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Best Dress Shoes for Bunions
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Best Dress Shoes for Bunions

Finding dress shoes that are both comfortable and fashionable can be difficult if you have bunions.

Why give up on looking great just because you have bunions or problematic feet?

If you’re having problems with bunions, crooked toes, sore joints, or achy soles, we can help!

Sophia - Black Leather Pumps

Sophia - Black Leather Pumps

The Sophia is Calla's high-heel court, a 3 inch (about 7.5cm) heel softened by a half-inch platform, in goats leather that flexes over the bunion. The platform reduces the pitch so pressure isn't concentrated on the big toe joint, with extra width through the forefoot. Fits up to EE, true to size.
OriginHandcrafted in Portugal at a family-run factory in the Porto region
MaterialGoat leather upper, leather-lined
Heel3 inch heel with a half inch platform
FitTrue to size, fits up to EE width
Toe boxExtra width and volume in the toe area, standard at the heel
FootbedLeather-lined, gently padded, arch-supported insole
Best forWork, party and event wear that calls for a black court
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Our Review

Black Sophia is the high court I wear when I want proper height for an occasion, because the 3 inch heel still looks like a heel but the half-inch platform takes the edge off the pitch so my weight isn't thrown onto my bunion. The goats leather flexes where my forefoot is widest, and the leather-lined arch-supported insole means I can stand longer than I can in a normal court. It is a classic black court that goes with tailoring or a dress. Fits up to EE, true to size.

Pros

  • Goat leather flexes around the bunion joint as you walk
  • Half inch platform cuts the effective pitch of the 3 inch heel
  • Leather-lined padded insole sits under the arch
  • Extra width and volume in the toe area accommodates the joint without losing the court silhouette

Cons

  • EE the width cap so EEE feet will need a wider style
  • 3 inch heel is at the upper end for all-day standing
  • Smooth leather sole needs grip pads on wet pavement
Sophia - Light Beige Leather Pumps

Sophia - Light Beige Leather Pumps

The Sophia high-heel court in light beige goats leather, a pale nude that lengthens the leg on a 3 inch (about 7.5cm) heel with a half-inch platform. The platform reduces the pitch on the big toe joint while the goats leather flexes over the bunion. Fits up to EE, true to size.
OriginHandcrafted in Portugal at a family-run factory in the Porto region
MaterialGoats leather upper, leather-lined gently padded insole
Heel3-inch heel with a half-inch platform
StyleCourt shoe
Width fitFits up to EE
Sizing noteTrue to size
Toe boxWide toe box with hidden stretch panel over the bunion area
FootbedArch-supported, gently padded leather-lined insole
Best forWorkwear, weddings, neutral occasion outfits
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Our Review

Light beige is the Sophia I wear when I want height and a longer-looking leg, since the pale nude blurs into the leg under a hem. The 3 inch heel is softened by the half-inch platform, so my weight isn't tipped fully onto my bunion, and the goats leather flexes where my forefoot needs it. The leather-lined arch-supported insole holds me through an occasion. I pair it with a midi or tailored trousers. Fits up to EE, true to size.

Pros

  • Goats leather flexes around the forefoot where bunions sit
  • Half-inch platform reduces the effective pitch of the 3-inch heel
  • Light beige sits with most occasion outfits as a neutral
  • Hidden stretch panel over the bunion area

Cons

  • Light beige shows scuffs and marks faster than darker tones
  • 3-inch heel sits at the upper end for all-day wear
  • Width caps at EE so EEE feet should look elsewhere
Delilah - Black Shine Leather Pumps

Delilah - Black Shine Leather Pumps

The Delilah is Calla's tall court done on a stable 8cm block heel with a half-inch platform, in black shine leather. The block heel and platform give height with stability and ease the pitch on the big toe joint, while the EEE forefoot gives the bunion room. Fits up to EEE, true to size.
OriginHandcrafted in Portugal at a family-run factory in the Porto region
MaterialGoats leather upper, leather-lined gently padded insole
Heel8cm block heel with a half-inch platform
StyleCourt shoe with shine leather finish
Width fitFits up to EEE
Toe boxWide toe box with hidden stretch panel over the bunion area
FootbedArch-supported, gently padded leather-lined insole
Best forWorkwear, evening events, occasions
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Our Review

