Best Dress Shoes for Women with Flat and Wide Feet – Functional and Stylish!

Do you have a combination of flat and wide feet and are having a hard time finding dress shoes that are comfortable and support your feet? Before we dive further into my go-to list for the best dress shoes for women with flat and wide feet, I would like to go over some key elements that will hopefully provide you with further insights and steer you on the right path. When looking for dress shoes for women with flat and wide feet, it’s important to prioritize features that provide support, stability, and comfort.

Is It Common for Women to Have Both Flat and Wide Feet?

Yes, it is very common for women to have both flat feet and wide feet. The causes of flat feet can certainly vary, some women inherit the condition from their family as an isolated trait, this is particularly the case for women with hypermobility or “double jointed”. However, other women can develop flat feet as part of another genetic condition. 

How Can You Tell If You Have Flat Feet? – Examples of Women with Flat Feet

Have you noticed that the insides of your soles get worn out faster than the outer edges? Below you can find images of women with flat feet and wide feet:

Usually, wide shoes are better for women with flat feet, especially if you anatomically also have wider feet. This is because wide shoes provide more room in the toe box, therefore women with irregular arches experience less cramping and increased foot support.

In addition, women with flat feet can strongly benefit from wearing shoes that support their feet and attenuate the impact that their feet take when they come in contact with the ground. The good news is that the correct type of shoes can make a tremendous difference when it comes to improving your foot’s posture and walking gait.

This experience has granted me insights on the best shoes for women with flat and wide feet. I have helped several women who were not able to find a single pair of dress shoes because of their flat and wide feet and hopefully, I will be able to help you too.

Please note that I have spoken with several women with flat feet and surprisingly some don’t experience any pain or problems, while some others experience swelling, bunions, hammertoes and tendonitis.

One of my key takeaways from my standpoint is that many women tend to associate foot problems with wearing shoes that are small, however, wearing shoes that are too big can also bring all sorts of foot issues! Thus, the utmost important thing is to wear any kind of shoes in the correct shoe size. You can’t imagine the number of women walking around with dressy shoes that are either too short or too loose for their feet.

What Makes a Great Dress Shoe for Women with Flat and Wide Feet?

Shoes with extra padding and cushioning help make up for the padding that flat feet naturally lack.

1️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: Shoes that provide good arch support can help improve your foot posture and prevent foot pain. You will notice that all of the dress shoes that I recommend have comfortable footbeds with generous foam padding from heel to toe.

2️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: When a woman has flat feet you don’t only need to support the arch, you mechanically control the parts of the foot that causes the foot to be flat, including the heel bone. The heel counter is the back part of the shoe that provides ankle and heel support. You will notice that the dress shoes that I recommend provide targeted cushion and support right below the heels:

3️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: In addition to having the dress shoes available in wide widths, you should also look for shoes that have a rounder toe-box (rather than pointed toe-boxes) that will help accommodate your wide feet. All of the dress shoes that I recommend are available in wide and extra wide widths.

List of the Best Shoe Brands for Women with Flat and Wide Feet

Please note that not all dress shoes from the shoe brands listed below will work well for your flat and wide feet. There are specific models among each shoe brand that work a lot better than others, but I wanted to give you a general overview of popular shoe brands that manufacture supportive dress shoes that can also accommodate wide feet:

• Vionic dress shoes are heralded for their terrific support and on-trend designs. This shoe brand offers a wide range of dress shoe options, including pumps, flats, and sandals, specifically designed to provide comfort and support for flat feet. Vionic is renowned for its podiatrist-designed shoes that offer excellent arch support and cushioning.

• SAS is a shoe brand that focuses on providing comfortable and supportive footwear. They offer a selection of dress shoes with wider widths, ample cushioning, and arch support, making them suitable for those with flat and wide feet.

• Drew Shoes specializes in footwear for various foot conditions, including flat feet. They offer a range of dress shoes with removable insoles, additional depth, and wider widths to accommodate custom orthotics or provide extra support.

• Naturalizer combines style and comfort in its shoe designs. They offer a range of dress shoes, including pumps and flats, with features like wider widths, cushioned insoles, and supportive construction that can cater to women with flat feet.

• Naot manufactures dress shoes with uniquely engineered insoles that are made of natural cork and latex and lined with a supple suede lining, creating a flexible and shock-absorbing base of superior support.

• Clarks is known for its comfortable footwear, and they offer a variety of dress shoe styles suitable for flat feet. Look for their shoes with cushioned insoles, supportive midsoles, and wider widths to accommodate the needs of flat-footed individuals.

• Revere shoes strive to provide a perfect fit with adjustable straps (and strap extenders), contoured arch support, and removable footbeds in all shoes.

Best Dress Shoes for Women with Flat and Wide Feet

Now that we have gone over basic but important information, I can also tell you that there are good dressy shoes that fit the shape of your feet. Take a look at the description below the image of each shoe to check on the specifications for each style. Disclosure: Note that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases, this allows us to create free content and resources.

Remember that each person’s feet are unique, so it’s important to try on different shoe brands and styles to find the ones that offer the best fit and support for your individual needs. I have noticed that certain dress shoes that have worked really well for women with flat and wide feet, have not as well for others.

Should You Wear Your Dress Shoes as Everyday Shoes?

First, let me clarify that dress shoes are not meant to be used as walking shoes. If on a daily basis you need to commute and frequently walk with this type of shoes, I would highly suggest that you consider using sneakers for this and then changing to your dress shoes for a determined period of time. Whether it is for work or to hangout with friends, if you are going to be frequently walking, you should wear more comfortable and supportive shoes.

Make Sure To Know Your Correct Shoe Size – Length and Width

When it comes to sizes you don’t only need to only look at the length of your foot but also the width. One of the most important features that your shoes need to have is that they must fit the shape of your feet perfectly. It’s important to know your exact foot size, especially if you are going to be buying your dress shoes online. 

Ensuring you know your foot length and width is the first step to finding the correct shoes for your feet. Thereafter, with your accurate measurements, you’ll have a reliable reference point for shopping online, and this will give you a broader range of choices for any kind of shoes online. Certainly, if you identify a brand that consistently fits your measurements (length and width), it will be much easier to shop online without the hassle of having to go to a store and try on many pairs. 

Did you know that there is a study by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society that showed that 88% of American women wear shoes that are too small? There is nothing more uncomfortable than wearing the wrong size shoe! Be aware that your foot shape and size can change over time, so I recommend getting a fitting every 6 months.

Moreover, quality measurements begin with expert consultation, you can start by reading an article that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your foot size from home. Just click on the post link below:

How To Measure Your Foot Size – The Most Simple And Effective Way!

Looking for Recommendations on Comfortable and Supportive Sneakers?

If you are looking for a pair of everyday sneakers or running shoes with arch support, I recommend that you take a look at the following article:

Most Supportive Running Shoes for Women – Let’s Keep your Feet and Legs Healthy!

On a different note, if you are looking for the best walking shoes for a little one in your family or a friend’s family, you can find helpful information on our partner website:

Fitting Children’s Shoes

Thank you for reading! We hope you found helpful this post on the best dress shoes for women with flat and wide feet. Please feel free to share this post with your community on social media as well as your experiences in the comments section below. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, you can also contact us via e-mail and we will get back to you as soon as possible.