Shoes (yes, shoes)

[susans]

What type of shoes do you were most days to work?   For the women, heals? flat dress shoes? tennis shoes/sneakers?  If we have any guys who would post, dress shoes or sneakers?  This question comes from an email when one viewer asks if it is more professional for women to wear heals over flats.    

[raindance]

Some people prefer flat shoes, whilst others would never be seen dead in anything other than killer heels.  There is nothing "professional" about wearing heeled shoes instead of flat shoes.  

Shoes, along with bags and jewellery, really finish off an outfit.  The most important things about shoes are that they should be:

Well-fitting and support your feet properly
Clean and in good repair (no matter how expensive your shoes, you will look just slovenly if they are not polished and not heeled when necessary)
Appropriate to the type of work you do
Match your outfit
Reasonably in fashion

Well-fitting, foot-supporting shoes need not look frumpy; there are quite a few brands of shoes that meet all the good foot care criteria and are still fashionable.

The thing to remember about wearing those killer heels all the time is that over time your calf muscle shortens (which is why it can hurt when you change from high heels to flat shoes) and wearers can develop the most awful foot problems.  The best thing to do is to wear a mixture of heel heights, shoes appropriate to the work you are doing and keep the four-inch Jimmy Choos, should you be fortunate enough to afford them, for first-rate occasions.

I have to do a lot of walking in order to get to work, so I wear walking shoes travelling to-and-from work and change into really nice court shoes at work.

[gee4]

Well as I dress for work eg. trouser suit or skirt suit, I wear heels.  Anything less and I would look too casual.  I attend meetings both internally and externally so am representing the company at all times.  I am tall so I buy long-length trousers and therefore need heels to give me and the trousers, a lift.  

It all depends where you work.  I mean if you are not meeting customers or clients then smart casual is obviously more suitable.  I just know I feel more professional at work if I am dressed to suit the role.

[queenbean]

When I was on holiday in NY in December I stood with my nose pressed against the window of the Manolo Blahnik store, positively drooling despite the threatening looks from the hefty security man.  Ah well, we can dream ...

I work for a coffee roaster and we have dress down policy all week round.  My MD is super casual (albeit designer casual, but casual nonetheless), so although I do like to dust off the suit and heels from time to time, I don't want to look too out of sync with his style.  I do like to mix it up a bit - today I'm very casual in (clean) trainers, but tomorrow it could be high heeled boots or funky flat ballet shoes.  It all depends how the mood grabs me (and what is clean hanging in my wardrobe!)  

I really like working in an environment which allows me to be casual if I like, and more corporate too.  But I agree with Rain that no matter what you wear, it's important for your shoes to be well kept.  Casual is one thing, tatty and scruffy is another.

QB

[geminigirl]

Oh, is this ever a subject close to my heart!  I am known at work for my shoe collection ... and that I never wear flats.

In fact, I recently strained my knee and was on crutches.  When one of the other ladies at work heard about this, she said "Does this mean that she's not wearing heels?"  I have to say, I willingly sacrifice comfort for style any day of the week.  But yeah, I was wearing flats!!

Having said that, I am known to wear flats occasionally.  If I'm going shopping (for shoes!) or know if I'm going to be on my feet a lot.  Mind you, at the last place I worked, we had a Royal Visit and I was wearing heels all day - from 7.30 until about 6 and I was on my feet all day.  Boy!  Did my feet ache - all the way to my knees.

Flat shoes can indeed look smart but I don't feel completely "finished" in an outfit unless I am wearing high heels (generally 3 1/2"), and that's even with a casual outfit.  I feel smarter and more confident when I'm wearing high heels - esp. as I'm not overly tall (5'4).  I feel very short and stumpy when in flat shoes.

But, I don't think heels are any more professional than flat shoes.  What is important is that they are clean, polished and not scuffed or worn down at heel.

So ... how many pairs of shoes / boots do we all own?

I'll confess to about 70 at any given time ...

[spitfire78]

Pumps for me.  I do have more casual shoes (loafer-type) that I wear from time to time (am wearing them today because it is raining!).  But my preference is pumps.  I am short and should probably wear higher heels but am also not really coordinated.  I prefer not to kill myself over a pair of shoes.  So, I usually try for something with a 3/4" heel.  I try to keep several pair in different styles and colors (navy, black, tan, white, light beige, gray), so that I can coordinate with what I'm wearing.  My stock is currently limited, so I'm going to have to start getting some new ones pretty soon.  The pumps look nice with dresses or slacks.

