I am a big fan of Ara shoes, especially their ballet flats.
I never have to break them in. They are comfortable and stylish.
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how do you get the link to be the box? I don’t know how to do that?
I just copied and pasted a link from a Google search and it was posted here in the box. I didn’t do anything special.
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Wow! Thanks so much for all the great suggestions, definitely some great brands I’ve never heard of. I went to DSW today and picked up a few of the ones suggested here and also ordered a couple on Zappos. Hopefully I’ll find something comfortable enough to wear on Monday!
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A thought on socks. Not sure what you’re used to wearing but a light weight trouser sock would give you more shoe options. They come knee high and short. I always used knee high. https://www.amazon.com/Women-Trouser-Socks-6-Pack-700-8-BEIGE6/dp/B073PD2GW1/ref=sr_1_23?crid=1R6F5TT6V2DRP&keywords=trouser+socks+women&qid=1651973190&sprefix=Trouser+%2Caps%2C68&sr=8-23
I found Dansko at Sierra.com. It is part of the TJ Maxx/Marshalls family of stores.
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Some links have a preview. Wait a moment after pasting the link and it will say whether or not a preview is available. For example, in my post above about Dansko at Sierra, a preview was not available.
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great find!!! And thanks for the preview lesson.
Among female academics, the shoe that everyone is wearing to conferences now is Rothys. They have a discount for educators.
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Rothys has a discount for health care workers, and first responders this week as well.
I may be the only one who is mentioning this, but did they say what their dress code is? Or, did you notice what others were wearing?
The reason I am asking is… I actually wear my Nike sneakers when I work in an office… and my boyfriend wears his new balance sneakers in his office. We both wear jeans to work. I only wear nicer shoes if I’m in another office and unsure of how they dress there (with dress pants too). 
Also, in my office, you are technically not allowed to wear flip flops or sandals that make a clickity clackity sound when you walk.
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I’ll second Danskos - have worn them for years and just ordered a new pair. You can very easily wear them with dress pants.
When I went back to work after a few years at home, I ordered (and returned!) dozens of shoes from Zappos. So convenient and easy to try on, then return. I have a size that isn’t common in most brick/mortar stores so Zappos has been a godsend. Amazon returns are easier now too, so that’s probably another avenue.
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@fendergirl Unfortunately I’ve been in the office so I’ve seen that everyone is wearing shoes. It’s a real estate office so we’ll have clients coming in for closings, paperwork, etc. I think over the summer it’ll be a lot quieter so I can probably get away with flip flops or more causal shoes/sneakers as there will probably be days when I’m the only one there.
Thanks again to everyone for your great suggestions.
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I ordered my first pair of Rothy’s this week.
I have several dressy sneaks from Cole Han, also wear UGG sandals Mephisto are also favorite
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I’m surprised Rothy’s are so popular since to me they don’t look comfortable. Maybe I should try some since they look very packable for travel. (Of course I still do have some of the old SAS loafers, almost as easy to pack. Loved them on the last car trip since so easy to take on and off).
My daughter has given me 2 pairs of the Rothys slip on sneakers. Besides the fact they are VERY comfortable, they are washable and made out of recycled plastic. I don’t have any of the dressier flats but my daughter does. Again, she says comfortable and they are stylish.
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The key to comfy Rothys for me…I don’t get the pointy toe flats. More of the rounded toe. And look at the sizing. I go 1/2 size up.
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OP- no to the flip flops. The first time you drop something and it lands on your foot, you will be grateful to be wearing actual shoes. At my last company, the kitchen was the most hazardous place to be-- people are multi-tasking while holding hot liquids, taking three things out of the frig at a time, balancing a fork and knife while re-heating their lunch, all while face-timing with their kid… you will not believe the injuries that happen during a typical week!
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These might be too casual for what you are looking for, but I wear these Toms espadrilles a lot. I have bunions but these are very comfortable on my feet. I just walked 9 miles sightseeing around Chicago in them a couple weeks ago. They don’t seem to carry the ones I have anymore (I have a cream pair and a light denim/chambray like blue pair).
I also don’t like having sweaty feet in shoes that are not sandals, so I wear these footie socks. They work well with shoes that don’t have a big toe box as the sock comes to end of my toes and they are light enough that my feet don’t get too warm.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XMZ4IDU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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I’m surprised how many of you like/prefer/wear all the flat shoes. I hate the feeling of “flat”, near to the ground when I’m wearing shoes. I don’t do heels either! But have always preferred to not feel like the ground is right under my feet!
Especially if I’m active during the day (not talking about exercise) but moving around a lot at work and covering some ground, flats are not desirable.
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