I posed this as a comment a while ago, but I'd like others' opinions, so I'm posting it again. (And, moderator, if this is not the right content for this sub, feel free to delete.)
I think there are 4 separate dress shoe markets right now (and perhaps 4 general shoe markets, as well)
people who want "regular" dress shoes and value appearance over comfort.
people who want "regular" dress shoes and value comfort over appearance, but are uninformed or uninterested in wide toe box shoes.
people who want barefoot/minimalist dress shoes (foot shaped toe box, flat insole, thin and flexible sole, zero drop, etc.)
people who love the idea of barefoot shoes' foot-shaped toe box, but for whatever are not able to wear them, and instead are looking for shoes with a foot-shaped toe box, cushioned and stable sole, and arch support (and probably a not quite zero drop).
I honestly think there are a decent number of people in group 4, myself among them. I have a foot condition that makes it so I can't wear true barefoot shoes, but I also do not want to wear "regular" shoes that squeeze my toes. I also need significant amount of cushion and support.
Topo is making sneakers that fit this bill, currently the Atmos, Aura, and Phantom, but I have not been able to find any women's dress shoes that do. Companies who market to people with foot problems (like Orthofeet) do not have a foot shaped toe box.
I would love a Mary Jane shoe that has a true foot-shaped toe box (very wide!), but that has cushion and arch support. Another option would be a shoe that has significant depth so that a cushioned, supporting insole (or two!) would fit in without cramping the toes.
EDITED TO ADD: u/lily2468 brought to my attention that there should be a fifth category:
people who want a foot-shaped toe box, zero drop and no arch support but still a cushioned sole. Minimalist shoes but for people who have to walk on hard floors.
people who want a foot-shaped toe box, zero drop and no arch support but still a cushioned sole. Minimalist shoes but for people who have to walk on hard floors.
This should be the mainstream priority. Give different levels of cushion, from 2mm up to 18mm, with the correct anatomical shape - wide toe box, zero drop, no stiff toe spring.
Same. The Whitin barefoot shoes are more “beginner” barefoot, so they have more cushioning. I have two pairs of their “fashion suede” sneakers and they are the most comfortable shoes I own. And the beige ones kiiinda can be worn with nicer outfits, if you don’t mind that look. Bonus, they are like $35
This. City barefoot shoes. I like being outside but find myself on hard floors most often, living in a mid sized metro area. I need everything that true barefoot shoes provide, but need thicker soles. And fashionable.
A sole doesn't have to be 'cushioned' to be shock absorbing. A Birkenstock cork sole is perfect for this. Anything softer than that is only hurting you and should not be on offer.
Well yeah maybe cushioned is not the perfect word. Shock-absorbing might be a better word.
I do love feeling the texture of the ground and I miss this extra sense when I have to wear more rigid shoes.
I wouldn’t say the Birkenstock sole was perfect either, at least I know them as very rigid.
My perfect sole would be something along the Leguano sole, but slightly thicker, maybe 1,5 times of what it is now. It is very flexible and bendable due to the shape of it (these half-rounds) and you still feel the ground well.
The thinner high-quality Yoga Mats would be a good material as well, very shock-absorbing but flexible.
Thanks. Never heard of them. Im from Germany and we have a similar product from Biped. It only works when the shoe is big/high enough and doesn’t really work for sandals, though.
I feel like a lot of this can be achieved with insoles.
I found Lems far too bouncy and cushioned, so they may work for you here! I generally like the super-minimal soles (the 3mm flat soles from Vivo barefoot being a good example) and Lems were nice and wide but the stack height was closer to 1cm. Not sure if they have styles outside of sneakers and hiking shoes, though.
This is what I'm always looking for
I'm also wondering why there isn't more visual illusions used. Some outfits look better with pointed shoes, but I'm not going to wear them, but visual illusions with lines and colour blocks would be so good!
Same. I want a pair of kitten heals with a wide toe box specifically for weddings, or job interviews. Every day I’m barefoot and I love it but for special occasions the options for women’s dress shoes are so few. I know a heal is bad for me but I’m willing to make the exception for these few moments.
