Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
Cute Alternatives to Heels You'll Actually Want to Wear All Day
There was a time when I could wear heels all day long. These days? My feet can still handle heels…just not for very long! If I know I have a busy day ahead, I reach for cute Mary Jane sneakers that give me the polished look I love without the foot pain.
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My two favorites are the Dolce Vita Nanet Mary Jane Sneakers (I wear the silver, but they come in several gorgeous colors) and the Franco Sarto Raina Mary Jane Sneakers in white (also available in multiple colors). They’ve quickly become staples in my closet!
Comfortable Dressy Sneakers That Replace Painful Heels
What I love most is that both pairs are comfortable right out of the box. I didn't need a break-in period, had zero blisters, and my feet felt great after wearing them all day. They can be worn with or without socks, making them some of my favorite comfortable shoes for women who want style without sacrificing comfort.
See a comfy outfit with jelly shoes (buy it on Amazon) in my very short video below via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
These shoes are incredibly versatile, too. I styled mine with a pair of wide-leg dress pants and a casual loose white top for an easy work-ready outfit. Instead of carrying an extra pair of flats in my bag like I did back in my corporate days, these shoes let me stay comfortable from morning meetings to dinner.
How to Style Mary Jane Sneakers for Work, Travel, and Everyday Outfits
I finished the look with a vintage scarf tied around my waist for the current scarf trend and my borrowed heart-shaped Louis Vuitton bag from Vivrelle. If you've been wanting to try Vivrelle, you can use my code CAROLYNBRADEN for a free month (or shop through my affiliate link!). See my full Vivrelle review here as I’ve had 9 months of subscription and loved each bag I borrowed.
👀Check out my short 📹 video to go with this article on my TikTok now or coming soon here to my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden!
For a more casual outfit, I paired the same white top with my favorite Target fringe denim shorts. I added my latest Fazit makeup patch, a cute sunburst. Both the Dolce Vita and Franco Sarto Mary Jane sneakers looked equally adorable with this outfit, proving they're some of the best cute alternatives to heels for everyday wear, travel, shopping, or weekend adventures.
These Cute Sneakers Look Just as Stylish as Heels (Without the Foot Pain!)
And when I'm not wearing a Mary Jane style, I still love my Adidas VL Court sneakers. Their classic black-and-white design makes them easy to dress up or down, and they pair beautifully with everything from jeans to dresses.
If you're looking for comfortable dressy sneakers, cute shoes for foot pain, or simply a stylish alternative to heels, these are three pairs I reach for again and again. Your feet will thank you!
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Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.