18 Best Office-Appropriate Work Sneakers in 2025
So what makes a sneaker work-appropriate (or not)? Consider your job type, work environment, including company dress code, if there is one, how often you’re on your feet… and obviously, your personal style (here are some killer office siren outfits, BTW).
Is your workplace’s vibe kinda formal and suited-up? Go for a stealthier, dressier definition of a sneaker–a leather slip-on or a loafer-ish silhouette. Darker, non-white colors give off a professional appearance and could potentially even pass as dress shoes. Do you work in a more relaxed or creative environment? The sneaker world is your oyster—you might be able to get away with bolder colors and more obviously athletic silhouettes.
Keep reading for 17 work-worthy sneakers that are chic enough that you won’t want to take them off when you clock out each night!
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Starting off with the basics…
Just like building a house, you’ve got to start with the foundation. And by foundation, I mean the basic building blocks of your shoe wardrobe. Investing in a solid, high-quality pair of white sneakers or neutral slip-ons in a darker shade that will match most of your work outfits will totally set you up for success. Keep scrolling for some suggestions…
If you’re like, “I think I’ve seen these before,” it’s because these Dr. Scholl’s sneakers went viral on TikTok last year thanks to @meghan.pruitt’s video about how she comfortably wore them every single day while traveling to 12 different European countries. So yeah, they’ll be comfortable enough for work, even if you’re on your feet a lot! These sneakers have a cushy, anatomical insole with shock absorption and zero break-in time. Incredible.
- Sizes: 5-13
- Colors: 25 options
- Materials: Faux leather, canvas, or fabric
Glowing customer review: “These are so incredibly comfortable and versatile. They can be dressed up to be business casual, or they can be dressed down with some jeans. The best part is that they don’t tear your feet up. They are actually supportive, so at the end of the day after you’ve been on your feet non-stop for hours, you don’t end up with blisters or pain. I ended up having to buy a second pair after my mother begged me to get her some for Christmas after trying mine on. Needless to say, they are great, and they should be a staple in any closet.”
Minimalist, elevated basics are sort of Vince’s thing, and this best-selling suede slip-on is the perf example of that. We like the comfy details, like the platform for extra cushioning plus padding on the back of the heel to prevent blisters and chafing.
- Sizes: 5-13
- Colors: Black, White, Fog, and Pewter
- Materials: Suede or canvas
Glowing customer review: “I love these shoes. When I first tried them on, they felt a bit tight but one day of wear was enough for them to adjust. I have a problem with my knee so I’m always looking for the right shoes. These sneakers are chic and yet are very comfortable. They have arch support and memory foam which is perfect for me. Every time I wear them, I receive a lot of complements. They look very good with jeans. One thing I don’t mind spending my money on: the right shoes.”
These cream-hued beauts are peak quiet luxury, especially when paired with layers of cashmere and a classic trench. The leather is sourced from a tannery with a Gold certification from the Leather Working Group, too. Oh, and according to customers, no break-in time required!
- Sizes: 5-15
- Colors: White, White/Grass Green/Parchment, Tan/Bluebell/Trench Coat
- Materials: LWG-certified leather uppers
Glowing customer review: “Comfortable walking shoes that are cute. I got them for a trip to the south of France. Walked about 6 miles per day and they worked great. Took about 10 miles prior to break them in. Then they were very comfortable!”
A more casual (and possibly even comfier) yet work-worthy alternative to the iconic Rothy’s ballet flats, these lightweight, breathable sneakers require no break-in and have a super flexible silhouette (plus contoured footbed for support). Oh, and they’re described as feeling “like a T-shirt for your feet” and can be thrown directly in the washing machine, which obviously makes them an automatic yes.
- Sizes: 5-17.5
- Colors: Navy, Courtside White, Bone
- Materials: Recycled plastic bottle textile uppers, renewable rubber soles
Glowing customer review: “I love everything about them. These shoes are as comfortable as they are cute. I like the slightly wider toe box as compared to my other Rothy sneakers, and the color is perfect.“
You can’t really go wrong with a crisp, luxe, white leather pair when thinking about sneakers that are acceptable to wear to work, especially when they’re incredibly lightweight like this comfy year-round staple with a sleek silhouette and pointed toe.
