Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.

If you’re returning to the office soon and aren’t exactly excited about slipping your feet back into heels, don’t worry, we’ve got you — today we’re rounding up some of the best comfortable flats for work (and, over at CorporetteMoms, we JUST rounded up the best washable flats!).

What are your favorite comfortable flats for work and weekend? Do you see yourself being an all flats, all the time kind of woman going forward, or are you eager to get back to your office heels?

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Some of our favorite Hall of Famers, also pictured at top:

• Hall of Famers: AGL, Born, MMLF, Rothy’s, Rockport, Sam Edelman, French Sole, Valentino, Cole Haan
• Under $100: Rockport, Sam Edelman, Børn
• Classic Flats for Splurges: AGL, Ferragamo, Chloé, Chanel, Valentino, Sarah Flint
• Extended widths (AA, C, W): Børn (M-D), Sam Edelman (NMW), Ferragamo (N M W 2A B C D),
• Extended sizes (4–13): Børn (5–12), Sam Edelman (4–13), Ferragamo (4–11), Sarah Flint (4–13), Rothy’s (5–12)
• Foldable Flats: Yosi Samra, Boden, Tory Burch, drugstore brands like the highly rated Silky Toes
• Commuting Shoes (They look OK coming or going but won’t work for the entire day at most offices): Puma, Crocs (see also foldable, above, and washable, below)
• Washable Flats: Rothy‘s, Birdies, Allbirds, Vince Camuto, Vivaia

{related: check out our Guide to Comfortable Heels!}

The Best Affordable Comfortable Flats for Work

Affordable flats aren’t difficult to find — but comfortable affordable flats can be. Here are some of the highest-rated and reader-favorite ones that are under $100!

The Best Investment Flats

If you want to make an investment in flats, these are some of the most classic options. AGL and Ferragamo are reader favorites for comfort, while Chloé, Chanel and Valentino are all recognizable status symbols.

The Best Washable Flats

There are a ton of machine washable flats these days, and we just rounded up some great options at CorporetteMoms! Whether you need or want these because you’re a parent, a pet owner, or a medical worker — or just someone who tends to hate shoes that aren’t pristine — there are a ton of affordable and polished styles of washable flats to choose from.

Some of our favorites are these:

The Best Foldable Flats

These can be amazing if you’re a) traveling for work and want something super lightweight that won’t drag down your bag, or b) you’re adjusting to heels or new shoes and just aren’t sure how long you’re going to last in them. (I’ve sometimes brought these along on date nights with my husband if I’m really out of practice with heels!)

Readers, do tell: What do you think are the best comfortable flats for work? 

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