What Are the Rules for Interview Shoes? Heels, Patent, Fabric, and More
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I recently got a reader question asking whether she could interview in patent leather heels, and I thought it might make an interesting discussion here: what ARE the rules for interview shoes? What have you heard, what have you been advised, and what would you advise women interviewing at conservative offices to wear for shoes? I know we've talked about whether you can interview in 4″ heels in the past — as well as whether you can interview in flats — and of course I do a yearly roundup suggesting the best black heels for business attire, but I don't think we've talked about the rules for interview shoes in a separate post.
(And it's funny, because one might say, “there are no rules!” and then you see the stock photo above and I, at least, would say “eeesh, please not those 4″ platform heels,” so… there may be a few rules.)
So here are my thoughts on the rules for interview shoes, but I'd love to hear yours, readers…
The Best Height for Interview Shoes
The best height for interview shoes is the one you can walk in comfortably, and possibly quickly on the off chance your interviewer takes you to a lunch interview and has a long stride. For me that is definitely less than 4″ — probably more like 2-3″. Of course you can interview in flats if you want to or need to.
The Best Heels for Interviews
Hunting for comfortable work heels? We've got a whole guide just for that, but as of 2025 some of our favorites include Marc Fisher LTD, Sam Edelman, M.M.LaFleur, and Cole Haan. On the pricier side, check out Ferragamo, Stuart Weitzman, and Sarah Flint. For comfort-first styles, look to Vionic, Sofft, and Naturalizer.
Walkable, Low Heels for Interviews
Some of our favorite comfortable low heels for work as of 2024 include Sarah Flint, M.M.LaFleur, Ferragamo, CK Calvin Klein, Trotters, and Sam Edelman!
{related: The Corporette Guide to Comfortable Heels}
The Best Color for Interview Shoes
This is why navy suits are becoming less popular, I suspect — a lot of people aren't comfortable wearing navy with black shoes, although you can (the main rule about wearing black and navy together is to make it look intentional, and not like you got dressed in the dark!).
That said, Cordovan, a reddish hue, looks nice with navy and is very traditional — but otherwise I think your money is best spent on black heels; gray or navy heels might also work but they're harder to find.
{related: the best interview attire for different types of jobs}
The Best Texture for Interview Heels
Can you interview in patent pumps? Sure you can. Admittedly they're more bound by trend than you'd expect — at the moment I think suede is far more common than patent, for example — but I'd worry if your interviewer “dinged” you for wearing patent pumps, unless you're interviewing for a fashion job.
If you're buying something new, look for something that will be easy to maintain — you definitely don't want to interview with scuffs or damaged heels.
(Here's our older post with our best tips for shoe care for women.)
I wouldn't recommend suede or fabric unless they're waterproof, if only because you may end up going to a lunch or to a second building during your interview and you don't want to have to worry about your shoes getting wet.
An embossed or textured leather (or an actual embossed snakeskin or alligator shoe) would be fine so long as it's a solid-colored shoe — think Brooks Brothers more than runway.
{related: The Corporette Guide to Interview Suits}
Other Details for Interview Pumps: Bows, Platforms, Straps, and More
This depends so heavily on the shoe and the woman wearing it that I would generally say: proceed with caution. For bows I would say probably not, but there are some great Ferragamo and Cole Haan heels (affiliate links) of varying heights that feature bows that have been long-standing reader favorites.
For platforms, I would say probably not — but there are some comfort shoes with a “hidden” platform, designed to make the actual heel height lower (for example, this one) — and if that's what you need to walk comfortably, then go for it.
For straps on interview heels, again I would probably say no — but then again we all know I love a good strappy heel in large part because I find them more walkable (this one, for example, has been around forever).
Some of our latest favorite strappy heels include these…
As of 2025, these are our latest favorite strappy heels for work — 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, Eileen Fisher, or FLY London.
Readers, what are your thoughts — what are the rules for interview shoes for women? What do you strive to find for yourself to feel comfortable and confident in your interview attire — and, if you interview people, what would you actually ding someone for or hold against them if they wore to an interview (if anything)?
Stock photo: Deposit Photos / cokacoka.
IMO, platform heels look ridiculous and dated, not to mention unprofessional.
Every day I see dozens of women commuting or walking to and from lunch wearing heels they cannot comfortably walk in, and so they look ridiculous. It really makes it hard to take someone seriously when they are so oblivious to how they come across or just don’t care.
I think the “rule” is that no one should notice your shoes except to see that they are “nice” (clean, good condition) and match your outfit.
+1.
