Footwear with office clothes

[Jessica60]

For work I usually dress un black smart trousers, blouses/shirts and wear black high heel boots. I have since been told that no one wears these kind of black boots anymore and everyone is in flats or trainers.

Am I behind the times wearing these black smart heeled boots?

What is everyone wearing?
I mainly work with men in the office and an old lady that wears cardigans. I can go in jeans if I wish.

I wear flats or black trainers, wish I had the leg muscles to wear heels every day to work!

Interesting … But we can’t see your boots so it’s hard to say whether they look contemporary or not. (And whether your style guru was being kind, or simply rude.)

For standard ‘smart casual’ workwear I’d say Cos is a good barometer - and this is all the footwear they’re selling at the moment:

https://www.cos.com/en-gb/women/shoes?page=2

What d’you think? Might any of those shapes replace your habitual footwear? (If you want a replacement.)

Those are some of the oddest shaped shoes, definitely not what folk are wearing in my workplace.

I too tend to go with loafers or knee high boots in this weather. If your workplace is casual dark trainers might be ok. In saying that, if you like your boots there’s no reason not to wear them.

I wear black suede loafers or I have a pair of Edwardian style lace up boots with a low kitten heel, that look great with skirts.

Tall heels give me back ache so only for very dressy occasions.

But wear what suits you and is comfortable. I have big feet so heavy flat boots don't look good on me.

My goodness, those are hideous.
I hate pointy shoes anyway. Just looking at them make my feet hurt.

I wear trainers with office clothes. Heels do seem to be very out of fashion thankfully. There are definitely some people at work still wearing them but they are few and far between.

No way would I say these are a "good barometer" sorry but these shoes are awful.

Interested to see what others say as I'm in a similar position. I have a few pairs of smart trainers and mid length flat boots for wearing with dresses.

I wear loafers with black trousers and blouses or jersey dresses with tights. Not particularly stylish but practical, comfortable etc. I buy mine from the girls school shoe section at M&S, small feet

Our office is very casual, trainers shoes or heels if you want but I’m always in trainers unless I have a meeting with anyone external.

Not allowed trainers in our office and it has to be smart black shoes so I also have black leather ankle boots that go well with all of my trousers. Nothing out there, not stilleto heel, more chunky I suppose and a rounded toe. Pretty basic but smart.I have looked at getting some nice loafers, but I am yet to find any nice ones.

I'm hooting at those Shakespearean boots from cos

I wear pointed flats, or loafers depending upon the trouser style. I have boots of various styles but don’t tend to wear to work.

Yes, I've got some good loafers from Marks & Spencer one chunky black leather pair and a couple of suede ones

But this ridiculous idea that trainers aren't okay that pervades workspaces still is ridiculous

Apparently according to my social media, people are getting fed up of trainers and high heeled boots are coming back in! I've seen pointed ones with block heels.

I either wear boots or dark trainers, I also have flat ballet pumps for when the weather is better

Smart trainers, chunky flat black don't mess with me boots, ballet flats. Only two wear heeled boots and they do look dated.

only two posts in before someone suggests Cos. Some sort of record even for MN S&B threads!

i wear brogues, loafers, ankle boots, trainers, flat Mary Jane. Depending on mood / outfit / weather.

A small block or kitten heel on a pointed ankle boot is fine. Or western style heel (like cowboy boot type).

I can't wear heels or anything too restricted since breaking my ankle a few years ago. I wear Chelsea boots to go into work if the weather is bad and change into leather ballerina pumps when I get there. Really comfy! And smart enough

I’ve looked at Russell and Bromley - obviously expensive! Shape matters I think. I’d stick with a lowish heel riding boot style or a higher heel but make sure the heel isn’t stiletto. That verges into tarty in my view. Standard long boots are great for office wear and I don’t agree heeled ones are out. I don’t see that pixie ones are in either! Hope these two are helpful.

At my work we all wear wide leg trousers, patterned shirts, maybe a wool tank top over the top- it’s almost an unofficial uniform!
then trainers - from plain black adidas with a white sole through to Nike AF1s in all the colours of the rainbow.

I don't know if anyone has been watching (the brialliant) Patience on TV, but I think the CIO's trainers look completely wrong with her suits.

I work in a pretty casual environment and can feel a bit overdone in anything other than trainers. But I have a younger, glamorous colleague (she's not that young but 15 years younger than me) who wears them sometimes and she looks classy, not overdone. Sometimes you just get bored with the whole world wearing trainers and there is starting to be some interest in something different.

There is an enduring idea that to be smart at work, wear black shoes, black bottoms and a black blazer. Bonus points for nude tights and a pencil skirt. This is outmoded and you can look just as trustworthy or professional or competent in colour and more modern styles. You look like you belong in the modern world.

@TheOGCCL My DD is a barrister and black is her court uniform! The idea that women dress like this when they have a choice is bewildering! So much to choose from.

I forgot to add loafers (DD1 loves them when not in court) and DD2 likes the Mary Jane’s with a small heel and 2 straps. Gucci originally did them but they are everywhere now. Go with everything. DD2 doesn’t wear short skirts and boots and many women wear trainers but it depends on work culture. Always for travel though and keep a smarter pair of shoes with you for changing into!