Will Flats Fly with a Judge? How to Know Whether You Can Wear Flats to Court

104 Comments

1. I have serious back problems and am absolutely forbidden from wearing heels of any height unless I want to have back surgery. As a result I’ve had to find cute flats that are professional, comfortable and appropriate.

   I’ve had great success with the BP brand flats found at Nordstrom. Some are not court appropriate but they have many that are. Plus, they hold up well and are inexpensive (average is around $60/pair).

2. I just bought these and I LOVE them:
   http://www.zappos.com/kors-michael-kors-olympia-black-nappa

   I would suggest ordering 1/2 size down. Also, they are not the most supportive of flats, so not great for long-distance walking or anything like that. Zappos only has them in black but Nordstrom has silver and gold:
   http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3073953

   What do people think of the Tory Burch Eddie flat:
   http://www.toryburch.com/toryburch/browse/productDetail.jsp?icProduct=12108666&icSort=&icCategory=119

   1. not a big fan of Tory Burch generally, but those look a little too “rustic” to me.

   2. Tory Burch Eddie looks good for commuting, but not for around the office. Just my take.

      1. Oh, and thanks, Kat for answering this question! I’ve appreciated your flat picks in the past, but most have been cute occasional shoes – not everyday office basics.

3. My $.02 – I think rounded or pointed toe flats work equally well with pants as a matter of personal preference, but I always think rounded toe flats look better (visually) with skirts. I don’t know what it is but the pointed toe flats always looks strange to me when paired with a skirt.

   I only wear flats (I have no back, foot, or other issues – I just prefer them). I like Delman flats for plain, round toe flats in neutrals but your office needs to be casual enough for elasticized sides to be appropriate, which is probably not the case for court. Honestly, I have yet to find a brand that is consistently good for work-appropriate flats – I either head to the shops or look online (Nordstrom, Endless, Zappos, etc) until I find some good options.

   One note – especially if you are having back pain, you probably want to look for something with good arch support. JCrew flats have no cushioning/arch support so, while cute, aren’t very kind to the foot.

   These probably won’t work for court but for the office, I highly recommend them – SUPER comfortable.

   http://www.zappos.com/geox-donna-lola-r-black-nappa-naplack

   1. I agree—round with skirts, pointed with pants (most the time this is true for heels too).

      1. Uh oh, I’m wearing pointed toes with a dress right now! I had no idea about that rule!

   2. I wear a lot of flats, too – bunions, so always with rounded toe now. Goodwill got a massive donation of pointed toe shoes last year!

      Bought a pair of JCrew flats recently that had a shocking amount of cushion, so you may want to give them another shot! I also have a couple of pairs of Delman flats that aren’t elasticized around the sides, and I loove one pair (black linen, so comfortable) and hate the other (brown grosgrain). This isn’t that helpful I guess, the point is just that you never know until you try.

      Agree re the pointed toe and skirts – always looks odd to me.

4. I’m a corporate attorney and it’s amazing to me that a pantsuit would be “inappropriate” for court and that a judge would actually comment on it. I think pantsuits look more authoritative, stylish and professional than skirt suits (which often either look cutesy or dowdy) and I rarely see female partners in skirt suits at my office. Maybe it’s a California thing.

   1. I am in NYC and I agree. I also just find it completely sexist. If you are dressed completely appropriately, how on earth could it be a problem that you’re wearing pants?!

   2. Agree… just on principle, I refuse to wear skirt suits to cater to a preference for them over pantsuits… My pant suits are just as formal as a man’s… also, I hate (hate, hate) wearing stockings… and if you wear skirt suit, you must wear stockings.

      1. Be warned, though — you may be doing your client a disservice. I’ve heard of blind judges who made their law clerks tell them when women lawyers appeared before them in pants suits. For whatever reason, they really seem to care about it…

         1. But what if the blind judge wanted to know whether you were white or black? If that occurred you would similarly be doing your client a “disservice” by, for example, refusing to appear in front of that judge, but isn’t there somewhere where we should draw the line? Why racism but not sexism?

