Interview - do heels look dated?

[burri]

First interview in 15+years. Bit out of the loop. Usual get up is jeans and trainers. This is office job. City centre. Interview will be with two middle age men so they’re not likely to really notice my feet…hopefully…. But will heels look dated or are there occasions like this were they’re pretty much standard? Feel out of touch.
outfit will be wide leg trousers, jacket + top.

I don’t wear heels very much ( and never very high heels in any case) and I was surprised to see a bunch of young women in Nottingham wearing them with Cargos and tee shirts but I sure as hell won’t be told I can’t wear them. F off to that. I like the shoes above - particularly with the socks ( but not for a job interview )

I am sitting in an airport entertaining myself at the though of a panel discussing a candidate’s outstanding communication skills, track record of delivery, experience at Board level and compliance with Grazia’s latest fashion ins and outs list🤦‍♀️

why do some women do this to each other! Men never get judged on whether their suit is the latest cut

You don’t sound like you should be conducting interviews with an attitude like that.

FFS. Women telling other women what they can and can't wear. I don't wear heels very often but when I do, I find them comfy and can walk as far as I want. I don't like cockles and whelks, but if you do rock on, eat what you want.

I interview lots, and honestly can’t remember anyone’s footwear.

Wear something clean and tidy. Jacket not needed unless it’s a senior role, I wouldn’t rush out to buy one.

Women in my office sometimes wear heals, sometimes boots, sometimes flats or sandals or wedges or trainers. All acceptable, no judgement.

Heels are a very rare sight these days for work (London professional, commutes by public transport), so I would avoid especially if you're already feeling sensitive about being out of the loop. You'll have plenty of opportunities to make 'standing out' fashion statements when you've got the job.

I have interviewed lots of people - mostly women - over the years. Am actually mid recruitment at the moment.

I have never, ever, noticed the candidate’s shoes. And that’s the key - what they are wearing should not be notable or distracting. I notice if a candidate is scruffy and it doesn’t look like they have made any effort to come smartly, but that’s it - I am more interested in their answers. And the ones who answer best are definitely the ones who are more confident. So wear whatever makes you feel most confident.

Re: suits - it depends what job you are applying for. I do expect a suit, but that’s due to the profession I am in. I think that is pretty rare these days.

I can’t imagine going to a job interview without heels - have worn them every day of my working life and am not about to stop now! I wouldn’t feel dressed for work without them.

Can I ask your age Cornflakes?

I would wear heels. I think they're elegant.

41

Heels give out such an outdated vibe. Stick to flats.

Heels are making a comeback i think.

@CornflakesOnTheSolesOfHerShoes I wouldn’t feel dressed for work without them.

Men don't feel this way, and that's why I think this is the wrong attitude. Heels are less practical and less comfortable than flats. If you want to wear heels, fine, but there is absolutely not a need to.

@burri What is the industry? Absolutely no need to wear a suit or jacket in my workplace, but it might be different in more corporate workplaces.

If the heels are high and thin enough to make you walk with a careful step and a totter, they are definitely outdated. I was in London (city area) yesterday and walked past a woman wearing spindly high heels and yes, she did look noticeably old-fashioned.

However, low heels, block heels, chunky heels, heeled clumpy boots - bloody everywhere. Plus of course many in trainers. I would still wear thin heels to a wedding or very fancy dinner because they go better with very dressy clothes, but that's about it.

I have to say I'm surprised at how dated heels are viewed as. Considering the Sheer Luxe ladies on tiktok are meant to be very stylish and, whilst there are plenty of trainers and flats, they wear lots of heels too.

Edited to say the classic Louboutin 7 inch stiletto's are maybe what people envision when you say heels and agree they are dated. But block heeled boots, kitten heels etc all everywhere at the moment.

Depends on the type of heel. Something with a bit of a heel or a low simple court shoe type thing, fine IMO. I'd feel odd wearing completely flat shoes or brogues myself.

I know I don’t need to, I just like them, I always have! Couldn’t wait to get them back on after Covid. I wear trainers to cycle to the office, but swap once I get there, where the only walking I need to do is up and down the corridor, so impracticality not a factor. (That’s a concession to age though - as a student I was happy to walk miles in them and don’t think I owned a pair of flats!)

I'd say men do notice other men's suits. I can't see the difference myself, they all look the same to me barring very baggy suit trousers or something but I honestly couldn't tell the difference between a simple, smart navy suit costing ££ and one costing £££. But the men I know do know the difference. They also know the difference between older and newer black tie suits as well - believe it or not, the styles even within the very narrow confines of black tie suits go in and out of fashion!

@notknowledgeable you need to look a lot closer to home to find the misogyny you’re looking for.

OP I’ve interviewed lots. I can’t say I’ve ever overly noticed someone’s clothing or shoes. Perhaps if they look particularly scruffy. The only point I’d note to you is if you’d normally wear heels with the trousers you want to wear, make sure they don’t drag on the ground if you wear flats. But mostly just wear something you feel comfortable and confident in.

I once was told after an interview, by the interviewer “gosh that’s a very statement necklace, I wouldn’t be brave enough to wear that to an interview”. What a bloody backhanded compliment! Got the job though…

You sound nice.

Can only assume anyone on this thread being negative about heels is equating them with stilettos

OP, I got a new job recently (corporate, quite senior) and wore wide leg wool trousers with a satin blouse and sling backs with a ~2 inch block heel. No jacket but it wasn’t winter! But if you wear a smart enough coat then you should be fine once you are inside and have taken it off. Good luck :)

I was at a meeting this morning and had a look at the footwear 😂 - wide mix of styles. Boss had on a striped tshirt with wide leg trousers and kitten heels. Colleague had a satin skirt with knee high boots and a high neck jumper all in a chocolate brown. One in a rather nice Zara pinafore dress with heeled boots. Another had white trainers, wide leg tailored trousers and a print blouse. All 30-40. Traditional courts might not be too current but definitely a mix of flats and heels. Some of the more tailored styles coming into the high street stores suit a bit of a heel instead of trainers especially if you’re older than 25. An outfit we looked at was described as “Ralph Lauren era Rachel Green.” Younger colleague has just appeared wearing ballerina flats.

I wouldn't wear heels because I would probably end up falling over in them . But if you have appropriate shoes/boots with a heel and you are comfortable in them then absolutely wear them .

Brogues or loafers would look good .

I was surprised to see a bunch of young women in Nottingham wearing them with Cargos and tee shirts
Ooh takes me back to the early 00’s when my friends all wore faded cuffed boyfriend jeans , skinny tee shirts and 5 inch heels!

I don’t see how anyone can say heels are dated- there’s so many different styles. What is important is that they are comfy and good quality . I have to wear heeled boots or shoes with work skirts as I have chunky ankles and look dumpy in flats.