What shoes do you wear to work?

[niccig]

In preparation for my return to work, fingers crossed I get work, I'm looking for work shoes. My days of wearing high heels are long gone. I'm looking for comfortable shoes that are cute. I'll be wearing trousers and a-line skirts. I have plenty of sandals for Summer wear, but not a lot for fall/winter. I'll probably be working in an academic environment and depending on the job, I could be on my feet some of the time and the rest behind the computer.

Any suggestions.

[egoldber]

Are you sure you need new shoes? I bought a couple pair before I started, but really my work place is casual enough that what I had, even as a SAHM, was fine. My perception of an academic environment is pretty casual.

Anyway, so far I mainly wear nicer sandals and black clogs. But it's a pants/skirt and blouse kind of place, not a suit kind of place. Most things at Ann Taylor, for example, would be considered very dressy where I work.

[tarahsolazy]

I'm in academia, in a pretty relaxed area of the country. In the winter, I wear Dansko clogs or shoes, I particularly like a mary jane style that doesn't look like a clog, I think its called Vibeka or Diana. I also wear tall boots with skirts or pants. I have two pair of Frye that are great. Today, I'm wearing a knit skirt, knit top that's two steps up from a t-shirt, a little cardi, and Chaco flip flops, though, so take my opinion for what its worth

I never wear outfits like suits or dressy dresses that would require hose, does anyone wear hose anymore anyway?, so I don't know about those kind of shoes.

[niccig]

Thanks Beth and Tarah. I can wear some of what I have, but I have way more sandals than closed in shoes. What I would call my nicer shoes, are not comfortable enough for all day wear, so those are out for work. I do have a boot and a mary-jane - so I'm probably fine at first. I can look and see if there are any bargains at Nordstrom Rack. I'm wanting to pick up a few things that aren't as casual as what I already have, so to spread out the work wardrobe purchases.

[octmom]

I work in an administrative office at a university. People are pretty casual around the university, but some offices (like mine) are usually a bit dressier. I used to wear suits a lot but moved away from that a few years ago. Now I only wear them when I have important meetings or events. I agree that many of the shoes you alrady have will probably work, particularly in a library setting where you will be around students and faculty members who are often pretty casual. Like Tarah, I often wear tall boots with skirts in colder months. I've moved away from wearing my Danskos to work because I only have clogs and they are pretty clunky looking. I usually hit the big shoe department at Marshall's in the fall and find some sort of black shoe that works well with pants and wear them to death. Also, I got some black ballet flats last year that I love. You might want to consider ballet flats, but keep in mind that pants you wear with them (very, very flat) will need to be a different length than pants you would wear with shoes that have more of a heel, even if they aren't high heels.

[Zansu]

See if you can find any Eccos on sale. They make several cute styles of loafer, and are very comfortable.

[sadie427]

I have a few different models of Merrell mary-jane styles for work, they have very comfortable soles and look less clunky than Danskos.

[Katherine707]

I really like the Franco Sarto Bocca Loafers. It's a classic style, so the manufacturer keeps making the same version every year, and I can just reorder every few years when mine get too junky. They are comfortable and good for daily use.

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7166861/c/60.html

[Piglet]

Oh yeah, I forgot about these - I have 2 pairs - 1 black and 1 zebra print, LOL. Very classic and comfortable!


I really like the Franco Sarto Bocca Loafers. It's a classic style, so the manufacturer keeps making the same version every year, and I can just reorder every few years when mine get too junky. They are comfortable and good for daily use.

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7166861/c/60.html

[MichelleRC]

ooh, thanks for posting those Franco Sartos--that was exactly what I was looking for for the fall. I Just ordered then from Shoebuy in black calf and brown suede!

[smiles33]

I, too, work in an academic setting and while it's business casual, I try to only wear open-toe shoes in the summer when my students are gone. My work shoes are usually about 2-3" heels but I don't walk a lot so it's not a problem. Slingbacks, dressy loafer pumps, flats, etc. I like Via Spiga, Kenneth Cole, Cole Haan, etc. It's all about Marshall's and Nordstrom Rack.

Here are some similar styles to what I like:

http://www.zappos.com/images/747/7473130/9755-758974-d.jpg

http://www.zappos.com/images/740/7401510/6627-600068-d.jpg
http://www.zappos.com/images/743/7431380/7769-563214-d.jpg


The slingbacks aren't realistic for those long days where you have to stay late for evening events because of the spike/stiletto heel, but I find the others are great even for 10-12 hour days.