         2. When the whole kerfuffle about women attorneys’ apparel was ongoing last year, I wondered a lot about this. What about choices based on religious belief? I have to cover up my legs and so skirt suits are out of the question for me. I’m still a student, but the few times I’ve been in court, observing, I’ve always worn pantsuits. The judges didn’t seem to have a problem with it (most of the female attorneys I worked for also were wearing pantsuits) but there’s a possibility I might work in a less laidback jurisdiction in the future.

         3. I don’t think it does anyone any favors to cater to outdated, sexist (or racist for that matter) notions… doing so just reinforces their continued existence. But maybe I’m just naive…

            1. I also think this must-wear-heels, must-wear-skirt-suits thing is sexist and I refuse to feed into it. I have a trial next week and I’m wearing pant suits and Repetto Brigitte Bardot flats, and if the judge is going to get so distracted by what I’m wearing that he’s incapable of doing his impartial best as a judge, he can suck it.

               I, too, have heard a shocking number of older male judges unapologetically criticizing female attorneys’ appearances in court. But I consider it *their* problem, not mine.

      2. If you practice in a jurisdiction like that..time to move!

   3. Its not a California thing. I practice in New England and when I read “judges have commented on female attorneys wearing pantsuits before, noting they are ‘inappropriate’ for court” my jaw dropped! I had no idea that that viewpoint even existed. I typically wear pantsuits to court because I feel that it can be unprofessional to have your legs “out there.” I save my skirt suits for client meetings and depos.

      1. I don’t think anyone is suggesting that these judges are correct or deserve to be indulged, but the reality is that they can make or break your case. And in a bench trial, they decide your case. Whether or not the judge’s decision or attitude is “right” is a matter irrelevant to their power to act in the way they see fit. And personally, no matter how much I would prefer to walk into every courtroom in a pantsuit, I am NOT going to make my client suffer because I’m trying to make a political point. If you have some religious or other compelling reason to do it, do it – and make a point to introduce yourself to the staff attorney or bailiff and explain if possible.

         I deal with cases involving millions to my clients and years of litigation. I’m not going to derail that a bit to prove a point that I should be able to wear pants. I should be able to. I’m not. Case closed.

         1. Sorry – I didn’t mean this as a reply where it ended up – it should have been under the “screw the judges, I’m wearing pants” discussion.

         2. I understand your point, and I’m not directing my comment to you personally, but whenever I see this type of response, I always wonder if those who wear skirts and heels to satisfy a judge’s preferences and protect their clients from a decision made on the basis of the attorney’s attire would go along with excluding women from a trial team if it were a multi-million-dollar case and the judge didn’t approve of women attorneys.

            I also have to wonder if a judge who disapproved of pantsuits to the point of ruling against a party because an attorney wore one would react well to learning that an attorney wouldn’t wear skirts because of religious beliefs. It makes me think of a CLE I attended a couple of years ago where a man who had become a Sikh talked about whether wearing a turban in court negatively affected his representation of clients. He thought that while it initially distracted the judge, it worked out better for him in the long run because the judge paid more attention to him.

            1. Both good points, and I guess the difference there is that gender discrimination and religious discrimination are both things that can be addressed under the judicial code of ethics. I would not hesitate to report a judge who was anti-woman. The problem with the skirt/pants thing is that a lot of the offenders are FEMALE judges and female attorneys. It’s a belief that skirts are more formal – not an actionable attitude against women.

5. Kat, if you read this – my posts have been getting eaten lately – not sure of the issue.

   I mostly wear flats at work as well. I have several pairs of ballet flats from Nine West (I am not on a Delman budget!), and a pair of softwalk loafers that I wear with my pants suits. I like the look of ballet flats with skirts. Not sure what to tell you re: court as I don’t go often at all, and here judges don’t look askance at pants suits.

   1. I’m the “Delman” anon – I’m not on a Delman budget either – I scour the sales for them. I think the most I paid was $70 for a pair.