Delilah is the heel I wear when I want real height but not the wobble of a stiletto, because the 8cm block heel and half-inch platform give me the height on a stable base. The platform eases the pitch so my weight isn't driven onto my bunion, and the goats leather flexes where my forefoot is widest. The EEE width is more generous than the Sophia, so it suits a wider foot at height. The shine leather dresses up an evening outfit. Fits up to EEE, true to size.

Pros

  • Goats leather flexes around the forefoot where bunions sit
  • 8cm block heel spreads weight across a wider base than a stiletto
  • Half-inch platform reduces the effective pitch of the heel
  • Fits up to EEE width feet

Cons

  • 8cm is at the upper end of all-day heel height
  • Shine leather finish shows scratches and scuffs faster than matt
  • Smooth leather sole can feel slick on polished floors until worn in
Hallie - Black Leather Pumps

Hallie - Black Leather Pumps

The Hallie is Calla's Mary-Jane court, a pointed toe on a stable 5cm block heel with a strap across the foot, here in soft black leather. The 5cm block keeps you steady while the EEE toe area gives the bunion room, so the point sits ahead of the toes rather than on the joint. Fits up to EEE, true to size.
StyleMary Jane court shoe with pointed toe
MaterialBlack patent leather upper, lamb leather lining
Heel5cm block heel
FinishGlossy patent
FitFits up to EEE width
Toe boxPointed toe over a wide toe box, bunion-friendly fit
InsoleCushioned, arch-supported
Best forOffice, evening events, weddings
OriginDesigned in the UK, handcrafted in Porto, Portugal
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Our Review

Black Hallie is the Mary-Jane court I wear for work and dinner, because the strap across the foot holds me securely and the 5cm block heel is low and stable enough to stand and walk in all day. The pointed toe sharpens the look, but the width runs to EEE so the point sits ahead of my toes while my bunion has room. It is soft black leather rather than a stiff court, so the joint isn't pressed. I wear it with a jumpsuit or a little black dress. Fits up to EEE, true to size.

Pros

  • 5cm block heel sits in the all-day wearable range
  • Mary Jane strap holds the shoe on the foot without pressing the bunion joint
  • Pointed toe over Calla's wide toe last so the shape is slimmer than the foot inside
  • EEE width cap with lamb leather lining

Cons

  • Patent finish shows scuffs and scratches more visibly than matt leather
  • Pointed toe is a closer-cut shape than the round-toe styles in the range
  • Glossy patent surface can pick up dust and smudges that need wiping down
Hallie - Almond Leather Pumps

Hallie - Almond Leather Pumps

The Hallie Mary-Jane court in soft almond leather, a warm nude-tan that lengthens the leg where black would cut it short. A stable 5cm block heel and EEE toe area keep the bunion comfortable while the strap holds the foot. Fits up to EEE, true to size.
StyleMary Jane court shoe with pointed toe
MaterialAlmond patent leather upper, lamb leather lining
Heel5cm block heel
FinishGlossy patent
FitFits up to EEE width
Toe boxPointed toe over a wide toe box, bunion-friendly fit
InsoleCushioned, arch-supported
Best forOffice, evening events, weddings
OriginDesigned in the UK, handcrafted in Porto, Portugal
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Our Review

Almond is the Hallie I wear when I want a warm nude court that makes my legs look longer under a hem, since the soft tan tone blurs into the leg. The strap holds my foot and the 5cm block keeps me steady through a work day or an evening. The EEE width means the pointed toe sits ahead of my toes while my bunion has room. It pairs with cream, camel and tailoring. Fits up to EEE, true to size.

