Work shoes

[Lovethewinter]

Every year I struggle to get shoes for work for autumn/winter. I don't have a very strong sense of style and do struggle to put outfits together a bit. At work I often wear dresses or pencil skirts though I would love to find some nice trousers (that's a whole other headache).

Flat shoes like the ballet style ones go a weird shape on me I think because I have flat feet. Chunkier shoes can look a bit much because I'm a size 7. I just don't ever see anything I like and feel silly in whatever I end up with.

Just wondered if anyone has any recommendations? My budget would be high street prices.

Would you consider some classic loafers? They give you a bit more support than ballet shoes and pretty much timeless. (I wore some backless loafers to work this week and realised that my loafers were actually older than our interns 😂)

When you say high street prices, can you give a £ indication as it could be very variable depending on where you shop on the high street.

Edit: just to add that I have size 7.5 feet and you do need to pay a bit more attention when shoe shopping unless you don’t mind your feet looking like boats. 😛

It loafer season:)

I like dune loafers. They're pretty adaptable.to different outfits and practical.

Maybe about £50? Could go a little more for the right ones. And yes to my feet looking like boats I had that with the last pair! I will Google loafers...

Watching with interest. I’m a size 5 but always struggle with shoes. I was considering some dune loafers but not sure whether to buy black or brown? Will black go with brown trousers and vice versa

Maybe not for everyone but when I was last working in an office regularly I lived in doc martens 1461 shoes with everything.

Obviously it’s not my business to tell you how to spend your money, @Lovethewinter, but you’ve said you don’t have a strong sense of style, so it may be you haven’t observed that £50 is really very, very little to spend on a decent pair of winter shoes, assuming they’re leather.. (It’s what a pair of block heeled sandals cost in Topshop 15 years ago - so it’s not just a matter of my perception.)

I’m a 7 and a half, sometimes 8 in shoes. I don’t care particularly about my feet looking big, but I do generally manage to find loafers, brogues and boots that are both comfortable and stylish. And I’d be highly annoyed if I needed new winter footwear every year - I expect things to last at least five years in as-new condition, and probably ten looking a bit less pristine.

In short it seems a dreadful waste of money to keep re-buying cheap shoes.

As regards current mainstream styles, you could look at:

& Other Stories
Arket
Cos
Massimo Dutti
Grenson

M&S has these for £58:

https://www.marksandspencer.com/leather-patent-tassel-flat-loafers/p/clp60756796#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r3c1%7Cprodflag_New

There are loafers everywhere at present.

Have a look at Moda in Pelle as they’re decent quality for the price and have some loafers in their sale.

If you’re going classic loafer, I’d go for the best quality you can afford. Definitely leather (no manmade faux rubbish) as it will last longer and look better. But that also depends if you’re looking to buy shoes that you’ll keep and use for years or if you prefer something more seasonal in which case I’d spend less if you’re looking at more ‘fashion loafers’.

Edit: I tend to spend a lot on shoes and look after them and keep them for years. So my backless loafers I wore earlier this week cost more than your budget now and that’s when I bought them from Tod’s (Bicester outlet) at 2005 prices. They still look fantastic (I had to then reheeled this week but that’s all they needed). It’s worth spending on quality shoes if/when you can afford it.

Ok thanks everyone - point taken about needing to spend more for better quality shoes that last longer. Think I get nervous to do that when I'm not sure on the shoes. Might have a look in the outlet (I've got one where I live) which might be a good way for me to get better shoes but a little cheaper!

I also wear DM's and I like them with trousers. I agree loafers are good and I have a lovely pair of navy ones from M snd S I think. I did buy last year a pair of gold trainers that have a brogue look which are not that chunky and from ASOS and they look fab with black trousers and easy to wear. They are not overly formal but for some work days fine.

Two or three time a year you should be able to get shoes from any of the brands so far listed in the sales at prices as good as or cheaper than your outlet shop. It just means you have to keep your eye on websites - maybe sign up to a couple of mailing lists?

Absolutely no need or necessity to pay full price anywhere unless you want to.

https://www.dunelondon.com/huckle-leather-low-heel-mary-janes-black-0075510830002484.html

Do you think these are too young looking? Like school girl shoes?

They’re … a bit of a clumsy iteration of current fashion. Look at some other sites and compare for craft and skill and style.

I wear loafers. My current ones are high end but prior to that I wore a pair from Clarks.

