Shoes - Corporette.com https://corporette.com/category/fashion/shoes/ A work fashion blog offering fashion, lifestyle, and career advice for overachieving chicks Sun, 12 Nov 2023 02:37:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.2 https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/corporette-favicon-150x150.png Shoes - Corporette.com https://corporette.com/category/fashion/shoes/ 32 32 What Toe Shapes Are You Wearing Most? https://corporette.com/what-toe-shapes-are-you-wearing-most/ https://corporette.com/what-toe-shapes-are-you-wearing-most/#comments Thu, 07 Sep 2023 17:53:35 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=155791

Here's a small, fun question for today: what toe shapes are you wearing the most in 2023? Pointy-toed shoes? Almond toes? Square toes? Round toes?

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collage of boot with square toe, pump with pointy toe, and ballet flat with round toe - each have a decorative drop shadow around the shoe

OK, that may be a weird question, but hopefully you know what I mean — in 2023, are you wearing pointy-toed shoes? Almond toes? Square toes? Round toes? It feels like everything is available, and I’m curious — what are you personally finding works with most of your outfits?

What Toe Shapes Are You Wearing in 2023?

For my $.02, I’m always a fan of pointy-toed shoes — I think they give a leg-lengthening look and look great beneath so many of the wide legs that we’re seeing now.

I think my next favorite is square toe, particularly for boots and flats — something about it feels really modern and fresh.

Readers, what are your thoughts?

Pictured at top: boot / pump / flat

A Few of Our Favorite Pointy-Toed Shoes

Some of our latest favorite pointy-toed shoes include these options (as of 2023):

A Few of Our Favorite Square-Toed Shoes

A Few Of Our Favorite Almond-Toed Shoes

These are some of our latest favorite almond-toed shoes for work…

A Few of Our Favorite Round-Toed Shoes for Work

Round-toed shoes are a classic for work! Some of our long-standing favorites include these:

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The Most Comfortable Ballet Flats, For Work and Beyond! https://corporette.com/comfortable-ballet-flats/ https://corporette.com/comfortable-ballet-flats/#comments Wed, 16 Aug 2023 18:29:00 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=57674

Hunting for the best ballet flats? We've just updated our picks!

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collage of 5 ballet flats

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.

We’ve talked a lot about flats over the years, but I don’t think we’ve ever done a major roundup of the most comfortable ballet flats for work. So readers, let’s hear it — which are your favorites?

What are your favorite ways to break in a new pair of flats, or make them more comfortable for your feet? (As someone with narrow heels I’m always adding these heel pads.) 

{related: how to look professional in flats—all the time}

Although rounded toes have come really far for work, I still think the best flat for work is one that has a bit of a point to it, in a durable leather, preferably with a rubber sole or rubber heel for comfort and grip. I know some people hate the look of patent leather flats, but I don’t mind them, particularly in a tumbled patent leather or a color other than black, like a nice gray. 

We’ve rounded up some of the bestselling, highest rated styles below — which brands and styles are your favorite?

Pictured at very top, clockwise: black / red / silver / beige & black / beige scalloped

{related: what to look for in interview flats}

The Hall of Famers for Comfortable Flats

collage of comfortable flats for work
Some of our favorite comfortable flats for work as of 2023: one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight (not pictured but also) (also: check out our favorite sneakers for work outfits!)

The Best Investment Ballet Flats

Some of the longest-standing “investment ballet flats” ($300–$900) as of 2023: one / two / three / four / five

The Best Foldable Flats for Women

These are great for commuting, as well as lightweight options for business travel!

collage of 4 pairs of foldable flats: 1) black with a gold toe and heel details, 2) leopard print, 3) gray stamped leather, 4) black satin ballet flats with a carrying case
Some of our favorite foldable flats as of 2023: black / beige / gray / black — also check out our favorite washable flats if you’re looking for something very lightweight!

A Closer Look at Classic Ballet Flats for Work

The Best Washable Ballet Flat: Rothy’s

Rothy foldable fabric flats (reader favorite!)

