My over the top through the roof favorites are my Dansko's!! AMAZING!!! If you want to look into them they are worth every cent! Ask though for the solid bottoms..Some they make are hollow in the sole. You would think that making them lighter would actually serve better...nope! they will end up hurting your feet.
I have sold shoes for many years at Nordstrom's and Naturalizer. Naturalizer has great looking and comfy shoes. although not every pair they produce is as good as the others. If you buy their Stitched line...Music and Tally are some of the names out of the line...you will be a happy camper. Do not buy their version of the ''Walking/workout'' shoe. They are not as amazing as they should be. the brand they sell via the store front that is the funky new toning shoe...pretty good.
Joseph Seibel (spelling) sandals are great, my mom swears by them. She also has found a few Born sandals she likes well.
When it comes to sizing, there are many things you have to look at. Width is the one thing people never take into consideration. You want to make sure you have room to swell. If you are in the wrong width for a shoe, it can also screw up the sizing for you as well..making it one whole big painful foot mess by the end of the day! So, my thought is go into a shoes store that sells high quality shoes. They normally have a good idea how to fit people correctly. You dont need to feel obligated to buy from them. Most are happy to size you no matter what. If it means being able to find comfy shoes it is worth stopping in.
Sorry for my novel....good luck!! BTW...Payless Shoes has made a great effort on training and educating staff on sizing as well. They are always more then cool with helping you figure out your actual size and width!!