I know I'm the right person to write this article, because I understand how tough it is to find nice shoes that don't hurt your feet. As I get older (I'm in my forties) I notice that I can't reach for the high heels I used to wear in my twenties. I need support. I need some comfort. If it's a wide-fit design, I'm happier, and when there are half sizes available I'm in my element. After writing an article about the best occasion wear dresses for women over a certain age, I decided I wanted to help in the footwear department, too. I scoured the virtual aisles for some top picks and I've even looked towards the royals (my other specialist subject!) for some expert guidance as well.
And talking of experts, there was one person I really wanted to reach out to when it comes to the royals, and that's Samantha, she's the woman behind the popular Royal Fashion Daily Instagram account (formerly known as Royal Fashion Police). She's a marvel at documenting royal outfits, so I was desperate to know what the 50+ royals can teach us about their shoe choices for a special event.
© Getty ImagesSamantha notes that royals tend to reach for their low block heel shoes and their wedges. She said: "These both offer elegance with comfort, especially for long engagements. Both Queen Camilla and the Duchess of Edinburgh often choose them for practicality without sacrificing style."
How I chose the best summer shoes for older women
- Style AND comfort: I want this to be a stylish edit but I also want to make sure the shoes will be comfortable, too. From ankle straps to cushion support and wide fit options, I want to give you choice.
- Cost: I've tried to choose summer sandals and shoes that you can wear time and time again so if they're a little more expensive, I'm hoping the investment will be worth it in the long run. I also looked at some of my favourite brands, and the ones that I trust.
- Age appropiate: As you know, this edit is all about shoes handpicked with an age category in mind. I've tried to pick a mix of styles - after all, just because you've reached a certain age, doesn't necessarily mean you have to change your style. I'm hoping you'll get the inspiration that works FOR YOU.
© Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Im- Padded footbed flat shoe editor's pick: Next Wedge Sandals, £48 / $82
- Low heel editor's pick: Mango Block Heel Shoes, £45.99 / $79.99
- Bunion-friendly editor's pick: Sole Bliss 'Ronnie' Gold Shoes, £199 / $399
- Block heel editor's pick: Emmy London 'Stella' Block Heel Shoes, £495 / $765
- Occasion wear shoe editor's pick: Dune 'Mayven Open Toe Sandals, £129 / $258
- Wedged heel shoe editor's pick: M&S Buckled Sandals, £40 / $78.99
Best summer shoes for women over 40, 50, and 60
Next White Forever Comfort Leather Low Cork Wedges
© NextWhy I love them:
- Stylish
- Forever Comfort padding
- Perfect for summer
Next is one of my top choices when it comes to shoes, mainly because of the padded footbed.
Mango Block Heel Sandals
© MangoWhy I love them:
- Stylish
- Ankle strap
- Versatile
Mango is smashing it out of the park for summer 2026, there are some gorgeous shoes on site at the moment. I decided to share this pair because I think they're great for a occasion wear as they go with everything.
Style with: Glam outfits this summer.
Emmy London 'Stella' Gold Leather Low Block Heel
© Emmy LondonWhy I love them:
- Stylish
- Versatile
- Excellent reviews
Ok, so I've included these because they are royal approved (Princess Kate's a major fan) but also because they're gorgeous and comfort is top priority. Crafted from soft gold leather, this elegant sandal features a beautifully clean silhouette with delicate ankle straps and a sturdy low block heel designed for effortless all-day wear.
Style with: Evening wear, especially good for a mother of the bride outfit or a wedding guest outfit.
Sole Bliss 'Ronnie' Gold Leather Platform Shoes
© Sole BlissWhy I love them:
- Stylish
- Deep toe box
- Ultra-cushioned footbed
- Anti-pronating arch support
Sole Bliss is a brand that older women tend to gravitate to (Helen Mirren and Queen Camilla are both fans!) as they are ideal for anyone who suffers with bunions or fallen arches. These have a cushioning stretch panel for bunions, and not one, not two, but three layers of cushioning under foot.
Style with: Jeans and occasion wear.
Dune London 'Mayven' Open Toe Sandals
© Dune LondonWhy I love them:
- Stylish
- Supportive ankle strap
- Glitzy
You just have to take a look at the Zara new-in section to see glitzy shoes are everywhere. But boy do they look uncomfortable. What I love about this pair is that these sandals have the glitz but they also have the ankle support.
Style with: A glam outfit for a special event.
Marks & Spencer Buckle Strappy Sandals
© M&SWhy I love them:
- Ankle support
- Wedged heel
- On trend design
Elegant and strappy, these wedged heels are timeless.
Style with: Summer occasion dress.
H&M Braided Straw Sandals
© H&MWhy I love them:
- Stylish
- Glam but still comfortable
- They are perfect for vacations
Everyone needs a pair of flat sandals in their shoe cupboard - especially in the summer season. These braided-detail sandals from H&M feature an adjustable strap that wraps around the ankle.
Style with: Jeans or a summer beach outfit.
River Island Cream Mesh Round Toe Slingback Shoes
© River IslandWhy I love them:
- Stylish
- Low heel if you don't like stilettos
- Catwalk inspired
River Island is a great place to find nice shoes if you ask me. I saw plenty of stylish options available, but I chose these mesh low heeled shoes because they're a great all-rounder.
Style with: Trousers like the model, or a midi dress for dance floor friendly occasion shoes.
ASOS Fernanda Rope Flat Sandals
© ASOSWhy I love them:
- Stylish
- Summery design
- Versatile
Flat sandals aren't for everyone, but if you're a fan, you'll love this rope style from ASOS.
Style with: Beach dresses, maxi dresses and linen co-ords.
FitFlop Leather Espadrille Wedge Sandals
© FitFlopWhy I love them:
- Easy to wear
- Comfort factor
- Different colour options
- Some half sizes available
They are ergonomically engineered to help optimise your body's alignment, and they feature CushX™ comfort technology hidden in the rubber outsole.
Style with: A pair of jeans or a summer midi dress.
Kurt Geiger 'Aria' Low Heel Slingback Shoes
© Kurt GeigerWhy I love them:
- Stylish
- Classic
- A low heel
Kurt Geiger is a major player when it comes to wedding season, and the 'Aria' slingback heels will have you desperate to get on the dance floor.
Style with: Your wedding guest outfits.
Mint Velvet 'Marcie' Black Leather Strappy Heels
© Mint VelvetWhy I love them:
- Stylish
- Low heel
- Adjustable strap
Mint Velvet is a firm favourite with the fashion crowd and lots of the styles tend to sell out fast. I love these black strappy sandals - I think they'll really amp up a look.
Style with: A summery black dress.
What to look for when it comes to comfortable shoes - 5 top tips
Shopping for shoes changes when comfort is a priority, but that doesn't mean you can't look chic as well. Here are some things you need to pay attention to.
- Cushioned insoles: If you can find somes that have a padded footbed you're in luck. These definitely help with comfort. If you can't, you might want to order some insoles from Amazon to help.
- Breathable materials: These help keep your feet cool and dry, keeping blisters at bay.
- Roomy toe-box: If you suffer with any sort of neuroma to the foot, or a bunion, you need to ensure that you've got a roomy toe-box area. Pointy shoes may well be lovely to look at but if you struggle with a bunion, they might not be for you.
- Durable soles: We don't want you slipping all over the place. Look for shoes that might have a textured sole or good traction. In the past I've gently scored the bottom of my shoes with a knife in a criss-cross pattern. Did it help? A little.
- Heel height: I haven't featured any shoes in this edit that are high, but if you do, look out for block heels, wedges or platforms for better support.
