The Best Shoes for Women Over 50 in 2024

3. “Fashion” sandals

Contemplating sandals with ultraskinny almost invisible straps? Sure, they’re sort of sexy and trendy, but this is where your “Emperor’s New Clothes” common sense kicks in. The essential foot hugging shape and structure is missing! Instead choose an updated version of your favorite sandal with softer, wider straps that grip or enclose the forefoot. This may be a glam thong like the St. John’s Bay Womens Zan T-Strap Flat Sandals in White, Navy or Black ($30, jcpenney.com), buttery cross straps like the Michael Michael Kors MMK Elena Knotted Slide Sandals in Black or Optic White ($125, macys.com) and the Madewell Women’s The Mena Sandal in Desert Camel or True Black ($75, madewell.com) or the metallic Old Navy Faux-Leather Link Strap Sandals in Rose Gold ($16, oldnavy.gap.com). Those who prefer the enclosed feeling of a shoe to an open sandal, can even try an “air-conditioned” style like the Dr. Scholl’s Women’s Rate Up Day Fisherman Sandal in Black ($60, zappos.com).

If you love the gutsy shape of chunky contour sandals with a Birkenstock feeling, this hybrid is ideal. And with any sandal you’re considering, don’t just stand in front of the mirror. Walk around. Great sandals — whatever the style — should never pinch, rub or require toe-gripping to prevent them from sliding off your bare feet.

(Top to bottom) Toms Women’s Valencia Espadrilles in Pastel Blue; Rothy’s The Espadrille in Hemp-Boardwalk

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Zappos: Rothy's)

4. Style-boosting espadrilles

Espadrilles — a combo of cotton uppers and jute soles — are a perennial good buy. Trending now, but also classic (so you’ll want to wear them next year too) these breathable, comfy shoes are perfect for long hours standing and situations like summer weddings and outdoor parties where you’ll be walking on grass, cobblestones or a wooden deck. Just be sure to choose wedges that are 3 inches or less like the Easy Spirit Meza Espadrille Wedge Sandals in Natural Metallic ($48, easyspirit.com), which look great with flow-y midi dresses and wide-leg pants. A lower wedge (and any low heel as in the slingback styles mentioned above) still provides extra inches of legginess but reduces the pitch of the shoe to minimize stress on your arches and the balls of the feet. Check out espadrille flats and platform flats like the Toms Women’s Valencia Espadrilles in Pastel Blue ($80, zappos.com), Rothy’s The Espadrille in Hemp-Boardwalk ($139, rothys.com) and the Time and Tru Women’s Espadrille Flats With Ankle Strap in Black ($13, walmart.com) as alternatives to sneakers and ballet flats for other steamy days. Shoes — like feet — need breathing space between wearings too.

5. Comfy “lite” loafers

Just add leather loafers to casual clothes and instantly you have a more tailored, urban, dressed-up look. Sales of loafers in the last two years have rocketed from preppy to cool on the style meter, thanks in part to lug soles and backless loafer mules which are still topping the category. Take the Old Navy Women Faux Leather Loafer Mules in Bone, Blackjack or Cognac Brown ($28, oldnavy.gap.com) and the A New Day Women’s Sandy Mule Flats With Memory Foam Insole in White or Black ($30, target.com). I’d jump on the bone and white versions to wear with white jeans, linen pants and A-line skirts and summer dresses now and grab the black and tan shades to wear right into fall. Other summer-ized loafer options are also twists on foolproof classics. They include fashion-y hybrids like the Sperry Women’s Sea Sailor Platform Loafers in Tan ($87, zappos.com) and the Anne Klein Women’s Chrystie Moccasin Driver Loafers in Pink ($53, macys.com) both with padded footbeds.

(Clockwise from bottom left) S Sport by Skechers Women’s Rummie Pull-On Sneakers in Black; On Women’s Cloudnova Form Lace Running Sneakers in Lavender; Hoka Women’s Challenger 7 Sneakers in Strawberry/Cabernet

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Bloomingdale's; Zappos; Target)

6. Anywhere and anything sneakers

Sneakers have become four-season show-off shoes and a cool way for mature women to get support and extra traction. Right now, “performance” sneakers with plumped up soles from brands like Hoka, On, New Balance and Veja (designed for running) are the luxury-level hotties to score on sale for a splurge. No need to run a marathon or join a gym since they’ve become the sneaker equivalent of a logo-laden designer bag. Choose statement colors that boost your mood, like the On Women’s Cloudnova Form Lace Running Sneakers in Lavender ($150, bloomingdales.com) or the Hoka Women’s Challenger 7 Sneakers in Strawberry/Cabernet or Diva Blue/Evening Primrose ($145, zappos.com). For more of a “lifestyle” option and a shoe-like effect, black sneakers in slip-on styles like the LifeStride Women’s Next Level Slip On Sneakers in Black/Black ($50, walmart.com) and the S Sport by Skechers Women’s Rummie Pull-On Sneakers in Black ($30, target.com) (bungee cord styles like these also require no lacing) work with everything from black leggings and casual joggers to jeans and are excellent for travel or just getting in your 10,000 steps a day.