Pros

  • 5cm block heel sits in the all-day wearable range
  • Mary Jane strap holds the shoe on the foot without pressing the bunion joint
  • Pointed toe over Calla's wide toe last so the shape is slimmer than the foot inside
  • EEE width cap with lamb leather lining

Cons

  • Patent finish shows scuffs and scratches more visibly than matt leather
  • Pointed toe is a closer-cut shape than the round-toe styles in the range
  • Almond shade marks more readily than black
Lorette - Black Patent Leather Pumps

Lorette - Black Patent Leather Pumps

The Lorette is Calla's almond-toe Mary-Jane court in glossy black patent, a rounder, softer toe than the pointed Hallie. Cushioned insoles, arch support and discreet stretch panels give the bunion room, while the strap holds the foot. Fits up to EEE, true to size.
OriginHandcrafted in Portugal at a family-run factory in the Porto region
MaterialBlack patent leather upper, lamb leather lining
StyleMary Jane court with almond toe
Width fitFits up to EEE
Sizing noteTrue to size
Toe boxAlmond toe, wide toe box with hidden stretch panel over the bunion area
FootbedCushioned insole with built-in arch support
Best forOffice wear and evening occasions
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Our Review

Lorette is the patent Mary-Jane I reach for when I want a rounder toe than a pointed court, since the almond shape feels softer and roomier at the front. The glossy patent dresses up a work or evening outfit, and the strap holds my foot securely. The discreet stretch panels give over my bunion so the joint isn't pressed, and the cushioned arch-supported insole carries the day. It fits up to EEE. True to size, and it has become one I reach for again and again.

Pros

  • Mary Jane strap holds the foot in place over the instep
  • Almond toe gives room across the forefoot without a square cut
  • Hidden stretch panel sits over the bunion area
  • Cushioned insole with built-in arch support carries through the day

Cons

  • Patent finish shows scratches more visibly than matt leather
  • Patent leather feels less breathable in heat
  • Narrower fit options not available (EEE only)
Ava - Black Leather Pumps

Ava - Black Leather Pumps

A classic black leather court on a manageable 5cm kitten heel, with extra width and volume through the toe area for a wide forefoot. The roomy toe and arch support carry a full office day, where a standard court would press on the bunion by mid-morning. Fits EE-EEE, true to size.
OriginHandcrafted in Portugal at a family-run factory in the Porto region
MaterialBlack leather upper, lamb leather lining
Heel5cm kitten heel
FitFits EE-EEE width feet best
Toe boxExtra width and volume in the toe area, standard at the heel
FootbedArch-supported insole
Best forWork, weekday dressing and any wardrobe slot that wants a low heel
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Our Review

The black Ava is my everyday work court, the pair I put on for a day of meetings because a 5cm heel is low enough to stand and walk in from morning to evening. What makes it work for me is the extra room through the toe area, an EE-EEE that lets my bunion sit without the joint pressing on a hard leather edge the way a standard court does. The arch support holds my foot through hours on office floors. In smooth black leather it goes under any suit or with a pencil skirt. True to size for me across the EE-EEE width.

Pros

  • 5cm kitten heel works for full work-day standing
  • EE-EEE width cap takes wider feet than most courts on the high street
  • Extra width and volume in the toe area accommodates the bunion joint
  • Lamb leather lining over the bunion area flexes with the joint

Cons

  • Smooth leather sole needs grip pads on wet pavement
  • Narrower than EE feet may find the toe area roomy
  • Black leather shows light scuffs at the toe over time
Claudia - Black Leather Pumps

Claudia - Black Leather Pumps

The Claudia court in smooth black leather, a pointed toe on a low kitten heel that sharpens tailoring and lengthens the foot line. The point sits ahead of the toes while the toe box stays wide over the bunion, so a sharp court doesn't pinch the joint. Fits EE, true to size.
OriginHandcrafted in Portugal at a family-run factory in the Porto region
MaterialBlack leather upper, lamb leather lining
HeelKitten heel
Toe shapePointed toe
FitTrue to size, fits EE width feet best
Toe boxWide toe box with hidden stretch panel over the bunion area
Best forWorkwear, smart-casual day, evening
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Our Review

The black Claudia is my pointed court for formal days, the one I wear when a rounded toe feels too soft for a sharp suit. The point lengthens my foot and finishes tailoring cleanly, but the part that matters to me is that the width sits over my bunion while the point extends past my toes, so the shape doesn't crush the joint the way a normal pointed court does. The low kitten heel lets me wear it from a morning meeting into an evening dinner. With a pencil skirt or wide-leg trousers it does the sharp, polished thing I want. I take my true size, an EE.

