Flip-Flops, Sandals, and Office Propriety, Oh My!
Reader V has a full-fledged shoe debacle on her hands — and she might be charged with delineating (i.e. narrowing) the rules further…
We are in the middle of the full raging summer shoe debate at my work place. I work at a CPA firm. We have a no flip-flop policy = no shoes that have anything between the toes. We also use a suggested guideline of more shoe than foot. A new rather gutsy administrative professional started wearing decorative flip-flops…. Flats with large flowers decorations.
I privately told her that flip flops are against the office policy. She commented rudely about the firm buying her all new shoes and that she was going to appeal it up to her supervisors. She did and they backed the policy but another administrative person suggested that she appeal it further. So now I am charged with researching other professional service policies.
This morning I queried my friends at local banks and law firms and they all agree with the no flip flop rule. My question is …. Are we just in a Midwestern U.S. frame of mind? Also… what may very well happen as a result of her “challenge” is that the rule gets tighten even further. We are noticing strappy sandals that are more foot than shoe. One person has suggested we go with just pumps or peep-toes but no strappy sandals at all. Thoughts????
Yowza. I always say “know your office” when we talk about shoes, but I wonder how that really shakes out in the aggregate. So: perhaps today is the day for a poll.
(For the poll below, multiple answers are allowed, and by “which are not acceptable” I mean “which would you not wear, whether there's an office policy against it or not.”)
(Pictured above: Calvin Klein Jade sandals.)
If your office policy disallows something else, please note it in the comments.
Now the more interesting question here is WHAT the rule ought to be, and why. In a perfect world, we could all just say “we're all adults, let's just let everyone use their best judgment” — but, well, there's always that lowest common denominator you have to legislate for, whether it's the 20-year-old intern, the “gutsy” administrative professional (as reader V mentioned), or that senior executive who has zero common sense. So here's my $.02 for which shoes are NOT appropriate:
– Any shoes that make a loud sound when walking down the hallway. I started my office career in the late '90s when those Steve Madden slides were all the rage — for those who don't remember they were a flatform sandal that had a thick black elastic strap (about 3″ wide) for the vamp of your foot. (And, ZOMG, I just realized that they've been re-introduced. You can purchase at Steve Madden for $91, should you so desire.)
My point here is that they were super comfortable, we ALL wore them to work ad nauseum … and they made the loudest FLAPFLAPFLAP sound you could have imagined while walking down the hallway. Honestly, it boggles the mind to think that none of our superiors took us aside and said something. In any event: I think flip flops create similar problems (loud FLAPFLAPFLAP noise).
– Any shoe made primarily of plastic. This is another problem with most flip-flops — but honestly I'd be hard-pressed to call even a high quality leather flip-flop office appropriate. (FWIW, though, Bernardo makes some great leather flip-flops — allegedly that brand was Jackie O's favorite.)
– Any shoe that requires a pedicure to look good. Maybe this is just me, but feet can be gross, yo. A perfectly pedicured foot is one thing — but without getting into too many details, there are so many, many other ways that feet can look (and, um, smell).
If I were Queen of the Office, I wouldn't want clients coming into the office and being forced to view feet that were less than perfect — but I'd hate to require (or suggest) pedicures of employees. So if it were me, I would just ban all sandals, for both men and women. I think it's much harder to offend in peep-toes than it is in sandals… but if it were a conservative office I'd just make both men and women wear closed-toe shoes.
Readers, what is the rule at your office (and is it a clear rule?) If you were Queen of the Office, what would your rules be?
Psst: flip-flops are still ok for your commute! Just know when to change shoes.
My office has casual Fridays where we can wear nice capris and sandals in the summer but no jeans or flipflops. I was thinking of wearing my Jack Roger Navajos soon. They go between the toe, but are far from a rubber thong, thoughts? (the other women in my office aren’t much guidance)
I think those are what we have been calling “dressy sandals.” If senior women are wearing sandals with capris, I think it would probably be ok. But get your cues from them.
