Comfortable Shoes - Women

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?

 

I 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********
 

1- 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.

 
Best Response

I 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 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 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.

 

on 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 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********
 

80% of my shoe closet is from this store, fantastic quality shoes and very affordable. The store is called Anbar Shoes located on 60 Reade Street between Broadway and Church.

 

5'10 isnt very tall. 6'2 is very tall. I knew some 5'10 females who I interned with some time ago. They always wore 3+ inch heels, every day, and looked damn good doing it. No one gave them any crap - just hold yourself well. You'll probably be the center of attention if you're walking in to a room, so look act confidently and you'll be thought of well for it.

“...all truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” - Schopenhauer
 

Everyone saying 5'10 isn't tall for a woman is out of their mind. 5'10 is distinctively tall considering that it is the average height for guys. With heals you will be over 6'0 ft.

Wear flats or small heals. You will intimidate some guys, but they are beta's so don't worry much.

 
TNA:
Everyone saying 5'10 isn't tall for a woman is out of their mind. 5'10 is distinctively tall considering that it is the average height for guys. With heals you will be over 6'0 ft.

Wear flats or small heals. You will intimidate some guys, but they are beta's so don't worry much.

I'm guessing TNA is

 
gtown2wallstreet:
and other banking industries.
You sound quite focused.
gtown2wallstreet:
I had a nice pair of ballet type black flats but found that they looked unpolished.
They also wear-in/crack quickly, much like a men's moccasin where cracks/breaks appear as the leather has moved with your foot around the arch. Not classy. Requires a lot of upkeep. Also, flats come off (to me) as lazy (in an interview). Fine in a more relaxed environment.
gtown2wallstreet:
I purchased 1-2" black pointed toe heels but am not sure whether or not they are too distracting for a girl my height.
They are not. In banking you need to be type-A and go head-to-head with an alpha personality to win. Oh and if you're a girl, you have to be 5x that. Seriously. Guys hire someone who they think will be a good colleague, keep them on their toes, can take over running the analyst pool once they move on, etc. Wearing heels won't hurt that image (it helps). Be confident, embrace your height and be comfortable in your own skin. It sounds like preparing for a date - people get hired because they're liked, not because they're the greatest-shoe-wearer-in-the-world. You're more likely to get hired because of your confidence and poise than your shoe height.
 

I think the answer is pretty obvious:

...JK. If you want to stick with your ballet flats, check out Tory Burch. I've seen normal sized girls wearing them to interviews and they have more of a polished look to them. (PICS http://bit.ly/Uc47cv)

Disclaimer for the Kids: Any forward-looking statements are solely for informational purposes and cannot be taken as investment advice. Consult your moms before deciding where to invest.
 

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