If you’re hunting for a washable or foldable flat, readers LOVE Rothy’s. (They also make a pointy-toe version and a square-toe version!) They’re often available in tons of fun colors and prints, and they’re super lightweight — great if you want a flat you can throw in your tote bag.

Rothy’s flats are available in sizes 5-13 for $129.

(Psst: looking for a referral code for $20 off your first purchase? Try this one.)

The Best Budget Ballet Flat: Sam Edelman

flats for work

Felicia has been a top-rated bestseller for years, and Sam Edelman keeps coming out with more and more colors, prints, and materials. (They even come in kids’ sizes now!)

I like the affordable price point ($100), the rave reviews for comfort, the extended sizes (wide widths and sizes 4-13), and the many, many color options. You can find it at Zappos, Nordstrom, Amazon, and a ton of other retailers.

The Best Upgrade Pick: French Sole

beige quilted flat with black patent cap toe

French Sole’s ballet flats have long been on any list of the most comfortable ballet flats, and they have the 88 five-star reviews at Zappos to back that claim up.

I like the quilted leather, the slightly pointed cap toe, and the adjustable cords at the front. Reviewers note that this one runs large; it’s available in sizes 6-11 in basic colors at Zappos and Nordstrom. (Whoa, and Amazon has a ton of colors!)

The Best Ballet Flat for Standing All Day: AGL Attilio Giusti Leombruni

beige flat with brownish cap toe and buckle

People looooove their AGL flats. Readers have been swearing by them for years, and when we talked about fashion for doctors, my hospitalist friend specifically recommended AGL flats for being able to walk for miles.

They’re definitely more of a splurge, but if you watch for Nordstrom’s Triple Points days or Anniversary Sale you can often score some great deals. Nordstrom often has MANY colors available in their popular cap toe style, all priced between $298-$335.

November 2023 Update: Curious about the next big Nordstrom sale? We don’t know when the 2024 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale will be, but the next big sale will be their Half-Yearly Sale around Dec. 24. Unfamiliar with the NAS? Check out this page for more info on why it’s the best sale of the year.) Sign up for our newsletter to stay on top of all the major workwear sales, or check out our roundup of the latest sales on workwear!

The Best IYKYK Ballet Flat: Ferragamo

black patent ballet flat with grosgrain bow at toe

You can’t talk about comfortable ballet flats and not mention Ferragamo’s legendary Varina — it just won’t quit, and every season brings new colors and prints and more rave reviews. Nordstrom currently has a ton of colors priced $525-$780. Note that you can also get the shoe at Shopbop (particularly keep an eye out for their sales!), Zappos, Bloomingdale’s and elsewhere.

Some Of Our Latest Favorite Trendy Ballet Flats

These are some of our latest favorite ballet flats -= which are yours? Also, note that there are a few mini trends afoot: mary jane flats and metallic silver flats!

Aeyde

beige square-toe flat with unusual black captoe

Cap-toe details on ballet flats are nothing new, and yet this flat from Aeyde feels fresh because of the square toe and unusual shape of the cap toe. It feels really modern but classic!

The flat is $295, available at Nordstrom and NET-A-PORTER, as well as other department stores.

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!

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The Hunt: Nude Flats for All Skin Tones https://corporette.com/nude-flats/ https://corporette.com/nude-flats/#comments Sun, 06 Aug 2023 18:00:00 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=58393

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 ... Read More about The Hunt: Nude Flats for All Skin Tones

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collage of 6 flats in varying skin tone shades; 1) light beige 2) dark caramel brown 3) light ivory 4) light pink 5) mocha beige 6) tan beige

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.

Almost since this blog was born, we’ve done roundups of nude-for-you heels — beige heels, brown heels, pink heels and more. But I don’t think we’ve ever done a roundup of nude flats — so I thought we’d do one today.

Ladies, do you wear nude-for-you flats as often as you wear nude-for-you heels? Which outfits are your favorite to pair with nude-for-you flats? Any favorite brands of flats, either for comfort or the perfect match to your skin?

{related: cute flats for the office}

Our General Favorite Flats for Work

First up, some of our “Workwear Hall of Fame” styles — these are the best sellers and classics that have been around for years:

collage of comfortable flats for work
Some of our favorite comfortable flats for work as of 2023: one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight (not pictured but also) (also: check out our favorite sneakers for work outfits!)