Pros

  • Kitten heel gives a small lift suitable for full days on the feet
  • Pointed toe sits on a wide toe box so the bunion joint has room
  • EE width cap suits wider forefeet
  • Black leather pairs with workwear through to evening

Cons

  • Pointed toe shape narrows visually so very wide feet beyond EE may prefer a rounded toe style
  • Leather courts need conditioning to keep the upper looking fresh
  • Slip-on court offers no fastening adjustment
Betty - Black Patent Slingbacks

Betty - Black Patent Slingbacks

A high-shine black patent slingback on a stable 4.5cm block heel, cut with a square toe and an open back so it stays sharp without feeling heavy. The discreet stretch panel flexes over the big toe joint, so the joint is eased rather than rubbed through a day that runs from the morning meeting to the evening table. Fits EE, true to size.
OriginHandcrafted in Portugal at a family-run factory in the Porto region, designed in the UK
MaterialBlack patent leather upper, lamb leather lining
Heel4.5 cm block heel
ToeSquare toe
FitTrue to size
WidthFits EE width feet best
Toe boxWide Calla last with hidden bunion-friendly stretch panel
FootbedCushioned insole
Best forWork wear with tailored trousers, evening with denim and a blazer
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Our Review

Black patent is the pair I reach for when I don't know what the day will throw at me, because it looks just as right with office trousers as it does with a midi dress at dinner. The 4.5cm block heel is low and square enough that I can stand on a hard church floor through a christening without my forefoot complaining. What sells it for me is the stretch panel sitting right over my bunion, so the joint flexes instead of catching on a stiff patent edge, which is usually where a glossy shoe like this would rub. The square toe also lets my toes sit flat rather than being pushed to a point. I find the EE fitting true to size, so I take my normal size.

Pros

  • 4.5 cm block heel adds height while keeping a stable footprint
  • Square toe gives extra space across the toe joints
  • Stretch panel flexes over the bunion area
  • Slingback strap holds the heel on a wider Calla last

Cons

  • Patent finish scuffs show against the glossy surface
  • EE width fit best so EEE feet may feel snug
  • Slingback strap can rub the heel during the first few wears
Petra - Black Leather Slingbacks

Petra - Black Leather Slingbacks

The Petra is Calla's flat slingback, a square toe finished with a bow on a low heel, here in black leather. The cushioned insole and discreet stretch panel flex over the bunion, so a low slingback stays comfortable all day. Fits EE, true to size.
StyleSlingback with bow detail across the vamp
MaterialBlack leather upper, lamb leather lining
HeelLow heel
Toe shapeSquare toe
FitTrue to size, fits EE width feet best
Toe boxWide toe box with discreet stretch panel across the bunion area
InsoleCushioned
Best forWorkwear with tailored trousers, midi dresses, denim and a blazer for evenings
OriginDesigned in the UK, handcrafted in Porto, Portugal
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Our Review

Black Petra is the flat slingback I wear when I want the look of a court without the height, since the square toe and the little bow keep it smart while the low heel is kind to my feet. The stretch panel flexes over my bunion so the joint isn't pinched, and the cushioned insole supports a full day. The open slingback keeps it from feeling closed-in in warmer weather. I wear it with tailored trousers or a midi for work. Fits EE, true to size.

