Comfortable Shoes - Women 
(Baboon, 159 
Points) on 4/6/08 at 10:25pm
The Comfortable Shoes (for men, obviously) thread from last summer came up on active topics and I figured I should start one for the female users (yea like all 20 of them) that are on this forum. So as flats have gotten increasingly popular over the past years, I'm sure many of us do not master the art of walking in non-flat shoes. As a prospective, I have two questions..
1. Are non-black-pumps acceptable in the workplace? If yes, how far can you push the limits? Flats? Prints or shiny (i.e. black patent leather) material? Open-toed?
2. Any recommendations for comfortable shoes? Any specific styles(pointy vs. round toed), material, or brands that are more forgiving than the others?
Haven't started work yet
by monkeyloveBut I know Cole Haan/Air Nike heel combinations are ridiculously comfortable!
I get away with well
by atropolationI get away with well polished black leather flats. They're really comfy, I'd prefer loafers though (I went to a school with a uniform, so I'm used to wearing them). I like shoes that you can slip on and off, since I take off my shoes under my desk. The only thing that sucks about it all is how cold my feet get from the a/c blasting all the time.
I've recently started wearing my black slip on sneakers. Very comfortable, but I always keep an extra pair of shoes under my desk for the quick change in case someone comes in at the last minute or something.
********"Babies don't cost money, they MAKE money." - Jerri Blank********
********"Babies don't cost money, they MAKE money." - Jerri Blank********
from my experience as a SA in S&T T
by girlytrader1- yes non-black pumps are acceptable. (I guess it depends on how casual the acceptable dress is) Many women wore colored shoes, flats, wedges, pumps, peep toe (although I don't)shoes during the summer.
I actually just bought a couple of pairs of shoes yesterday for when I start in July. I bought a black pair of pumps, brown and beige pair of pumps, and a navy pair.
I agree with atropolation about slip on shoes.
I play it safe -- I have an
by Mis IndI play it safe -- I have an entire closet of black leather shoes with heels. I like to keep it fairly short -- two inches, two and a half, but I've got some four-inchers for those days when one really needs them. I've never found a single pair of heels that I could walk in as if they were sneakers, and thus I've resigned myself to the understanding that every workday will involve a certain amount of low-grade constant pain. I do think you give something up by choosing to wear visibly "comfortable" shoes, and I don't know if it's worth what you gain. That said, if there are non-flat shoes out there that are truly comfortable, please point me in their direction.
(Fair disclosure: When I worked in banking in New York and walked a mile each way, I just wore Pumas for the trip and changed into heels a block away from the building.)
Thank you for your
by sleepisfortheweakThank you for your responses. It looks like it really depends on the specific corporate culture. I'll just have to watch really carefully when I get an offer..
Another question- how does your shoe policy change if it is specifically for an interview?
Black pumps? Patent leather/peep toe okay?
Never wear peep toes to an
by meehgsNever wear peep toes to an interview. Patent leather might be iffy. Try your best not to stand out for the way you are dressed and dress as demurely as possible.
depends
by fp175on the culture.
I have worn brown and tan oxford style ankle boots to work a few times with skirts. If anyone noticed they haven't said. I generally wear heels (despite being tall) because I prefer the way I look in them.
When I wear flats, I go for nice looking leather ones.
Wear what you want - if you look attractive and fairly professional that's what matters most. Not if your shoes are black. There is a director on my team who wears totally fashionable and amazing clothing that the hippest 20-somethings would wear to a party. And another one who wears some seriously major Posh Spice heels with a suit jacket and capris. No one cares because they make money.
Man, I don't know how you
by atropolationMan, I don't know how you guys wear heels. I do fine in them for like...four hours and then my feet are asking me "Why!? Why?!".
I also feel like an amazon in heels.
If you wear peep toe, get your nails polished. I kind of want to wear espadrilles during the summer. I love them. Plus, I HATE HATE HATE wearing socks.
********"Babies don't cost money, they MAKE money." - Jerri Blank********
********"Babies don't cost money, they MAKE money." - Jerri Blank********