      1. Delman is also on gilt pretty often. I bought a pair of the quilted ones and had to return them because they rubbed. i felt like i was getting a blister within 2 minutes of wearing them, with pantyhose.

6. I love flats and therefore compusively check out other female attorneys’ shoes, as I’ve had this same question. I’ve seen a lot of people in the pointy-toed style flat in court and at professional events that look great. I’m not as big of a fan of round toe flats for a in-court look for some reason.

   1. The round toed ones look either old or childish to me… I like the flats with at least a little bit of a squared off toe.

7. Please don’t wear patent leather flats (or heels!) in court. I watch a lot of trials and patent leather draws the eye like nothing else, especially in carpeted courtrooms. Believe me, I am a huge shoe-aholic and own plenty of patent leather. When I realized how much light they bounce around in court, I was mortified to think I had worn them before.

8. I tore my ACL while pregnant, and I, too, was put on a heels prohibition. I have found that Dr. Scholl’s has some very reasonably price, comfortable flats that meet my (very conservative) court’s standards. http://www.zappos.com/dr-scholls-graduate-black-pampero-leather

   Good luck!

   1. I love those–thank you for that link! I will have to buy a pair!

      1. I can attest that these are the most comfortable flats I’ve ever owned!

   2. I also have a pair of Dr. Scholl’s flats, and they are absolutely amazing! Expensive online, I always see them at DSW for $40. The only thing is, the buckles are plastic. I had one buckle snap in half when they were stepped on by accident. Wore them to Federal Court all the time, no negative comments from anyone. Of course, I’m in New England where most women wear flats anyway.

      Otherwise, I’d also recommend ALDO for professional flats. They aren’t bad budget wise, go on sale a lot, and I have a few pairs without ostentatious bows/sparkles. Not as comfy as the Dr. Scholl’s, though.

9. I have found these Born flats to be amazingly comfortable. Cushioned with a decent rubber sole- zero break in time required. They also have a more plain looking flat, but I haven’t tried it.
   http://www.zappos.com/born-adele-black-full-grain-leather

   1. I second Born for comfort, though it’s only recently they’ve started making decently cute shoes.

      Also, does anyone know how the cole haan air shoes run in terms of sizes? My shoes range between a 7 and a half and an 8, so if I’m ordering online, it’s always hard to tell.

      1. I would go with the size 8 on the Cole Haan air. I have 2 pair of pumps (hana, I think), and a 5.5 would be too small for me, although the six is a teeny bit large. The flats seem smaller, and you would definitely want an 8 in them. (I just happened on a 75 percent off sale when shopping for something else last weekend!)

         1. thanks!

10. I highly recommend Cole Haan Nike Air flats. I could go all day in them. I have some that a very flat and some with the hint of a wedge. Those with the slight wedge are the most comfortable and supportive for me. My favorite pair are open toe so not suitable for your needs but these look nice: http://vip.zappos.com/cole-haan-air-andi-ballet-black-opal-patent

    1. I also really like Cole Haan flats and I have found all of my Cole Haan shoes on gilt or at DSW.

    2. What’s this Zappos VIP?

       1. if you spend enough on zappos, they invite you to be a “vip” and then you always have free overnight shipping. the website has a better UI, too.

11. While I personally am trying to get over the idea of anyone being bothered by a woman wearing pantsuits (and finding them more inappropriate than skirt suits!), I wanted to make a suggestion.

    What about something a little sturdier? A pair of dressy loafers, oxfords or cushy wingtips? I tend to have issues with my calves if I wear dress heels daily, so I alternate with dark oxfords. Of course, mine are not to be worn with skirts (and were super cheap), but I’ve seen some out there that could easily be worn with skirts. It’s a consideration.

    (O/T:
    While skimming through this, I realised that while reading this blog is awesome, I might be out of the demographic – the costs of some of these singular items are about three or four times what I normally pay for similar things, and would damage my budget severely. Is this a high-income-only type of blog?)

