Reader Mail: Where to Get Fall Shoes
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Today's reader is with us in our desire for fall…
Fall shoe question: where in the world can I find leather shoes SANS platforms and peep toes? I'm also tired of all the patent leather. So much of this year's spring, summer, and now fall lines are peep toes and the platforms are getting higher and higher. Lots of trampy, youthful looks out there. Nordstroms, DSW storefronts are loaded with them…and on line it's worse. I really think a shoe (here in Houston) can have details and texture…not looking so Nun-like. Gosh. Becoming a bit of crisis as one of my black pumps/tstraps (Circa Joan and David) now needs a new sole!We would argue that platforms and peep toes are inappropriate in a conservative office year-round — not just fall — but maybe that's just us. Whatever it is, we share your concern: it is incredibly difficult to find classic, grown-up, beautiful shoes out there. We would perhaps suggest focusing on brands you like rather than specific shoe merchants. For example: Taryn Rose shoes (expensive), Cole Haan's Nike Air shoes (mid-level) and Sudini (less expensive) are all brands that focus on classic styles; note that at Zappos you can set it up so the web site e-mails you ever time one of these brands has a new shoe available. A sophisticated t-strap seems to be a rare commodity right now. We did find the T-strap pictured above, however: Matisse Women's Ava T-Strap Pump
, available at Endless.com for $128. Also check out the Ecco Gisbourne shoes, which we featured for a TPS a while back (and now on sale at Endless).
Readers, weigh in — what brands and stores do you rely on for work shoes?
This is a major challenge for me so I don’t have much in they way of suggestions but I would note one thing about Nordstrom–while I largely agree with your comment, some stores have a substantial collection in the stock room of shoes that are not on the floor or online. If you go during off hours and make nice with a sales person they might be able to come up with something for you.
Sofftshoe.com – these are comfortable, last forever and come in a wide variety of styles, widths, and heel sizes. Also, footsmart.com is worth a search. While they are intermixed, the site usually carries comfort shoes that don’t look like they belong to Great Aunt Rose.
This is an English site so you have to pay shipping – but it’s worth it. These shoes are beautiful and they do classic courts in great colours.
I like Zappos. They have a huge variety of everything, plus free shipping and free returns, so you can buy a bunch of stuff, try it on, and send it back if you don’t like it.
I am generally pretty cheap (relative to things that are recommended on this site) so I have a lot of Nine West and similarly priced shoes. I won’t pay over $100 or so.
Zappos, of course–you can set the search parameters to find just about any shoe–I am size 11 or even 11.5 and can find suitable shoes matching you requirements (lower heels, though).
Amazon has real deals on designer shoes, believe it or not! You can search by size, color, style.
http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1249414949/ref=sr_ex_n_2?ie=UTF8&rs=679399011&sort=-launch-date&bbn=679337011&hidden-keywords=designeradd80&rh=n%3A672123011%2Cn%3A!672124011%2Cp_6%3AATVPDKIKX0DER%2Cn%3A679337011
I look under flats, where there are lovely work appropriate shoes, but there is an awesome pair of Bettye Muller pumps in black leather–no platform, nice sturdy heel, but in a good way.
http://www.amazon.com/Bettye-Muller-Womens-Poet-Brown/dp/B001J6NYKW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1249414963&sr=1-4
Used to rely on Naturalizer and Sofft, which were comfortable but often matronly looking. Now I am slowly (as my budget permits) switching to Cole Haan Air heels- so comfortable! I do find that I have to go up almost a full size though, probably on account of my wider foot. And yes, I second the comment about focusing on brands: I will try on something in the store and then go on eBay and other discount sites to find it.
Bluefly: It’s spotty, but worth a look.
I like Circa, by Joan and David, and recently bought my first pair of pumps from Boden (bodenusa.com), which are very high quality and professional.
I have the Cole Haan black woven Genevieve without the peep toe and I love it! I think it is the perfect work shoe in terms of comfort, style, heel height, and toe shape (not to pointy or too round). Plus, the woven leather really gives it some interest.
http://www.theshoemart.com/cole-haan-womens-genevieve-air-pump-black/pvc-col-wxsdh-d27149_col_f_genevieve_air_pump.html
I used to use Nine West shoes, which are comfortable, but they fall apart in about 3 months.
Wow, that is a really gorgeous shoe.
What makes a peep toe inappropriate? How does this http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?productId=135382&categoryId=300257&productGroup=135379 say anything but conservative?
In addition to one of my faves, Circa Joan & David, I also wear Via Spiga, Ann Taylor brand, and Stuart Weitzman to work. I would also look under Delman for style and professionalism. I love this post, it really reflects the dilemmas professional women face when it comes to fashion!
