Fashion Forum

by Renae Virata

When I used to travel for my last job or attend any number of conferences, I’d always have the highest hopes that those sexy but polished three-inch heels I was rocking would last me all day.  Big mistake!  I wasn’t about to abandon my favorite kicks to go with my favorite suit until about four hours later when I started to get that sensation of impending pain that comes with most hot heels and boots.But comfortable business travel shoes does not necessarily mean (heaven forbid!) clunky and rubber-soled.  Here are our picks for the coziest yet most stylish heels, flats, and boots to help you put your best foot forward for that next marathon business trip.

CARMA $278

Cole Haan

You can’t go wrong in a classic pair of Cole Haans.  This line of shoes was definitely made for walking without sacrificing good looks.  The supple leathers are a favorite for business travelers as well as the latent designs with comfort in mind.  The Carma Air Detailed Pump is a prime example.  In black, burnished gold, or royal purple, this shoe boasts NIKE AIR Technology “for maximum support.”  Comfort of a tennis shoe in a fabulous style?  We’re in.

GLADSTONE $69.00

Bass

Remember getting your Bass loafers for school way back when?  For years now, they’ve been offering stylish dress shoes for women but with an upgrade in styling.  Their Gladstone modified penny loafer has that Bass comfort with a memory foam padded sole but includes a modern stacked heel to keep it looking good from all angles.  It comes in black and what they call cocoa, but the fawn color (shown here) is a staple every woman should have in their business wardrobe.  And, hello! You can’t beat the price.

FOREST GROVE $90.00

Rockport

How many times have you walked by this store in the mall only to find that either hard-core walkers / hikers or older women seem to pervade the scene?  A thorough look inside the shop will reveal a number of flats and heels that cater more to the professional fashionista.  Their Forest Grove Casual Slip-On in a fabulous steel gray is one such shoe.  If you can get away with flats, this is one that will go with anything and give you an edge.  At $90, your feet stay dry from a day’s worth of sweat, the hidden rubber sole provides ultimate flexibility, and the patent leather adds a little fancy to your feet.  Imagine racing through the airport in these, too, and you have one great shoe to pack.

BENEFIT $59.99

Aerosoles

Another unlikely candidate for fashionable heels, Aerosoles has been coming up with some pretty sweet dress shoes in recent years.  No one would ever guess that the Benefit shoe, with its sleek lines and kitschy but cute striped bow styling also includes the signature Aerosoles comfort promise.  They also come in black with the striped bow or not, but we couldn’t resist this go-with-it-all rich brown color.

Hey, Travelistas! Wanna know what to wear for the weather? Just click on My Stylist and type in your location, date, and an occasion and let My Stylist do the rest. Join us on Facebook and Twitter for everything fashion and travel from WeareverTheWeather.com!