Our Latest Favorite Nude Flats For All Skin Tones

collage of 6 flats in varying skin tone shades; 1) light beige 2) dark caramel brown 3) light ivory 4) light pink 5) mocha beige 6) tan beige

Above, some comfortable flats with a variety of skin-tone options as of 2023: one / two / three / four / five / six (also this, this and this)

Why You Might Want to Wear Nude Flats to Work

The theory is thus: the closer to your exact skin tone you can get with any shoe, the more elongating and flattering a look it can be with sheer hose or bare legs.

(Here’s our last guide on when and how to wear pantyhose if you need a refresher!)

In addition to being a leg-lengthening look, they’re a great neutral and can pair with pretty much any outfit because, in theory, you are matching your skin, not anything you’re wearing.

One important note, though: you can buy a “nude” flat that isn’t YOUR nude — it’s totally fine. Wear what you want!

In fact, as we noted in our post on the best nude heels for every skin tone, there are a few rules that you may want to be wary of:

  • Know your office — we’ve focused our roundup on closed-toe shoes, as that’s what appropriate at most offices, but some may allow sandals. Trust your own comfort level with shoes that show more skin, such as d’Orsay flats that show your instep, or shoes that bare toe cleavage. (Maybe that’s a topic for another post — I’m curious if anyone is still scandalized by toe cleavage.)
  • Similarly, know your office with regard to whether bare legs are appropriate — depending on how conservative your office is, I might assume that pantyhose is still appropriate for “big meetings” or, say, court appearances, and you may want to keep a pair in your desk just in case. (In our last roundup of pantyhose for work, Oroblu, Wolford, and DKNY were among our favorites.)

What to Look For in Nude Flats If You Don’t Want to Look Barefoot

A number of readers have noted a big pitfall with nude flats, which is that — as you’re walking down the hallway — you may look as if you’re barefoot. If this impression would bother you, keep an eye out for nude flats that have darker details.

For example, animal prints often have different colors of beige and brown that can match a variety of different skin tones and give a leg-lengthening look — but because there are always contrasting colors with your skintone, it won’t look as if you’re barefoot.

Another way to do this is to look for nude flats with a darker captoe, such as the Rothy’s pictured below.

How to Wear Nude Flats with Work Outfits

I think these are a particularly great look to pair with office skirts and work dresses — your legs will look a mile long, and the neutral color won’t detract from the rest of your outfit. (They’re also great shoes to keep at your office because they go with everything!)

A Closer Look at Some Great Nude Flats for Work

Rothy’s

woman wears beige flats with pointy black captoes; she is wearing light blue denim jeans

Rothy’s have been a reader favorite for a loooong time, and they often have a bunch of “nude-for-me” colors in various shades of ivory, beige, tan, and more. (They often have an animal print, too, which can be a fun way to wear nude(ish) heels.)

As of September 2023, they offer “camel captoe” (pictured), a darker “portobello,” a lighter “ecru,” and a very light beige “moonlight tweed;” the shoes are available in sizes 5-13.

The brand also offers square toe flats, round toe flats, three kinds of loafers, and boots.

MM.LaFleur

cognac nude flats with a pointed toe

These M.M.LaFleur flats have been another reader favorite for a while, although at a higher price point ($245). The shoe has come in a variety of colors over the years, but always in several neutral shades.

Rebecca Allen

nude flat

There are a number of brands that specialize in making nude-for-you heels — I was poking through Nordstrom’s Black-Owned Business section recently and was delighted to find just such a brand: Rebecca Allen.

This pointy-toed, patent flat looks great for everyday wear. For some reason, I think it would be a particularly great flat to wear with a dress, since it’s got such a sleek look.

The brand offers four colors of “nude” in sizes 6–11 for $150. If this flat isn’t your jam, the brand also makes sandals and heels in the same color spectrum.

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What to Look For in Interview Flats https://corporette.com/interview-flats/ https://corporette.com/interview-flats/#comments Sat, 05 Aug 2023 17:59:00 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=43805

What should you look for in interview flats?