Of the suggested shoes, the only one I’d say to avoid is the linked hidden platform style. Frumptastic. Wear flats instead — not only more comfortable but FAR more current.
If I were interviewing today, I’d wear a gray suit and something like the JCrew Lucie — moderate heel, navy suede — or pointed toe flats.
I wore the Antonio Melani Marchela in a neutral beige with a linen suit, the last time I interviewed.
I wore LK Bennett beige leather pumps (not patent) with a navy suit to my last interview in big law, and got the job. It was the summer though – I would have worn something darker in the winter. I have some patent oxblood shoes that look very nice, trends be damned. Suede is pretty, but so hard to keep nice.
+1 this is my rule with all interview attire. Should be completely unremarkable or memorable, cleaned and in good conditioned.
I’ve always been told and have worn the best shoes I have to interviews. Sometimes that’s included 3″ heels, and other times they’ve been kitten-heel slingbacks. I think if they make you walk professionally and stand tall, then most shoes are ok. I generally avoid navy, but beige and black leather, patent or otherwise, have always served me well.
I usually wear 3″ matte black leather wedge heels with a rounded to almond toe. I chose those over flats because of the length of my interview suit pants (black), and find wedge heels much easier to walk in than stilettos (although I have many of those and love them!).
I bought the Ann Taylor tortoiseshell heels featured here a few weeks ago- they are great with navy! In my big tech environment, I’d wear them with a navy suit for an interview, but I’m not sure if that’s appropriate for law.
Oh, also- taupe suede is great with navy and would be perfectly appropriate/formal for anywhere I’ve interviewed. Kate Middleton frequently wears a pair of gianvito rossi suede pumps that look great with most colors, and would be appropriate for dry days in spring/summer/fall.
I bet those tortoiseshell heels look amazing with navy. Why didn’t I think of that?
I bought them, too, and wore them with navy pants the other day. Super love!!
This depends on your location as well as your seniority. When I was more junior, I always wore plain black matte leather pumps with a 2″ heel to court and interviews. Now that I am more senior, I am more likely to wear Ferragamo Varas for things like that, or these other Prada shoes I have with bows.
yes, seniority…after years of building your brand, you get to wear what you want
Came here to say exactly that. Interviewed for my current position in suede booties and a Theory moto jacket. I felt amazing. They had my resume. If suede booties disqualified me, we weren’t a match.
Honest question. What makes the hidden platform “frumptastic?” I honestly don’t get it. I’m 38, consider myself reasonably fashionable, and a platform that more or less blends in with the shoe doesn’t read as frumpy to me. They are barely noticeable. I love those Clarks Adriel Violas that are linked. They are so comfortable!
I would say they’re just a bit dated. As work wear, they don’t really bother me personally, but they also don’t seem fashion forward.
Yes, and to add to anon at 6:05, chunkier block heels are in style now over thinner heels. I Most (all?) hidden platforms shoes have skinnier heels. The Clarks aren’t too bad, but they aren’t current.
Because they don’t look elegant. They look kind of blobby.
Given the popularity of flats – whether pointed toe, ballet, or more of a “look” like loafers or oxfords, there’s no reason to wear “comfort heels” that scream “comfort heels.”
Honestly, I think this is a matter of personal preference. I love my Naturalizer Michelles. They have the hidden platform and I could care less if other people think they look frumpy. I like the heel height and it works with pants or with dresses. It’s enough heel that my legs look fantastic but I’m not wobbling around on an unstable base. If you like them, wear them. I think a lot of the “fashion forward” stuff looks ridiculous but I’m not wearing them so what does my opinion matter. You do you.
Because hidden platforms are not professional, I’d say. I’m in the fashion industry, and while we get away with a lot, hidden platforms can be ok for daily wear but unprofessional for job interviews or business meetings. Wedges or anything resembling espadrilles would also go into the acceptable for daily wear but not for job interviews or important meetings, particularly with clients.
It would be interesting to hear what other women employers say about interview footwear. As a senior attorney at a California environmental agency, I’ve interviewed numerous lawyers over the years. Most haven’t worn shoes like those in the photos…but then again I haven’t seen many women attorneys in public agency practice wear shoes like those either. (Most favor shoes with heels that are slightly lower and wider.)
Wait, what? Patent leather pumps aren’t cool anymore? I just bought two pairs. Fiddlesticks.
I wore my black Rothys points for my residency interviews! They were super comfortable and professional at the same time – I got a ton of compliments. I have a $20 off code good through Nov 2019 if anyone is interested. ? My code is
https://share.rothys.com/x/EJCfkb