Pros

  • Square toe gives the forefoot horizontal room without widening the heel
  • Hidden stretch panel flexes across the bunion joint
  • Slingback strap holds a fit that does not need to grip the heel rigidly
  • Low heel pitch for full-day office wear

Cons

  • EE width cap is narrower than the EEE flats in the range
  • Slingback strap can slip on narrower heels and may need adjusting through the day
  • Leather upper benefits from a protector spray before first wear

What should you keep in mind when buying shoes for bunions?

Podiatrists advise purchasing shoes with a broader, deeper toe box with plenty of room for bunions. Look for a soft material that expands with your feet, allowing the shoe to conform to the curve of your foot. Shoe cushioning is another suggestion from podiatrists. Since your feet require protection from the impact of walking, the design of the underfoot support is as crucial as its depth.

Shop all shoes for bunions here

What’s a dress shoe?

Dress shoes are for more formal or smart-casual occasions. Typically, you can compare a dress shoe to an athletic shoe. Dress shoes are popular for dance, parties, and special occasions, and people often wear them as their go-to daily footwear.

What kinds of events call for dress shoes?

Dress shoes are appropriate for any situation! You don’t need a reason to wear gorgeous, cozy dress shoes, from stilettos to dressy sneakers. These shoes safeguard your bunions, wide feet, and delicate soles to keep your feet comfortable all day and night!

What are the most popular dress shoe designs?

Slingbacks

Slingbacks are comparable to pumps in that they can have a pointy or rounded toe and typically have a heel. But unlike pumps, they do not completely wrap around the heel. Instead, they have a thin strap that you can pull up over the heel to show the remaining heel.

Shop all heels for bunions

Pumps

There are many different colors and designs of pumps. They are typically of leather and might have a pointed or rounded toe. They have at least a five-centimeter heel (two inches). Pumps today go beyond the traditional working woman’s shoe. There are now pumps with peep toes, which have a tiny opening at the toes. Ankle-strapped pumps are also available. Textiles have changed along with fashion trends. Pumps are currently available in several materials, including suede and wool, as opposed to the past when practically all were leather-made.

Shop all flats for bunions

Loafers

Loafers are normally flat and seen as comfier and more masculine than anything with a heel. The standard loafer features a round toe and is available in darker hues like black or brown. The cloak is a variation on the loafer; it is a slip-on shoe, just like the loafer, but it has a heel, and people think it has a more “feminine” appearance.

Ballerinas

It wasn’t until some time after the first few years of the 21st century that the ballet flat became a widely adopted fashion trend. They are flat shoes with a rounded toe that, as their name suggests, are inspired by the ballet technique. They are also available in a variety of colors and patterns. Ballet flats traditionally include a tiny bow on the toe, but as the design has developed, there are now versions available without bows.

Sandals

While sandals are often more informal, you can wear several styles with formal attire. For instance, any sandal with a heel, numerous straps, or a polished finish would likely be appropriate in a more formal setting. When part of Northwestern University’s national champion women’s lacrosse team visited the White House in flip-flops in 2005, there was a slight uproar. After the criticism, the team decided to auction off their shoes on eBay to raise money for Jaclyn Murphy, a young cancer patient from Hopewell Junction, New York, who they had become friends with. Nine pairs of flip-flops brought in about $1,653 total. Many young people believe that flip-flops are dressier and that you can wear them in several social situations. Older generations think wearing them on formal occasions denotes laziness and comfort over style. It is still debatable whether this represented a fundamental shift in American culture. Flip-flop sandals are another footwear choice of the Dalai Lama of Tibet, who has met with various US presidents, including George W. Bush and Barack Obama, while sporting them.

Shop all sandals for bunions

Mules

Mules are slip-on footwear that doesn’t even cover the heel or the back of the foot. Unless they feature heels, they aren’t dress shoes.

What are bunions?

On the side of the feet, bunions are bony growths. The only way to get rid of them is through surgery, but there are steps you may take to lessen any discomfort they may cause.

Additionally, the sides or bottom of your feet could hurt. This is usually worse when you’re walking and wearing shoes.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our article on the best dress shoes for bunions.

If you have any questions, contact us at hello@callashoes.co.uk or leave your questions in the comments.

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