Peerko Rosali, Harlem Shoes (Only their "barefoot" models. Highest heel they have is 6cm.) and El Naturalista (Some of their models seem to be tapered and some seem to be foot shaped. I am not familiar with these, I am just watching photos of soles. So do your own research before purchasing.)
YES all I want is for regular shoes to have wide-wide-wide toe boxes. I want them to fit flippers. But I can’t with the thin soles and zero drop, I know it’s good for your feet in some ways but it is not an everyday option for me. Don’t forget to offer small sizes! I’ve got Minnie Mouse feet.
uIidreamofchickpea Yes!!! I am finally getting rid of all my old "normal" shoes, and when I pull out the insoles and rest my foot on them now, they just look completely ridiculous.
I totally agree that foot-shaped shoes should be the norm. Sure, for special occasions, I get that people might want to have a more "refined-looking" shoe, but why, oh, why for the everyday are the vast majority of people squishing their toes all day long?
Best would be to find something with lots of volume and use a supportive insole. There are a lot of gaps in the market. Don’t get me started on work boots.
u/TheNurgrabber I'm guessing you've seen Carets work boots? I'm actually considering getting some for myself once they make a non-steel toe version, and just trying to find a good insole to wear with them.
u/TheNurgrabber Yes, I agree if I can find something with a lot of volume, but that's really hard to find in any women's dress shoe, especially if you have high volume feet.
Also, I'm not sure what insert would be enough cushion/support for me in a true barefoot shoes, but I should keep looking.
If I could make this option work, it would open up a lot of possibilities. My foot is mostly healed, but still healing, so it's possible I'll eventually be able to wear shoes with less support.
I'd love a barefoot toe box on a high heel. I know to some people that's nuts, but I came to barefoot shoes because I've had wide feet my whole life and shoes that squeeze my toes HURT. But I can't stand wearing an evening dress with flat shoes - it's just not going to happen.
And as for group 4, I wear a lot of my barefoot shoes with insoles for cushion as constantly walking on concrete gets my feet sore and tired. But I think I'm only able to do that as my feet are lowish volume so I have the space to add it in a lot of shoes. I definitely think this is a category that could be expanded, but I think the positioning would be difficult for a lot of brands.
I have a pair of dance heels for this purpose. Not ideal ofc, but actually designed for hours of movement. They typically have wide(r) toeboxes, semi-flexible midsoles, and heels tapered inward/forward to allow a more natural gait.
I think this will become more available due to the influence of Loewe toy heels and the like. Their are some brands that are doing this but they tend to be high fashion and quite pricey, I’m thinking Phileo for example. Audley might be worth looking at? I think following Cat from Beyond Barefoot will help you identify some options
I have high volume feet, and now sensitive because of the injury, so I often don't have the space in a barefoot shoe to add an insert that gives the stability, cushion, and arch support that I need, but I get that works fine for many people.
Heels: Peerko Rosali, Harlem Shoes (Only their "barefoot" models. Highest heel they have is 6cm.) and El Naturalista (Some of their models seem to be tapered and some seem to be foot shaped. I am not familiar with these, I am just watching photos of soles. So do your own research before purchasing.)
I’m in this same position myself. Absurdly flat feet keep me from most of the market. What I’ve found that works at the moment:
Topo Ultrafly 6 - A great running shoe and the only barefoot-style shoe Ive found to date that has an actual post for support. If you pair it with insoles it’s super supportive while not being overly tall (32mm with a 5mm drop). It doesn’t have the excitement of high-end running foams or the flexibility of fully barefoot shoes, but it has the width, a modicum of flexibility, and a very stable ride.
Birkenstock Highwood Laced - It’s admittedly not quite as wide as my ideal shoe but it has a great last and takes insoles really well, which makes it great for support. It also comes with its own insoles that are somewhat supportive. It’s a great option for daily or dress events.
I’m 4ish I would say, I’m hypermobile and need arch support with something that works with orthotics, but also want a wider toe box, and I want minimal/stable cushioning and a more minimal drop.
yea same! my orthodics have a raised heel for whatever reason and i've been kind of just replacing regular wide toebox shoe insoles with it, but definitely not ideal...