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What should you look for in interview flats? When, if ever, must you wear heels to an interview? Which are the most stylish kinds of flats for interviews? Reader L wonders:

I’m starting law school in August, and I’ve heard that heels (3-4″) are a MUST for interviewing and working at a law firm. However, I am a 6′ tall female. I never wear heels, since when I do, I tend to tower over everyone. Would it be appropriate to wear a nice pair of flats in my case?

Great question! We’ve talked about how to look professional in flats all the timehow to wear heels (if you’re used to flats), and whether flats are professional enough for court.

As far as shoe questions go, this is important, so even though we’ve talked about it a lot, I want to stress it again: you don’t need to wear heels to look professional. 

{related: check out our entire Guide to Women’s Interview Attire!}

There are a number of reasons why you wouldn’t want to wear heels — from feeling too tall (although hey, I say rock it out if you have the height!), to having foot injuries or issues, to just I-don’t-wanna-itis.

What to Look For in Interview Flats

A few things that I would note about wearing flats for big events like interviews:

{related: the rules for interview shoes}

a) There are many, many, MANY professional options for flats — and there are many that look like bedroom slippers, sneakers, or other casual shoes. Unless you have ethical objections, look for leather and suede options over faux leather or fabric (and keep your shoes well maintained!), and if you want a sleeker look, consider a slightly pointed toe.

b) Be confident when you wear them. Don’t feel like you have to apologize for your flats or explain them away on an interview. Any time any of your clothes or accessories distract you (or an interviewer), you lose.

{related: how to look professional in flats—all the time}

{related: cute flats for the office}

Readers, which are your favorite professional flats? Do you think any styles of flats look more professional than others?  Do you agree with my advice that you CAN interview in flats, even if you’re 6′ tall?

The Best Kinds of Interview Flats

Reader-Favorite Polished but Comfortable Flats

We often include good looking, professional flats in our “Coffee Break” posts — but these are some of the reader’s favorite flats that have stood the test of time. These would be my first purchases if I were looking…

collage of comfortable flats for work
Some of our favorite comfortable flats for work as of 2023: one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight (not pictured but also) (also: check out our favorite sneakers for work outfits!)

Investment Ballet Flats

Some of the longest-standing “investment ballet flats” ($300–$900) as of 2023: one / two / three / four / five

Comfortable Low Heels for Work

If you’re willing to consider a heel but feel like it must be low, or a “comfort shoe,” we’ve got you covered…

These are some of our favorite comfortable low heels for work as of 2023… also check out CK Calvin Klein, Trotters, Sam Edelman, and Sarah Flynt!

Picture below via Stencil.

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What Boots are Appropriate for the Office in 2023? https://corporette.com/what-boots-are-appropriate-for-the-office/ https://corporette.com/what-boots-are-appropriate-for-the-office/#comments Mon, 24 Jul 2023 16:35:00 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=152407

What are the boundaries of work-appropriate boots in 2023?

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professional woman walks along city street; she is wearing black patent leather knee-high boots and a camel-colored wool overcoat

What boots are appropriate for the office in 2023? Have the rules changed for conservative offices — and for business casual offices? Buckles, cork heels, lug soles, harness straps, and more… let’s discuss.

The Old Rule: Only Simple, Classic Boots for the Office

The old rule used to be that, for a conservative office, the boot should be as close to plain leather as possible. Simple! Not a conversation point! In years past we’ve talked about how any of the following items were best to avoid for a very conservative office:

  • Decorative buckles and harness-type straps, whether on the toes, vamp, or tops of boots
  • Decorative detailing, embroidery, or patchworked pieces, either in the same color/fabric or different color/fabric
  • Shoes with a dip in the front, like cowboy boots (sometimes called a “curved topline”)
  • Heels that are a different color from the rest of the boot, such as a brown wooden heel with a black suede boot, a red rubber heel on a black boot, cork heels, etc. I think I even remember some readers not liking a strip along the bottom of the heel, like this Blondo boot, that draws attention to the boot.
  • Knee-high boots — YES, REALLY!! I still laugh to remember a conversation I had with a friend from law review, as we were taking BarBri classes — she had a tongue ring, for goodness sake! — wherein she suggested that only sex workers wore knee-high boots. This was actually a thing back then — Condoleeza Rice was accused of looking like a “dominatrix” in 2005 when she wore an all-black outfit with knee-high boots, and as recently as 2011 reporters wondered if Michelle Obama’s knee-high boots were appropriate for a Veterans’ Day service.
  • Over-the-knee boots — Here’s our last discussion on OTK boots for work… I’m really curious where most people fall on these for work and other conservative environments in 2023! I wore some tan OTK boots to my youngest son’s First Communion last year, for what it’s worth (worn with a knee-length black dress), but it was a very small class.