(I didn’t know what Jack Roger Navajos were, but looked them up. http://www.zappos.com/jack-roger-navajo )
Those are flipflops. Sorry. Absolutely not ok in a no jeans or flipflops office.
This is the sort of thing we’re talking about when we say dressy sandals:
http://www.zappos.com/softspots-neima-black-velvet-sheep-nappa?zlfid=111
http://www.zappos.com/naturalizer-circular-black-shiny?zlfid=111
That bottom pair doesn’t belong on anyone over 15 or under 70.
If I were Shoe Czarina for a day, I’d permanently ban shoes that make it look like women are more concerned about their appearance than their job, or that require the wearer to put thought into the simple acts of standing up and walking. No 4″ heels, none of the stupid platforms, with or without high heels,’that you see at the mall. Women with professional positions would simply have to look like they were serious. If they couldn’t do without their Candys, we’d see if there was a secretarial position open for them.
She should have not been hired :)
Yeah, our managing partner HATES flip flops because they make noise and he’s known for noticing shoes (he has three daughters). I think nice sandals are okay only on casual Friday. I’ve noticed though the support staff wears them whenever, and us attorneys have to be ready to be presentable at all times (read heels or very nice flats). Guess it comes with the territory. I love my flip flops, but I save them for when I’m “off duty.”
Atleast most of you guys have ‘office rules’. we have none (biz casual + hot weather all year round) and people turn up in:
– flip flops
– 5″ strappy ‘h__ker’ heels
– army boots
– cutesy bridesmaid type sandals
I could go on and on…..
I am on the faculty at a community college, and this is stated in the employee handbook re: women’s shoes: Dress and casual shoes are appropriate, except for flip-flops.
I am a corporate lawyer in South Asia. While our firm doesn’t have a fixed “policy” on shoes – frankly, there are many more urgent administrative issues than what’s on people’s feet, and an overdose of policing just makes professional life (already hard, with crazy deadlines and tough clients) even harder – people usually have the good sense to limit their butterfly twists and flip-flops to within the office only, and I’ve never known anyone to be stupid enough to wear them to client meetings or outdoor meetings / conferences.
Shoes in which your toes are revealed, or strappy sandals – as long as they look elegant, and people’s feet aren’t smelly or uncared for, it’s really no one else’s beeswax. If someone has smelly feet, best to bring that to their attention rather than outlaw strappy shoes altogether. What worries me about this kind of policing is that there can be no end to it – some idiot in admin can decide what kind of hairstyle is acceptable, what kind of makeup, what kind of eyewear – I think of any of this is truly outlandish, it’s more effective for a senior person to bring it to the attention of the person rather than prescribe a stringent code for absolutely everyone to follow. We spend 15 hours or more at work everyday – I think it’s ok to be able to bring a little bit of “self” through the door.
Not law, but I work in the Midwest. No office I’ve worked for has allowed flip flops (and neither job had major client interaction).
My current company’s dress code includes pictures of unacceptable and acceptable items. It’s actually a huge help! Some women do wear kitten heeled sandals that look a lot like flip flops, but because of the heel (as defined by the photos) is okay.
If this admin is challenging the policy, I’d probably take her aside and have a private conversation. Stress that if she persues things, the policy will be tightened and then she will HAVE to comply. If you’re young without a lot of extra money, two pairs of work shoes is enough to get you through the week. No, it’s not ideal, but you can make those two work in a pinch – and they don’t have to be super expensive either.
Couldn’t vote, because all of the above were okay at my firm last summer! Obviously not for court or client meetings, but otherwise, it was a pretty casual place. Although for “flip flops,” I think non-plastic would be preferred. Honestly, I love thong-style sandals because I have wide feet, and they always fit, so it’s a comfort thing, and I think they get unfairly maligned. (The really loud flap-flap noise is kind of an issue, but some are louder than others.)
at my office what is not allowed is: flip-flops, sneakers [except for medical situations], mules or other shoes in which the heel is not secured [i.e. sling-backs that dont stay up], stilletto heels [have to be very careful with kitten heels], and any heels over 2.5″ regardless of style. the over arching goal of our shoe policy is to keep the shoe securly on the foot and reduce potential incidents.
