2022 Update: Here are our latest favorite sangria-colored heels and purple pumps for work!
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.
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.
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.
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 this year there are a ton of super bright purples available for purchase, probably in part because the Pantone color of 2018 is ultra violet.
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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2022 Update: Here are our latest favorite sangria-colored heels and purple pumps for work!
{related: classic wine-colored heels for work}
The below content concerns purple heels for the office that are likely sold out.
Curious for some of our other roundups? Here they are from 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, and 2010.
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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.