Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Work shoes - primary school office

27 replies

Mumdiva99 · 19/04/2022 19:05

New job starting after the holidays. I have decided I need to upgrade from Birkenstock!! What is suitable footwear for a school? I am a 5 wide. I walk in - so flats would be best. I want smarter than trainers as I think they are too casual. Help please.

OP posts:
LubaLuca · 19/04/2022 19:07

Brogues? They'd be supportive for walking and easy to wear with lots of things.

madamegazelle1 · 19/04/2022 19:43

I wear smart white Converse as they look good with trousers or dresses and are comfy for all that walking around the school!

Original poster
Mumdiva99 · 19/04/2022 19:55

There are some nice leather converse. I'm a bit worried they may be too casual....I'll probably have to see what the others wear.

Brogues are nice and smart.

OP posts:
madamegazelle1 · 19/04/2022 22:37

There seems to be a wide variety of what's acceptable to wear in schools- I started off with smarter shoes and clothes and checked out what everyone else was wearing!

SonicWomb · 19/04/2022 22:39

Geox

CoffeeBeansGalore · 19/04/2022 22:46

I often wear skechers. Go Walk with trousers & dark grey pumps with skirts.

NoEffingWay · 19/04/2022 23:06

Clarks Funny Dream are the most comfortable work shoes you will ever ownGrin

Original poster
Mumdiva99 · 20/04/2022 05:50

NoEffingWay · 19/04/2022 23:06

Clarks Funny Dream are the most comfortable work shoes you will ever ownGrin

They look it but nothing left above 4.5. Maybe they'll come back in winter.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumdiva99 · 20/04/2022 05:51

madamegazelle1 · 19/04/2022 22:37

There seems to be a wide variety of what's acceptable to wear in schools- I started off with smarter shoes and clothes and checked out what everyone else was wearing!

Thanks. I'll wait then and wear boots for the first week. I have them already.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumdiva99 · 20/04/2022 05:54

Thanks @CoffeeBeansGalore I was in a sketchers store yesterday but didn't see those.

OP posts:
CoffeeBeansGalore · 20/04/2022 07:31

@Mumdiva99 I've just had a look online & Sportsdirect.com have some in stock.

Good luck with the job!

Original poster
Mumdiva99 · 20/04/2022 08:02

Thank you. I am excited as it's been a long time since I worked out the house and a real change of career.

OP posts:
JurasicPerks · 20/04/2022 08:08

If you've got some shoes /boots (not trainers) that will do,and can go shopping the following weekend, I'd wait. Noone wears trainers in our school. One lady who walks in wears trainers for her commute, then changes at school.
Congrats on the new job.

WhyTheWhales · 20/04/2022 08:21

I got some loafers recently which are leather with gold metal hardware on the top, but with a chunky white trainer sole. Planning to wear them to work in a not too corporate office.

But your plan to wear boots and then see what others are wearing is a good one too

Original poster
Mumdiva99 · 20/04/2022 22:06

JurasicPerks · 20/04/2022 08:08

If you've got some shoes /boots (not trainers) that will do,and can go shopping the following weekend, I'd wait. Noone wears trainers in our school. One lady who walks in wears trainers for her commute, then changes at school.
Congrats on the new job.

That's what I'm worried about. Don't want to pitch it wrong. Although if they do wear trainers I found my shiny pink pair that really haven't had enough outings......

OP posts:
tiredanddangerous · 20/04/2022 22:12

There will be a policy somewhere that will say what you can/can't wear. Can you ask whoever recruited you? Trainers are not allowed in the school I work in (although it's a secondary so possibly stricter)

Shinyandnew1 · 20/04/2022 22:15

What’s wrong with Birkenstocks if you like and own them-that’s what 90% of my primary school staff wear, office staff included.

Original poster
Mumdiva99 · 21/04/2022 16:15

Shinyandnew1 · 20/04/2022 22:15

What’s wrong with Birkenstocks if you like and own them-that’s what 90% of my primary school staff wear, office staff included.

Nothing wrong with them at the right time and place. I just think the first impression of a school be as smart as the kids are expected to be, and my old madrids aren't in anyway smart. (I only ever wore them to work when I was PG and had swollen feet).

OP posts:
Shinyandnew1 · 21/04/2022 16:33

Fair enough-I’d be getting a new pair of Madrids though 😂. A few teachers wear ballet pump style shoes or loafers at my school but most wear sandals. My primary is pretty relaxed though, with loads of people wearing ‘that’ Next dress throughout the summer!!

Good luck with the new job.

LetitiaLeghorn · 21/04/2022 16:35

Loafers.

DreamloverTealover · 21/04/2022 18:09

I work in a primary school office. I wear ballet flats or boots. I do a surprisingly large amount of walking around the school (most people think I sit and count dinner money 😂) so when there are dress down days I love wearing my trainers 😂

Emmelina · 21/04/2022 18:15

If you have something smart-ish for now, I’d wait and see what the others are wearing. If they’re all casual and comfortable, then that’s what to go with. If it’s formal - perhaps wear something comfy in and change when you get there :)

RoyKentsChestHair · 21/04/2022 18:30

I do a similar job. I’ve been wearing silver loafers or boots until now, but noticed most other office based staff wearing smartish trainers. Given there’s quite a bit of walking in my job I’d say comfort is much more important than style tbh (obvs both if you can manage it!) but wear something safe for the first week and have a sneaky look at what everyone else wears when you get there. Good luck with the new job!

DelphiniumBlue · 21/04/2022 18:37

Most people in my primary wear (nice, clean) trainers or DMs, or mini Uggs in winter. Summer is more of an issue as we are not allowed backless shoes shoes unless with a strap fo H&S reasons, which rules out most Birkenstocks.
But as you will have seen from replies so far, every school is different, so it's best to wait and see. The dress policy isn't always so helpful, you never know how strictly it's applied.

Marbles321 · 21/04/2022 19:29

Look at Camper for some brogues - they've got several options and the Camper aesthetic is a little more casual/quirky than most so could work well. Although saying that I wear my Camper brogues to a very smart office and they work for that too. Incredibly comfortable and lightweight too.