What Boots are Appropriate for the Office in 2023?

Readers, what are your thoughts? Where do you draw the line for boots at the office in 2023? Which of your boots for the office are NOT simple leather without buckles, adornments, and more? Do you wear OTK boots to the office? (With skirts or pants?) What factors matter to you when you’re buying new boots to wear to work?

A few boots to illustrate the above questions, all from the NAS…

collage of boots that might not be appropriate for the office in 2023
Clockwise: embroidered details / Western styling and multi-colored / curved topline / over the knee boots / Western wedge booties / brown line at sole / lug sole and harness detailing / lug sole and pronounced heel

Stock photo via Deposit Photos / xcai.

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Which Are the Best Sneakers for Work Outfits? https://corporette.com/best-sneakers-for-work-outfits/ https://corporette.com/best-sneakers-for-work-outfits/#comments Wed, 24 May 2023 21:53:00 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=129763

When are "sneakers for work" appropriate in your office? Which are the best sneakers for work outfits? We've updated our top picks.

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professional woman wears a suit and sneakers; she is sitting on a chair with one leg drawn up.

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.

Here’s a timely question, readers: Which are the best sneakers for work outfits? When are “sneakers for work” appropriate in your offices? Do you think there’s a generational divide here?

Here at Corporette, we’ve always taken the position that sneakers are fine — for your commute. I certainly wore my Chucks with suits on a lot of commutes, and kind of thought it was a cute look… again, for my commute. But retailers have been showing sneakers with outfits for years (some of the product photos we’ve featured are pictured below), so I thought it was prime time for a discussion.

Readers even recently had a threadjack pondering this issue (with several saying sneakers were never appropriate for work outfits). I’ve included some of the choices from Team Sneakers for Work below.

{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}

Table of Contents:

The Best Sneakers to Wear to Work in 2023

Without further ado, here are our favorite sneakers to wear to work in 2023!

Best Overall Sneakers for Work Outfits

white sneaker with beige lining around the sole

Cole Haan Grand Pro Topspin

I think this sneaker meets all of the qualifications we’re looking for in an office-appropriate sneaker — in particular, the contrasting details such as the beige leather strip around the sole and the lighter beige details on the tongue and back of the shoe are great standouts.

The other HUGE pro here is that Cole Haan is an established, safe brand that is known for making office-appropriate shoes for both men and women — which means that your non-fashion-y boss will almost certainly have seen the shoes if they’ve been in a store recently.

Another great option here: Cole Haan’s oxford sneakers, available in a wide range of colors for both women and men, are $170 at spots like Zappos.

Best Affordable Sneakers for Work

white sneaker for work with rubber toe

Cariuma OC Low

Cariumas are consciously made in ethical factories, using natural premium materials, with carbon neutral shipping — and more. The look to old-school sneakers isn’t by accident — they’ve branded themselves as “old-school looks; new school ethics.” Accordingly, the rubber used is collected through an ethical tapping, the vegan insole is made from cork, and the cotton is all organic.

The shoes are $79, available in sizes 5-13 in canvas, suede, leather, and a TON of colors.

Looking for something even MORE affordable? Check out the old-school classics such as Converse, Superga, Keds, or more.

The Best Classic Sneakers for Work

white sneaker for work with rubber toe

Superga Cotu

Like a lot of the “classic” sneakers, the Superga has been around for a loooong time. According to the Nordstrom product page:

“founder Walter Martiny designed the first Superga sneaker in Torino, Italy, in 1911. But it wasn’t until 1925 that he expanded his collection to include vulcanized-rubber soles, and in doing so created the now-iconic 2750 tennis shoe. The brand’s classic minimalist styles and new hits—beloved by Italians for weekends and getaways — now count fans all around the world.”

