Shoewawa: Ask Ms Shoewawa: Shoes fit for a teacher

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Ask Ms Shoewawa: Shoes fit for a teacher

Please help! I'm a young teacher and want a good pair of work shoes that are also attractive. The shoes should be under $100, have a heel height of 3" or less (the lower the better) and be black. I spend my whole day standing and will be traveling from classroom to classroom, so I need shoes that will be comfortable for 8 hours of mostly standing and will also last me at least a year. - Kiba
Well as the daughter of a teacher, I've seen how feet suffer from running around after kids all day. As painful as it is for me, I've had to put my sensible hat on for this one. Still, sensible doesn't always have to mean ugly as I hope to prove with these choices...

Teacher1
I've raved about Aerosoles for making comfy shoes before, and though they're obviously not sexy, these 'stacked reel' shoes have a hint of Salvatore Ferragamo about them, and are available in half-sizes for the perfect fit. Aerosoles shoes come with cushioned insoles for extra comfort, too. At $69 they're really well priced for a classic, timeless style.

Teacher2
Naturalizer's 'Maxine' shoe reminds me of a classic driving shoe, and the loafer shape is notoriously comfortable for times when function really does take priority over fashion (I used to wear shoes like this during my short-lived stint as a silver service waitress). The reviews are good for these $39.95 bargains too, with everyone praising their comfort and quality. Snap them up now though, the price only lasts until Friday.

Teacher3
For something a bit more dressy, a Mary-Jane style looks more feminine with skirts, and the 1.5" heel gives a tiny bit of lift but still supports the foot. These Dexter shoes have a special lightweight construction (they call it 'Hyperflex') and latex cushioned insoles. Again, you pay a bit more for the attention to comfort, these will set you back $84.

Teacher4
Finally, there's always the option of a ballet flat. Granted, these probably won't last you a whole year, but they're only $30 and the soles are more solid than a lot of rivals. They're from Isaac Mizrahi's range for Target, so you also have the staff room perk of telling everyone you're wearing designer shoes. It's not really lying...