Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work 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.
This page was last updated September 2023 except where otherwise noted.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: I always feel like purple heels for the office are a hugely versatile basic that every woman should have.
We have, of course, covered work heels extensively here at Corporette — if you’re looking for comfortable work heels, nude heels, sangria-colored heels, low heels, or even products to make heels more comfortable, then we’ve got you!
I originally started this series because I was obsessed with a deep dark pair of purple pumps that I wore with just about everything, but as readers have pointed out over the years there’s a bit of a difference between “purple” pumps and wine/sangria-colored pumps… I must admit the pair that I loved was more of a merlot and not one of the brights.
Still, I do think purple heels are a great way to add some color and fun to a lot of work outfits… so let’s round them up!
{related: check out our Guide to Comfortable Heels!}
Why Should Professional Women Have Purple Heels?
They’re such an amazing workhorse, particularly for times when you want something just a bit more elevated and fun than black, but still a sedate color.
Wear them with navy if you’re uncomfortable wearing black with navy! Add some interest to black and gray outfits, and have some fun with contrasting colors by wearing purple on days when you’ve got green or red accents, and fun with complementary colors when you’re wearing purples or blues.
What Shade of Purple Heels is the Best?
The definition of “purple” comes and goes over the years, of course — in years past we’ve rounded up wine-colored pumps with names like “bordeaux” — while in other years bright violets were all the rage.
Readers, do you have a pair of purple heels for the office — or purple flats or booties? How do you wear them, and do you consider them a basic or a “fun” shoe?
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Our Latest Favorite Purple Heels for the Office
2023 Update: Here are our latest favorite purple heels for the office!
{related: classic wine-colored heels for work}
A Closer Look at Some Of Our Favorite Purple Heels for the Office
Nine West
Nine West has had a ton of great purple shoes for the office recently. They tend to be a bit on the brighter side of purple, but that’s great if that’s what you want!
The shoe pictured above is the Tatiana (available at Zappos for $99 full price) — but do note that the particular styles tend to come and go fairly quickly, so you might want to start your search by just looking at all of the purple heels for work from Nine West and narrowing by your size and requirements.
Sam Edelman
These pumps have been best-sellers for years, so it’s great to see them in a fun, saturated purple like this. The name of the color is “purple plum suede,” and if you’re looking for a classic stiletto on the higher side (3.75″) then this may be for you. (Note that normally this shoe is a good bet if you need extended sizes or widths, but neither is available in the purple color.) They’re $119 at spots like Nordstrom and Amazon.
Marc Fisher LTD
These block heels from Marc Fisher have been around for a zillion years and keep coming out in gorgeous fun colors, including this lovely purple suede.
The shoe is $160 full price, but note that it often goes on sale for less than half of that — keep an eye out at spots like Nordstrom and Amazon.
Similar but Different: Great Sangria-Colored Heels for Work!
Stay tuned for our latest favorite winey, sangria-colored heels for work!
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!
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Anonymous
Any tips for things to do/see near Bethany Beach, DE? Traveling for work.
January
Bethany Beach (and its sister town Fenwick Island) are known as the “quiet resorts” for a reason. :) Bethany has a small boardwalk and a few restaurants. If you’re looking for nightlife or just a bigger beach town, head north to Dewey and Rehoboth, or south to Ocean City, MD.
Minnie Beebe
Based on image alone, I fell in love with what turned out to be (natch) the most expensive shoes listed, those Prada pumps! Alas, $900 shoes are nowhere near my budget, but those are gorgeous.
kag
Zara has similar, but lighter coloured shoes, for a fraction of this price.
Anonymous
I’m not Godzilla but those SW’s are awesome!!
January
I’m really happy Kat took the time to find nude-for-Godzilla shoes. :)
Vicky Austin
Those Ann Taylor Frannie pumps (click on “several”) are to DIE for.
LaurenB
You keep using purple or plum to describe what looks like burgundy or cordovan. You went to Northwestern, for heaven’s sake! You should know what purple looks like!
Ellen
Kat, I love the Tory Birch 85MM pump’s at Nordstrom’s! I think that men respect me more when I have 4″ pump’s or 85MM (which may be higher!) This way, I can monitor men and where they are lookeing if I am almost as tall as they are. If they don’t look me in the eye, it’s curtans for them, as I don’t need men stareing at my boobies. FOOEY on that!
Allison
Vionic Josie kitten heels in merlot. Very comfortable and versatile.