What shoes do people wear in the office?

[Lalaloulous]

So I'm going back to work (in an office) in a couple of weeks after my 3rd maternity leave in 5 years. For various reasons I haven't really worked in an office since covid as I took an extended break with my first then we were mostly working from home when I was back working. On the odd day I did go in I always struggled with what shoes to wear. I was always a high heels kind of girl and used to keep various pairs in my desk draw but I felt when I did go in that no one at my new company really did this and they looked a bit too 'dressy'. I also don't think I could cope with them all day anymore as live in trainers now. What are my options? I really really dislike those clumpy loafers that seem to be everywhere at the moment. What do you wear in the office? I need inspiration?

Depends on the type of company and workplace culture, I think. Like, banking would be totally different from publishing (random examples). Some places, fashionable trainers would be fine, others not.

Yea good point. It's a large engineering/construction firm based in London.

I'm a civil engineer

I wear DM boots, Vejas and sometimes my ultra mini Uggs - during the summer I'm in my Birks/platform DMs

Of course my steel toe rigger boots are in my car for site

Platform DM sandals - I should add

We are very lax - I can come in with a dress on, or a hoodie

I'm a Government engineer btw, so obviously I'll dress appropriately for meetings

FitFlop black ballet flats. They’re super comfy and nondescript.

Our dress code completely changed after Covid and WFH, we have far fewer people in, and I dreaded going hybrid partly because of what I was going to start wearing again. Turns out we’re really casual now, anything goes, smart jeans, trainers, I love it, sometimes I dress smarter than other days when I turn up in jeans and trainers. I spend less on clothes as I used to buy office wear now I just buy smart casual.

Smart trainers for me, although I may start wearing my flat black boots now that we are heading into winter.

But smart trainers is definitely acceptable now in most places.

I wear loafers mainly or smart flats

mine would new rock type boots

Trainers. Everyone wears trainers in my office!

New balance 327s I work in a law firm but the dress code is mega casual!

A lot of our office are in converse or smart trainers. Even the HR team have finally gone a bit more casual.

I'm in construction/engineering too.

Much more casual since Covid. I wear smart trainers, loafers, Chelsea boots or sandals....anything goes, really. I would feel an idiot in heels now.

In my younger days I used to wear high heeled boots with trousers or skirts/dresses. Now with a bunion low heeled patent brogues, look smart but more comfortable! When on my adult Ed workdays lace up DM style boots. X

In summer I wear plimsolls or sandals.

In autumn and spring I wear ballet flats or ones with a small heel.

In winter I wear boots, mainly low heeled ankle boots.

Loafers or Mary Janes depending on rest of outfit/weather.

I work in an office and I wear DM boots. Most of my colleagues wear boots or clarks type shoes - all comfort fit.

Trainers, Chelsea boots, sandals. I have worn heels once since the pandemic, and felt ridiculous. Which is a shame, as I have a lot of heels.

Same here, anything goes with us, we are really casual, but I don’t see anyone in jeans. Heels haven’t been seen since COVID.

Thanks everyone, glad to hear that generally heals are out. I've ordered myself a new pair of smart trainers and will dig out my winter boots to see what is suitable.
Now to find some new clothes too...