I think we’ve all made some classic mistakes when it comes to work shoes — we grab something trendy for a shallow price point only to have them fall apart after a to the office, or we don’t properly research a pair of loafers beforehand, resulting in aches, pains and blisters?

I'm not much of a heel kind of girl, and I've actually never worn heels into the office so this is definitely something I've looked into a lot over the years. There are tons of different styles of flat shoe to compliment an office smart dress, here are a few of my favorites.

●     Ballet flats

Ballet flats are a perfect shoe to wear for a day out in the city, or running errands. They are not the most ideal shoe to wear in the rain or for when you are in a rush as they can easily slip off your heel if you’re not going at a relaxed pace.

●     Prom flats

Unlike the ballet flats, prom flats have a strap that wraps round the ankle to hold the shoe more securely to your foot.

There are usually no sides to the shoe but there is a closed toe that’s usually pointy and can be bare or embellished with more detail.

The extra strap makes it a little easier to walk without worrying about your shoe slipping off but much like the ballet flat they are not the best for rainy or cold weather.

●     Oxford Shoes

Oxford shoes are a fully closed shoe with  a lace up closure. They can have a small block heel but they often come as flat shoes for both men and women.

Because they are made of hard leather they generally come in a rich brown, black or burgundy color. They work really nicely with tights and skirts during fall and winter and because they offer a bit more protection from the elements and are a bit easier to get around in.

●     Loafers

Loafers are the perfect replacement for heels when you’re trying to achieve that effortlessly chic Parisian vibe. They can have a pointy, round or square toe and are made with soft leather unlike Oxford shoes.

There are loafers that have a very chunky platform sole but these tend to look very clunky when worn with elegant clothing. Therefore, I would opt for the more sleek streamlined design.

●     Flat mules

Flat mules can come in a variety of different styles. They have a silhouette that is very similar to house slippers so it’s important to pay attention to the style you’re wearing.

The more casual styles run the risk of looking “too casual” in the wrong situations so I would opt for more structured and formal lines like a pointy or square toe to offset the relaxed design.

●     Slingback slides

Sligback slides are the perfect middle ground between the more casual looking ballet flat and the strap of the prom flat that makes them slightly more grippy and secure around the heel.

You will most often see these shoes with a pointy toe and I think they are a very elegant shoe for work with pants, dresses or skirt outfits.