Comments on: Reader Mail: Can Oxford Shoes Be Worn to Work?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:59:05 +0000

I do not think that these shoes look appropriate with skirts. Just an opinion.

By: Jay

Jay — Mon, 25 May 2009 05:20:35 +0000

I agree with Res Ipsa and an Anonymous–I think these shoes are disgustingly ugly.

My office has a “no open toe” policy, but I’ve seen a lot of peeptoes. With recent pedicures, of course. I don’t equate slingbacks with peeptoes, and I think slingbacks are fine.

By: Queen of the Road

Queen of the Road — Sat, 23 May 2009 15:33:33 +0000

I had a lovely pair of these in high school – alas, long gone. If I didn’t work at home, I’d agree with the no-toe policy. But since I do, I not only go peep toe, but full on bare feet and flannels!

By: Delta Sierra

Delta Sierra — Fri, 22 May 2009 22:21:03 +0000

I love high-heeled oxfords, they have a tiny frisson of dominatrix, which I think is fun, so shoot me. Peep toes are also fun, but some offices forbid them, so, in such an office, that’s what you’re stuck with. And we seem to be back to pantyhose: in my region (NE) women wear p.hose all the time and never think twice about it. Me, I bruise easily, have bad balance and work out a lot, and so need the hose to cover up the mayhem. Body makeup to even out the skin of my legs? Far too much trouble, haven’t got the patience, so not a chance. Plus these days I need Spanx panties anyhow, so control-top hose takes care of a lot of grief all at once. Plus it makes my high-heels fit better. Buy decent quality, get the right size. Too hot in summer? Go to work bare-legged and zip into the bathroom and put on the hose before you go to your desk. It’s clearly a regional thing.

By: K

Fri, 22 May 2009 19:01:05 +0000

Lawyers wear peeptoes, slingbacks and even heeled sandals during the summer at my biglaw NYC office. But more often by midlevels and senior attorneys; summers and first-years tend to be more conservative. And the wearer must sport a recent pedicure!

Only the most conservative dressers here wear pantyhose. Bare legs are the norm, from the women partners down.

By: anon

anon — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:51:05 +0000

It never even crossed my mind that there could be a problem with peep toe shoes. All the women at my firm in NYC wear them. I wouldn’t wear them to court, but around the office I think it’s fine.

People shouldn’t obsess so much about each component of their outfit–the goal here is to look put together. Any woman in a j. crew pencil skirt and nice blouse or top that doesn’t reveal too much cleavage, and a cardigan or croppe jacket should be fine, peep-toes or not.

By: Anon.

Anon. — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:16:33 +0000

I have no problem with the peeptoe for work. I’ve worn it for years and in and out of courtrooms both in my current (read: liberal) state and my former (totally red) state. You do have to take care of your toes though, I just noticed mine are not super pretty today and I’m feeling kind of embarrassed.

By: DMBESQ

DMBESQ — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:14:13 +0000

I am an attorney in New Jersey that graduated from law school in Texas. I am so glad that the rule in Texas allowed women to wear open toe shoes and no stockings. I love it so much that, in the summer months, I apply those Texas rules to my court and office attire here in New Jersey!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:33:05 +0000

I agree with Ashley, it totally depends on the environment you work in regarding an open toe shoe. I work in a mid-size law firm in Texas and no panty hose and open toe shoes are acceptable. Perhaps because it gets so dang hot!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:57:17 +0000

I love the oxfords with either pants or a skirt. But the reason they are on sale now is b/c they are 100% a winter shoe. Do not wear them in NY in the summer -it just won’t look right.

I am a NY lawyer and my rule of thumb is profesional style peeptoe or sling back is appropriate but other than that stay away from open-toe.