For some reason, I always associate Superga with Extremely Fashionable People (perhaps because I’ve always been a Converse girl myself). Any of the classics can work, though, especially if they’re part of your personality and you’re comfortable with them.

The Best Athletic Sneakers for Work

beige colorblocked sneakers for work outfits

J.Crew Colorblock Trainers

Know your office very well before you try to wear an athletic-looking sneaker to work as part of your outfit. A lot of older people in the workforce will strongly associate this with movies like Working Girl, where the heroine commuted from Staten Island into the city wearing white sneakers with black hose.

THAT SAID, I’m seeing J.Crew colorblock trainers everywhere (particularly this beige-on-beige one pictured), so they deserve a mention.

There are a TON of different options in terms of colorways — for the office I’d keep it relatively neutral. (These particular shoes are 50% off full price at the moment, so if you’re interested, now is the time!)

The Best Comfort Sneakers for the Office

slip-on white sneaker to wear with work outfits

Vionic Zinah

There are, of course, a ton of options for the most comfortable sneaker. VIONIC has built-in arch support, as well as a podiatrist-designed footbed.

Here’s how the company describes their comfort system:

“The innovative biomechanics of THREE-ZONE COMFORT deliver enhanced stability with a deep heel cup, superior forefoot cushioning, and ultimate arch support midsole. These essential contact points hug your foot’s natural curves in all of our casual, dress, active, and slipper styles.”

If you have foot issues, this is definitely one of the top brands to check out. They’re available in whole sizes 5-11 for $120.

Other great comfort options: Vionic makes insoles, so you can add those to any shoe of your choosing. AllBirds (below) also get rave reviews for comfort, and readers have also sung the praises of Kizik shoes.

The Best Sneakers for Lousy Weather On Your Commute

gray waterproof sneakers

AllBirds Mizzle Shoes

Readers have noted that they really love their Allbirds to wear with work outfits, singing the praises of the extreme comfort of the brand. Their water-repellent shoes are renowned for being great in bad weather, so they’re getting our pick for the best sneakers for lousy weather on your commute.

As the company notes, they’ve combined “cozy ZQ Merino wool and a bio-based water repellent shield [so that] our rain-ready sneaker keeps your feet predictably dry in unpredictable weather.” Nice.

They’re available in whole sizes 5-11, in both classic and limited edition colors, for $125-$165 (depending on the style of shoe).

Rothy’s has similar styles that are washable.

The Best Pricey Sneaker for Work ($$$)

white work sneaker with beige details and sturdy construction

Tory Burch Ladybug

There are a lot of pricey middle options! Tory Burch has some of my favorites, though — not only are they at the more affordable end of this range (roughly $250-$500), but they’re simple yet elevated.

The Ladybug sneaker comes in a bunch of different colorways, but they’re all predominantly white sneakers.

Reviewers call the sneakers “quite comfortable” and note that they “look super cute with dresses!”

They’re available in half-sizes 5-11 for $288.

Another nice option from Tory Burch: the slightly more athletic-looking Hank sneakers. Other option in this middle price range from other brands include P448, Common Project, Rag & Bone, and Acne Studios.

The Best Fancy Sneaker for Work ($$$$)

beige colorblocked sneakers for work outfits

Loewe Flow Runner Sneakers

There are a lot of options for Very Fancy sneakers if you’re looking to spend a lot of money — Golden Goose, Gucci, Chloé, Maison Margiela, and more. For my $.02, my vote goes to the Loewe Flow sneakers.

Yes, they’re much more athletic-looking than a lot of the other sneakers we’ve featured… but the distinctive cursive L, the multicolored sole, the colorblocking, the leather and rubber details — all of this adds up to a *chef’s kiss* beautiful sneaker.