I like to shop at Saks Off Fifth, Filene’s Basement and Bloomingdale’s (usually I limit myself to perusing the sale rack) for shoes and occasionally buy online at the Gilt Groupe. I really like Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman heels (although I am picky about the shape). I basically just go in and look for shoes in my size that are closed toe and have a high heel but not too high. I’m picky about the way the heel looks which limits my options.
Anon: it says “hello, I’m your toes.” That’s how it says not conservative. The only part of an outfit that my office doesn’t leave to our own good judgment is the shoes–no peep toes. I do like those Cole Haans, but I couldn’t wear them to work in my law firm, and I don’t think you should either.
I’m wearing the gold sling back version of those Cole Haan’s today for office work. Mighty comfy. I wouldn’t wear them to court, but they are good with summer suits.
I’m okay with open toes sometimes, but they are not conservative and not fall/ winter. Wet and cold toes — EEEWWW.
My big law firm dress code expressly permits open-toed shoes (not just peep toe). I don’t wear peep toe shoes often, but I do wear them. So do all the female associates that I work with frequently enough to know their shoe style.
This is definitely a firm-by-firm kind of question, so be careful with the “I don’t think you should either” blanket statement.
Nordstrom Rack is my absolute favorite shoe source. I really hate buying shoes online because I find that I’m relatively bad at guessing how comfortable a shoe will be without trying it on, although I did that frequently while in law school and bargain hunting — Ebay has a surprisingly good selection of new shoes, and the same search features as Amazon (brand, size, etc).
Ferragamo. They’re expensive, but they’re also comfortable, durable and always appropriate.
I prefer Bandolino shoes – they’re always incredibly comfortable, and they’re one of the few brands that I’ve found which have a decent selection of “low” heels, rather than flat to skyscraper. One caveat though is that I’m still in school, so I don’t know how much wear and tear they can take, since I only wear mine for three months at a stretch.
Shoe purchases depend on the “per wear” theory.
If the shoes are chocolate croc-emobssed pumps with the right toe shape (not too round, not too pointy) and a 2 1/2 inch wooden heel (I hate the way fabric heels get damaged), then they will go with a lot of things in my closet and be in style for years. In that case, I will spring for the Isaac Mizrahis on sale for $129 at Saks because the shoes will be a bargain on the “per wear” cost over the four or five years I will be able to use them, especially if they are well-made enough to resole or reheel.
On the other hand, if the shoes are grey and lilac faux-reptile pumps (perfect with grey trousers or skirt, a cream blouse and a lilac cardigan or plum jacket), then they go only with a limited number of outfits and it makes more sense to buy Bandolinos at DSW on sale for $24.99. By the time they fall apart in eighteen months or so, the shoes will be out of style. However, on a per wear basis, I will have gotten my money out of them.
I find good work shoes on sale at Saks (regular and Off Fifth), Nordstrom (regular and Rack), Syms (when I am in a town that has one) and a couple local stores that have a good selection of mid-priced shoes and up. Sometimes I get lucky at Macy’s and find Circa Joan & Davids or Anne Kleins that are office friendly. I mostly get fun shoes and shoes to go with specific outfits at DSW. I am fortunate that there is a smaller shoe chain based where I live that keeps all of the better shoes at its warehouse location. They carry Cole Hahns, Stuart Weitzman, Gucci, Lauren, Coach, and several other better brands at very nice prices. I have had a lot of luck there over the years.
On peep toes (and sandals, for that matter): Never in federal or an appeals court, in state court only if you know that you will be taken seriously based upon who you are and not what you wear (experience does have some privileges), allowable on office days if firm policy permits.
In any event, no shoes without hosiery unless you have good foot hygiene. You do not need to have had a salon pedicure, but I do not want to see what my old assistant used to call “crusty feet”. Trim and buff the nails, get a pumice stone, and use whatever you need to in order to avoid foot odors. I apply that rule to the men in my office who somehow think it is acceptable to come in wearing driving shoes or loafers without socks. Some of them need to make a serious investment in OdorEaters.
I was on the hunt for Circa Joan&David, my pair wearing out soles too. Live in Houston – are we hard on the pavement or is it this year’s heat? Found that 6pm.com had a large selection of Cj&D. As I can easily do less conservative, closed toe pumps, I got and love these:
http://www.6pm.com/ViewProduct.action?productId=7370023
I also tried “grayson,” thinking it was more conservative, but too tight across the vamp.
I can’t comiserate enough on the lack of closed toe, interesting pumps. Search by maker, as others have said. Thanks Corporette for turning me on to endless.com as well. Wish everyone followed zappos delivery and return policies!
