Dress Flats

There are few shoes more comfortable than a pretty pair of dress flat shoes, whether you need a pair of shoes for work or some easy day in the sun. Basically, a pair of flats may have a heel less than an inch high, or no discernible heel at all, and although they're not as supportive as cross-training shoes, as long as you make sure they're properly fit, you'll feel great wearing them all day long.

One of our favorite shoe to start shopping for is a ballet flats or sandals. Super-soft suede uppers and linings contribute to the quality of the shoes, while very creative ensure that your feet will get noticed. Cut-out, contrasting colors, interesting buttons or buckles, and other neat details set this designer apart. Donald J Pliner skimmers tend towards understated elegance with varying tones of gray, beige and natural animal prints. Made in Italy, embossed leather, brushed suede or various patterned fabrics -- like herringbone or sequined -- add a dash of flair.

Somewhat more casual, but still dressy enough for the workplace, Xhilaration and Jessica Simpson are some of our favorites. They fit into a nice price zone, too. You'll recognize Jessica Simpson flat by the animal print inner linings, a playful secret in an otherwise straightforward shoe. While these tend to include the peep-toe feature, Xhilaration uses a round, closed toe, equally comfortable but better protection against foul weather.

Nine West carries flats ranging from playfully casual, like their Coby style, a distressed dark leather shoe peppered with tiny gunmetal gray studs, to dazzlingly formal, such as their pointed-toe Naughty in snakeskin-like patent leather, available in dark silver, gold or coppery bronze. Meanwhile, Anne Klein gives penny loafers a makeover, adding a contrasting heel and toe to a shiny mock-leather shoe; very classy.

Our last featured brand is Enzo Angiolini, a designer with some very creative results, including quilted flats with little accent bows, and some styles which feature sneaker-like support and runnable non-skid soles. We think their Kalliope style, available in a zigzag black and white or a brown and beige tiger stripe, are really fun, particularly with their jeweled ornamentation across the toes.