    1. No, there are plenty of people reading who are still in school or are in lower paying jobs. I think this blog is designed to help dress professional women with any budget.

       I am not really into the loafer/oxford with skirt combo- it just screams schoolgirl to me or it can end up looking too matronly depending on the style.

       1. Thanks, MelD.

          These were something like I was thinking of: http://zapp.me/7641809
          Something with a little more detail than a regular flat.

          I also think these are lovely: http://zapp.me/7594592 but goodness, the cost.

          These, I think, are one of the best options: http://zapp.me/7545153 Dressy, feminine, and not very expensive.
          I have strange taste though, I think!

          1. I really like the last pair – the Kenneth Coles – they have some style (i.e. not geriatric looking), but are still very professional…

12. I love the featured flats. Luckily I dont do court any more, because most of my shoes are patent!

    Here are some options:

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2994462/0~2376778~2372808~2372904~2376184?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2376184&P=1

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3064077/0~2376778~2372808~2372904~2376184?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2376184&P=1

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3066021/0~2376778~2372808~2372904~2376184?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2376184&P=1

    I might even buy these:
    http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3097898/0~2376778~2372808~2372904~2376184?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2376184&P=1

    I usually wear two pairs of shoes each day, especially with skirts or dresses. I save the heels for when it matters, but can’t normally do more than 3 or 4 hours in them total. When I am just at my office I wear flats.

    1. Nice–love all of these perfectly professional options (the Eccos seem a tad casual for suits, but would be fine in my office on a Friday).

13. Naturalizer has some good flats from time to time. I usually hit the Naturalizer outlet once or twice a year, and I can almost always find a cute pair or two or three of court-appropriate flats. The last pairs I got were styled like wingtip shoes. It’s hard to describe exactly, but they were cool and sophisticated. I bought a pair in black, brown/tan, and silver/gray.

    I typically wear flats to court because I’m 5’11” and a bit on the clumsy side. (OK, really clumsy.) I only wear heels if I know I’m going up against tough opposing counsel who might be taller than me.

14. Great timing for this — I’m going to be starting a heels prohibition soon, once I’m able to wear something besides sneakers. :-) I’m looking for flats that either run wide or (and?) are cut out towards the back. I’ve got an air cast on my left foot/ankle for the next 3 months. So far, the only shoes I can fit into are one pair of Easy Spirit sneakers with a strap across the back (i.e., the strap stretches around the cast). But I’ve got meetings and conferences coming up … one pair of sneakers will soon be nasty and I’ve got to find something else.

    Has anyone here been in an air cast and found shoes that fit it? I may try the Dr. Scholl’s Graduate but am stumped beyond that.

15. I have some Anne Klein flats that are comfortable and relatively supportive: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,2342F_AK-by-Anne-Klein-Bannon-Slip-On-Flats-For-Women.html

    If you want real support, though, I would second the recommendation for Born. Sofft also makes some nice ones.

16. I’m a fan of Nine West flats — I like shoes with a few details to keep them from looking geriatric – Like these Ralph Lauren Flats (on sale for $47): http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=443429&CategoryID=50296

17. RKS:

    I had an air cast for a bit last fall prior to my current heels prohibition due to several ruptured disks. My BP flats fit my cast inside of them, as did most of my Nine West flats and my feet run a bit wide anyway. Plus both are inexpensive.

    1. Thank you!!

18. These are expensive, but Attilio Giusti Leombruni flats are the most comfortable flats I have ever owned.

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3018689/0~2376778~2372811~6013141?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6013141&P=1

    1. Really pretty!

       1. I have a pair of these in black and love them. The salesman who made me try them on (I wasn’t looking for flats) said that they are by far the most popular shoes in the Bellevue salon shoes department and that a lot of his customers have them in every color. I just want one more–purple–but as much as I adore them, I think at that price point one pair is definitely worth it, but two, not so much.

