Often my clients struggle to match shoes with their outfits. Now that the priority seems to be comfort, particularly after such a long time at home in slippers.
However, when we go back to the office, we often expect ourselves to put on those heels and begin to relive the aches of stilettos and work shoes, but what if I told you there were work appropriate shoes that won’t feel uncomfortable from the first minute? Well, there are shoes that work for the office and for your feet, so in this article I wanted to share 3 comfy shoes you can wear to the office, and how to style them.
Loafers for women, and how to style them
Loafers were often a men’s-only shoe, but now that shoemakers have moved into a more androgynous flow for their offerings, loafers have become incredibly popular for women. They’re not only comfortable, but can be matched with a multitude of outfits, here are a few of my favourite ways to style loafers, specifically for the workplace.
Loafers with tapered trousers
When you’re wearing a beautiful pair of loafers, why not show them off with a pair of tapered trousers that are cut above the ankle? You can match a stunning pair of red trousers with a gold pair of slip on loafers as a funky stand-out look, or keep your look monotone with black trousers and black leather loafers that have a little detail in them to keep some style in the outfit.
Loafers with a midi skirt
If you are more into skirts at work over trousers, then as with the tapered trousers, a midi skirt is a great option to match with your loafers, throw on a turtleneck and a belt and you’re ready to take on the office with style! You can go completely flat, or you can find a pair with a small heel, depending on your preference. A quirky pair with a fabulous pattern, like these bumble bee pattered Gucci loafers are a fabulous and fun addition to your wardrobe, and work well if you want to showcase personality, but can’t do so in your full outfit – match them with a black midi skirt, simple shirt and blazer and you are ready to take on the office!
Pumps for work and how to style them
Now, bear with me here, ballet pumps have come a long way from our classic school-wearing pump days! You can get some incredible elegant women’s pumps that are both comfortable and work-wear ready.
There are an incredible array of options when it comes to pumps, you can have flat options that are perfect for sheer comfort. They usually have a very minimal heel as this can help those with flatter feet who need a little uplift for comfort, or just prefer shoes that have a heel and feel better to wear them for work.
Pumps with a dress for work
The beauty of ballet pumps is because they are often very decorative, which means they can be paired with a minimal outfit such as a classic office dress. Look for a pair with a scalloped pattern to bring a little edge to your look without having to go all out with a pattern!
You can also wear a pair of ballet pumps that have a stiletto-like toe, without the heel, and I love finding these pumps without the rounded toe, as they really do match the expectation of a stiletto, without causing aches in the heels.
Pumps with flared trousers
I love seeing trousers that hit just a few millimetres above the floor (we all know winter can mean puddles so be careful not to go for trousers that are too long!) and pumps can be a great option to match with flares that work really well for those of us with larger his to balance us out. Throw on a colourful pair of pumps, match them with a dark pair of work wear flares, and then match with a flowy blouse on top.
Boots and how to wear them for work
As I am writing this in the colder Autumn month of October, boots are on my mind! While we can play with fun boots for casual wear, such as combat boots, some of us have steered clear from wearing boots to the office, but they can work beautifully, and they can be very comfortable! Now, I may not be suggesting combat boots for the office (unless you have a more casual workplace that is), but there are some great options that I wanted to share with you.
High boots with tights and a skirt
Skirts can work really well at the office, when they are paired well with the right accessories and footwear. When at the office, skirts may not be as favourable, but when Autumn comes along, you can pop on some thicker tights to feel more appropriate for the office. Pair with some black high boots that have a small heel, in black leather and you will feel on top of the world. I highly recommend investing in a pair of boots like this, as they will last year on year, and will look much more appropriate for work when they are of a higher quality. I would also recommend a pair that fall just below the knee, as over the knee can feel a little less appropriate for work. Try a mini skirt with a blouse; or an a-line skirt that cuts just below the knee so you have no gap between the boot and the fabric.
Ankle boots with an a-line dress or skirt
Another option when it comes to boots at the office is the classic ankle boot! One way to wear them is with an a-line skirt or dress as they will graze below the knee with enough space for the boots to not cut you off. Ankle boots can be a little trickier to pair with garments at the office, so styling with a skirt is often the best option in my experience. You could also try a pair of cowboy-esque leather boots with a pair of flared trousers as they are more comfortable than classic heels, but have a slight heel so you feel uplifted yet cool with the western style.
I hope these options for more comfortable work-appropriate shoes have inspired you for your next visit to the office. If you would like the support of someone by your side to help create a wardrobe that works for your day to day life, then please get in touch about my personal styling or personal shopping experiences.