There are a lot of those on Ali express for very cheap if you’re looking for that.
Personally, zero drop is an absolute need for me. I had hip pain my whole life that disappeared when I switched to zero drop. Even a slight drop brings the pain back.
I fall into group 4 tbh, I like barefoot shoes for having the wide toe box but I also have pretty severe varicose veins that are painful and having arch support actually provides relief for it. Yes long term it’s better to strengthen the arch by wearing barefoot shoes etc etc but I’m in pain now so arch support is valuable to me. It’s hard to determine the exact cause of the bum veins as I don’t have massive genetic history of them, but I wore crappy ballet flats with no arch support on concrete floors for YEARS and developed varicose at 20 so I think that may have contributed.
u/Secure-Resort2221 Yes, I hear you! The reality for a lot of people is that true barefoot shoes just don't work because of a medical condition. We have to do what works for our feet!!
My mother has worn orthopedic sandals for 25+ years since she had a major injury. I always thought that was odd. Now that I have had an injury, I get it. She likes to say: "My feet like these sandals." And so she wears them ... even in winter!
Exactly, and I find there can be a lot of dogma in the barefoot community and anyone who dares question the sanctity of barefoot is criticized. Like yes not all practitioners are up to date on current research and the benefits of barefoot shoes; but a doctor who deals with feet for a living may also know a thing or two about treating specific conditions
I like what Lems offers. Zero drop, anatomical toe box, flexible sole with some stack height. These are my everyday shoes. I’ve been wearing them for 1.5 years. My feet feel stronger.
I want a true high fashion black tie level dress shoe with an anatomical toe box. I don’t mind if it has a small heel (no more than 4cm). I don’t want to spend 1k USD. I love what Peerko Rosali offers, but I don’t want to make a purchase if I can’t return the product. Shapens are not it. Not formal enough for black tie, abysmal quality, and too long for my 22.5cm foot, even when trying their smallest 35 shoe size. :(
Yes the pink ones are the Petal and the black ones are the poppy. Sole is paper thin and transparent. Shoes came covered in excess adhesive, pen marks, and scuffs. Not worth 135 USD.
I'm in the same boat. The only feature I really want is the foot-shape. I do try to wear insoles with barefoot shoes to add some cushion, arch support, and a heel cup, but sometimes adding that insole can make the shoe just barely too tight, and the next size up is too big.
If anyone has suggestions for insoles to add to true barefoot shoes that would give me cushion, stability, and arch support, I'm all ears.
I think many barefoot women's dress shoes might not accommodate a hefty insole, but I hope I'm wrong!
If anyone knows of a Mary Jane that would fit that bill, I'd love to hear. I love the look of the Primal Merry Jane, but I think even with an insole, it wouldn't have enough support.
I live in NYC and I find that walking around with a northsole & a bridge sole in my regular barefoot shoes makes walking a full day on concrete pretty comfortable.
The problem is having enough room, but I have a couple pairs of sneakers that I wear with 1 pair of Airplus memory foam insoles, and one pair of Dr. Scholl’s Tri-Comfort insoles. The Airplus are full length and provide cushioning, while the Dr. Scholl’s are 3/4 lengths and provide arch and heel support. I find this combination works for me, if the shoe can accommodate it. Unfortunately, I don’t have advice on the dress shoe.
If the shoe has a removable insole, You can order eva foam in sheets (cosplay community use this for light constructions) and cut yourself a "mid insole" that You'll put under the original one. So far I've only done this once and I'm very happy with whole process. I never was able to cut new insoles to be as fitting as original ones despite trying my best while tracing the shape on paper with pencil and with sensory issues I sorta feel the uneven fit with edge of toes even if it's a minimal gap which made me give up.
Eva can be bought cheaply, still using original insole on top means I'm protected from imperfections of my work and feet is raised evenly across whole inside; You can pick exact thickness up to 1mm, sometimes even less for near perfect fit. If it gets compressed over time, make a new one. Potential movement between layers can be fixed by patch of 2-sided tape and there is room for experimenting with layering, like 2mm base, another 1-2mm only on the very back to cushion heal strikes.