I love reading this site, but my office (a small public interest law firm) is truly anything goes. One partner walks around in bare feet; another wears t-shirts from the ’80s. That said, we all have suits hanging on the back of our doors and conservative pumps or oxfords in our drawers for when we need to run to court.
We have a complete lack of dress policy at my office. And flip flops, for me, are about as comfortable as it gets in the summer. HOWEVER. I still won’t wear them to the office. My compromise is a “real” sandal in a flip-flop-like thong style. I collect ’em. (In fact, here’s a post I wrote about the subject: http://www.closet-coach.com/2010/11/23/what-to-pack-for-a-10-day-winter-trip/)
But I will admit that my beloved Kate Spade thong sandals make me go click-clack-click-clack all the way when I walk down an escalator!
I am an appellate attorney who never meets with clients and sits in my office with the door closed all day. Needless to say, I wear flip flops on my regularly pedicured feet.
My department bans flip-flops, sandals are ok in the office. If you have to go into the field (railroad tracks, construction site or warehouse), break out the company provided work boots.
IMO, if you’re going to wear sandals, your feet should have been the recipient of a recent pedicure, whether by a professional salon, or done personally. This includes painted toenails. Calloused, cracked heels are not sandal or slingback ready.
As an aside, many years ago, I was working in a very conservative (early 90’s, starched white shirts for the guys) department of a large firm. One of my co-workers broke his foot, and was coming into the office with an open-toed cast and no sock. The hairy toes weren’t bad enough, one day he fell asleep at home, and his wife and daughter painted his toenails a lurid lime green. Our boss caught wind of this, and my co-worker was instructed not to come back with his lime green toenails.
So many comments! This is obviously a hot topic. IMHO women mostly wear open shoes to look cute, sexy, pretty, appealing, etc. None of which are particularly relevant in the work environment.
I have NEVER worn open shoes to work. I can’t imagine my co-workers wanting to see my gnarly toes any more than I want to see theirs (particularly guys!) I feel that it could be distracting and I want to be neither a victim nor a perp! Most offices have air-conditioning, so the comfort factor doesn’t come into play.
And, for big-city commuters, wearing open shoes on the subway or on other public transit is downright dangerous, whether you realize it or not. Flips flops, open mules, and other beachy footwear can snag or trip you on the platform, on stairs and on closing doors. So, please end the debate and JUST SAY NO to open shoes at work!
This culture (America) has a bit of a “foot phobia”. In other countries, wearing sandals, even at work/in the office, for both men and woman, is completely acceptable. I think it’s important that we realize this is a cultural thing.
That being said (being an American), I think if a woman wants to wear sandals to work (not sure about flip flops), a pedicure (home or professional) is important and necessary. And yes, please use colored polish. There are some chemical-free versions if that is a concern. In addition, (while it’s not politically correct to say so perhaps), white women need to be particularly careful as their unpedicured feet are often far more unsightly than women of color.
Having just returned from my 13th trip to Turkey, I would like to report not a sandal in sight in the offices of sunny, palm-filled Istanbul. Otherwise, the women are chic and totally contemporary (in a country with a mean age about 10 years younger than the U.S.) . So… whose culture are we talking about here?
It occurs to me that the relaxation of the American business dress code correlates with the relaxation of women’s concerns about parity with men in jobs, salaries and opportunity. It’s a false sense of security! DON’T confuse ease of dress with equality of opportunity. It’s a false barometer.
Secretaries may feel that wearing sandals to work is a victory of sorts. Female CEOs almost certainly do not. Check the feet of America’s top executive women. That would bee a telling sign.
We have a Dress Code in place. No flipflops, sandals or open-toe shoes are acceptable.
