Need an unbelievably comfortable, summery, closed-toe shoe

kathryn

This is one of the holy grails of shoes, April! I too have been searching far and wide for such a shoe...

Christina F.

How about some perforated Oxfords? Pikolinos makes some that look pretty good. https://www.zappos.com/p/pikol...../color/191

Also, some "comfort" brands like Vionics make closed-toed espadrilles. https://www.amazon.com/Vionic-.....B07BZSSCH6

5 years ago

Anonymous

Lots of people like the Emiline loafers, come in many colors, but I haven't tried them personally.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

That’s what I want too—something that looks “open” and summery, but actually protects my feet from city dirt more than an actual sandal. I like Mary Janes a lot, but the ones I see now either have high heels or no clear heel separated from the rest of the sole. I don’t care for either of those.

5 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

Have you tried FitFlop slipons? I have a pair nearly identical to the pictured shoes and they are amazingly comfy.

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5 years ago

carter

Veteran

I’m not sure what constitutes a Summer shoe for you, but these are the three extraordinarily comfortable closed toe shoes in my closet. It’s so hot here, I pretty much stick to sandals only in the Summer, but these styles work for my weather the rest of the year.

I live in the CH slip on sneaks for day to day casual stuff. The CH loafers walked 5-7 miles/day with me in London. The Naturalizers won’t be good for heavy concrete pounding, but they’re so comfortable I find myself looking to make sure I didn’t wear my slippers out of the house.

Amazon

Cole Haan Women's Pinch Weekender Penny Loafer

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DSW

Naturalizer Kit Loafer

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Amazon

Cole Haan Women's Pinch Grand Penny Loafer Flat

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5 years ago

Runs With Scissors

Veteran

Not sure how similar our feet are, but I also prefer to stick with closed-toe shoes for work and live in a pretty hot climate.

The Ecco styles are fantastic, and just like sneakers only not quite -- I like that they look a bit more feminine. Not only soft but also quite breathable (though I haven't tested them in true Summer weather). Good arch support and a nice thick sole so good for serious walking. They gap a bit on my low-volume foot but stay on just fine and the way the sides are cut (a bit higher than some ballets) makes it less noticeable.

I second Naturalizer Emiline, but as a half-d'Orsay style, Naturalizer Samantha allows a bit more airflow for hot days.

Zappos

Naturalizer Emiline

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Nordstrom

Naturalizer Naturalizer Samantha Half d'Orsay Flat (Women) | Nordstrom

$88.95

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Zappos

Ecco Gillian Sneaker Ballerina

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Zappos

Ecco Soft 7 Ballerina

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5 years ago

Roberta

Veteran

I am a fan of this openbutclosed style of shoe for work in the summer. Below is a very successful pair, Earth Maria (I wore them today when the thermometer hit 70). They are still available on Amazon. Though only in black. Try the word perforated in your search, that has been helpful to me.

Nordstrom

Earth Masio Loafer

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4

5 years ago

BrieN

Veteran

Would you consider a sandal like the ankle strap d’orsay shoes or the ankle strap espadrilles from the GAP? (Sorry on my phone so can’t add finds)

5 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I have found these Sam Edelman flats to be super comfy--not stiff at all. The leather is really soft and supple. They have a ton of colors. The white or the metallic silver might make good summery colors.

Nordstrom

Sam Edelman Felicia Flat

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5 years ago

April

Veteran

Thank you for all these suggestions!

I have one horrible bunion and neuromas on each foot, so finding good shoes is a nightmare. I truly appreciate your help.

5 years ago

Carla

Active Member

I am another fan of the Naturalizer Emiline. Its the end of summer here in the southern hemisphere and I am wearing them very happily in the warm weather. They are SO comfy and come in many colour options. I have the Zinc leather and find them dressier than other flats due to the unique matte metallic sheen.

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5 years ago

Peri

Veteran

I'm another nightmare shoe customer. So many issues. I actually had a dream last night about custom made shoes. There is a skating boot company that does a 3D scan of your foot and custom makes boots to fit exactly. Why not for shoes?! They could keep your perfect insole and just use different top styles and colors. That was not a nightmare, that was a great dream. I'd pay anything. Well...I'd pay anything up to $1000. This was not helpful, just commiserating...and wishing.

5 years ago

April

Veteran

Peri, that actually was helpful. I hate feeling excluded from the world of cute shoes.

5 years ago

April

Veteran

Just to let all you helpful Fabbers understand how extreme my foot issues are, I returned those Naturalizer Emilines because they were horribly painful on me.

Likewise Ecco sneakers and countless other shoes that work for everyone else.

5 years ago

Ruchi

Active Member

Hi April, I have been shopping for summer flats for the last couple of months for MOTG days and love all the styles below. I do not know to add finds.
https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/h.....en/4766505
https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/j.....en/4234359
I have a couple of Anyu Liu shoes with 1/2-1 inch block heels for long work days.Will look for the link and add them.
Hope u find something u like. It does require quite a bit of sleuthing.