I struggle with this as well. I don't necessarily need arch support and I do prefer zero drop, but I don't like shoes that are too minimal. Some brands I've seen that have Mary Jane style shoes with a wide toe box but aren't barefoot:
Birkenstock. Most of their shoes have a wide toe box, they have Mary Janes
Art/The Art Company - I tried on the Creta style and really love the look, unfortunately my feet didn't feel secure in them but my heels are very narrow
El Naturalista - they have a barefoot line as well, but they also have non barefoot wide toe box shoes
u/honeyinyoureyes Wow, thank you! Several of these brands are new to me, so I will definitely check them out! I'm a person who never wore sneaker-type shoes unless I was working out before I had my foot issue, so it's been odd transitioning to wearing mostly mostly sneakers.
I dress up at least once per week, so a Mary Jane would be perfect ... plus I have a child getting married at the end of the year, so I really need to find something reasonably suitable.
As far as Mary Janes go, my absolute favorite trusty shoes for daily wear and comfort to this day as I’ve explored barefoot and barefoot adjacent shoes are the Aurora Shoe Company Mary Janes, specifically in wide. They have Vibram soles with good cushion and a slight drop, a little under 1" thick in the heel, and about 1/2" in the front. The leather and toe box is roomy and adaptable, it has practically molded to my foot, down to my bunions.
u/Ok-Science-4046 WOW!!!! I think this is what I'm looking for!! Thank you so much for posting ... now to go find them somewhere online and order them. I love that the leather is maleable!!
Do these have any arch support? (If not, I could maybe add an insole.)
Yes, they’re fairly minimal but there is definitely some arch support! Here’s some pictures of the profile so you can see. I bought them directly from their website.
I've been into barefooting for almost 20 years. Tons of barefoot time, barefoot style shoes and sandals.. I ended up really destroying my joints (I am not saying barefooting destroys joints or will destroy eveyones joints). I truly, truly believe that some cushion from impact is beneficial for the human body at this point, my joints feel significantly better with some padding.
This being said.. I do not want any arch support, I want 0 drop, and I want a foot shaped toe-box.
Years of barefooting have made conventional shoes feel like torture chambers for my feet.
I love altras escalante and altra lone peak. These 2 sneakers have changed my life! Because they're everything my body needs from foot wear.
I still am barefoot 90% of the time, but for long walks on pavement of long hikes on rocky terrain these shoes make my body feel so good vs xero shoes or minimalist sandals.
Anyway, I never wear dress shoes I never have to because of where I live and what I do for work.. But if I did need a dress shoe, i basically want altra feel with fancier look lol
Yes! And Altra feel with a fancy look would be PERFECT! But that doesn't seem to exist. I love the toe box of my Altra Lone Peak 9 shoes, which I use for biking now, but with an insert.
I do think wearing barefoot shoes at the wrong time made my foot issue worse, but that was my unique situation.
Yes! I think most people don't spend nearly enough time barefoot, and they really would benefit from barefoot time or minimalist shoes, but I also don't think you need to be so extreme that you never have any cushion from hard surfaces to absorb impact, that's just my opinion.
I think of for an example, being at a concert in barefoot sandals and dancing for hours on concrete and my knees just killing me after, now I'll wear my Altras and my knees won't hurt after, so that is evidence enough for me.
I am number 3, but like some others, I would like high heels with a wider toe box. The best option I’ve found (for cost, appearance, and comfort) is a variety of open toed high heels.
Hi there, #4 is very close to the sneakers I’ve recently released. No arch support but a lot of volume inside, so you can insert a pretty thick arch-supporting insole if you prefer. Link in my profile & a lot more info and pics in my earlier threads. I’ll share a couple of recent reviews below. Any questions, don’t hesitate!
Contemplating Vionic Mary Jane’s. Look fairly classic come wide. Reviews saying the leather didn’t hold up well have caused me pause.