You may need to adjust your price range though. You can get a pair of PVS shoes that will last one season for approx £25-30 but for a good leather pair that will be comfortable and last you will be looking at about £60-£70 minimum

Such as these

https://www.dunelondon.com/womens-shoes/womens-loafers/black/?pmid=hideOutOfStock-orderableProducts%7ChideOutOfStock-nonOrderableWithEMWATrue&pmpt=discounted&start=0&sz=24

or

https://www.clarks.com/en-gb/womens/womens-shoes/womens-loafers/w_loafers_uk-c?size%5B0%5D=7_adult&color.en-GB%5B0%5D=Black&upperMaterial.en-GB%5B0%5D=Leather&sortBy=prod_product_uk_price_asc&srsltid=AfmBOopXcJkfXPKrowHAvAZBHgvi68QNvcc5OhIhzfSaUQgN3ebkgwqF

@BlanklyMyDear I agree they don't look right. I find shopping and fashion a bit stressful but I'm going to sit down and have a good look online tonight once the kids are in bed.

Shoes were also the bane of my life for years. It took until my mid-thirties to realise that I only actually like two types of footwear - sandals and boots.

I can appreciate ballerinas / mary-janes / loafers / brogues / etc. on other people, but I just don't like them on me - both look and feel.

So now, and I promise I'm not exaggerating, I live in either sandals or boots. Obviously a few exceptions like trainers for exercise, but apart from that it's either sandal season or boot season for me.

Sandals have been Saltwaters for years now and they're so comfy I can walk for ages in them, and boots are usually Clarks (Chelsea boots), FatFace (nice suede ones from there), or M&S (a bit like these) - https://www.marksandspencer.com/leather-lace-up-ankle-boots/p/clp60744158?color=BLACK&_gl=11elk1hs_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwh5vFBhCyARIsAHBx2wzP20HTR4KG94xqY9TDLGy1qI7pw-ykLFFL7qYKLnws2MYAgz-GngMaAiq_EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bQOH-J5N_L6k1I3dgIQfxFtf#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r4c3%7Cprodflag_New).

Oh, and I'm a size 7!

@TheOtherBear I am exactly the same I have no problem with boots and sandals it's just work shoes! I love a Chelsea boot too. The problem is boots don't seem to look right with most of my work dresses or skirts. I ended up getting shiny loafers last year (I didn't know that's what they were called) and my husband who's normally very nice said they were 'a bit Wednesday Addams'.

I wear boots to work in the winter all the time. The trick is to have at least two paid. Ankle boots look better with some outfits & knee length look better with others.

Oh, I’m much better at boots than shoes! Currently very much missing a stupendous pair of Chelsea boots I finally threw away last year after about twelve years’ wear. Since then I’ve scarcely taken off a pair of clumpy lace up Grenson boots.

I spend an inordinate amount of time looking at boots online - but it is hard to commit, even when the worst that can happen is a trudge to the local courier hub.

Interesting, @Lovethewinter! without wanting to make massive assumptions, I wonder if it’s about your perception of the boors not going well, rather than the boots themselves.

I wear boots with skirts and dresses at mini length, knee length, midi length (don’t wear maxis), plus jeans and trousers. I can’t guarantee I look amazing, but I think they go together ok.

@Lovethewinter @TheOtherBear - I’m the same, love boot and sandal wearing seasons but really struggle with the in between months. I’ve realised it’s not always the shoes themselves but what to wear with them that’s the issue. Opaque tights are fine with dresses, but depending on the length and cut of trousers I never know whether to wear socks (too sort sometimes), bare feet (chilly, uncomfortable) or some sort of ‘knee high’ (often hideous and reminiscent of 1970s pop socks).

Sorry not very helpful!

@Lazingonasaturdayafternoon 😂 I know why are there so many annoying things to consider! I wish this stuff came naturally to me but it just doesn't.

@TheOtherBear you could be right - I don't particularly trust my perception!

Ballet pumps come with low heels - rather than flats - they may suit you better.

I bought some chocolate brown Mary Jane’s in office yesterday and they must be ok as my adult daughter was eyeing them up and she’s just finished a degree in fashion!

Another vote for Dune loafers. Good VFM, good solid shoe. I love their mid-calf boots for autumn/winter too!

How are you getting on with your shoe quest @Lovethewinter ? Can we help further? If you want to share a photo, we might be able to suggest more that will works with your style/outfits? Or even find you work outfits too. 😉