You are here: Home / Archives for Fashion / Shoes

Which Are Your LEAST Comfortable Heels?

01/03/2013 By 165 Comments

Feet don't fail me now, originally uploaded to Flickr by .imelda.I’m in the midst of updating The Corporette Guide to Comfortable Heels today (finally!) and I noticed an interesting suggestion from one of the readers amongst the comments: that we should talk about which brands are our LEAST favorite for comfort. So let’s hear it, ladies — which brands of shoes do you avoid? Are there any that are so cute that you’ll withstand the pain anyway?

For my $.02, a few of the brands that you won’t see me recommending (they just don’t work for my feet) include:
- Bandolino
- Claudia Ciutti
- Corso Como (even though a ton of readers swear by them as some of their most comfortable heels)
- any wedge that doesn’t have a strap — I just cannot walk in them! (but again, some women love them, particularly for commuting!)

(Pictured.)

Filed Under: Shoes, Wear to Work

The Hunt: Flat, Tall Boots

12/17/2012 By 111 Comments

Boutique 9 'Zanny' BootSure, we all know what basics professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.

By reader request, I’m focusing today’s Hunt on the flat tall boot. I must admit: I’m kind of iffy on wearing these to the office. I know Capitol Hill Style says she rocks her flat boots with a skirt suit all the time, but I really think this is the kind of thing that you need to make sure that you know your office, and that your outfit is “intentional” enough that you avoid looking like you never changed out of your commuting shoes. When looking for a pair of flat boots to wear around the office, I think you want to avoid a few features — the overly slouchy boot, the Western-style boot, or anything with serious treads (too reminiscent of rain boots).  Readers, do you wear flat boots with skirts to the office?  Which features do you look for (or avoid)?  Have you made any recent purchases (share the brand/style name if possible!) [Read more...]

Filed Under: Shoes, The Hunt, Wear to Work

Socks, Cold Feet, and Professional Shoes

10/25/2012 By 53 Comments

Feet in the snow, originally uploaded to Flickr by BuzzFarmers.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.  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Comfort, Commuting, Professionalism, Shoes, Tights, Wear to Work, Weather

Comfortable Heels: Which Are Your Favorite Brands For Comfortable Heels?

10/01/2012 By 130 Comments

shoes shoes shoes shoes, originally uploaded to Flickr by dhutchman.One of the top Corporette posts of all time, The Quest for Comfortable Heels, turned into one of the best resources on this site: our Guide to Comfortable Heels (which I’ll be trying to update today). But I’ve long wondered what the top brands, for the most people, truly were. Some of the shoes that I’ve worn into the ground were actually from random brands (such as a pair of red peep-toe Liz Flex heels that I bought on sale for $17!) while other much-lauded brands have sat in my closet, unworn. And then there are some high-end surprises — after all, Tiffany of I-Am Styleish praised Miu Miu above other designer brands in her Newbie’s Guide to Designer Shoes.  So I want you guys to dig deep, and think: you know that amazing pair (or two? or three?) of shoes in your closet, the super comfortable ones? What brand are those shoes? We’ll also accept answers for “when it’s time to find a comfortable shoe, the first brand I check out is…”  (Pictured.)

I’ve arranged this as a poll — please write in if there are other brands and I’ll try to add them. You’re allowed up to 10 answers.  If you know the style names, please add them in the comments!

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Comfort, Shoes

The Hunt: T-Strap Pumps

09/10/2012 By 77 Comments

Sure, we all know what basics professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again — pumps are great, but for days where I’ll actually be walking/standing/running around, I always prefer shoes with straps. T-straps are classic, ladylike, and often super comfortable even if they’re not pitched as “comfort shoes.” In walking cities like NYC, they’re often great for the rainy fall day because they stay on your feet while hopping around puddles and running from sudden showers.   I’ve rounded up my favorites below (in both a slideshow and a chart, oo la la) — readers, have you bought any great T-strap pumps lately?  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Shoes, The Hunt, Weather

Scuffed Shoes and the Office

07/12/2012 By 121 Comments

Pictured: Platform heals toes, originally uploaded to Flickr by steveandpolo.If shoes show any signs of wear (like scuffs and scrapes), are they inappropriate for the office? What is the best way to take care of your office shoes? Reader S wonders:

Help settle a debate between friends– are leather heels with slightly worn tips (your standard pointed toe work heel) acceptable for the business casual (management consulting) office? Is slight wear an accepted part of a shoe’s life, or should heels be retired or taken to a cobbler as soon as the toes show signs of running into one too many curbs?

This is one of those rare times that I think women need to hold themselves to men’s standards — at the first sign of real wear, yes, your shoes should go in for repair. But before you start groaning, I don’t think this means a $50 trip to the cobbler every week or anything like that… (Pictured: Platform heals toes, originally uploaded to Flickr by steveandpolo.)

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion Gaffes, Professionalism, Shoes, Wear to Work