- Sizes: 5-11
- Colors: White, Black
- Materials: Leather uppers, leather and textile lining, rubber outsole
Glowing customer review: “
I had been on a long search for this style of basic white sneaker and coming up with a lot of uncomfortable, clunky options. These are jusssst right. The white is a great color (a slight gray cast that helps them not be so blindingly white and look better against my pale ankles) and the contrasting panel on the back is the perfect neutral. Plus, they are LIGHT—like when you have them on, they have almost no weight at all. Nothing feels clunky or stiff or rubs in the wrong place. The leather is buttery soft and they are super comfy to wear barefoot. Due to the lightness, they have a pretty thin sole and very basic insole, so if you are looking for a ton of arch support, size up and add an insert or choose another shoe. If you want something light and comfortable that you can easily drive or run around after kids in, this is for you.”
Bold kicks to collect
Now that you’ve got the basics covered, it’s time to let your personality shine through in your choice of footwear. Whether it’s a bright red statement sneaker, a vintage-inspired design, or some color-blocking, a funky pair of shoes like one of these will inject some life into any office outfit.
Here’s an insider fashion editor tip for you—if you add a leopard print accessory to literally any outfit, it instantly looks chic and interesting. Take these sneakers, for example. Just add them to your go-to office ‘fit and you’re instantly fashion-ified.
- Sizes: 5-15
- Colors: 7 options
- Materials: Calf hair, leather, recycled synthetic and recycled textiles
Glowing customer review: “I absolutely love these simply stunning sneakers! The color and fit is fabulous! They are truly an elegant leopard print!”
Amazon is home to some excellent, wallet-friendly sneaker picks, like this under-$50 pair from Rocket Dog. They’ve earned thousands of five-star reviews, with customers saying that these sneakers are easy to clean, comfortable to walk in (“feel like I’m walking on a cloud,” said one person), and easy to break in.
- Sizes: 6-11
- Colors: 29 options
- Materials: Canvas and rubber
Glowing customer review: “I was reading the reviews on these shoes and I couldn’t be happier with my choice! These sneakers are the perfect blend of style and comfort. When I saw these I remembered as a teenager I wore a ton of Rocket Dog shoes. I loved how they fit me and how long they lasted so I knew what to expect. And to be honest these have surpassed my expectations!”
A bright red sneaker will go with so many outfits you wear to the office that the color should honestly be considered a neutral at this point. The retro design was inspired by the Reebok archives, and they’re delightfully light and comfy for days you want to look extra-cool without the foot pain.
- Sizes: 5-11
- Colors: 8 options
- Materials: Textile, EVA foam, rubber
One Cosmo editor says: “I have a couple of pairs of the Classic AZs and I loooove them. They’re SO light, they have a slightly lower profile which means zero ankle rubbing or blisters, and I’ve even started wearing these to the gym on days I need flat shoes for lifting.”
Neutrals feel elevated in a coastal grandma kind of way, but a darker pop of color can look just as sophisticated in a work outfit—take, for example, this suede pair. They have good support thanks to the cork and bio-based foam insole, and they’ll look good with everything. And if you want an even brighter color palette, check out the forest green option.
- Sizes: 5-12.5
- Colors: Withered Rose, Black, Green
- Materials: Recycled nylon, recycled mesh, rubber, suede
One Cosmo editor says: “I’ve owned so many pairs of sneakers from Cariuma and they always come through for me. I’ve never dealt with blisters or any break-in time—they’re always comfortable right out of the box and hold up for a long time, too.” — Hannah Oh, Shopping Editor
Sporty yet polished, the K As In Kate sneakers are a great office sneaker. The clean look and designer label both help with making these sneakers totally work-appropriate, especially if you’re styling them with some simple pieces like a baggy button-down shirt and your favorite trousers.
- Sizes: 5-11
- Colors: 11 options
- Materials: Terry cloth, leather
Glowing customer review: “Wore my shoes last night for the first time! They were so comfortable and obviously so stylish! As a small-town-girl, I thought I would feel guilty about buying such a pleasure but after putting them on I quickly realized that I was worth the investment! Would have slept in them if I didn’t totally weird-out my husband! Happy and proud in my new kicks!”
For a pop of color that’s still relatively subdued, check out this deep blue suede pair. They’ve got a minimalist shape (meaning they’re sooo lightweight!) and chic black detailing, so they’re quietly cool in just the right way for those in-office days. You’ll also love the shock-absorbing midsole inside these kicks, and the breathable mesh paneling throughout.
- Sizes: 5.5-11.5
- Colors: 10 options
- Materials: Leather, rubber, EVA midsole
Glowing customer review: “The Onitsuka Tiger is a fantastic and unique pair of sneakers that I have been craving for a while. The quality and the comfort is bar none and the size is just about right. The color and the stiching feels and looks good. They are a bit on the pricier side but they are worth it in my books.”
