Today’s reader mail comes from an injured reader who wonders if she can wear flats to appear in court –
I am a junior partner at a smaller firm in Pennsylvania. I am also a mother of two young children and therefore, on any given day, can be seen carrying my 8 month old in her carseat/carrier, holding a file in my other hand, with my laptop bag strapped across my chest and purse on my shoulder, prodding my almost-three year old forward with my knee as necessary. And of course, I commit this balancing act in heels. Unfortunately, I think this routine has taken its toll, and on Monday, I woke up with such tremendous back pain that I literally could not get out of bed. After four days on the couch and some visits to the chiropractor, I am finally mobile again. However, he has cautioned against wearing heels for a while, until I am feeling 100%. I am concerned about upcoming court appointments – the climate here is fairly conservative (judges have commented on female attorneys wearing pantsuits before, noting they are “inappropriate” for court) and I wonder how flats will play in court. How should I handle this? Should I say something, even informally, to make the court aware of my back issues? Apologize for the flats? Ignore the whole situation and hope that no one notices? I just feel like I won’t look professional enough wearing flats with a suit for court.
Feel better soon! To answer this Q, we asked a friend who had foot surgery — her doctor similarly put a blanket prohibition on heels. Her thoughts: “I think flats are totally acceptable. I wore them for months after my foot surgery. It was only when I was wearing my sneakers for 2 months after the operation that I would say something to judges or attorneys. The flats, however, should look as professional as high heel shoes which can be difficult to find.“ We agree 100%.
If you know that the local judges do not like pantsuits, then continue to wear skirt suits — a number of readers on a recent post commented that they preferred to wear flats with pencil skirts, so you may want to try them with skirt suits like that. (If anyone can remember which post it was, please point us the way.) For our $.02, a more professional flat should be: a) made of good materials (skip anything with canvas details, for example), b) not have too many embellishments (avoid floppy bows or the “bejeweled” look, for example), and c) for court, should probably be in a dark, sedate color. If possible, look for a shoe that has a slight point to the toe — the rounder-toed ones tend to look a wee bit like slippers. Pictured above: Nine West – Misty (Black) – Footwear, available at Zappos.com for $59 (with a fairly good rating from the 4 reviewers).
Readers, what are your favorite pairs of flats (brands, styles, etc.)? Any tips for wearing them with skirts?
Unless you have a medical issue, flats should not be worn during trial. It’s like wearing separates instead of a suit. Obviously in your situation, you cannot physically wear heels. When I had an ankle injury last summer and had to be in trial, I wore flats but also had my ankle wrapped to show why I was wearing flats. The wrap also supported my ankle during the long trial days.
Can you explain why you think it is like wearing separates instead of a suit? I understand why separates are more casual than a suit, but I don’t understand why flats are more casual than heels.
For any of you who believe that heels always look more professional than flats, can you please explain why you feel this way? I’m honestly curious to know why heels are perceived by so many to be the better professional option. Thanks!
Probably for the same reason skirts are still considered by some to be dressier than pants, at least when it comes to suits – historically, that’s the way it was. Women wore skirts and heels to dress up. We’ve moved away from that somewhat with suits, but we still haven’t with heels vs. flats. I also wonder if it’s partially because heels are less comfortable, the same way that men’s ties are less comfortable than going without and serve no actual purpose, but still make a man’s outfit dressier than if he went sans tie.
Heels make the legs look prettier for most women, especially those with cankles, like me! They also tend to make most women stand straight and tall, giving an air of authority. When I am wearing heels that are comfortable, I feel stronger and more powerful. When they are uncomfortable, I feel like an idiot.
Yes, I have always been baffled by this. I alternate between flats and heels quite a bit. A quality pair of flats can look very elegant, in my opinion! My suggestion: where whatever makes you feel most confident, taking into account comfort and medical issues, of course.
I meant “wear!”
I always wear loafers to court. I think it is completely professional.
The post regarding flats with pencil skirts was a comment made in the Frump thread I believe…
http://corporette.com/2010/02/09/some-thoughts-on-frump/#comments
For what it’s worth, I think flats can be just as professional as heels, as long as they are dressy and not casual. The same can go with heels…not all heels are professional automatically.
For similar bad ankle reasons I have become a total flat all the time wearer of shoes. I wore flats everyday during a 4 week trial recently and did not even get weird glance. As long as the flats are professional looking — I say go for it. And thanks everyone for the links.
My office is one block from the courthouse, and I often have to walk that block with a client, who is usually a very tall male. We walk FAST, on cobblestones, and therefore flats are a must. Flats are great for the courtroom, but to buy something that looks right in that venue, you are going to generally have to go over the $100.00 mark! Sometimes well over! Cheap flats look like bedroom slippers, especially on the heavier leg.
For the people posting with temporary injuries – be aware that as your injury heals, your foot is going to change shape. I had a broken big toe and could barely fit into any of my regular shoes. Eventually I could but the bigger, swollen, mishapen toe stretched out my favorite flats and low heels. Now that my foot is more or less back to normal it slips out of the shoe. My point is doing spend a ton on your transition shoes thinking you will wear them when you are better and don’t jam your foot into your fave shoes b/c you might ruin them! I know I can put inserts in mine to make them fit again but they just aren’t the “same” as they were. Boo.
I have no idea where you practice but in courtrooms around CT flats are the norm and anyone wearing 3″ heels stands out like a sore thumb
I personally prefer flats and agree that it is hard to find a pair that looks professional. I have had some luck getting a coupled of beautiful Elie Tahari pairs from Nordstrom. I also recently bought a couple of pairs from Jones New York at DSW and they are very nice and comfortable. Not sure if they would be serious enough for a more formal court setting but they do just fine in my firm’s office.
http://www.dsw.com/dsw_shoes/catalog/product.jsp?index=21&sort=&category=&prodId=201088&brand=300179
http://www.dsw.com/dsw_shoes/catalog/product.jsp?index=51&sort=&category=&prodId=199066&brand=300179
If you want something cheap and temporary, try Payless. They almost always stock VERY basic black flats and medium-low heels. I have cute ballet type ones from there with the little bow at the front (not for court because they are a little too cutesy, but almost anywhere else and I have gotten oodles of compliments), but I have also seen plain ones with no decoration. Also, they are usually under $20, which is great if you only need them for a couple of weeks.
http://www.payless.com/store/product/detail.jsp?skuId=073998065&productId=66383&subCatId=cat10276&catId=cat10088&lotId=073998&category=&catdisplayName=Womens+
During my federal d ct clerkship, the only time I *ever* noticed a lady lawyer’s shoes was when she was wearing really high heels. I call shennanigans on everyone saying that anyone (jury or judge) is going to care about flats vs. heels as long as you look generally presentable and fit in. It’s just not going to be the deciding factor. My firm just won a huge jury verdict and I can guarantee you that nobody was wearing heels.
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I broke my ankle in 2005 (the day before my 25th birthday). I haven’t been able to wear heels since. I again broke my ankle in 2008 and not only can I no longer wear heels I have to wear special support socks (no stockings or pantyhose) to support my ankle which REALLY hurts when it’s wet out. I also have a very high instep so I cannot wear pumps. I wear what my mother used to call “Granny Grumps” (or nun shoes)…it may not be professional but I’m better with a good solid sturdy shoe. Mind you, I have never compromised comfort or fashion.