Ankle skimming trousers for formal office - what to wear on feet/ankles?

[SweetCharityBeginsAtHome]

I work in an office with a very formal dress code. I'm also very old so my internal "rules" about work trousers state that they should be as long as possible without actually trailing on the floor, and that any glimpses of sock etc are to be avoided as far as possible.

However I have noticed that the bright young things in the office are starting with the ankle-skimming, almost cropped look and there's no doubt that it does look more contemporary.

So on a whim I've bought a cheap pair of Gap Tailored Crop trousers which finish pretty much on my ankle bone.

Is that too short/too long? (I'm going to get the waist taken in so could easily get the hems taken up a cm or two). And what shoes do you wear? I have all the shoes in the world I'm just not used to wearing them with this length trouser. And what do you wear on your feet? Knee length pop socks?

I'm old and confused

[carrie74]

If it's very formal, then presumably the only option is a good pair of heels (court shoes)? I don't wear heels for work, so I'd wear good loafers or maybe ballet shoes. Brogues would work too (but they don't work for me).

I'd say the length sounds fine, I'd be looking for ankle grazing.

[KittyB52]

I've noticed the bright young things in our office wearing mid heel court shoes with cropped trousers and it looks good.

I think you have to be careful with ballet pumps as they could make the outfit look a touch casual - depends on the shoes and trousers though.

[SweetAndFullOfGrace]

I wear plain court shoes with my 7/8 trousers, moderately high heel.

[SweetCharityBeginsAtHome]

Thanks all. I have good heeled courts so that's easy. So, pop socks? (they probably have a more twenty first century name now don't they)

[SweetAndFullOfGrace]

I never bother, you can always see them. I just throw my shoes away if they get smelly.

[SweetCharityBeginsAtHome]

They're LK Bennett so I'm not going to do that :-) I bought them to replace my last pair of Bally office courts which lasted me the best part of 20 years (only ever worn on carpet).

[SweetAndFullOfGrace]

Wow that's good going. Even my office-only shoes don't last more than a few years. The heels get attacked by chairs and shredded usually.

[SweetCharityBeginsAtHome]

Tbf that includes a couple of years' maternity leave and a period when I couldn't wear heels for medical reasons and I do have a lot of shoes so I rotate. But yeah, they've repaid their cost.