First, a general overview of what you're looking for in a women's dress shoe...
1. You need a thick rigid sole to limit motion across the forefoot and midfoot.
2. Depending on your foot type, you can wear heels - the trick is to wear a wedge heel so that there is no motion across the bottom of the foot. If you have a condition called Hallux Limitus (meaning limited range of motion across the big toe joint) you will be limited on the heel height or you may not be able to tolerate a heel at all.
3. No pointy toes!! Look for a dress shoe with a square-toe box because the "cockroach killer" pointy-toe shoe's are a little bunion factories.
4. Very important - try to get a dress shoe that gives you some form of rearfoot control - whether it be with a strap or an enclosed heel.
5. Arch control. Sometimes this is hard to find in dress shoes but they are out there. If the dress shoe has a removable insole, you can often put in a over-the-counter or custom-molded insert. Sometimes the dress shoe already has arch support in the shoe.
Special Note: It is a common fallacy to think that your foot needs freedom and motion. Your foot actually needs rigid biomechanical control. If you are walking barefoot or wearing flip-flops or a flexible/flimsy shoe - you will have more motion across your many joints, which will cause more inflammation, pain, wear-and-tear (osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease) that will not only put you at risk for foot problems but also knee, hip, and lower back pain.
Remember, no matter what the shoe, this is what you need:
1. Thick, rigid sole.
2. Firm arch support.
3. Wide toe-box.
4. Rearfoot control (strap or enclosed back).
RECOMMENDED WOMEN'S DRESS SHOES AT
DILLARD'S (PARADISE VALLEY MALL):
JOSEPH SEIBEL ZEE:
Casual dress shoe with a wide toe-box and no arch support. It has an adjustable strap across the mid-foot.
JOSEF SEIBEL MEL AND ZINA:
These two shoes is very similar to the Dansko enclosed clog (which is excellent) although this shoe is somewhat lighter.
Cost : $130
Shoe Rating: 7-8/10
ECCO STREET MONK:
A women's enclosed sandal with a wide toe-box and a thick, rigid sole. There is no arch support but it has a removable insole for an OTC or CMO insert. It also has an adjustable strap.
Cost: $100
NURTURE PINE & CAYMANO:
These two women's dress clogs have a thick rigid sole and a wide toe box. There is minimal arch control and no rearfoot control and you won't be able to fit in a custom molded insert.
Cost: $79
Rating: 6-7/10
BORN ANITA:
This is a women's dress casual shoe with a three inch heel, a square toe-box, a strap across the midfoot, no rearfoot control, minimal arch control, and a thick rigid sole.
Cost: $95
Rating: 7-8/10
NURTURE BAY 201:
Has a thick rigid sole with a wide toebox that may need some addtional stretching for people with bunions. It has minimal arch support and straps for mild rearfoot control.
Cost: $79
Rating: 8/10
BORN ANGEL:
Very similar to the Nurture Bay 201 but is more casual.
Cost: $89
Rating: 8/10
JOSEF SEIBEL MILENA & ADRIANNA:
A closed dress shoe with a 2-3 inch heel. It has a thick, rigid sole. The toe-box may is slightly tapered which may not work well for people with moderate to severe hammertoes or bunions. It does have removable inserts so that it can be replaced with OTC or CMO arch inserts.
Cost: $145
Rating: 7/10
GIANNI BINI NITE-LI:
This is a 4-5 inch platform heel dress shoe with a rigid sole, a chunky heel for more stability. it has rearfoot control. The toe-box is a little narrow but, overall, if you don't have any serious foot problems, this could be a good dress shoe.
Cost: $89
TARYN ROSE GUSSY:
This shoe has a 4-inch heel with a wide, soft toe-box that would be good for people with bunions. It has an open toe and some rear-foot control.
Cost: $255
TARYN ROSE FEAST:
This is a 3-inch heel dress shoe that has some arch support, minimal forefoot control (two straps) and mild rearfoot control. This is not a shoe for all day wear but might work well for an occasional dress-up occasion.
Caost: $245
Rating: 6/10
TARYN ROSE FICKLE:
Very similar to the above rated shoe although this shoe does have more forefoot strapping.
Cost: $215
Rating: 6/10
ANTONIO MELANI LUXIE:
This is a 2-inch dress shoe (For a wedding, ect...) with some forefoot control although it does have a narrow toe-box and some mild rearfoot control. There is no arch support but it does have a rigid, thick sole.
ANTONIO MELANI PRETTY:
This 2-3-inch dress shoe has a wider toe-box and rearfoot control. It's sole is rather thin but somewhat rigid.
Cost: $79
Rating: 7/10
Remember: No matter how much I recommend a shoe, if you try it on and it's not comfortable - don't get it!