They’re still one of my best ever Nordstrom Anniversary Sale purchases, ha. Like the oxford shoes, they’re shiny, which adds some fun texture to a monochrome work outfit. Need shoes for wet weather? Look for water resistant (or waterproof) chelsea boots with a rubber sole!