45 Comfortable Flats That Are Exponentially Better Than Their Competitors
Once upon a time, I owned a million pairs of heels. Stiletto heels, block heels, wedge heels, cone heels, kitten heels… I could go on, but I'm already risking sounding like the nut-obsessed dog breeder from Best in Show (who doesn't like a good Christopher Guest reference?). I don't remember exactly when my footwear preferences changed, but one day I woke up and realized I couldn't think of the last time I'd slipped into anything other than my trusty block heels.
That whole pain is pleasure thing? I sort of get it (I'm a lifelong distance runner), but I also stopped following most of my favorite perennially underachieving sports teams years ago because I firmly believe escapism should be fun, not emotionally draining. I'm also one of those rare Angelenos who enjoys getting around on foot (when possible); thus, I need the shoes I wear to the office to get me through a long lunch-break walk without inducing blisters.
All that to say I appreciate flats and I can tell you with authority which ones are truly comfortable. Keep on reading for 45 comfortable pairs of flats at every price point—they're all exponentially better than their competitors.
I've had my eyes on these for a while now, thanks to the emergence of the crochet trend.
These remind me of my favorite J.W.Anderson bag. And that's not a bad thing.
Scandi brand Gestuz makes the best shoes.
I've lost track of how many times we've plugged our love for Repetto.
Next up, see my roundup of the best tights under $40, because cold weather has officially arrived.
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Before You Invest In Mesh Flats, Consider the Newer Version I Keep Seeing Fashion People in Lisbon and Miami Wearing
Copenhagen, New York, and Barcelona, too.
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I Couldn't Help But Notice That L.A.'s Coolest Dressers Always Wear This Shoe Trend With Black Trousers
If you guessed ballet flats, you'd be wrong.
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Fashion People in Their 20s and 50s Wear This Flat-Shoe Trend With Skirts to Look Chic
Hint: It's not loafers.
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In SoHo, These Three Fashion Items Are Considered Every Fashion Person's Holy Grails
Worn separately or together.
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Is It Just Me, or Is Every Cool Girl Suddenly Pairing Ballet Flats With This Anti-Denim Pant Trend?
You probably already own it.
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This Is *the* Ballet-Flats Color Fashion People Will Buy for the Remainder of 2025
As seen on Bella Hadid's Instagram.
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Margaret Qualley Just Wore Flats on the Red Carpet With the World's Strictest Dress Code
And pulled it off with aplomb.
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This Stylish French Woman Paired Summer's Controversial Shoe and Shorts Trends, and the Outfit Is So Chic
See how to re-create the unexpected look.