We got an e-mail from reader C, raving about this “Beacon” shoe:
The heel is higher than it looks and oh-so-so-comfortable. I bought these to be able to commute in dress pants and heels (my comfy commuting flats only work with skirts b/c all my trousers are tailored to heel-length). From the subway stop, I have to walk 3 avenue blocks and 3 street blocks (in NY) to my internship at a not-for-profit law office and these are amaaaazing.
We agree — these are great shoes for pants, either for commuting shoes or just regular running-around-the-office shoes. The brown is on sale today ($69), while the black are at the regular price of $78. (Reader C also noted that she had gotten them for $51 at Nordstrom, but there doesn’t seem to be a link online.) Naturalizer – Beacon (Oxford Brown Leather/Shiny)
We’ve heard raves about these “perfect” pumps from Ann Taylor, and they’re on sale this week — were $155, now marked to $99, take an extra 30% off with the code FRIENDS. And they still have normal sizes left! Not bad — not bad at all. Perfect Elle Pumps
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Today’s reader mail comes from an injured reader –
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?
Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
We love this lightweight sheath dress. The color of the gray feels more spring than fall to us, and the flower applique on the belt helps that impression. (We’re guessing the belt can be removed pretty easily if you don’t like the look, although you might try to save the flower to wear as a brooch.) We’d wear it with a structured jacket or, perhaps, a cardigan (the yellow cashmere one from Banana Republic that we featured week or so ago, for example). It’s $118 at Nordstrom (which just began a shoe clearance, incidentally). Halogen ‘Night Shift’ Sheath Dress
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.
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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
Happy first day of fall! We’re liking these simple but interesting 3″ pumps from Charles by Charles David — the three different colors of brown make it sure to match something you own that is brown, and we like the layered look of the leather. It’s available in navy, as well, in sizes 5-10 at Piperlime, for $115. (There are pretty good sales going on at Piperlime, anyway — use code TREAT through 9/23 to take 20% off all shoes and handbags; if you’re buying from Piperlime and another store in the Gap family you can get free shipping with code SHIPPL. Gap also has a “take 20% off through 9/25″ code, EXTRA20.) Women’s shoes/bags: Charles by Charles David Melange – Dark brown
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.
Kitten heels are either the “hot new trend” or the “classic that’s back in style,” depending on your point of view. Personally, I love kitten heels for the office, particularly with pants — with a low enough heel, you can even wear the same pants you wear with flats. Anne Klein has a number of shoes on sale today
