Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
You know, maybe we’re insane… but is fall here yet? We’re lusting after all things autumnal, from tweeds and wool flannels and cashmere, to this lovely pair of waterproof suede boots on sale at Zappos. We love the classic styling, the 2.5″ heel, and did we mention the waterproof suede? They’re on sale for $209 at Zappos (formerly $325). Aquatalia by Marvin K. – Zylo (Black Nappa Suede) – Footwear
If you’ve recently seen a great work piece you’d like to recommend to the readers, please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. Unless you ask otherwise, we’ll refer to you by your first initial.
About a week and a half ago, we asked a pivotal question: at what point does a high heel become TOO high for work? As always, the poll is still open, but the initial results are in:
- 44% of readers said a medium heel height was most appropriate for work — 3.5″ being the absolute highest.
- 33% said 3.5″ or higher was acceptable, so long as the shoe itself was appropriate for work — nothing a teenager would wear.
- 12% said any heel height was fine, so long as you could walk in it
- 9% said low heels were the only ones appropriate for the office: 2.5″ or under.
Pictured above: Christian Louboutin’s Marie Antoinette shoe, available only in Paris boutiques. Commenters repeatedly stressed that the heel had to be in proportion to the outfit: the higher the heel, the lower the hemline of the skirt – if not wearing pants with your towering heels. Some noted that they only wore 4″ heels with pants. Proper hemming is very important here: your pants should almost entirely cover the heel. (We would argue that readers should trek to and from work in the same height of heel that they wear at the office, but for those who don’t agree with us there are gadgets to help you hem your pants temporarily, such as Zakkerz, pictured below.)
There was general agreement that platforms are not acceptable office shoes; wedges were also not popular with readers. (We would disagree with that and say it depends on the kind of wedge — the chunkier the wedge, the more inappropriate it is — but a triangular-shaped wedge that blends with the shoe would be all right with us. For example, something like the
Nine West – Tuffy (Brown) – Footwear, pictured at right (available at Zappos.com for $78.95.)
Above all, though, readers noted that the shoe itself should be tasteful. As one commented, “never, ever wear clear heels to work. Never.” Another suggested readers not purchase their heels at the Hustler store. (Or perhaps, just save those Hustler shoes for the, uh, weekend.)
Yesterday was the first day of autumn — hooray! Already around New York City we’re starting to notice women wearing dresses and knee-high boots, mostly barelegged (but some with tights). Today we passed a girl wearing knee-high black boots, a happy yellow mini-dress, and a cute cropped black jacket. She looked absolutely adorable. But we also thought she looked totally inappropriate for work.
A few years ago we thought knee-high boots were 100% acceptable for work, provided they weren’t over-the-knee boots (like Julia Roberts’s in Pretty Woman). But after a few years of working in a conservative office, we’re not so sure anymore. Condoleezza Rice took heat a while ago for wearing black knee-high boots — even The Washington Post accused her of being too sexy, too dominatrix-like or Matrix-inspired.
But hey… maybe we’re old-fashioned. Or crazy. So, we thought: Poll.
