13 Best Shoes for Interviews

First impressions are everything, and this applies to footwear as well, especially when you’re headed to an interview. During a job interview, all bets are off, and every detail counts. Right from your facial expression, body posture, and first handshake to the choice of attire, right down to your shoes, everything contributes towards a first impression for the interviewer. That’s why we decided to invest in the best shoes for interviews, as they’re a whole other ballgame. Not only did we look for shoes that looked good and polished but also, we kept in mind our attire so they would complement it.

Moreover, they should be comfortable to wear for extended periods as well, especially if there will be a lot of walking and waiting, and it could get stressful. Luckily we found tons of good choices for both men and women that not only showed off one’s personality and style but also exuded confidence and professionalism, while also staying comfortable. Plus, they were available across a range of styles too. Here’s a detailed guide to the best footwear for interviews.

Dear Time Low Kitten Heel Pumps

13

You might be wondering why we’re starting our list with kitten heels, but hear us out – the Dear Time Low Kitten Heel Pumps have to be one of the comfiest heels we’ve ever encountered. Featuring two-inch kitten heels, these plain-Jane pumps are as gorgeous as they’re comfortable. This is due to the thick padded memory foam footbed, which offered comfot, stability, and balance for wearing them all day long. In fact, we didn’t feel tired at all. Even though we were looking for neutral hues, we still had a wide choice of colors when choosing these, and we eventually chose the lovely grey ones you see below.

Hash Bubbie Women’s Ballet Flats

12

The Hash Bubbie Women’s Ballet Flats are one of the simplest and yet best footwear we’ve ever worn to interviews. These flats have a soft insole and a PU leather upper, ensuring that we were not only comfortable but also looked good wearing them. We loved the classic round toe design, which made our feet appear smaller and more feminine. Moreover, the slip-on design was very easy to put on and take off. Wrapping up the features is the TPR outsole, which was flexible and yet provided traction.

Rockport Men’s Classic Lite Venetian Loafers

11

One of the best slip-on formal shoes for men is the Rockport Men’s Classic Lite Venetian Loafers. These shoes have been crafted from genuine leather, which was very easy to clean and maintain, and which ended up looking all the better as time passed by. What’s more, they featured a removable and comfortable EVA footbed, which offered superb levels of comfort. Thanks to the brand’s patented truTECH technology, these shoes offered lightweight shock-absorption as well, alongwith long-lasting cushioning in the heel. What more could we ask for?

Ortho+rest Women’s Mary Jane Chunky Heels

10

Do you suffer from foot problems? You need the Ortho+rest Women’s Mary Jane Chunky Heels. These Mary Janes are specifically designed for women who have sensitive feet or bunions who need both comfort and style. This workwear essential paired well with our formal outfits while also providing all-day comfort. Thanks to the soft insole and cushioning, the pumps were exceptionally comfortable. Adding to the fit was the thick padded heel and the foam lining, which esnured a secure and stable walking experience.

Dockers Men’s Gordon Shoes

9

The Dockers Men’s Gordon Shoes are perfect for men with foot problems. These gorgeous shoes are ideal for interviews, thanks to their polished full-grain leather upper and look and design. However, that’s not all. They even have padded collars, which add an additional layer of comfort. Thanks to the flexible construction that allowed for all-day wear, we were comfortable wearing them on different kinds of surfaces as well. Oh, and did we mention that these shoes had been accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting good foot health? Yep.

Dream Pairs Women’s Low Heel Pump Shoes

8

Best heels. The Dream Pairs Women’s Low Heel Pump Shoes is one of the most versatile and comfortable heeled shoes we’ve seen, interviews of not. There were many things we loved about the heels, starting with the fact that it was a block heel. So, it added to our height and elevated our style without us worrying about breaking our ankles on stilettos, ensuring balanced support all day. What’s more, the latex insole conforms to the shape of our feet, offering personalized comfort and cushioning. Adding to the party was the non-slip TPR outsole, which ensured durability and grip. Did we mention that walking was a noise-free experience? Yes!

Athlefit Women’s Slingback Flats

7

Just because they’re flats doesn’t mean that they are any less of an interview shoe. We’re talking about the Athlefit Women’s Slingback Flats, which are one of the most stylish flats we’ve ever seen. These flats, which feature a classic round-toe design, boast a premium leather upper that kept our feet breathing and comfortable all day long. What’s more, the low 0.79-inch heel, along with the slingback design, ensured that the shoes stayed on our feet firmly. At the same time, they allowed for easy on and off. We loved the classic two-tone design with the elegant black and the classic nude that ensured that our interview look was as chic as it was sleek.

Bruno Marc Men’s KnitFlex Casual Oxfords

6

We were interviewing at a startup, which is why we chose to wear smart formals and pair them with these Bruno Marc Men’s KnitFlex Casual Oxfords. There were many reasons why we chose to wear the shoes to the interview, starting with the fact that the office had a casual and semi-formal style. So, we didn’t feel out of place when we walked in there. What’s more, these shoes were extremely lightweight, allowing us to be on our feet all day long. Thanks to the elasticated collar and the rear pull tab, the shoes were very easy to put on and take off, despite the lace-up design. Plus, the padded detail protected our heels from chafing, complementing the memory foam insole and the cushy EVA outsole. Did we mention that the knitted upper was extremely breathable? Yep.

LifeStride Women’s Sevyn Pumps

5

There are nothing quite like a pair of pumps to give you that boost of confidence, are they? That’s why we chose the LifeStride Women’s Sevyn Pumps, which, despite being heels, were one of the most comfortable footwear we’ve ever worn. That’s why we decided to wear them to an interview, even though we had to wear them for long and walk around.