[misslynn]

I, too, am known for my shoe collection. I love shoes! I don't have anywhere near 70 though, I think I'm somewhere around 40 with about 20 that I wear regularly. My shoes are always between 3-4 inch heels but vary in variety in every other regard. I have ankle boots, lime green strappy heels, pumps, peek-toe pumps, red strappy heels and many more.

Everyone asks me how I can run around all day in my heels, the key is to start with shorter heels (1-2 inches) and gradually work your way up. If you try to jump right into wearing 4 inch heels, you'll kill your feet.

I'm short (5-3) and all the guys in my office are tall (over 6 feet) so I feel much more confident with the little height boost. When the guys aren't in the office though, I am known to kick my shoes off under my desk and run around just wearing a pair of fuzzy socks.

[jennika]

I am going to agree with the second poster.  It isnt really a matter of what is more professional, it is the over all look.   I personally have small feet (size 5) so three inch heals would have me standing on my tippy toes!  

I have a mix of flats and heals I wear to work.  The more important aspect is they are clean, not worn out, match and look good with my outfit.  I can't say I have 70 shoes, but I am working on it!  I have pretty good collection of different colors with different styles, and when I buy a new outfit of course you have to get that new pair of shoes!  I just bought a nice new dress suit that is basic black, I have a white blouse and found a red pair of pumps.  It accents the outfit very nicely!  

I think you need to think of your shoes even when it is that casual Friday or that odd day you can wear tennis shoes.  Just becuase you have casual day, your shoes should not be worn out and still match the attire.

[lucie33]

I would agree that either heels or flats can look professional, depending on the rest of the outfit etc.  For myself, because I always go for flat sandals / trainers out of work, I feel more 'dressed up' and professional if I have neat shoes with a medium heel for work.  (They're not as comfortable though!!)

[itsme_calista]

I tend to wear sensible heels for work, again another shorty here in a pretty much male dominated environment.  When it's hot or there's no one in I'll wear a pair of ballet type shoes that are completely flat.

What I object to more than stilettos are flip flops.  They have no place in a work environment.

Callie

[kellinm]

I worked for the head of HR at a large global bank - one day we were talking about dress and she said "one of the biggest mistakes women make is wearing shoes that are scuffed, beat up or out of date.  You would never see a successful man in such shoes".  I now work in the 'executive wing' of a corporation and make a point to keep my shoes in top form.  We have someone come in once a week specifically for shoe shines & repairs.  

Working with the people I do, I feel too casual in flats and like the fact that in heels, I'm over 6' and command attention.  As for the style, I normally ask myself - WWAJW - or, What would Andrea Jung wear?  I save the kitten heels for evening cocktails and weekends.

[Atlanta Z3]

Most days heels, I do have a few pair of slacks that I can wear loafers with, but as I am vertically challenged I like my heels.  A suit is finished off with hose and heels.

[movinonup]

I can't stand flip-flops at work, but I notice that many people are wearing them now, whether it's a casual day or not.

Personally, I have to go for comfort.  I've had 2 foot surgeries (1 in each foot) for plantar fascitis, so I must wear orthotics with my shoes.  This makes my choices very limited, so I only have 4 pairs of dress shoes, other than the sneakers, which I usually wear on Fridays.  The four pairs I have vary in color and heel size, but none of them are very stylish at all.


Movinonup

[ozbound]

Flats, all the way! Well, maybe a slight heel but nothing over 1". For one thing, I work in an office next to a warehouse where heels would impractical (in fact, we also have to ditch our sandals and cover our toes if we go out to the warehouse). The other thing is, it is very hard for me to find heels that fit my feet comfortably and don't kill my back. That being said, I think flats are just as professional as heels, if they're nice shoes and are kept well, and especially if they're easier for the wearer to work in.

[diamondlady]

I agree with ya ozbound.  I can't see wearing anything that would actually make you feel uncomfortable just to look good.  NO WAY, NOT WORTH IT!  Shoes that fit and are comfortable are usually found and gee they look good too.  I don't care about expense when it comes to shoes, only because I am not one of these that has to have the new shoe, and a new shoe every time I shop.  In fact, just the opposite.  I have to force myself to buy a new pair because they really don't make them to last anymore.  I buy 2-3 pair at a time and rotate, and when they start looking scuffed, or worn or they are plain falling apart, then it's time to replace.  I KNOW I shouldn't wait that long, but geez I hate shopping for shoes.

One inch is a high heel for me.  

Diamondlady
Peer Moderator