Today’s reader mail has to do with shoes…
I am going to be a summer associate in a couple months in a large New York City law firm. I also have been secretly drooling over women’s oxford style shoes in the last few months. My question is are these shoes appropriate or do I stick to basic pumps for summer associates? What about as a first year attorney? If so, would they ever be appropriate with a skirt or only with pants? Thanks!
This is a great question, as the style seems to be on deep discount at a lot of stores (including the pair featured above, on sale at Nordstrom for $65: VANELi Ipswich Oxford) For our $.02, the shoe pictured above is totally appropriate for the office — with the higher vamp, it’s perfect for girls who have a slightly hard time walking in pumps — and it’s great for getting a more comfortable shoe that still has a great heel. (We own the Born oxfords, pictured at right — very comfy — available at Zappos for $102: Born – Pace (Black Leather) – Footwear.) That said, we believe our mother would call this a “nun shoe” — unless the oxford has 4″ heels and looks very fashionable, you will feel a bit less attractive if you wear it with skirts. Does it mean that makes it somehow inappropriate for the office? No. But it just might not be the look you’re going for.
Now, on a related note, there are some oxfords that expose toes — we would argue that these are inappropriate for the office. We’re not big fans of open-toed shoes at the office anyway, but to have the entire foot encased in leather and then an unexpected flash of toe… it’s a fashionable style that’s supposed to be naughty and cheeky. We would not advise you to purposely dress to be naughty and cheeky at the office. Just our $.02, though.
Readers? Care to weigh in?
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.)
Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. We begin the week in splurge mode, with our most expensive suggestions, and wind our way to Friday, where a less expensive item of clothing might be just what you need to make it to the weekend.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: a purple pump is surprisingly versatile. They’re a great counterpart to a navy suit (although black shoes are appropriate also); they’re also a fun way to jazz up black or gray. Purple suede, in particular, works well — it absorbs the light and won’t put everyone in your office on notice of your purple shoes (unlike, say, patent leather). We like that these Naturalizer pumps (which come in black and brown, as well) are a manageable height without being stodgy. We also like the price: $39.99 (previously $79.99). Naturalizer Purple Suede Daybreak Shoe
Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. We begin the week in splurge mode, with our most expensive suggestions, and wind our way to Friday, where a less expensive item of clothing might be just what you need to make it to the weekend.
Holiday parties are approaching, which means it’s time to start looking for sparkly, festive shoes. We love these satin and leather T-strap pumps, available at eLuxury. We think the designer’s use of the vintage chain is inspired, and hey, it’ll give you something to talk about with the women bosses (and the bosses’ wives). Even better is the fact that the shoes are on sale: they were $995, now marked to $399. Dolce & Gabbana – Vintage Chain Satin Peep Toe
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.
In today’s hunt, we search for reasonably-heeled black leather pumps — nothing higher than 3″…
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Corso Como makes extremely comfortable shoes — their insoles are lined with gel. Available at Endless for $154.95. Corso Como Women’s Cate Pump
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We just couldn’t do a round-up of basic black pumps without including one of our favorite brands, Cole Haan. These Air Pumps are made with Nike Air technology — we won’t be playing basketball in our pumps any time soon, but it’s good to know someone’s making the shoes as if we were. Available at Zappos on sale for $243. (2″ heel; also available in 3″ heel.) Cole Haan – Fiona Low Air Pump (Black Calf) – Footwear
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If you’re upgrading and want something in a slightly higher price range, these Prada leather pumps (2.5″ heel) are only $360 at Saks. Prada Linea Rossa
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We’ve always envied the women who can rock the 4″ heels on the red carpet — and we’ve somehow developed a taste for the lipstick red of the Louboutin pumps. Unfortunately, their towering heels make them next to impossible for us to use to navigate at the office. Fortunately, there are more sensible pumps if you’re like us — these are far sturdier and more walkable, with a 2.75″ heel. Available at Saks for $595. Christian Louboutin – Miss Tack Pumps
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Looking for more black pumps? Check out these options…
Liking these posts? Follow Corporette on Twitter — this is the edited version of what we’re reading! (We also Tweet if we hear about a good sale.)
– The Chicago Tribune asks, why must comfortable shoes be so ugly? We like the story of the woman who thought about changing into flip flops to cross the street. [Chicago Trib] At left: We’ve heard great things about these shoes being comfortable, and we can vouch that they are not ugly. Geox Women’s Stefany Ballerina Flat, $109 at Endless
- Happy days: an article about the misogyny women on Wall Street face. [WSJ]
- We’re not sure a makeup trick has ever “changed our lives,” but these women disagree. [GirlsInTheBeautyDepartment]
- Breaking: Dark under-eye circles could be a sign that you’ve been working too much OR, it turns out, of iron deficiency. Take a cue from Pop-Eye the Sailorman: Eat your spinach! (Or steak!) [HungryGirl]
- The 9 best-selling cars for women drivers. [LAT]
- Tips on how to save money and not get killed with baggage fees. [SmartMoney]
- The 7 Must-Read Stock Blogs. [TheMotley Fool]
- Hmmn, this may be a new thing to add to our LeechBlock: Polyvore, an online site where you can mix and match outfits. [Fashionista]
