It’s raining—hard. You live in Allston, but you need to get downtown. The nearest T stop is a 10-minute walk from your apartment. You could take an Uber or Lyft, but who wants to dish out the extra cash to do that? Your feet are going to get wet, but you want to look professional for the interview that you have later. Plus you have errands to run and classes to go to. You know that you’ll be walking quite a bit. The sky’s getting darker and the clouds are closing in. The question on your mind: “What shoes am I going to wear?” With everyone in a city running a tight schedule and T stops spread sparsely across the greater Boston area, you become mindful of what you put on your feet. When dressing for any commute, it’s important to remember three key things: comfort, durability, and style. By making sure that you have these elements covered, you’ll be able to dress with ease, while also keeping your feet warm and dry.

Your shoes should feel comfortable. Your feet need to be cushioned enough to avoid the sore red blisters of a too-tight, or too-high shoe. Know your arches and become familiar with the types of shoes that will work for you. Make sure that the shoes you pick for your commute will be your crutch and support you throughout the day, literally. If you’re looking for a little height, something with a small heel or wedge can be comfortable and provide you with the cushioning that you need. An Oxford or saddle shoe can also get the job done. These kinds of shoes are low to the ground, tend to be relatively flat, and cover the whole foot. Investing in a nice pair of patent leather Oxfords will ensure that your feet stay dry while also looking professional, stylish, and commuter-friendly. Many have padding that will make sure your commute is comfortable.

Another important component to your footwear is durability. Is it raining? Snowing? If this is the case, your shoes should be able to get you where you need to be without getting ruined. A shoe made of weatherproof material like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or rubber is great for temperamental weather. A Chelsea boot or other similar style will work wonders. Brands like Jeffrey Campbell and J. Crew make conventional, yet stylish alternatives to the clunky rainboot.

What’s complicated about finding great shoes is finding ones that look good, too. It’s all about trying different kinds until you discover what’s right for your feet. That might be an Oxford shoe, one that gives off the essence of professionalism, but being comfortable enough to walk in for a couple hours of the day. A saddle shoe has a similar effect. If you’re trying to add a bit of a heel to your look, mules are great. They are easy to slip on and off and can pair well with almost any outfit. You might also want to consider wedges, like ankle boots: they give you the height without the hurt and will give you the support you need without the pain of stilettos in Boston, full of cobblestones and brick roads. If you are looking for variety, a loafer is the way to go. This type of shoe can be made out of any kind of material, but is usually made of leather. Often, this kind of shoe has a small wedge, but can also be flat. Sometimes they have embellishments, like tassels or bows. To find loafers, saddle shoes, and Oxfords, check out G.H. Bass or Cole Haan online. For mules, wedges, and boots, Madewell or Camper Shoes are great choices. It’s important to find retailers that sell durable and quality products if you’re going to invest in a nice pair of shoes.

By remembering to take care of your feet and dressing them well, commuting will be a cinch. After finding your perfect commuter shoe, you can take on the world and look damn fine while doing it.  

Art by: Alyssa Geissler