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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Sandals and crusty feet at work

462 replies

Offherrockingchair · 28/06/2026 19:47

AIBU to think that walking sandals and flip flops are not professional workwear? Yes, it’s been ridiculously hot, but I don’t want to see brittle yellow toenails, crusty dry skin and, in one case, flakes and chunks of skin hanging off the manky trotters of my colleagues 🤮 At the very least, if we are going to be subjected to your toe cleavage, have a pedicure first. And don’t get me started on the smelly ones!

OP posts:
canonlydoblue · 28/06/2026 22:45

What a ridiculous thread. They're feet. The vast majority of us own a pair of them.

Britneyfan · 28/06/2026 22:44

Northernlights19 · 28/06/2026 22:40

I don't know why people have to have their feet out tbh. How much cooler will it really make anyone?

We all manage fine in appropriate shoes for our job (care home) and appropriate clothes.

It makes a huge difference! And for people like myself with awful plantar fasciitis it’s either full on trainers /sketchers or Birkenstocks, I literally can’t find anything else I can physically walk even a few steps in without being in tremendous debilitating pain. I suspect I’m not alone. So yes I’m afraid I wear Birkenstocks to work in summertime. The priority is being able to walk and not overheat.

Northernlights19 · 28/06/2026 22:42

Melarus · 28/06/2026 22:39

And how is it a health and safety risk exactly, in an office? Stubbing your toe on the corner of the printer? Spilling tea on your pinky toe?

Edited. Didn't read properly, apologies.

hecalledmecaptain · 28/06/2026 22:41

I don't see why people shouldn't be able to wear sandals jist because they don't have pretty feet.

Northernlights19 · 28/06/2026 22:40

I don't know why people have to have their feet out tbh. How much cooler will it really make anyone?

We all manage fine in appropriate shoes for our job (care home) and appropriate clothes.

Melarus · 28/06/2026 22:39

And how is it a health and safety risk exactly, in an office? Stubbing your toe on the corner of the printer? Spilling tea on your pinky toe?

lightreflectingonwater · 28/06/2026 22:37

I tend to be too busy working to notice their feet . Actually couldn't tell how what any of my colleagues were wearing on the feet.

MasterBeth · 28/06/2026 22:35

Chocolattecoffeecup · 28/06/2026 22:33

I haven't noticed my colleagues having crusty feet but I do think open-toes sandals are not appropriate for the workplace.

What workplace?

Have you ever thought about the huge variety of workplaces people work in?

We don't all work in your workplace.

BitOutOfPractice · 28/06/2026 22:35

FourEyesGood · 28/06/2026 21:17

I couldn’t care less as long as they don’t smell. They’re just feet.

God I hate this sort of fatuous comment.

Melarus · 28/06/2026 22:34

I'm in sandals in the office from April to October. Sorry OP, into each life some rain must fall

BrownBookshelf · 28/06/2026 22:33

Branster · 28/06/2026 22:16

But it’s not about a pedicure as such. Just basic care, looking after feet and toenails. And toenails don’t need to be painted either. As simple as using a foot stone thingy before you turn the shower on, nail brush with soap, keep toenails short and slop on any moisturiser before you brush your teeth. It’s just about being clean. Similar to someone walking around with dirty un brushed hair. Or dirty hand nails. It’s repulsive and basic hygiene.

As for open toes footwear at work, it does look unprofessional and it is a health and safety risk as well. Especially as there are plenty of alternatives options suitable for hot weather.

It is, OP explicitly decreed pedicures. We wouldn't want to let her down!

Chocolattecoffeecup · 28/06/2026 22:33

I haven't noticed my colleagues having crusty feet but I do think open-toes sandals are not appropriate for the workplace.

PermanentTemporary · 28/06/2026 22:32

I’m with you. There’s such a thing as basic hygiene, and it definitely includes cutting your toenails, a daily wash and a regular dab of aqueous cream, all the more so if you get your feet out at work.

Strawberrryfields · 28/06/2026 22:29

YABU to not put a trigger warning on your opening description 🤢

RandomUsernameHere · 28/06/2026 22:28

MasterBeth · 28/06/2026 22:09

What a stupid post.

Do you really not have the imagination to think of jobs where wearing sandals is perfectly acceptable?

Lifeguard or other poolside/beach worker.

Crispsandcola · 28/06/2026 22:27

Oh ho ho ha ha you're so funny and clever. Definitely not a nasty judgemental b*tch that everyone at work secretly hates 😏

Evaka · 28/06/2026 22:26

slughater · 28/06/2026 21:29

OMG another thing for women to torture themselves about
grey hair
upper arms
shoulders
armpits
hair anywhere other than on the head
faces that are as nature intended
bodies that are too fat/too thin/too muscular/not muscular enough
teeth a shade away from brilliant white
skin more aged than a 16 year olds

are the men worrying about this or is it sufficient for them to be clean and tidy?
their clothing, comfortable and unremarkable?

we do not have to collude in our own oppression! be grateful if you have a body that works and is pain free! we are not put on this earth to measure up to some arbitrary and oppressive set of rules for our appearance!

Preach!

chillyputsomesockson · 28/06/2026 22:24

Offherrockingchair · 28/06/2026 21:57

@1985goingbackagain - I like those! Might have to get a pair. Definitely with you on the closed toe!

I don’t see much difference between these and sandals, you’re going to see full flakey cracked heels in these.

sweatymessi · 28/06/2026 22:22

MasterBeth · 28/06/2026 22:08

I find all of this body fascism really disturbing.

Maybe they find your face or hands revolting. Maybe they hate your haircut or your dry lips.

The state of someone else's feet is really none of your business.

I’d rather most of my colleagues wore bags over their heads but I just have to suck it up.

BrownBookshelf · 28/06/2026 22:22

Offherrockingchair · 28/06/2026 21:14

It’s not like I go round deliberately looking - you just can’t help seeing what people are wearing, and when there’s rough skin and yellowing bits on display, yuck!

Sounds like a you problem.

RobertaFirmino · 28/06/2026 22:20

I hate feet. I've found a marvellous solution to this issue though - I don't look at them. Problem solved!

sweatymessi · 28/06/2026 22:20

I wear sandals but don’t have crusty feet 🤷🏻‍♀️

MasterBeth · 28/06/2026 22:19

Miranda65 · 28/06/2026 22:17

Er, not OK for men to wear sandals in the workplace either ..... this is nothing to do with being male or female.

Where is this fictional Mumsnet workplace where everyone has to dress like they work in a bank in the 1970s?

MasterBeth · 28/06/2026 22:18

wafflesmgee · 28/06/2026 22:11

YABU stop judging other peoples bodies

only exception is if others looking at their feet is part of their job eg a primary teacher sat with thirty kids cross legged at their feet during carpet time

Sorry, no, that really does not constitute "part of the job."

The only job where "having your feet looked at" is part of the job is "foot model."

Miranda65 · 28/06/2026 22:17

slughater · 28/06/2026 21:29

OMG another thing for women to torture themselves about
grey hair
upper arms
shoulders
armpits
hair anywhere other than on the head
faces that are as nature intended
bodies that are too fat/too thin/too muscular/not muscular enough
teeth a shade away from brilliant white
skin more aged than a 16 year olds

are the men worrying about this or is it sufficient for them to be clean and tidy?
their clothing, comfortable and unremarkable?

we do not have to collude in our own oppression! be grateful if you have a body that works and is pain free! we are not put on this earth to measure up to some arbitrary and oppressive set of rules for our appearance!

Er, not OK for men to wear sandals in the workplace either ..... this is nothing to do with being male or female.

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