And why not? These dress pumps featured enough padding to keep our soles comfortable. At the same time, the pointy tip added oomph to our outfits, whether they were trousers or skirts. If that wasn’t enough, they even came in multiple sizes, including half and wide sizes. So, they were ideal for even women with wider feet. If that wasn’t enough, the pumps came in multiple colours, which included both neutral hues and bright ones. We chose the gorgeous navy as it complemented our interview outfits well.

DeYashopin Women’s Loafers

4

We’ve always been fans of loafers as they’re versatile, look chic, and yet are very comfortable. Behold the DeYashopin Women’s Loafers, which were perfect for pairing with our formal clothing as we attended interviews and complemented both trousers and skirts. These slip-on flats featured a thick latex-cushioned insole for all-day comfort in a timeless, classic style. What’s more, the smooth microfiber upper was soft, breathable, and flexible, keeping our feet comfortable to all kinds of movement all day long. The squared toe design gave us more wriggle room, but what we really loved was the embellished gold hardware, which somehow looked really good on these shoes.

Jousen Men’s Formal Lace-up Brogues

3

If your office doesn’t have a formal-shirt-and-trouser culture and rather has a smart casual vibe, then we beg you to check out the Jousen Men’s Formal Lace-up Brogues. Available in various design versions in black and brown, these shoes boasted a soft and breathable lining that kept our feet cool and odor-free all day of the interview. On the outside, the premium faux leather and the uber-neat stitching made these look eye-catching. On the inside, the comfortable memory foam insole decreased our foot fatigue as we were on our feet the whole day. Rounding things up were the adjustable laces, which ensured a great fit.

Check out the official product page.

Bruno Marc Men’s Formal Oxfords

2

Best overall for men. The Bruno Marc Men’s Formal Oxfords are the most classic interview shoes any man can have in his wardrobe. Crafted in the USA, these formal shoes boasted a comfortable, soft, and lightweight design that was perfect for wearing for long periods. This was all thanks to the cushioned insole, which provided extra comfort, and the flexible outsole that allowed our feet to tackle any surface. Moreover, the platform heel height of 0.5 inches was just right and stylish enough for us to make an impression. Rounding up the features were the stitching vamp and the rubber sole.

“We paired these shoes with a crisp formal shirt and formal pleated trousers and were raring to go.”

Dizzzi

DREAM PAIRS Women’s Ankle Strap Low Wedges

1

Best overall for women. There is more than one reason why the Dream Pairs Women’s Ankle Strap Low Wedges sits at the top of this list. We loved everything about these shoes, starting from the round head design to the side V-shaped mouth, which left us feeling comfortable. The wedge heel brought in the elegance factor while also ensuring stability as we walked around. What’s more, the adjustable ankle strap furthered the fit, ensuring that we didn’t feel off balance at any point in time. The wear-resistant and non-slip soft and lightweight TPR sole aside, the shoes also had an anti-fatigue and cushioned insole. The best bit? It came in a plethora of colors, including the classic black ones you see below.

Our Verdict!

While we loved all the options here, check out a specialized list to help you choose.

• Best overall for men: Bruno Marc Men’s Formal Oxfords
• Best overall for women: DREAM PAIRS Women’s Ankle Strap Low Wedges
• Best heels: Dream Pairs Women’s Low Heel Pump Shoes
• Best flats: Athlefit Women’s Slingback Flats

How To Choose The Best Shoes For Interviews?

In this unique “How To Choose” guide, we’ll outline the general guidelines as well as the dos and don’ts of which footwear to wear for what kind of interviews.

General Guidelines

Choosing footwear for job interviews is subjective. Do you prefer to look stylish or stay comfortable? Ideally, the right pair of footwear strikes a balance between the two. While appearing smart is important, we also want to be able to stride into our interview with confidence, as we don’t want to feel self-conscious. Personal preferences and style aside, we tried to base our choice of shoes on the kind of image we wished to present to potential employers.

• Research the interview location and setting. Is there a lot of walking required? Are there stairs you need to climb? Flats or low-heeled options are better and safer.
• Consider the climate and weather. It’s best to avoid absorbent materials like suede and low-vamp shoes if it’s raining.
• Consider the type of industry you’re interviewing for. Usually, client-facing and corporate roles require sensible, toned-down silhouettes, while creative jobs might still favor experimental styles.
• Finally, consider the outfit as a whole and pick the pair of footwear that best complements it. Think about the footwear that works with your outfit’s colors, fit, and jewelry. The thumb rule is to dress your best while still feeling comfortable enough to focus on the interview.

Dos

• Why neutral hues work so well is because they’re timeless, universally flattering, and more importantly, in today’s world, inoffensive colors. Colors like navy, gray, white, black, and beige look polished and professional, easily pairing with most outfits, too.
• The best is to avoid prints and go with solid colors.
• Go for understated, smart designs. Usually, closed-toe shoes with modest heels are the safest options for formal interview settings.

Don’ts

• Stay away from sneakers. Instead, go for loafers or covered flats.
• Avoid footwear with loud details such as garish colors, flashy patterns, or eye-catching embellishments. It’s best to look professional and clean.
• Don’t wear strappy shoes or open-toe styles; stick to closed-toe footwear.

Are you looking for shoes for other occasions too? Check out the best shoes for dancing.

If you’re looking for specific work shoes, you might also want to check out the best shoes for hairstylists and the best shoes for kitchen work.

Do shoes matter in an interview?

Yes. Even in today’s world, first impressions matter, and your shoes are part of that first impression.

What Color shoes are best for interviews?

Colors like navy, grey, white, black, and beige look the best, as they’re polished and pair with most outfits.

Can I wear flat shoes to an interview?

Absolutely, as long as they’re clean, closed-toe, well-designed, and in a good color.