What to Look For in Sneakers to Wear with Work Outfits

Here are the things I think you should look for in work sneakers:

  • They don’t look like they were run over in the street.
  • They’re not super chunky/athletic.
  • Look for a design that is just a BIT more than your basic white sneaker — interesting stitching, a contrasting detail

If you need outfit inspiration advice, we highly recommend watching the movie I Care A Lot (currently streaming on Netflix) — lots of colorful suits worn with sneakers.

As always, the most important part of knowing which sneaker to wear to work is knowing your office. Our advice here is the same as it always is: Look to the mid-levels above you for fashion inspiration, not the CEO, partners, or other C-suite people — they’ve earned the right to wear whatever they want.

For example, in a March 2023 conversation, some readers noted that Golden Gooses were great for their office, but others noted that a “distressed” shoe, no matter how expensive, just wasn’t appropriate for their offices.

Another important thing to note: When you wear sneakers to work may be highly dependent on what kind of day you’re having, who you’re meeting with, and more. You may want to keep a pair of neutral flats or heels in your office just in case — here are some of our latest roundups of comfortable work heels, as well as the most comfortable flats for work.

(Another note: If your bosses are “non-fashion people” and tend to be a bit curmudgeonly, tread really carefully before wearing sneakers to work.)

How to Keep Your Sneakers Looking Clean

Whatever sneakers you’re wearing, we love this reader trick: Magic Erasers work great on cleaning dingier white soles and sometimes white leather also.

A lot of brands are also making washable sneakers (notably, Rothy’s and Allbirds) — and you can get a specialized bag for your washing machine so they don’t knock around.

{related: check out our roundups of foldable flats and washable flats!}

Sneakers For Your Commute

For my $.02, a lot of the newer (expensive!) sneakers look like the kind of thing I kept in my gym locker in middle school — they were so fugly they could stay at school because I’d never want to wear them elsewhere. But obviously, tastes and styles change, and after a bit of adjustment (and seeing it enough places), those of us on the older side adapt. This is partly why I’ve always suggested being really wary of a new trend or aesthetic that wasn’t popular five years ago — but at the rate that fashion moves these days, that may be difficult (and, I suppose, another vote for classic style for work outfits because you’re more likely to get more wear out of them).

Commuting Shoes: Sneaker Flats That Will Blend in With Trousers

The main claim to fame for these kinds of sneaker flats is that if you’re working in a really conservative office and want to wear comfortable shoes for your commute, but not have a coworker look too closely and think, “Hey, there she is in her sneakers again,” these will blend in. (We’ve even had conversations in the past about whether commuting shoes should be swapped in the lobby or even outside your office building!)

I will freely admit that these are not chosen because they’re “cute” — many are pretty hideous, in my opinion. But they blend with work clothes and are comfortable, and lightweight enough to carry in your bag if you want to.

Reader favorites that have been called out over the years:

collage of 7 black sneaker flats that blend with your work clothes so you can be comfortable on your commute (the shoes themselves are pretty ugly, NGL)
Pictured: Skechers / Skechers / Allbirds / Rothy’s / Skechers / Birdies / TOMS — also check out all-black sneakers such as Vans, AllBirds, Cariuma, and more)

Note that if your trousers are hemmed to wear with heels, these shoes might not be the best because your hems might drag on the ground — you could either look for platform sneakers, or go for commuting shoes like comfort brands with chunky heels such as FLY LondonDansko, Eileen Fisher, and Børn.

Sneaker Sneakers for Weekends: The Classics

We’ve actually had a conversation about what your weekend sneakers say about you — some of the “classic” sneakers we discussed are below…

Pictured below (by color), Row 1: black / gray / gray / white; Row 2: white / white / green / black

collage of 8 kinds of classic sneakers
Pictured above (by brand name):
Row 1:  ConverseVans Superga adidas Stan Smith // Row 2Keds / SeaVees TretornsNew Balance

What do you think, readers: Are you on Team Sneakers for Work, or on Team Please Wear Shoes? Where would you draw the line for which sneakers are acceptable for work and which aren’t? (For example, certain colors like white or black, only “well taken care of sneakers,” sneakers with a specific sole color (e.g., the way that historically, heels with a cork sole aren’t appropriate for work?)

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!

Stock photos via Pexels / Godisable Jacob.

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