I have had very good luck with Ann Taylor shoes. You just have to keep an eye out, because sometimes their selection is nil and sometimes they have tons of cute stuff. I’ve bought brown croc embossed heels, standard black leather and brown leather pumps, and a really cute pair of navy heels with a mary jane strap (but professional looking, not young, if that makes sense). I’ve also occasionally had good luck with Banana Republic, same caveats as AT.
Re: Bandolino’s — I used to buy them all the time, until THREE PAIRS in a row had the heels break off. I’m not kidding — THREE PAIRS.
Re: the open toe Cole Haan shoes posted — yes, they’re lovely. But to provide a different (devil’s advocate?) perspective:
I saw a woman wearing those shoes to court today and I kept thinking — she has red shiny toes. How many people are thinking that when they see you wearing those shoes? Obviously you know your office and your market better than any of us do, but I really don’t care how lovely your toes are — I don’t want to see them, and if you hand in work that I don’t think is good enough, will I be thinking “Gee, should’ve spent more time on your work and less time on your toes?” Or if I’m staffing a case for conservative clients, am I going to think “nah, not worth it” to ask you to join the case because it will require that I have a talk with you about what clothing and footwear you can wear to the client’s office?
Wear whatever shoes you like, but don’t kid yourself into thinking there’s no chance someone above you is thinking at least some of those things. Are having attractive shoes worth that?
I can’t agree more with Ms.B about quality and durability. I have worn my Gucci bamboo ballerina flats (both black and beige) hundreds of times over the past year and a half and they still look good as new, whereas, a pair Nine West shoes look beat after about three weeks.
I have found that Ralph Lauren and Kate Spade shoes are also high quality and look great after many wearings. Love Ferragamo.
WRT past postings, I think the Ecco T-straps are far nicer-looking than the current version.
I wish I could write the fresh pedicure/no crusty toes requirement into the official dress code. An assistant of mine told me at one office where she had worked, the dress code permitted shoes to be open either in the front or the back but not both. So slingbacks and peep-toes were fine, but not true sandals. I like that idea.
I would never wear open-toed shoes to court, but in my office (health care, where a lot of people are in uniform), I do think they look appropriate. I think the best close-toed, basic pumps are Taryn Rose and Cole Haan. I haunt Nordstrom Rack and never pay full price.
I love Sacco’s–pointy toes, mid-height heel, and built-in, reliable comfort. A little pricey, but well worth it. And I can’t wait to start wearing my suede shoes and opaque tights again!
I don’t advocate wearing peep toe shoes in court, ever.
You are free to disagree, but if all female associates wear peep toe shoes (in the office only) as expressly permitted by the dress code, I fail to see why I still need to worry about being passed over for work. If you’re in an environment where peep toe shoes are not considered “bad judgment” then it’s not an issue. Like I said before, it’s an office-by-office call. I don’t doubt that there are plenty of offices where peep toes would be a huge no-no, too.
Generally I agree on not wanting to see people’s toes. But it is funny what some lawyers can get away with in court; I was in federal court in Manhattan a few years ago defending a large class action on behalf of NYC government and the very senior attorney doing the arguments would wear things including: birkenstocks, some type of sweatpant-like knit pants, and a pajama-like top with animals printed on it. Sometimes she’d tie on a bright scarf to bring it all together. The judge didn’t take her any less seriously. Maybe it’s just that she was public sector and it doesn’t matter. Maybe because the plaintiff-side attorney was a frump himself. In any event, what we wore didn’t matter at all, but I stayed in suits and closed-toed shoes as a junior and young-looking person. Thought this crowd may find the example amusing after all the trouble we put into thinking these things through!
Not to beat a dead horse, but I went to a women in law event once where the advice was to only expose bare skin men expose. In other words, no airpits or toes exposed and wear pantyhose. That seems like a good baseline.
The official dress code at my office says open toe or open heel but not both. But that still doesn’t obligate me to give work to an associate who I’m going to have to counsel about appropriate attire. And it’s not just a few cranky senior women attorneys — as a young associate I was expressly told that I was put on a case because the partner didn’t want to deal with a male associate who habitually wore thin dress shirts without T-shirts underneath and without a jacket, and I’ve been in more than one meeting at more than one firm where women’s inappropriate attire was cited as a reason they were not staffed on cases for particular clients. I’m doing everything I can to make sure I’m busy and productive right now. Anything that might possibly prevent that — whether attire, being seen coming in late habitually, expressing crankiness about weekend work, etc. isn’t worth it to me, but obviously not all circumstances or workplaces are the same.
FYI ladies, there are a lot of Circa Joan and David heels on Overstock.com right now. Personally I have never owned a pair, but since so many of you are fans I thought I would pass that along!
