Who’s ready for some comfortable fall shoes? Our annual fall comfort shoe digest gives readers a taste of the seasonal client shopping experience and a clear sense of the trends. Although this year’s Fashionable Fall Comfort Shoe Guide leans a little more casual, we always have some work staples for you. Want more? Check out our annual blog on Fashionable, Comfortable Work Shoes.
Real Life Style stylists don’t let their clients wear uncomfortable shoes, and we don’t wear them either. Nor are we willing to sacrifice looking fashionable. Keep your fingers scrolling and your wallet close! We’ve got the season’s hottest styles to cover all your style needs, from work chic to weekend trendy.
Happy Shopping!
Lani is getting ready for cooler weather with her ALLY Lower Block Sock Booties (c/o ALLY Shoes) and her new Duffield Lane Townes Dress (c/o Duffield Lane).
Heels
There’s always a time and a place for heels. Maybe you wear them to work every day, or maybe you’ve got a special event to attend this fall. Our selection of heels will give you just the right amount of height without the pain. Take your pick of easy silhouettes, from a classic pump to a slingback to a trendy ballet heel.
Bernardo Chiara Kitten Heel Pump, $278
FRANKIE4 Noa Leather Slingback Pump, $214
Marc Fisher Calynna Pointed Toe Kitten Heel Pump, $140
Paul Green Witt Pointed Toe Pump, $395
Scarlett Chase Renee 55 Slingback, $580
Gutsy Garnet Suede Mary Jane Slingback Kitten Heel, $355.00
Flats
Flats are taking on all shapes and varieties these days. The Mary Jane continues to be a crowd-pleaser, evolving with interesting textures and fabrics. Is the plain leather Mary Jane too classic for you? Perhaps some velvet, woven leather, a slingback, or a cracked metallic might reflect your style better, all without sacrificing comfort.
Drogheria Crivellini Axis T Strap in Stone Velvet, $205
Fitflop DELICATO Leather Mary Janes, $140
Fitflop DELICATO Poise Leather Mary Janes, $145
Jeffrey Campbell Common Faux Leather Flat, $164.95
Margaux The Fonteyn Jane, $375
Rag & Bone Spire Mary Jane Flat, $348
Toteme Slip Nappa Leather Ballerina Flats, $610
Veronica Beard Ellie Suede Flat, $375
Vivaia Mini Square-Toe Mary-Jane Flats, $139
Loafers
Loafers never truly go out of style. But that doesn’t mean we don’t play favorites each season! A classic shoe that works well for many occasions, this season we recommend choosing a suede pair with a slim, non-chunky sole. Just like with all of the shoes in this blog, click on your shoe style of choice to see the multiple color and fabric options available.
FRANKIE4 Franklin Penny Loafer, $244
FRANKIE4 Octavia Leather Loafer, $244
La Canadienne MAGNETIC City Dry™ Waterproof Genuine Shearling Penny Loafer, $525
Scarosso Madison Black Bright, $415
Mules
Mules tend to come and go with the trends, but we’ll never stop loving them. What’s easier than a slip-on fall shoe that instantly elevates your ensemble? Absolutely nothing. For all-day comfort, a flat or minimal heel is your best option. Or choose a mule with an interesting detail or pattern to draw attention to your shoe and spice up your ensemble!
ALLY Embossed Leather Mary Jane Kitten Mule, $335
Margaux The Marlowe Mule, $395
M.Gemi The Una Loafer Mule, $328
Reformation Dominique Mule, $278
Rothy’s The Penny Loafer Mule, $155
Clogs
Clogs are like the pumpkin spice latte of shoes for autumn. They’re cozy, and you can’t wait to run your weekend errands with them. We’ve leaned heavily on the classic Birkenstock brand because they have the most style and color variations in clogs right now. But don’t rule out the other brands listed below. You can’t go wrong with any of our choices!
Birkenstock Amsterdam Wrapped Clog, $134.95
Birkenstock Boston Big Buckle Slide Sandal, $299.95
Birkenstock Boston Exquisite Clog, $230
Birkenstock Boston Genuine Calf Hair Trim Clog, $179.95
Birkenstock Naples Clog, $164.95
Charlotte Stone Jori Slingback Platform Studded Clog, $268
Fitflop SHUV Leather Pony-Hair Mules, $180
Vivaia Round-Toe Clog Mules, $139
Booties
We’ll be the first to admit that we may have gone overboard with our boot options this year, but aren’t you excited for fall to arrive? We want to pull out our boots! Ease into the season with some cute booties paired with a fun, wide-leg pant. Save the tall boots for later. Suede, leather, or animal print, just have fun! (Our first choice, the ALLY Lower Block Sock Bootie, is the bootie Lani is wearing above!)