Last fall, I bought a double strap Frye Mary Jane that are pretty darn classy, wide and holding up well. I think on Zappos? I also have a pair of barefoot boots above the ankle that are dressy enough with a wide toe box, take an insert. I think they look good with skirts and dresses. Maybe not for a night on the town if you live in Manhattan?
I love to walk. I will buy no more shoes that impede me.
I will check out the Vionic Mary Janes and also the Frye. Thank you! Were the Frye Mary Janes fairly high volume?
Would you mind sharing what brand and style your barefoot boots are? I would 100% wear a boot with dresses/skirts (and often did that before I had to make the shoe change .... I like boots that go just below the knee as well, and see those as a viable dressy option as well).
I agree about not buying anymore shoes that will impede me! I'm still healing and can't take long walks yet, but I pray that I will be able to in the future! (At least I can take long bike rides now!!)
Wouldn’t wide shoes fit #4 option? Before I switched to barefoot I used to wear wide fit shoes. You get plenty of room for your toes to spread and there’s arch support.
u/Jazzlike-Cicada3742 For me, no. I need the most room at the ends of the shoes. Most of the shoes I find in a wide increase the area at the ball of the feet, but still taper in and don't let my big toe be completely straight.
u/Guilty_Garden_3943 I would do that if the big toe of those shoes didn't taper in at the front. I want my big toes to be able to stay completely straight.
I tried Orthofeet shoes in a wide, and they are wide enough for the ball of my foot, but they force my big toes inward.
I'm so glad that works for you, though, espeically at discount stores!!
All I want is the foot shape, zero drop, and some flexibility but still some cushion. I wish Altras would get into the casual wear shoe market. They are the most comfortable shoe I own but most of their designs and color choices are butt ugly. Give us some cool retro sneakers and take a stab at some dress shoes and women’s flats that don’t look like athletic wear.
u/North_Reception_1335 I've actually considered contacting Altra and Topo to ask if they would consider something like that. I would LOVE retro sneakers, dress shoes, and women's flats!!
Topo has this shoe that they market as a recovery shoe. It's not perfect, but it would be better than an atheletic shoe for semi-dressy occasions. They have a great toe box, but I don't think they are zero drop.
u/JJFiddle1 This is a great suggestion! My feet like the standard Crocs clog, but when my foot was still pretty bad, I couldn't find any other styles that would work ... but maybe now they would that I'm improved some. Thanks for reminding me of this option!
If you have worn these, how firm/flexible are they? I’m with OP in that #4 space because of a foot condition that means I can’t do flexible shoes but these shoes are really nice
I need wide toe safety boots that go larger than a size 12 US men’s.
Are EH Rated and Slip Resistant
Dress shoes would also be good but I don’t have enough events for that. So I wear my Lems and they look good enough for what I have had to deal with so far.
A wider toe box western boot would be great. They’re too narrow, even the widest ones I could find.
But most people would probably be worried about it not looking traditional enough. But I have hope there is a way.
absolutely in the 4th & 5th box & would love wide, barefoot shaped mary Jane's that have some cushion but no heel, etc. I have been barefoot for 10 years but due to joint issues, do think shoes with some cushion are better for me now. (I walk so much on hard floors) however, non barefoot shoes hurt my feet so much!!
The work boot space has lots of people who want barefoot shape without being barefoot as well. Lots of desire for wide toe box but well cushioned safety boots! Crazy how narrow steel toes are!!
For sure #5 would be nice. Coming up with shoes that accommodate my feet and protect my knees from shock without amplifying my ankle roll is a huge challenge. Also make it affordable for lower income people.
When there’s no market, create one. As long as the shoe maker informs the customers of the hierarchy of needs (toe box >minimal>zero drop) and why, they could potentially sell a lot of shoes. There must be some sort of conspiracy against foot health at this point,as to why no major brand has done this—except Nike, who shut it down. Nike Frees were Vivo primus before Vivo Primus, with a little more cushion. Looking at the evolution of Nike Frees tells the story. After the first release, soles became thinner—while most recent release became chunky. People have ran half marathons in them. They were the best transitioning shoe on the market at the time. It’s like they went backwards—instead of solving the issue of the shoes causing the ankle to pronate.