5 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

April, your foot issues sound excruciating. I'm so sorry.

I think Peri is onto something, and seriously -- there ARE cobblers out there who work to order. You could probably look on Etsy. The thing is, you'd want to meet the person. But in New York, they have everything, right?

5 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

No recommendations or advice, since I have no experience with those issues, but I sympathize and hope you find a good solution! I can’t stand uncomfortable shoes anymore so I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to have such hard-to-please feet!

5 years ago

Ginger

Veteran

I'm so sorry you're struggling, April. Have you tried Cobb Hill? I am suggesting because you mentioned neuromas. I haven't been diagnosed, but I suspect I may be developing something similar. I particularly abused my feet last weekend (walking and dancing for hours in heels with little cushioning, both days), and they were very painful even after resting up most of Sunday afternoon and evening. Monday I wore my Cobb Hills to work because it's finally warm enough, and *zero* pain. They seem to have the perfect amount of cushioning and support. I'm on Day Three wearing them all day and my feet are perfectly happy.

I don't have a specific model to suggest; the ones I wear are open-toe, and have about a net 1" heel. (There is a very similar version to the "Abbott" that has a closed toe and more open heel, so it's still very summery.) But they do have many other options as well, and many/most come in 2 or 3 widths.

Zappos

Rockport Cobb Hill Collection Cobb Hill Abbott Curvy T-Strap

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5 years ago

Carla

Active Member

Oh my goodness that’s awful April. I fractured my foot a few months ago and the emilines are all I can wear, it feels like walking on soft clouds for me. I am so sorry for you and how much pain you’re in

5 years ago

texasgal

Active Member

I have 4 pair of Rothys (3 pointy toe flats plus one of their loafers) and swear by them- 5 + miles in heat and humidity with no blisters. They also machine wash and can be worn in rain. I take them whenever we travel (and we travel a lot).

5 years ago

Maureen B

Active Member

What about something like this Eileen Fisher espadrille flat? They are casual but very cute and they get good reviews. I hope to try them on the next time I go to the mall. I, too, have foot issues and Naots are my saving grace. I don't wear the closed toe ones though.

Nordstrom

Eileen Fisher Lee Espadrille Flat

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5 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

The most comfortable shoes are the ones that fit your feet's idiosyncrasies. For me, it's an oxford that is wide enough at the forefront and narrow enough at the heel. The black patent oxfords below are way more comfy for my feet than my Danskos, all zillion pairs of them. I am waiting to see if the rather masculine perforated oxfords go on sale; same with the pinkish ones.

Best wishes! Gotta kiss a lot of frogs. . .

Nordstrom

MARC FISHER LTD Marc Fisher LTD Finna Pointy Toe Derby (Women) | Nordstrom

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Nordstrom

Hush Puppies Chardon Perforated Derby

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Nordstrom

Louise Et Cie Adwin Almond Toe Oxford

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0

5 years ago

Peri

Veteran

Shoes are so hard, and so is fashion when you are shoe impaired. I've hated the whole cropped pants trend because I need long pants to cover up my gym shoes. That is my only solution...running shoes and otherwise try to look okay from the ankles up. I had both feet broken by a horse when I was a teenager. The left one was crushed and healed a little lumpy. For awhile I was okay but with aging it all came back to haunt me.

One of the main problems I have is that cushiony soft shoes don't have enough support and more supportive shoes don't have enough cushion. I have orthotics but they don't have enough cushion either. My dream 3D scan shoes would be perfect on both counts!

5 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I like oxfords too. I go into the men’s section, because they have higher toe boxes.

5 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

AGL?
Nordstrom has a limited selection but the brand website has more.

https://www.agl.com/us_en/shoe.....-6860.html

https://www.agl.com/us_en/shoe.....-mesh.html

Probably not what you're looking for, but how fun

https://www.agl.com/us_en/shoe.....-boot.html

5 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

other options from Yoox

Yoox

AGL ATTILIO GIUSTI LEOMBRUNI Loafers

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Yoox

AGL ATTILIO GIUSTI LEOMBRUNI Mules

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Yoox

AGL ATTILIO GIUSTI LEOMBRUNI Loafers

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Yoox

AGL ATTILIO GIUSTI LEOMBRUNI Ballet flats

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Yoox

AGL ATTILIO GIUSTI LEOMBRUNI Mules

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5 years ago

April

Veteran

Ladies -- I promise you I have looked at each and every item you've suggested. So many great ideas!

Let the cycle of buying and returning commence.

5 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Generic suggestions:

—Perforated or woven loafers are cooked and stretchy for bunions.
—Suede loafers in lighter colors— I found some light gray suede st DSW. —Bass Weejuns in the pebbled leather or suede are more forgiving than their “ hard” leather styles.
—“ fisherman’s “ sandal or dressier hurache styles
- flat espadrilles

5 years ago

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