The Only ‘Fancy Shoes’ You Should Trust for Style, Support, and Comfort, According to a Party Planner Who Stands for 8+ Hours at a Time

She would never say so, but my mom is basically an unofficial party planner. When it’s time for a celebration of any sort, such as a birthday, graduation or engagement party, a bridal luncheon, a baby shower—you name it—she is often the one people call to host or co-host. She’s got an eye for detail and a love of doing things for others. And, she’s really good at it.

However, the unofficial part of all of this is that she doesn’t exactly have a team of professional second opinions. So, I am very used to getting calls in the weeks leading up to an event to ask about anything from napkin size to band playlists. But, there is one call I KNOW I will be receiving every single time: “What do you think I should wear?”

When you factor in having to run around completing tasks and errands, the weather, the elegance of the event, and having to stand for many hours at a time, the wardrobe decision stakes grow higher and higher. Recently though, I got a call that was a little different. Before a large engagement party she was hosting, my mom called to say, “I found the most comfortable shoes that I constantly get compliments on, so figuring out what to wear should be fairly easy this time!”

The magical, beautiful, problem-solving shoes in question? The Sofft Charday Platform Sandal ($129). They’re so wonderful, I just had to share my mom’s discovery with the entire internet. You’re welcome, internet.

Sofft Charday Platform Sandal — $129.00

Heel height: 2 ¾”Colors: 6Also sold on Sofft.com, Nordstrom, and Zappos.

Pros:

• Supportive sole that feels like an athletic shoe
• Soft straps and inner sole
• Easily adjustable
• Very cute and stylish

Cons:

• Platform heel height not for everyone

The Sofft brand uses natural materials to create shoes that are supportive in the footbed and soft against the skin. The Charday Platform Sandal is a great example of this—it’s supportive without looking orthopedic, and it’s stylish without being uncomfortable.

An official (and honest) review from my mom

From the party planner herself (my mom): “The shoe feels almost like you’re wearing a walking or a running shoe. The sole is thick and padded like an athletic shoe and the straps provide good support without rubbing or being uncomfortable. The straps are very soft and the one around the ankle easily adjusts with Velcro and still manages to look good—not like a toddler’s shoe or an orthopedic shoe. I put them on and didn’t want to take them off! So for me, there was zero break-in time. I first wore them to an outdoor concert where I had to walk quite a distance over bumpy grass, dirt and gravel covered terrain with no problem. Next I wore them while standing up for hours (8+) on hardwood and concrete while preparing for and hosting a party. All good! (My feet were a little tired at the end, but that was a long time to be standing!) And they’re super cute; I get compliments every time I wear them.”

Sofft has a number of other styles, all featuring the same dedication to comfort, support, and style. They also all boast what Sofft deems a ‘wearable’ heel height, whether in the form of a platform or a more traditional heel or wedge. You can browse the rest of the Sofft collection here.