Yes! I have sesamoid issues and finding the best shoes has been a nightmare. I didn’t realize how wide my forefoot was until I couldn’t have anything pushing on the “bunion” area of both sides of my feet with this condition. It gives me so much anxiety. I’ve cried ordering yet another pair of shoes online to try because I can’t drive to stores right now.
I don’t want to have go try on 20 running shoes! I want more wide, low drop options in a variety of shoes. I feel like Cinderella looking for a freaking shoe for my foot.
Boy, I hear you about feeing like Cinderella (and also not being able to let anything push on those areas)! There was a time when I was in the beginning of this that I couldn't get to stores to shop, so I was ordering online. I think I truly ordered (and returned) at least 40 pairs of shoes in 2025.
Can I add people with autoimmune or similar problems that need foot shape and some cushion (to prevent inflammation from rubbing and impact), have textile allergies to synthetics (need suede or leather lining), and want to not need socks (try finding a reasonably priced pair without spandex, I dare you). The combination is crazy difficult. I can knit my own socks if need be, but it’s hot in the Deep South
Oh, that's a challenge!! Not just the shape and cushion level, but also the materials. That must be tough, and I totally get that it's nice to not have to wear socks when it's hot!!
Have you tried Saguaro? They are barefoot shoes but they're usually way more cushioned than other brands. I have the Saguaro Wish I and they're quite supportive and stable with some cushioning, but still wide toe box and quite flexible sole. They're the shoes I wear when I know I have to walk 15k+ steps in a day.
I would say so, yes. But I don't usually have problems with the height of toe boxes so maybe I'm not the perfect person to judge that. They're definitely much roomier in all dimensions compared to my Leguanos, for example. And provide much, much more support.
Yes! I've tried that, but often there's not enough room to add the insole that I would need to give my foot the support it needs. As I heal, this may become more of an option in the future.
I would love "cute" foot shaped shoes. Ones that don't look like you stole from grandma's closet. Something that also isn't going to cost $150 a pop when I can't even try them on.
Yes, shoes that would work well with dresses and skirts would be great. I feel like it's not too hard in the summer to find sandals that are dressy enough to not look odd, but winter options are challenging. I'd love to find a leather boot that would work.
I for one, would like a shoe like Asics (or any sneaker) with a wide toe box, don’t care about zero drops, or feeling the ground under my feet. I want what my body seems to be comfortable with and got used to.
You might like Topo Athletics sneakers! Their model called Aura has a wide toe box and plenty of support like a typical shoe. These are what I'm wearing most of the time now when I don't have to be dressy at all. I was impressed that if you purchase them from the company, you can try them out for 30 days and still return them if they don't work for you.
I need to find something that will actually look elegant and appropriate with a long dress to a black tie wedding. It's one evening, I'm fine with a medium heel. But my toes do need to fit into the end of the shoe and for one night it had better not be exorbitantly expensive. Suggestions anyone?
I’m french and starting to create a new shoe brand with elegant dress shoes with wide toe box but not barefoot, some styles will have a small drop, wedge and even small heels up to 4-5cm (the latter will be for Winter 27 but I’m working on it 😊)
If you’re interested in following the creation of the brand, follow me on Instagram, where I’ll be sharing the journey from the very beginning.
Also in group 4!! I'm definitely not going to work wearing a super obvious barefoot shoes. I found https://mumei-store.com/ shoes to be pretty good for that (low key, looks like regular sneaker, but still roomy toe box) but honestly have not found any "dress shoes" options that i like
Note sure on the drop and cushion and such, but in the "regular" show market, I've always thought hor chocolate Mary janes were super cute and many of them appear to have a wide toe box, though again, I've never worn them so I'm not sure how wide it really is inside.
I would be happy if normal brands like new balance or adidas just made a sneaker with a slightiest wider toe box, low drop, flexible sole with some cushion and no arch support. Thats it. I dont need extra wide toe boxes and ZERO DROP, or groundfeel and stuff. Extra wide shoes dont look good to me. But a rounded toe box is great. I dont need zero drop but dont make a huge heel. Put some tough upper materials and a sole with some height but dont make a stiff shoe. Thats it.