    2. The Nordstrom salesperson recommended these to me. I was so tired of wasting my money on uncomfortable shoes I was ready to pay up. Now I have them in black and nude. I noticed one of the salespeople in the shoe salon was wearing them, too.

19. Inspired by this post, I checked out Cole Haan and they are having a fantastic sale on some of the flats mentioned. Just bought these two:

    Air Andi – down from $178 to $89
    http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?productId=255392&categoryId=316112

    Air Dana – down from $148 to $99 (they have a wide width option, yay!)
    http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?productId=298291&categoryId=321603

    Surprisingly, the prices on the Cole Haan website were better (in some cases much better) than other sites like Zappos, Nordstrom, etc. Plus, they were sold out on many of those sites. Never bought Cole Haan shoes before but I am excited to see if they bring relief to my tortured feet!

20. I can’t imagine this would be helpful now, but I love J.Crew’s Princeton loafers and flats, circa 2004. I have three pairs and they are the most amazingly comfortable, classy looking shoes imaginable. They provide excellent arch support, though I do agree that J.Crew flats don’t anymore. Try ebay?

    I may get flak for this, but I also love Mia’s Hepburn skimmer. Maybe not a court-worthy candidate, but absolutely for the office or other tasks. http://www.zappos.com/mia-hepburn-tan-leather

    1. Why would you get flak for them? I think they are adorable and in fact, I’m going to order a pair!

       1. The brand is very teeny bopper-esque, but I agree! I love them!

       2. I think those would be great for court with a pantsuit, too.

21. As an aside, I notice that the link I provided doesn’t include the black and brown leather versions among its options. They do exist, I promise! The electric pink snakeskin variety is not the one I was suggesting ;)

22. Beware Michael Kors flats! I have a few pairs (for some reason I am drawn to them) and I have found many of them to be crazy slippery and it has resulted in some very public falls before I could get them to my shoe guy (I always want to wear new shoes immediately after buying them…). I love the ones I have but test the bottoms carefully or take them straight to someone who can put something on the bottoms for you!

    1. If you’re in a pinch try using fine grain sandpaper on the bottoms to cut the slippery factor (I’m the same way… As soon as I find something I want to wear/use it… it’s so hard to wait when it’s a cute short sleeve shirt on a clearance rack in November!)

    2. Auuughhh, me too! I bought a brand-new pair at Goodwill, and fell down later in the grocery store, landing on my knee and hurting my back. No wonder they were at Goodwill! I am taking them to the shoe repair shop to get rubber on the bottom.

23. I would like to thank all of the ladies for the excellent suggestions! I also really like the flat C (or K? what do we call you now??) suggested. I can’t wear heels (except for the occasional wedge) due to an injury a few years ago, so I am always on the lookout for professional, cute flats.

    1. You guys can call me whatever you like — C, Kat, whatever… (Just not Kathy — never liked that nickname for myself, but now I’ve gone and married a man named Griffin. Thus: I will hurt anyone who calls me Kathy.)

24. I have a similar story, very pleased to know I’m not alone!

    I injured my knee a few years ago and my surgeon has warned that wearing high heels everyday will just mean more surgery, so I try and wear flats everyday (although do wear heels on the odd occasion when I need to) I picked up a couple of great pairs from Kenneth Cole. They weren’t cheap around $99 to $125 but look good with both pants and skirts. Also they had flats with ankle straps – not for everyone – but are great for me because I find flats usually stretch and then fall off my feet when I walk.

    Just checked the Kenneth Cole website and there are some on sale.

25. I’m a criminal defense attorney — in the South even! — and I am baffled by this post. I go to court every single day and women are always in pantsuits and flats. We have to visit multiple courts, walk between buildings, even go to multiple counties in a day. I would say flats are downright normal in criminal court.

    Wouldn’t say I would wear flats for a jury, I mean this is the South, but I would just have the heels in my bag.

    1. Exactly! I’m a defense attorney too, and I wear flats (usually boots) with pants suits all the time. I’m in multiple courts, running back and forth to cells and up and down stairs. Also, with all the travel that my job entails (circuit courts, small planes, dirt roads) heels are often very impractical.

