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Forget diamonds: shoes are a girl's best friend. There are endless styles to choose from, and often, a good pair of shoes is the pièce de résistance of any good outfit. While we love the best sneakers and boots, one piece of footwear will forever have our hearts (and pockets): heels. Just as versatile as any shoe, a pair of heels offers a certain level of confidence to the wearer while elevating one's look no matter the occasion, from a casual brunch date to a fancy soirée. But there's a new category of shoes we're most happy to see on our radar, and that's the most comfortable heels you can imagine. We're talking all your favourite styles — stilettos, wedges, mules — but tailor made to provide comfort instead of pain.
More brands are defying the "fashion is pain" stereotype, creating comfortable yet stylish heels like never before. And these comfortable heels aren't just regulated to the low-heel shoe variety. The most comfortable designer heels are having a moment. Think Bottega Veneta's mesh sandals that have dominated the market for nearly four years or the the "ugly" yet snug shoe trend that has seen a resurgence on our social media feeds, most notably the white Dries Van Noten pumps worn by Tracee Ellis Ross.
And there's also a resurgence in the most comfortable heels for weddings and other fancy outings. Rihanna often wears strappy heels by designer Amina Muaddi for date nights, and Bella Hadid's Nike kitten heels left fans in a frenzy at the Fendi afterparty during New York Fashion Week. Even in the corporate sector, the most comfortable heels for work are offering more variety than ever with brands like Aerosoles, Everlane, and Sarah Flint. Consider this your sign to trade in your favourite stilettos and power pumps for thick mules and lower heel heights this season.
Ahead, we've curated some of the best shoes that are innovative in silhouette without causing blisters. Seriously, if you're looking for the most comfortable heels for standing all day, look no further. Whether you're on the hunt for a sexy sandal for a summer wedding or the perfect pair of slingbacks for long days at the office, keep scrolling to shop our top picks.