How to Spot Quality Business Shoes Before You Buy

Start with the pair in your hands. Look for a secure heel, clean stitching and consistent finishing between the left and right shoe. Then put both shoes on with your usual socks and walk around.

Good materials matter, but so does whether the shoe suits your workday. A formal shoe for occasional meetings has a different job from a pair that spends an hour a day on a train platform.

Check fit and construction

• The widest part of your foot should sit naturally in the widest part of the shoe.
• Your toes should have room, and the heel should feel secure as you walk.
• Check that the sole suits your commute. Ask whether the shoe can be resoled and who can do it locally.
• Look inside for rough seams or edges that rub during the fitting.

Compare the full cost

Allow for the care items you’ll actually use, along with possible repairs. A comfortable pair you wear twice a week can offer more value than a more expensive pair you leave in the cupboard.