T+L editors have strong opinions about footwear, especially when we're on our feet for hours on end during a trip. While the flats below weren't a part of our formal testing process, we're still giving you a glimpse into our editor's closets since we all wear and love these flats.
Steve Madden Belinda: These trendy slingbacks always earn testing editor Jackie Cucco tons of compliments when she wears them thanks to the sleek mesh fabric and elegant gold hardware. With a slight block heel, the shoes have an elevated look and feel, but Cucco can wear them for a full workday without any discomfort. Plus, they're available in many different colorways to suit your style.
M.Gemi The Danza: Anna Popp also tested these M.Gemi flats and couldn't believe how comfortable these flats were right out of the box. These classic ballet flats have the perfect balance of cushioning and support, and the slightly wedged heel adds added comfort in a common pain point for Popp.
Naturalizer Kelly Mary Jane Flats: From the office to dinner, these versatile flats are a mainstay in editor Taylor Fox's rotation of footwear. The Mary Jane-style flat has a strap that goes across the foot to help keep it in place, which makes walking all the more comfortable. Fox recommends sizing up since the flats run a bit small in her opinion.
Frankie4 Kass: Woven flats are effortlessly stylish for summer vacations, so Morgan Ashley Parker recommends picking up a pair of these mules before your next trip. The flats have tons of cushioning built into the footbed, and they come with an additional insert to get the most comfortable layer of cushioning for your needs.
We used numerous factors to determine the best dressy flats. Firstly, we looked at the overall construction of the flats, taking note of heels, soles, toes, and exterior and interior fabrics. We tested them for arch support and did so by wringing them out at the midfoot to determine if they offered support or seemed too flexible and flimsy.
We noted our first impressions -- especially during the initial break-in period -- and determined whether they rubbed, chafed, or pinched at any part of the shoe or foot while walking or staying stationary, whether soles were thick enough to prevent the sensation of the ground underfoot, and if they felt true to size.
To gain an accurate depiction of how these flats would function in the real world, we wore the flats for a minimum of two days and a minimum of two hours at a time. We took note of crucial elements including but not limited to breathability, comfort, support, versatility, traction, any incidence of blisters or foot pain, and any visible out-of-the-ordinary wear and tear. We then selected the flats with the best feedback to include in this list, all of which were long-term tested for an additional six months.
Our experts suggest looking for the following comfortable features in dressy flats: arch support, breathability from cooling features like knitted fabrics and perforations, padded insoles for comfort, and wide toe boxes to prevent bunions. None of these features will matter, of course, if your dressy flats don't fit. Make sure they aren't too tight, so as to avoid blisters, and prioritize wide sizing if your feet run wide.
The last thing you want to do is get stuck in your hotel room or cooped up in a coffee shop all because your flats are causing blisters, pain, and chafing. Make sure there is no discomfort when you first try them on, and don't buy them if there is. If you plan on keeping them, be sure to wear them around your home for at least a few hours before you pack them into your suitcase, taking care to perform light activity like chores or pacing around while on the phone so you get a feel for how they move with your foot. You don't want to take up precious luggage space if they're not going to fit you correctly.
You'll want to look for versatility in your dressy flats so you can get the most mileage out of them each trip (bonus points if you can get some use out of them in your everyday life, too). That means prioritizing timeless silhouettes like ballet flats with round toes; neutral colors that'll pair well with the rest of your wardrobe; and functional versatility like arch support, cushion, and traction at the outsole to make them highly wearable for hours at a time.
T+L contributor Marissa Miller has been writing fashion content, covering fashion shows, and obsessively researching fashion and the best deals on the latest trends for the last dozen years. For this article, she relied on thorough testing notes and reviews from T+L editors. She also spoke with Caroline McCulloch, a podiatrist and founder of Frankie4; Dr. Daniel Geller, a board-certified podiatrist and Kane Footwear advisor; and Catherine Bibeau, a fashion designer and stylist for their expert advice.