tall boots

Boots at the Office: THE POLL

by Kat on 01/24/2012 · 93 comments

in Fashion Gaffes, Shoes, Wear to Work

Can you wear knee-high boots to the office with a skirt? Reader B wonders…

I live in DC and work in the public interest world.  I love wearing boots in the winter and when there is inclement weather.  I have two very nice pairs, one which is ankle-length and has a nice looping strap and buckle and the other that is nearly knee-high and has a four inch heel and some great detailing.  They are both fairly formal looking.  Is it appropriate to wear these types of boots to work?  Would it ever be appropriate to wear the tall ones with a knee-length or slightly shorter skirt or dress (as opposed to wearing work slacks over them), and in that instance would tights or leggings be appropriate?

Regarding the ankle length boots, I’m going to say that while I’ve heard from some readers who think all ankle- and mid-calf-length boots are hideous (I love ‘em, so I’m not in that group), I’ve never heard anyone say they’re inappropriate for the office.  Wear ‘em with pants all you want; I’ve even seem some women successfully pull them off with skirts and opaque tights that matched their boots exactly.

Regarding the knee-length boots, now… that’s a more interesting question.  It was only a few years ago that the fashion writer for The Washington Post reacted with horror to an outfit Condoleezza Rice wore that involved black knee-high boots, ultimately calling her a dominatrix.  As she wrote:

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Poll: Are tall boots ever acceptable for a conservative office?

by C on 09/29/2009 · 73 comments

in Business Etiquette, Fashion, Fashion Gaffes, Success

Nine West Women's Iwas BootWe haven’t done a poll on this in a while, so here’s the question of the moment: are tall boots ever acceptable for a conservative office? We’re seeing lots of over-the-knee styles available at surprisingly respectable places like Saks, and obviously engineer boots, cuffed boots, and more are regular weekend wear.  But what about for the office?

To us, this is one of those things that a young woman can’t be too cavalier about — if you want to be taken seriously, avoid clothes that will make some people joke that you’re a “dominatrix.”  After all, if Condoleezza Rice can take flack (from a female reporter, no less) then we would say that these should be strictly off-limits for a conservative office proper.  (If you want to wear them for commuting purposes or with pants, we think, have at it.)  We might also argue that this is perhaps the dividing line between a casual office and a conservative office — in a casual office you can get away with more fashionable, trendy pieces.   But that’s just our $.02, obviously — what are your views, readers?

Pictured: Nine West Women’s Iwas Boot, available at Endless.com in half-sizes 5-11 for $104.47 (were $190).

poll by twiigs.com

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