It amazes me how many people seem to *think* wearing flipflops and other too casual footware is acceptable for work. Not only is prohibiting this practice a question of aesthetics; it could be a question of safety too.
I think it was subordination for the Administrative person to say she intended to take her case for wearing flipflops higher, when she was already being told that wearing flipflops to work violated the rules. I say, get rid of this person now, as she will probably continue to be a “problem” employee later.
Also, a comment on the post that stated (paraphrasing here) that lower-paid employees cannot be expected to buy expensive clothes for the office: I agree that these staff *cannot* be expected to buy expensive clothes to work in the office; however, they*should* be expected to *look* professional at work. That said, professional clothing is available in every price range and staff needs to be held accountable for appearances when at work.
We too have a dress code with pictures. It really does help. Flip-flops are banned. Most other shoes are approved, including sandals for men. We are business casual dress, which leans greatly toward the casual side.
I work for a large healthcare nonprofit. We are in the deep south where I honestly never, ever put away my open-toed shoes because 11.5 months of the year, its warm enough to wear them. That said, if i am giving a presentation, meeting with someone importants, etc., I wear close-toed shoes. I keep a pair of basic dress pumps in nude-to-me under my desk.
I kick my shoes off all the time. If a job has to worry about if your shoes are on or not then I will need to leave.
We can wear thong sandals as long as they are taller than an inch.
We can wear sandals that have a ring around the big toe no problem.
I am a small business owner, and have 23 employees. I am not going to police people’s shoes. If someone comes in barefoot, flip flops, whatever – as long as their work gets done I don’t have a problem.
I have been tempted to send people home for sandals with socks -but that is another story.
Also, I HATE ashy elbows. However, I am not going to enforce a “Long sleeve shirt” rule because I hate elbows.
Some of the dress code rules I have seen at some jobs have been crazy. And all of them said it was for “safety”. Like having an open shoe is going to cause you to fall while talking to a customer.
Some of the dumb rules I have seen over the years:
* You can have an open TOE shoe – or backless shoe – but not both? Sorry i am not sending someone home because they wore an open toe backless dressy 2″ sandal.
* All open toe shoes must be worn with stockings (but closed toe shoes it is not required). Really? A clear piece of fabric that breaks when you touch it is going to make customers buy more service from you while you sit on the phone?
* You may show 1 or 2 toes…but 3 or more is a sandal, and cannot be worn. Wow I didn’t know that our middle toes are now considered private parts.
*A thong sandal must have a strap around the heel, but other open toe shoes cannot. I understand about the flip flop thing…but there are dressy thong sandals that have height to them.
I have seen jobs look under desks to see if a call center employee has their shoes off. Some very good employees have been let go over this. I have seen someone sent home because they were standing talking to someone, and took one of their feet out of their heels!
Sorry, but I am not going to worry about someone’s feet at work. People in nature don’t care to wear shoes all day (and I do not either). Just look professional otherwise & we are good.
I don’t understand why some people think it’s alright to wear flip flops to an office. I feel like the only time it is acceptable to wear flip flops to work is if you are a lifeguard.
I’m ready to freaking scream sitting here listening to the smack smack smack smack of these UNPROFESSIONAL people wearing flip flops, strappy sandals, etc. as they walk around. UGH!!!!
While I appreciate the sentiment, there is a new reality for modern-day professionals.
Specifically, the term “professional” no longer bares any relation to “professional attire.” To be professional simply means to be good at something and make a living doing it.
For more thoughts, check out my brand new book “Professionalism in Flip Flops.” I think you’ll be delighted as it brings new light to this controversial subject matter. To learn more about the book and to read a free chapter, check out professionalisminflipflops.com.
Cheers!
cut these lil cactus needles off into an envelope, then sprinkle them around the office , especially in the cubicles where the perps are sitting. They wont be wearing those annoying flip flops for long.
LINK: http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large-5/tiny-red-cactus-needles-geralyn-palmer.jpg