       Suggestion: flat boots. Slightly more polished, less weirdness about round toe v pointed toe.

26. I used to work in a very conservative court. This is not something I would bring to the court’s attention by apologizing etc.
    The judges who were most hung up on the flats vs. heels issue in my experience tended to be the older female judges (who would talk about this more than you’d think, unfortunately). Is it at all possible to wear flats while traveling to court and slip into some very low heeled naturalizer-type shoes before you go on the record?
    If not… I recommend the “me too” brand flats. They are not too pricey and very comfortable.

27. Does anyone have any suggestions for pointed-toe kitten heels? They are my all-time favorite work shoe and I have recently worn a hole through the sole of my favorite pair!

    1. I love kitten heels also –

       Try Stuart Weitzman Poco – I have ordered them so can’t comment on comfort, but they look gorgeous!

       http://stuartweitzman.zappos.com/n/p/dp/56522402/c/217111.html
       http://stuartweitzman.zappos.com/n/p/p/7647941/c/89.html

       I also like Calvin Klein Diema – they look similar to the Poco’s but aren’t nearly as expensive. I think they are fairly comfortable – good enough for a full day at work in the office.

       http://www.zappos.com/calvin-klein-diema-dark-brown

       Does anyone have other kitten heel suggestions?

       1. I have the Calvin Klein ones, and, while cute and seemingly comfortable at first, they morphed into medieval torture devices after two city blocks. They lack the ball of foot padding that higher Calvin Klein heels have, and they hit my toes and feet at really odd locations.

          I always forgive shoes after the first wear because I’ve had shoes be painful the first wear and then be the most comfy shoes ever. So, second wear was today. Let’s just say I’m barefoot in my office rubbing my toes. :(

          But damn they are cute!

       2. Thanks for the suggestions!

28. I not only have a heel prohibition, I almost always wear ankle-foot orthotics on both feet that require lace-up shoes. My savior? Finding a specialty shoe store that deals with diabetic and other difficult to fit feet. They don’t just have boring orthopedic shoes in stock, despite what they may look like from the outside, and are responsive to requests like “anything but old lady shoes!” – definitely worth tracking down a store like that if you have problem feet.

    1. Ladi – I have the same problem and the same solution. I have a fairly low hit rate from specifically orthopedic shops, but have a lot of luck with specialty shoe stores. Anything un-old-lady-ish can be wickedly expensive, but it works, and I get complimented on footware despite my limitations. (Loafer tip – Think! from last year. Hope they’re in stock again this spring, as my orthotics have ground down the inside lining and I need more pairs.)

       Many of the shoes suggested in this thread are pretty, but as someone with permanent problem feet (it’s actually genetic in my case), most of them would lead to just as many doctor’s appointments as heels. (Anything really flat can lead to ripped tendons; anything high stress fractures. Sigh.)

       Maybe it’s because I’ve always lived in public-transport friendly locations, but does everyone else drive everywhere? That’s the only way I can explain a lot of the shoes I see advertised/hear people praising.

       1. I take public transportation most of the time and don’t own a car, but a lot of my sky-high heels are really only worn inside my office or going out to dinner. I often commute in flats, and sometimes even sneakers or flip flops, depending on the weather. On the other hand, I have a fairly high shoe-related pain tolerance and can walk over a mile with no trouble in a lot of my heels.

29. Wow. I find it downright SAD that a woman would even need to ask this question. Have we not progressed enough as women that we can avoid wearing shoes that INJURE our bodies without asking for approval from a blog?! High heels are terrible for women’s bodies. Ask any doctor. Flats are perfectly professional – I’ve been everything from a judicial clerk to an attorney at a conservative DC office of a national law firm, and I assure you that no one (at least no one worth caring about) cares if you wear professional-looking flats.

30. I don’t know your budget but Cole Haan has great flats and you might like Ferragamo’s slightly pointy flats (or their super low Vara/Varina heel). You can wear these even later.