You’ll get tons of mileage out of these chic black and white leather sneakers. Despite the sporty vibe, they feel really luxurious thanks to the perforated leather and subtle patch details. You could style them with a suit as easily as you could pair them with a jumpsuit or jeans.
- Sizes: 5-12
- Colors: Black
- Materials: Leather, rubber
Glowing customer review: “Great style with amazing colors to choose from! Love everything about these! Great color, style, quality, and fit!”
Some more elevated styles
If your personal style (or office dress code) leans more professional and you’re looking for comfortable footwear that matches the vibe, a sleek loafer or a leather lace-up will do the trick. Here are some of our favorites.
Rothy’s may have made its name with its stretchy, comfy, and (best of all) machine-washable ballet flats, but don’t sleep on the brand’s other perfect-for-work styles, like these versatile laceless sneaks. They look chic in neutral shades, though options abound, as they come in a plethora of colors and patterns, so there’s a pair to match any and all of your fave work ‘fits.
- Sizes: 5-10.5
- Colors: Black, Navy, Sand, Bright White, and more.
- Materials: Recycled Plastic Thread Knit Uppers
Glowing customer review:
“Perfection!! These Rothy’s are so comfortable and looks so leisurely sleek to me! I have a navy uniform that I wear to work and this shoe goes so well with it! Can’t wait to wear it to work as I know I will be getting plenty of compliments. I will definitely be giving Rothy’s a shoutout.”
A vintage gum sole is the perfect way to level up the classic (but sometimes more casual) all-white sneaker and give it an elevated spin. The cream canvas fabric is super durable and the cap toe detail is so old school in the best way.
- Sizes: 6-15.5
- Colors: Off-White, Black
- Materials: Canvas, gum rubber
Glowing customer review: “Pleased with these sneakers. Very nice color combo, low-profile but stylish AND comfortable! Nice design and quality workmanship. I look forward to wearing these with jeans or work pants any day.”
If you can’t get away with wearing athletic gear at the office but don’t want to be resigned to a life of uncomfortable loafers, these sleek leather sneakers are the perfect in-between shoe. After a tinyyy break-in period, these cushioned sneakers are great for casual walking and business-casual fits.
- Sizes: 5-13
- Colors: 12 options
- Materials: Leather, denim, linen canvas, or raffia with leather trim
One Cosmo editor says: “I love a good dad sneaker as much as the next girl, but sometimes for work, I want to look a bit more business casual. These sneakers are perfect for achieving a comfortable, yet elegant look because they’re not chunky or showy. Keep them clean, and they’ll match everything in your closet, any style. Seriously, you can wear these with a summer dress, a pantsuit, or a parka. They’re that good.” — Olivia Truffaut-Wong, Editor
The adidas Sambas are truly an ‘It’ sneaker and there’s no denying that. Inspired by a vintage ’80s Japanese design, this pair (exclusively sold at Foot Locker) feels super elevated thanks to the extended tongue—aka the flat part on the top of the shoe—and the sleek stitching. It’s a fashion sneaker, after all!
- Sizes: 6-10
- Colors: 5 options
- Materials: Leather, rubber
One Cosmo editor says: “I see lots of clothes all day long, so it takes a lot to impress me, but as soon as I saw these Sambas I was like, I need to have these in my wardrobe. They’re just supremely chic and also so different than the Sambas that everyone else has. I’ve gotten some serious compliments on these at work, too.” — Hannah Oh, Shopping Editor
From the office to the gym
While you might not think of athletic sneakers as office attire, there are some styles you can totally get away with (depending on your job, of course) that’ll take you from your desk to the trails or treadmill as soon as the clock hits five. Style them with a skirt or some baggy trousers.
Hannah is the Shopping Editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from chic home decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend’s mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and pictures of her office outfits that nobody asked for.
Alexandra Ilyashov is the former interim Fashion Features Director at Cosmopolitan and a longtime freelance editor and writer, covering the fashion, food, lifestyle, cannabis, and wellness industries for over a dozen years for outlets like New York Magazine, Glamour, InStyle, Fashionista, Eater, WSJ. Magazine, The Knot, and Saveur. A native New Yorker and alum of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism was previously an editor at Refinery29 and The Daily Front Row, and has also held contributing editor roles at V Magazine, Paper, and Well+Good. Her work ranges from expert-vetted shopping guides to reported features about topics like retail’s size inclusivity issues or eczema’s impact on mental health, plus buzzy chef profiles, dining guides, and (much!) mais.
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