[kijip]

Usually Clarks similar to this:

http://www.zappos.com/product/7442686/color/72

Or Tsubos like this:

http://www.zappos.com/product/7297662/color/3

Or else heels, but not uncomfortable ones. :tongue5:

[niccig]

Thanks everyone. You've given lots of shoes to look at. I'm all about foot comfort now days. No heels, wedge at the most. Off to do some shopping.

[TwinFoxes]

Check out Aerosoles. They're comfortable and a lot cuter than they used to be. Also Liz Claiborne makes a line called LizFlex which are also comfy (although some styles are just not cute.) Good luck with the job hunt!

[egoldber]

I did buy some shoes at Rockport that I love:

http://www.rockport.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3069529&cp=3087298&fbc=1&f=PAD%2FWomens+Style%2FMules+%26%23038%3B+Clogs&fbn=Womens+Style%7CMules+%26amp%3B%23038%3B+Clogs&parentPage=family

[AnnieW625]

I have a variety of different ones from Naturalizer, Dansko, Munro, Bandolino, BP Nordstrom, Taryn Rose (only 1 pair I bought at Nordstrom Rack), Jessica Simpson (flats are awesome!), Donald J. Pliner, and Joan & David. I have really wide feet so I hate shoe shopping but I have found that most of these shoes are still really cute and not dowdy looking; however I think the Munros I bought this summer were the lone pair they have ever made that aren't 100% dowdy. I've also found some great ones at Nine West, and Easy Spirit but don't have any of those at this time.

ETA: be careful with Aerosoles and walking on industrial carpet, the Aerosoles did not hold up well at all, this was a few years ago but I was very very dissapointed in the quality, same with a few pairs of Franco Sartos. I much prefer synthetic slick bottoms or leather soled shoes.

Good luck!

[gatorsmom]

Oh yeah, I forgot about these - I have 2 pairs - 1 black and 1 zebra print, LOL. Very classic and comfortable!

I have a pair of these I"ve had for 4 years. I'm a huge fan, especially for fall and winter. Mine have held up really well. With shoes I really like, I 'll often get the heel replaced if it wears down. I haven't had to do that with these yet. They look great with jeans, some skirts, and dress pants. I didn't know they came in other colors (bought mine at our small, local mall). I might have to consider another color for this fall...

[mnosky1]

I wear a wide so my options are more limited but I only wear super comfortable shoes. I work in hospital/medical office so am on my feet all day. In the summer I just decided to break the rules and wear sandals (dansko, softspot, sofft) but in winter I wear usually black pants and tops, some skirts, sometimes just khakis.
Anyway, I wear shoes with a chunky heel most often - clarks, softspots (my absolute favorite), danskos (most comfy but really too clunky appearance-wise), sofft. I buy about 90% of my shoes from shoebuy.com - free shipping/returns, use 15-20% coupon and the price is great. I buy about 5 at a time, try and and then return what doesn't work. I also like being able to try them at home for a few days than just 2 minutes in the store-I try in AM and PM both.

[BayGirl2]

I wear simple loafers similar to the ones posted above. I work in a professional environment (consulting) with varying levels of business casual and the occasional need for a suit. I find that a pair of brown and a pair of black loafers are all I need to match any outfit and keep life simple. (I have some variations like boots or pumps, but stick with the loafers 90% of the time.)

I also take public transportation and do a lot of walking to comfort is important. I found some great shoes from Chadwicks last year and they've held up. They are having a sale right now so prices are great.

http://www.chadwicks.com/clothing/Leather-Loafer-Pump.aspx?PfId=109087&DeptId=8419&producttypeid=1&PurchaseType=G&pref=ps

[niccig]

Thanks everyone, you've given me some great options.

Still job hunting, but I can get a pair of shoes for this winter, that I will then also use when I'm working.

[mommylamb]

I like bandolino shoes a lot. But, I usually wear high heels in the office, so comfort is a relativer term.

[vidyaram]

I
Here are some similar styles to what I like:



http://www.zappos.com/images/740/7401510/6627-600068-d.jpg


Do you wear this with socks? What kind of socks can you wear them with. I always ogle this kind of shoes but don't know what to pair them with.

Vidya