31. To the original questioner – it’s not enough just to wear flats with a back injury. You need to wear shoes that provide adequate shock cushioning and arch support and keep your posture in line. A lot of flats are even worse than heels in this regard.

    There’s no one style or brand of shoes that works for everyone. You need to have your feet evaluated, either by a podiatrist or at a comfort-oriented shoe store, to find out what problems may be causing you pain and get shoes that fit well. In my case, I have very low arches that tend to fall, and I distribute my weight disproportionately to my heels. I overpronate and have had plantar fasciitis. I have had a herniated disc, and wearing heels even for a day shift my posture to the point that I feel pain where the disc was (is) herniated. The brands that work for me best are Dansko, Rockport and Naturalizer. I also do well with Alegria (not work-appropriate, though) and I can wear Clarks with orthotics. Clarks makes a lot of very court-appropriate flats.

    If you’re in the DC area, you can get your feet evaluated at a Comfort One shoestore. They have this scanner device that’s actually pretty neat.

32. ha ha. Men wear flat shoes every day.

33. Sofft makes some great low heels and flats that go well with skirt suits and pants.

34. Steve Madden makes some patent flats just like the ones pictured, they are affordable and look really good with black tights.

35. Flats are fine for court (I would say the same about pantsuits but applaud your deferring to the Judge’s opinions since they’ve made them clear. No sense antagonizing!)
    Spectator flats are usually out this time of year in blue/white or black/white and even beige/black combination. Sometimes you’ll see them in a slingback flat version.They look super stylish and are very versatile.
    There are also a variety of brands of solid flats with a grosgrain bow on the toebox. This is a nice look I have worn to a variety of highly professional settings in the past.
    Best of luck!
    Anne Clarke

36. Unless you have a medical issue, flats should not be worn during trial. It’s like wearing separates instead of a suit. Obviously in your situation, you cannot physically wear heels. When I had an ankle injury last summer and had to be in trial, I wore flats but also had my ankle wrapped to show why I was wearing flats. The wrap also supported my ankle during the long trial days.

    1. Can you explain why you think it is like wearing separates instead of a suit? I understand why separates are more casual than a suit, but I don’t understand why flats are more casual than heels.

37. For any of you who believe that heels always look more professional than flats, can you please explain why you feel this way? I’m honestly curious to know why heels are perceived by so many to be the better professional option. Thanks!

    1. Probably for the same reason skirts are still considered by some to be dressier than pants, at least when it comes to suits – historically, that’s the way it was. Women wore skirts and heels to dress up. We’ve moved away from that somewhat with suits, but we still haven’t with heels vs. flats. I also wonder if it’s partially because heels are less comfortable, the same way that men’s ties are less comfortable than going without and serve no actual purpose, but still make a man’s outfit dressier than if he went sans tie.

       1. Heels make the legs look prettier for most women, especially those with cankles, like me! They also tend to make most women stand straight and tall, giving an air of authority. When I am wearing heels that are comfortable, I feel stronger and more powerful. When they are uncomfortable, I feel like an idiot.

    2. Yes, I have always been baffled by this. I alternate between flats and heels quite a bit. A quality pair of flats can look very elegant, in my opinion! My suggestion: where whatever makes you feel most confident, taking into account comfort and medical issues, of course.

       1. I meant “wear!”

38. I always wear loafers to court. I think it is completely professional.

39. The post regarding flats with pencil skirts was a comment made in the Frump thread I believe…

    https://corporette.com/2010/02/09/some-thoughts-on-frump/#comments

    For what it’s worth, I think flats can be just as professional as heels, as long as they are dressy and not casual. The same can go with heels…not all heels are professional automatically.

40. For similar bad ankle reasons I have become a total flat all the time wearer of shoes. I wore flats everyday during a 4 week trial recently and did not even get weird glance. As long as the flats are professional looking — I say go for it. And thanks everyone for the links.

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