Inspired by our Annual Professional Presentation Week (February 12 – February 16, 2024), the CSE Team has created a blog series to highlight important topics related to the various aspects of professional presentation. These will be published throughout the month of February (because one week just isn’t enough!), so stay tuned for more awesome Professional Presentation Content.
In this blog post, Rachel Wasdyke, Director of Engagement, narrows down on one often overlooked element of your professional appearance – footwear!
About Professional Presentation Week: Featuring several events and challenges related to various aspects of professional presentation, including: Professional Attire, Body Language, Interview Preparation, Online Presence, Networking Tips, The Video Interview, Small Talk Challenge, Personal Branding, and more!
If the Shoe Fits: Professional Footwear for Every Dress Code
I’ve been thinking a lot about footwear. It’s winter in Waltham so that means the weather fluctuates between rain, snow, sleet and bitter cold. How do I navigate piles of slush without getting my suede boots wet? How do I wear ballet flats and keep my ankles warm at the same time? Fashionable footwear, especially in winter, is no easy feat (see what I did there?).
On top of that, norms around appropriate footwear for the office are starting to shift. Since the pandemic, offices have adopted more casual dress codes. That informality extends to what’s on your feet. But how do you walk the line between fashion and professionalism? Let’s dive in, feet first!
Understanding Dress Codes
Whether you’re dressing smart casual, business casual or business formal, you’ll want to make sure your footwear fits the definition of appropriate dress for both occasion and setting. Keep in mind, footwear should always be clean and in good condition, no matter how dressy the office setting. Scuffs, dirt and holes won’t elevate your outfit or make you look very professional.
If you work in a smart casual environment (startups, technology companies, marketing agencies), it might be perfectly acceptable to wear sneakers, Chelsea boots or slides to work. Just think about how your shoes interact with the rest of your outfit to create a relaxed yet professional vibe. And no matter what you do, don’t forget the “smart” in smart casual – even in an informal environment, you don’t want to show up in tattered running shoes or flip flops! Pick a nice shoe that pulls your outfit together.
Business casual adheres to a more traditional sense of work wear, including button downs, slacks, pencil skirts, blouses and blazers. For some offices, business casual might be chinos and sweater, for others is could mean a suit with no tie. Your footwear should mirror this level of dressiness. When in doubt, go for a closed-toe shoe in a nice material like leather.
Business formal is the dressiest option and typically refers to full suiting in conservative cuts and colors. Your footwear should be equally dressy (think oxfords or loafers for men, and a dressy shoe with a heel for women). Shoes should always be closed-toe and should coordinate with your business formal attire.
Pedicure Approved
In all business formal and many business casual environments, closed-toe shoes are a must. Even in smart casual offices, this is usually true for men year round.
For women, there are some more casual offices where it is acceptable to wear peep toes or nice leather sandals in the warmer months. Observe how your supervisor and colleagues, who are at least one level higher than you, dress and follow their lead in these instances. Always practice good grooming (no chipped polish!) and pay attention to situations (meetings with external clients, for example) where you should opt for a dressier, closed-toe look instead. Avoid sandals that are too informal, like flip flops, or inappropriate for the office, like strappy heels. When wearing open-toe shoes, pick ones that correspond to your business attire for a professional look in keeping with your company dress code.
While it may be surprising to hear, there is still a stigma around wearing sandals in many offices. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and keep the open-toe shoes at home. And avoid wearing open-toed shoes when interviewing.
A Word about Sneakers
Hop in my time machine and travel back ten years to your average office. If you were wearing sneakers, you’d certainly get some looks and maybe even a talking to from your boss! Fast forward to 2024 though and way more offices are lenient when it comes to wearing this beloved, casual footwear to work.
If you’re opting for sneakers, make sure they’re clean and in good condition. Classic, white sneakers are very on trend these days. Whether you opt for white or not though, you’ll want something fairly simple and subdued. Don’t reach for your favorite pair of worn out, nylon gym shoes, but something more polished. And again, know your setting and audience. While you might look adorable in trousers, t-shirt, blazer and sneakers for your tech job, an investment banker might think you’re not taking the job seriously if you show up in a suit and sneakers to your final round interview.
Boot Camp
As we all know, boots come in many shapes and sizes. While knee-high stilettos, utilitarian construction boots or waterproof snow boots aren’t typically office appropriate, there are many great styles that are! From Chelsea boots to kitten heel booties, boots can complement your outfit and keep you warm…what’s not to love? As with all other styles, make smart decisions about what is appropriate for your particular office. A simple black or brown boot in leather or suede is typically a good place to start!
Looking for more guidelines and inspiration. Our friends at Clarks, a famous local footwear company, share their views in this helpful article: How to Wear Boots at Work.
Shoe Envy
If you want to do some window shopping or need shoe inspiration, below are some roundups of office-appropriate shoes and styles for 2024. And while new shoes might not be in your budget right now, you can at least get some ideas of what might work when you shop your own closet!
- The Best Business Casual Shoes for Men Are Ready-Made for Whatever Office Configuration You’re Working With (GQ)
- The 10 Best Business Casual Shoes for Men in 2024, Tested by Style Editors (Men’s Health)
- The 9 Best Men’s Dress Shoes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed (People)
- 12 Best Work Sneakers for Women That Should Def Earn a Spot in Your Closet (Cosmopolitan)
- 14 Most Comfortable Dress Shoes For Women Of 2024, Tested By Editors (Women’s Health)
- Stylists reveal 8 shoe trends that are in and 6 that are out this year (Business Insider)