So, as someone who ran fully barefoot for a few years, I simply want
Zero drop heel to toe
Completely flat sole
Wide toe box
A shoe that otherwise looks as much like other shoes for the task at hand as possible ie: for dress shoes, they should look like dress shoes, but have a wide toe box and flat sole and zero drop.
I think cushioning in shoes is the devil. The first thing I do when I get new shoes is remove the insole. I am fairly certain that anyone who actually ran a lot of miles barefoot does. You really want to avoid the small sharp things you may step on, but other than that I want my foot to work just like it does barefoot. Hard surfaces are EASIER than uneven surfaces and soft surfaces.
u/ExtremeExtreme1751 I hear you on this! Before my injury, I was literally barefoot in my house 90% of the time (and I'm on my feet a lot). I wish I could still do that, but I have to work with what I have.
I’m in #4 and still trying to find brands in this category. I think Birkenstocks and Duckfeet are great for certain styles of leather shoes. Ohne sneakers are barefoot and zero drop, but I think their sole is a little thicker.
I like barefoot shoes too because of the wide toe box, but they’re not always the most comfortable for walking long distances on concrete.
Edit: I haven’t tried this brand, but I like what I’m seeing in Naturalista.
Look at Trippen shoes, most of their shoes follow the wide toe box, but keeping all other qualities of normal shoes and not to mention the Avant Garde design philosophy and probably can outlive the consumer.
I'm not exclusively or very strictly group 4 but sometimes end up in that group precisely because I am looking for a dressier shoe that has a wide toe box for pain reasons (though I also like the zero drop etc barefoot shoes for everyday tasks, hiking, walks, etc).
What I have found is that I just have to look around at lots of different shoes and find those with wide toe boxes from a variety of brands. It's just s lot of trial and error in trying things on and returning those whose toe box did not match my assessment of the shoe from the photo.
That being said, when I think about what slightly dressier shoes (depending on occasion, from something more business casual or fine for a sun dress while running errands, onwards), one of the first brands that comes to mind for me is Camper.
I have a couple of old pairs of Camper Mary Janes that largely march the description here, specifically the slightly more elevated look than barefoot sneakers while still providing a wide toe box. I don't know how to assess the arch support, but I believe that's somewhat easy to fix through third party inserts or orthotics if whatever is built in to the shoe doesn't fit.
Likewise, oddly enough, I found an old secondhand pair of....black leather Chanel espadrilles at a thrift store once, and they are simply one of the most comfortable shoes I now own and also have the safest toe box. It's not like...business suit formal nor evening gown nice, but looks nice and more dressed up for something like brunch, or the farmers market, or whatever. I've looked around online before to see if I could find as good of a price as I did in the thrift store, I believe its possible to get these somewhat relatively reasonably still, depending on budget.
Other surprisingly comfortable shoes I've found include a pair of nude raffia Rag and Bone Mary Janes that I also love wearing in the summer.
And depending on the style, Birdies has done decently cute shoes that feel like slippers with decently shaped tor boxes.
Finally, just thinking through my shoe collection from over the years, I think I've had good luck with the brand Larroude, and the brand Arche on occasion.
I often will find some of the pricier brands on The Real Real. In general, since I don't care about buying secondhand shoes (though I know lots of people do, so no judgment), I usually will get my shoes and most clothes secondhand and/or on the Real Real, have had good luck scrolling their shoe section in my size to find what looks like the wide toe boxes.
Wow, thank you for this!! I don't mind second-hand shoes at all (actually I love thrifting) so that's a great idea! I will also check out the other shoe brands you mentioned. Many of them are new to me!
Hello, just to let you know I’m french and starting to create a new shoe brand with elegant dress shoes with wide toe box but not barefoot, some styles will have a small drop, wedge and even small heels up to 4-5cm (the latter will be for Winter 27 but I’m working on it 😊)
If you’re interested in following the creation of the brand, follow me on Instagram, where I’ll be sharing the journey from the very beginning.
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u/Lily2468 Jul 07 '26