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Original poster

Are these shoes appropriate for work?

182 replies

Tartanpink · 29/05/2023 13:47

Following on from another thread, I have bought some summer work dresses. I never usually go bare legged to work, I’m always either in tights with a dress or trousers. This summer I’ve decided to ditch the tights as the office is so hot. The problem is, deciding what shoes to wear.

I work in a professional role where I am required to wear business dress. It is very male dominated so not many women to take the lead from style wise!

Would these shoes be ok for the workplace? If not, could you please link appropriate shoes? Side note - I always have a pedicure, no cracked heels etc.

Are these shoes appropriate for work?
Are these shoes appropriate for work?
OP posts:
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14
TheMurderousGoose · 30/05/2023 00:07

peacelemon · 29/05/2023 22:36

Maybe it's self enforcing. But yeah like no office I've worked in would have toes out on show or if they were it would be rare and the feet would stink

Show quote history

do you think that people who wear sandals are...less likely to wash? Confused

blahblahblah1654 · 30/05/2023 00:19

@peacelemon I don't understand how you could smell someone's feet in sandals unless they had really bad personal hygiene in general? Anyone I work with who wears sandals appears perfectly clean. I can't say I can smell any of my colleagues feet. How weird.

Tippexy · 30/05/2023 00:28

Tartanpink · 29/05/2023 13:47

Following on from another thread, I have bought some summer work dresses. I never usually go bare legged to work, I’m always either in tights with a dress or trousers. This summer I’ve decided to ditch the tights as the office is so hot. The problem is, deciding what shoes to wear.

I work in a professional role where I am required to wear business dress. It is very male dominated so not many women to take the lead from style wise!

Would these shoes be ok for the workplace? If not, could you please link appropriate shoes? Side note - I always have a pedicure, no cracked heels etc.

I knew without even opening the thread that this would be a question about toeless shoes.

No, toes are never appropriate in the workplace.

holliebo · 30/05/2023 00:29

blahblahblah1654 · 30/05/2023 00:19

@peacelemon I don't understand how you could smell someone's feet in sandals unless they had really bad personal hygiene in general? Anyone I work with who wears sandals appears perfectly clean. I can't say I can smell any of my colleagues feet. How weird.

Exactly, and if their hygiene was this bad, their toes would be the least of your worries!!

leccybill · 30/05/2023 01:22

Stripedbag101 · 29/05/2023 18:45

It’s probably more a matter of taste. I dislike seeing colleagues feet! I also dislike colleagues in shorts. It looks odd in work but I am starting to think I’m an old grump!

I would wear something like this rather than those very open shoes

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/ankle-strap-pointed-flats-corporal-blue-woven-leather/sty-a1466-blu?cat=C1_S2_G11

If anyone sees a dupe for these, tell me. £120 for woven shoes is ridiculous.

peacelemon · 30/05/2023 05:53

The closed toes keep the cheesiness within the shoe

blahblahblah1654 · 30/05/2023 06:05

peacelemon · 30/05/2023 05:53

The closed toes keep the cheesiness within the shoe

Ok Confused maybe you need to see someone if your feet are cheesy.

RampantIvy · 30/05/2023 07:04

No, toes are never appropriate in the workplace.

Of course they are OK as long as they are clean and well cares for unless it is a health and safety issue. I don't get why people get their knickers in a twist over seeing people's toes.

Mikimoto · 30/05/2023 07:41

They're fine for work, if your job is strolling up and down Hollywood Boulevard looking for Hugh Grant in a car.

overthinkersanonnymus · 30/05/2023 07:50

I'm wearing those exact shoes today with black jeans. And I work in financial services.

Not every office still insists on a skirt suit and court shoes. Thank god!

Aslanplustwo · 30/05/2023 08:22

Mikimoto · 30/05/2023 07:41

They're fine for work, if your job is strolling up and down Hollywood Boulevard looking for Hugh Grant in a car.

Oh do drag yourself into the current century. I've never known such fuddy duddy old fashioned views as the ones many hold on MN.

throwawayaway1 · 30/05/2023 08:52

I think they're absolutely fine for work, but if you're planning on wearing them all day, I'd make sure you've broken them in first. They look like the leather(?) is a bit stiff and they might rub a bit at first.

throwawayaway1 · 30/05/2023 08:53

Mikimoto · 30/05/2023 07:41

They're fine for work, if your job is strolling up and down Hollywood Boulevard looking for Hugh Grant in a car.

Where do you work? A Victorian convent? You can't be serious.

Arrivederla · 30/05/2023 09:14

I work in a secondary school and they also say no to open toed sandals (other secondary schools around here are the same although primaries seem to be more relaxed), so we don't all have a choice about open or closed toes!

If anyone can link to closed toe slingbacks without a block heel (ugly) and at less than about £70 then I would be grateful!

TheMurderousGoose · 30/05/2023 09:16

Mikimoto · 30/05/2023 07:41

They're fine for work, if your job is strolling up and down Hollywood Boulevard looking for Hugh Grant in a car.

Even a Mother Superior would think this a bit uptight.

SpringNotSprung · 30/05/2023 09:32

I think they're fine. But I work in the 21st Century.

und · 30/05/2023 09:54

Mikimoto · 30/05/2023 07:41

They're fine for work, if your job is strolling up and down Hollywood Boulevard looking for Hugh Grant in a car.

Don't be silly!

Justyouwaitandseeagain · 30/05/2023 10:11

SpringNotSprung · 30/05/2023 09:32

I think they're fine. But I work in the 21st Century.

This.

And for those who say espadrilles are only appropriate for the beach, clearly this message hasn't reached the Princess of Wales who frequently wears them for smart summer engagements...

SellFridges · 30/05/2023 10:14

If it’s for health and safety reasons, the. Surely heels should also be banned.

I like them, and they’ll look much better with dresses than loafers.

Yellowdays · 30/05/2023 10:39

I think the closed toe rule is a bit silly these days. When I managed plenty of women I wouldn't mention it.

SpringNotSprung · 30/05/2023 10:41

As a manager, I think flip flops are inappropriate for the office. I have seen a member of staff catch their little toe on the bar that sits at the bottom of the desk when walking past it. It ripped off their little toenail. Yum!

luckylavender · 30/05/2023 10:47

blahblahblah1654 · 29/05/2023 18:47

Why aren't ballet pumps professional? Not everyone can wear clunky court shoes.

If an environment dictates no open toes then ballet shoes aren't formal enough. They're also quite bad for your feet but that's a different issue.

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 30/05/2023 11:42

Check your dress code policy but I think they are too open for business dress.

If it is office based and the dress code doesn't say otherwise a peep toe or slingback would work, or a fisherman's sandal that is fairly smart and enclosed.

Something like these in a suitable colour

Are these shoes appropriate for work?
Are these shoes appropriate for work?
Are these shoes appropriate for work?
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