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What shoes look professional and can be worn with socks? I keep getting questions about this, so let’s discuss. (Pictured.) First, reader J wondered:
I was wondering if you have ever covered where to find great workplace-appropriate shoes that you can wear with socks (that aren’t tall boots). The weather where I live is often cloudy and rainy so wearing shoes without socks leaves my feet cold, but I don’t want to wear boots all the time. Any suggestions? It seems like all I can find are very casual shoes or something that looks like it belongs in the men’s department.
Then, Reader L asked:
I’ve been searching your blog and others for advice about what shoes to wear to work when you have to wear socks. I mean real socks, not trouser socks. Did you already do a post about this? If not, would you consider it?
Great questions! I’m one of those people who constantly suffers from freezing feet, so here are the solutions that I’ve found in the past:
– Wear medium-height boots. Whether they’re flat-footed, wedge-heeled, or high-heeled, there are a ton of great options out there. We just did a roundup of knee-high boots, but in the past my go-to boot with pants has been the medium boot (above the ankle but below the calf) — I find the medium boot to be much more comfortable and less restrictive than the knee-high boot. We did a roundup/Hunt feature on the medium/ankle boot a few years ago, and I was shocked when a few commenters seemed to really, really hate the medium boot — and I still don’t understand the hatred.
I’ve only worn the medium boot with pants (never, ever, ever with a skirt — although I have seen a few professional women pull the look off with matching tights), and have always found it a great way to stay warm, stay dry, and look professional at the office.
As of 2024, some of our favorite general boots for work outfits include the ones below…
(That said, the ankle-length (just below your ankle bone), slightly wide-lipped bootie is a big look this season, and everyone is showing it styled with skirts and skinny pants. Personally I don’t think the look is conservative and professional enough for the kind of office style we talk about here, but maybe I’m wrong.)
Psst: here are some of our latest favorite booties…
As of 2024, some of our favorite general boots for work outfits include the ones below…
– Commute in boots, then switch to pumps at the office. If you don’t like the look of medium boots, they can still be great commuting shoes — easy off and on, lots of heel height options, usually extraordinarily comfortable. This doesn’t solve the “feet are freezing at the office” problem, though.
{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}
This depends on your office and your workload — if you tend to sit at your desk for long, uninterrupted periods of time, bring socks in (or even, hey, slippers — I’m not ashamed to admit I had a pair of plain black slippers in my office for the longer days and nights). (Space heaters are another option, but most offices really frown upon that because of the fire hazard, so proceed with caution.)
Hunting for weatherproof shoes for work? As of 2024, these are some of our favorites — also check out waterproof sneakers like Allbirds, and Tory Burch’s rain loafers.
– Choose your hosiery carefully. For example, these Plush knee highs — also available in thigh-highs, tights, and ankle socks — are lined with fleece. (I have a pair of the tights. They’re super soft and warm, but they are quite a bit thicker than regular tights. I don’t think you’d need to go up a shoe size, though.) You can also get silk liners for your socks and knee highs, as well as just doubling up on your knee-high trouser socks (wearing two at once).
(plus Berkshire for plus sizes — and here are two great fleece-lined options — and here’s a great way to store tights!)
– Switch to shoes you can wear socks with, like oxfords, loafers, the “smoking slipper” look out right now, or even the aforementioned low, wide boot. Your socks will show when you cross your leg, but if the first three options aren’t acceptable to you, this is the only fourth option I can think of.
{related: how to look professional in flats all the time}
Here are some of our latest favorite oxfords, loafers and more…
As of 2024, some of our favorite loafers for work are from Sam Edelman, Everlane, and Madewell. If you want something more classic, readers love Sperry and Ferragamo; if you want comfort, Vionic and Dr. Scholl’s both have options. Meanwhile, if you want something a bit more feminine or slouchy, the Tory Burch loafers are all really highly rated at Nordstrom (especially this “ballet loafer“)! (Tory Burch also makes a “rain loafer” if you do a lot of commuting in wet weather!)
You can also often wear actual socks with “shooties” like these…
As of 2024, shooties, aka shoe booties, are not terribly in right now… if you’re looking for a heeled version you can still find these stacked shooties from Gentle Souls, as well as a lot of affordable options from Lifestride. You may also want to consider a heeled oxford (like this, this, or this) or a heeled loafer, or some of our favorite strappy pumps… our latest favorite shooties, from the very small selection out there, are below…
I’m really curious to hear what readers say — how do you stay warm when your feet are always freezing? Is there a recent shoe purchase that you wear with socks, and you think it looks great at the office?
Psst: you may also be interested in our tips on how to handle the freezing office, as well as our guide to the seven different styles of cardigans for the office (and how to wear ’em).