Not that I think there are many guys reading this, but my NYC big-law boyfriend has a large collection of designer ties, and he’ll frequently wear one at his business casual firm. The partners needed to select one associate for a special long-term client project, and it is my firm belief that they selected him over some of the other associates because he is the sharpest dresser (he’s also a good lawyer, but one of the partners made a comment when they selected him basically saying they appreciated how he always looked so professional). Of course, that doesn’t mean the client wouldn’t have loved the female associate who’s always wearing a polka dot dress and sandals, but she’ll never have that opportunity.
I am surprised that no one has mentioned http://www.endless.com yet. They have just about every type of shoe imaginable, including top designers. Their prices are fantastic and they offer:
– Free overnight shipping
– Free return shipping
– 100% price guarantee (excluding Amazon and eBay).
You can narrow by size, by price, by designer, by style… just about anything. Let me know what you guys think of it!
My old standbys are Diana Lawrence pumps from Shoe Carnival. They’re cheap, buy one get one free, ends up at $20 a pair for mid-heels, they also come in lower and higher heels. Wide, narrow and regular widths. Variety of colors patterns and finishes. Always in stock. I buy them often, get the heel tip replaced imediately, and get nothing but compliments. They’re not fabulous, but they’re great to always have on hand.
I buy these shoes before I walk over to DSW just so I know I have something practical.
I just got the Ecco Gisbourne t-straps. Ended up wearing them all day yesterday, including walking around and standing at a baseball game after work. They were very comfortable, and I am not much of a heels wearer! Usually I can’t wait to get the heels off, but these were no problem to wear.
I buy a lot of Franco Sarto shoes. They are not too expensive, comfortable but not frumpy, and they have both conservative (black boring slightly matronly) and more daring (animal print mary janes, for example.)
I love Aerosoles pumps. Some are more on the “matronly” side, but others are attractive as well as comfortable. I have the “Envy” style in several colors and it’s my go-to for a very long day at the office.
Note on the Nine west – I only wear mine *in the office* (I walk to/from in my sneakers). There is a big difference if you are only wearing them inside, on carpet, in the wear. I have had some pairs for 5 years.
When one wears a peep toe shoe, doesn’t one have to forgo stockings? Are there offices where it is appropriate to go bare legged?
I love this site! I can’t tell you how many times I have gone directly to a sales clerk (usually at Nordstroms or Lord & Taylor’s) and announce that I want a closed toe shoe without a platform and with a heel under 4 inches – and how many times NOTHING can be found. I was beginning to wonder whether I was the only one out there…
Dress code and amount of acceptable skin is definitely firm specific…and sometimes specific to the area of law…and quite frankly, sometimes it doesn’t matter.
I work with a ton of older men (e.g., at least 15 years older) in a law firm. I’m one of only a literal handful of female attorneys. I’m always in button downs and skirt suits with hose, and I get work from every partner because of my productivity. For happy hour drinks after work, I’ll get out of gear.
The other female associate in my class, on the other hand, is blonde, buxom, has a caboose, attractive, wears cleavage-bearing tops, sleeveless tops, dominatrix-looking pumps , and dresses showing bare back in the back into the office, chiffon white dresses, etc., to name a few. Do I have to say that she’s not originally from the east cost? Although no other partner gives her work because they got burned once before for her incompetence, she, nevertheless, gets put on good assignments with the managing partner who hired her (since he doesn’t want to admit he made a hiring mistake…and I’m sure he gets other benefits from working with her, too).
Most of what she wears may be forgiven if she had some competency in dealing with complex matters or if she proved to be a fast learner…but apparently, no one thinks so.
In the end, what matters is what you are most comfortable with in terms how you want to be perceived, what dignity means to you, and what level of intelligence and competence you have to back it up.
I like peep toes in the summer because they let your feet breathe a little and some are not riske’. Most reasonably priced shoes if you can devote some time to the search: Marshall’s….variety of name brands. If you cannot tolerate actual shopping, search the internet under a style, heel height, color and size and see what comes up…there are lots of reliable sites.
PS- I pretty much always wear flats or a kitten heel…more comfortable and looks more serious. Men, unless they are on a foray into cowboyhood and wearing boots :( never wear heels, and I think the higher heels are one thing that makes the open toe more controversial.
(As an aside, I once found that one of my dress shoes was NOT in my bag when I arrived at my destination and had to carry on in my sneakers….I was not happy about this, but kept it to myself, and kept my feet under the table. Did anyone notice? No. Some of the people you think are making judgments about you ARE truly oblivious. )
Rue La La is having an “event” on Cole Haan shoes, including pumps right now!