Office Perfection: Work Shoes

Image Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4

I try to follow my Cs when it comes to my appearance at work; cool, chic, and collected.  How confident I feel on and off work largely depends on how I look.  I can be dressed in the coolest outfit with the best office bag at work but won’t feel collected unless my outfit is anchored by a pair of comfortable, work appropriate shoes.  Yes ladies, today it is all about shoes shoes shoes!

Just like that perfect work bag, sporting appropriate work shoes is just as important as well as defining the kind of business woman you are.  More often than not, looking for those perfect pumps can be a challenge.  You want to invest in a pair that look sleek, chic but not dumping your entire rent check into it.  Most importantly, you want a pair that you can stand and conduct presentations and meetings for hours.  Since I’ve been in the work force for more than 20+ years I can share some tips on how to find that perfect pair that can attest the time and won’t impregnate your feet with corns and callouses.

1. Functional but stylish.

I still remember my first pair of black pumps that I ever wore for my first professional job.  They were from Nine West because that was all that I could afford.  It was 4″ high and I wore those suckers from morning to night (I was more of a workaholic back then).  Two years later (yup, that was the only pair that I ever wore for my job) my fourth toes on both of my feet developed corns, which took me almost 15 years to get rid of!  They are gone but I can still see the faint marks.

Anyhow, I threw them in the trash can and decided to invest in a pair that had better quality.  I was able to afford these Manolo Blahnik look alikes in black leather from BCBGMaxazria.  They were 3.5″ tall and cost $89.99, which I purchased from an outlet store on sale after waiting in line for 45 minutes. But I got the most chic, comfortable shoes I could afford and I was the happiest person on earth at the time.  I wore them day and night at every meeting with no pain in sight.

10 years fast forward, those shoes eventually worn out after several if not hundred re-soles.  Ever since then I’ve been investing in quality shoes both for the office and for fun.

2. Height matters

Some women like my elder sister, can sway in 4″ to 4.5″ heels with no issues.  I think they are born that way?  Unfortunately for me, my heel height cannot go beyond 4″.  The ideal height would have to be 3.25″ to 3.5″ because they are high enough to give me added height but not overly too tall that I would look awkward and uncomfortable.  Besides, most shoes with heel height under 3.5″ are quite comfortable.

3. Color

Yes, you can go a little color crazy in the shoe department.  Although your safest bets are the neutrals I think color pumps add personality to your outfit.  In a perfect world, I would own each pair in nude, black, blush, red, blue, pink, green, yellow, grey, and brown in 3.5″ with the best quality at affordable prices.

Do you have at least a pair of stylish but comfortable pumps for work?  If not, no worries I have located some shoes with different budget that are chic and office appropriate to carry the workaholics.

Love These Shoes

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“You are more confident when you feel put together.”