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Sure, we all know what basics 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 find classic pumps challenging in tights (damn my narrow heels!). As the weather gets colder, though — particularly if you're commuting in rain boots or snow boots — tights become more practical.
My way of dealing with this has always been to keep strappy pumps at the office. They've become some of my favorite shoes over the years because I find them much easier to walk in.
We haven't talked about strappy pumps in almost a while, though, so let's discuss… Readers, what shoes do you wear with tights in the winter? Are you a fan of strappy pumps for this purpose — or do you prefer to wear booties and shooties? Bought any great ones recently?
Our Latest Favorite Strappy Pumps for Work
As of 2024, these are our latest favorite strappy heels for work (below) — also check the brands J.Crew, Valentino, and Jennifer Chamandi for strappy pumps. If you’re looking for strappy commuting shoes with heels to maintain a hem length, we recommend Dansko or Fly London.
Our Latest Favorite T-Strap Pumps for Work
As of Sept. 2023, these are some of our favorite T-strap pumps for work:
Our Latest Favorite Mary Jane Pumps for Work
There aren't a ton of Mary Jane pumps that I know of in 2024 — Manolo Blahnik has had this heeled Mary Jane for years, and Jennifer Chamandi has some cute styles now, as does Tory Burch. In terms of affordable options that are less than $350, Amazon also has a “limited time sale” on these SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Mary Jane pumps, and these Kurt Geiger pumps are only $150 at Dillards. If you prefer wedges, Theory has some Mary Jane wedges. (Also, take a look at the trend of Mary Jane flats…)
Our Latest Favorite Ankle-Strap Pumps for the Office
Ankle-strap pumps can be slightly hard to find in 2024… one of our longtime favorites is this affordable option from Anne Klein, and Nordstrom has a surprisingly large selection of ankle-strap heels right now. If you prefer flats, Dream Pairs has a bunch of options (such as this or this), and Eileen Fisher usually does as well.
Great Strappy Flats for Work
Stylish strappy flats can be hard to find! As of 2024, these are some of our favorites — also, in general, check J.Crew, Boden, and Valentino (on the pricier side, obviously). Nordstrom also has a surprisingly large selection!
Some Specific Strappy Pumps for Work We Love
Tamara Mellon
I was looking through Tamara Mellon’s website recently, and so many of her heels (and shoes in general!) look great — I particularly love the “Cloud Cushion,” i.e., 6mm of extra padding “where you need it the most.”
If you’re not familiar with Tamara Mellon, she was a cofounder of the brand Jimmy Choo — from the “our story” page she notes:
“I co-founded Jimmy Choo in 1996. Today, I’m still obsessed with shoes, but not the traditional way of doing things. So I’m starting over. This is my reboot (pun intended). I’m redefining luxury and doing what I do best: designing shoes and breaking rules.”
Nice! T-straps are particularly hard to find right now, and these look absolutely gorgeous and sophisticated. The shoe is $795 at TamaraMellon.com.
Easy Spirit
I primarily think of East Spirit as a comfort brand, but they do have cute shoes from time to time — such as this strappy heel! Not only are they affordable, but you benefit from the comfort — there’s arch support and a cushioned insole.
The heels come in 9 mostly neutral colors, but as of this writing there are the red patent heels as well as silver and tortoiseshell options.
The shoes come in sizes 5-12, in regular and wide sizes (in some colors), for $49-$99. Note that this Calvin Klein pump is very similar if you're hunting for an option in a different color or size.
Anne Klein
Another longstanding favorite strappy pump is this ankle-strap pump from Anne Klein… over the years it's come in a bunch of colors and materials, including party shoe options, as well as some pale beige options, and it's almost always under $75.
You can find the Anne Klein heels at Zappos, Nordstrom, and Amazon… a close dupe that's a bit more affordable are these Dream Pairs ankle strap pumps that are highly rated on Amazon.
Calvin Klein
These Calvin Klein pumps with an asymmetrical strap look great — the way the strap crosses the vamp of the foot is really flattering, and I like how the outside of the shoe has a d’Orsay look.
The shoe comes in 9 colors at Zappos (including two beiges and a brown, if you’re hunting for nude-for-you heels). They come in sizes 5-11, and are $99.
Jennifer Chamandi
These green lizard-effect heels from from Jennifer Chamandi are stunning. It seems so simple but I honestly can’t remember a strap clasp being on the top of foot instead of on the side — I like how it almost takes the place of a minimal bow or other decoration.
The brand has a lot of strappy heels in neutral colors, but these green ones jumped out at me. Gorgeous, gorgeous.
They’re available in Italian sizes 36-41 at NET-A-PORTER for $840.
Vionic
These low, affordable, comfortable heels from work only have a baby Mary Jane strap — but they could be just what you're looking for if you need a higher vamp. These shoes have been a reader favorite for years and years but are getting harder to find — right now Amazon has the biggest selection of colors and sizes, starting at $27. (Also keep an eye out for them on resale sites like eBay!)
Valentino
Valentino's Rockstud shoes have been around for years, and they're definitely distinctive, with a bit of a “tough girl” vibe. If that appeals to you, go for it — they're one of the most reliably stylish T-strap pumps with a closed toe. You can find them at any upscale department store (Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks) as well as on resale sites like eBay and Etsy.
Manolo Blahnik
I think Manolo Blahnik's classic Mary Jane has been around since the earliest days of this blog — and it remains one of the most sophisticated iterations I've seen of the Mary Jane. It comes out in different colors and textures — keep an eye out at spots like Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, and Net-a-Porter. (You can also sometimes find it at resale shops like eBay and Etsy!)
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!
Rose
I need someone to remind me that company’s that are hiring operate on their own schedules. Short take: Final interview on Friday, told I could hear as early as Friday afternoon or Monday (today). I know even being told that, that’s a highly compressed timeline and I need to sit on my hands and distract myself for at least a week. But it’s HARD.
Cimorene
Just sit tight. And good luck!
NYNY
I’m in the same boat as Kat; my heels are narrow in proportion to my forefoot, so in tights, pumps tend to fly off my feet. I’ve always done strappy heels or boots most in the winter, but I may have a new solution. I just put pedag’s “Girl” anti-slip pads in two pairs of pumps, and they are life-changing (despite the name)! I tried them with tights, although not for a full day, and I didn’t walk out of them. I’m getting pairs for all my pumps now.
SteelCityMagnolia
The anti-slip heel pads are awesome! I have them in nearly all my heels — whether I wear tights or not, my heels slip out of my shoes. I already wear a 6.5 which is hell to find to start with, so now I can customize pretty much all my shoes to fit! YAY!!!!
Which reminds me…. I should stock up for fall/winter. Occasionally you do have to replace the darn things.
bridget
I just like how strappy shoes are cute and a bit different without going off the deep end.
Apropos of nothing, I love the “wear a suit at least once a week” advice. Had a big presentation today; wore a suit; looked both presentation-appropriate and like “me.”
heels
I actually think most of these wouldn’t look good with tights — the ones without edges are too “summery” to wear with tights.