ALLY Lower Block Sock Bootie, $455
Clarks Code L Bay Leather Bootie, $130
Easy Spirit Sidney Leather Bootie, $159
Franco Sarto Luella Bootie, $180
Paul Green Fiona Leather Bootie, $495
PIKOLINOS Medina Chelsea Boot, $250
Scarlett Chase Fiona Cowboy Boot, $625 (Add-on Fiona Cowboy Boot Gaiter, $275)
VANELi Sadie Leather Bootie, $294.95
Veronica Beard Lisa Bootie, $550
Vionic Bianca Leather Bootie, $190
Tall Boots
The key to finding a comfortable tall boot is to look for boots with a low heel. We know it’s tempting to buy those tall boots with a 3″ heel because they look so gorgeous on the model. However, for all but those with the strongest of feet, you want to keep your tall boots at a 2″ heel or lower for all-day comfort! Also, for those with a wide calf, keep in mind that tall boots with a stretchy boot shaft are your best and most comfortable bet.
Clarks Edina Tall Leather Boot, $190
Scarlett Chase Clara 55 Stretch High Boot, $925
Vivaia Square-Toe Knee-High Boots, $239
Athletic Variations
Athletic shoe brands have been branching out lately, and we are loving it! We’ve had the “sneakerina” for a few years. Now brands like Adidas are also making clogs, mules, loafers, Mary Jane’s, and true ballet flats. Who doesn’t want the comfort of a sneaker with the style and slim profile of a fashion shoe? If you have yet to try on a pair, do your feet a favor and give it a go! You’ll be comfortable and trendy this fall.
Adidas Handball Spezial Loafer Shoes, $130
Adidas Samba Jane Sneaker, $100
Adidas Taekwondo Mei Ballet Flat, $110
Adidas Tokyo Mary Jane Shoe, $90
Back 70 Aya Mary Jane Sneakers, $149
Gola Exclusive Celestra Ballet Sneakers, $115
PUMA Speedcat Ballet Dress-Up, $100
PUMA Speedcat Ballet Sneaker, $90
Rag & Bone Retro Runner Slim Ultra Mule, $288
Tory Burch Hank Ballet Sneaker, $250
Vivaia Square-Toe Jogger Sneakerina, $159
That’s a lot of comfortable fall shoes to pick from! What can we say? We couldn’t choose! Let us know which shoes or boots are your favorites in the comments below!
Real Life Style is a style consulting firm that teaches busy women to wear their power so they can live their lives fully and confidently. Lani Inlander, Kyle Dunphy and Sloane True are based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and serve clients nationwide. We offer personal styling services, and an on-demand e-course.
Once in a while, you can find Lani Inlander and Real Life Style on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram. Mostly, they are happily busy serving their fabulous clients, not hanging out online!
I’ve been patiently waiting your next blog! Any chance you’ve got a gift guide in the works? I need to give my family Christmas ideas!
Thank you for your patience! As always, so many ideas, so little time ;). Hoping to get one out soon. (I can hear my team cringing as I write this…) Any specific category requests?
Gifts for men!! I have loved your pass by and guide for your husband
I’m feeling on your wave length as I honestly bought Born low profile heel boots yesterday!!
Love Born! Awesome!
You always give the best recs at the perfect time! I have been looking for a non-black boot and I ordered the Thursday Indio Boots the second I opened the email!
Awesome! We love Thursday boots.
Excited to see this post! Am I the only one that needs a refresher on how to pair outfits + shoe? Booties in particular intimidate me because Im certain I’ll wear them wrong :)
Same! Especially with the change in pant styles.
We have been getting a lot of that question lately. If I don’t post an answer here, I’ll put something clever and succinct in the next newsletter!
I can’t wait. Same issue as the two people above!
Lani, this list was more than I expected when I started reading it. Researching EVERY type of shoe is very helpful to your readers. However I already bought my comfortable boots earlier in the season this year. I had to replace my worn out black knee high “leather” boots that I held onto for years because they were so comfy, but was reluctant to do so. I found the Naturalizer Rena Boot with a flat heel and in nice black leather at Nordstroms, which not only has 3 calf width sizes but also comes in Wide width, and only $200. So comfortable and I have a bunion on my left foot! For ankle boots I liked the Easy Spirit Women’s Tamara Heeled Square Toe Booties for $149 from Macy’s.
Donna, I’m sorry we were too late to help you. However, your work will help other readers! I’m going to add your suggestions to this blog :). Thank you!