How to Choose the Right Work Shoe

Crash! Bang! Ouch! I pick myself up off the ground, embarrassed, covered in dirt, holes in my stockings. Damn these new shoes!

When it comes to choosing the right work shoe, the decision can be really tough. Do I buy a stiletto heel or a wedge? Do I go for a point or a peep-toe? There are many styles, colours, heels, and materials to choose from. 

So, how do you know what style works best for you?

I interviewed Nine West Manager, Laura Nihill to get her opinion on the topic.

“Choosing the right work shoe comes down to comfort, style and season,” she says.

Most women spend roughly, nine hours a day, five days a week, in their work shoes, which means, the style they choose needs to be comfortable.

“It is important to consider how long you will be on your feet; comfort has to play a big role in picking a shoe style.

“The best style for working women is something that supports your heel, has a strong shank and some sort of a platform. The shank is the support under the arch of the foot.” 

Heel height is a difficult concept for most.

So, how do you know what height, is too high?

“A safe height is between two centimetres and eight centimetres, any higher can become unprofessional,” she says. 

There are many different types of heels available.

There is the kitten heel, which is traditionally a short, slim heel with a maximum height of two and a half centimetres.

The stiletto heel is a tall, slim heel with a minimum height of two centimetres.

With a wedge, the heel occupies the entire space under the arch of your foot and equally distributes the weight comfortably. 

Then, there is the chunky heel. This is similar to a stiletto heel, with a minimum heel height of two centimetres, however the diameter of the heel, is more that two centimetres.  

“It is important to pick a versatile shoe style and colour that can go with more than one outfit. Points team up nicely with tailored suits and trousers as well as skirts, dresses and stockings and looks very professional.”

The shoes you wear to work also depend on where it is you work. The common work places are desk-based office work, indoor retail work and indoor/outdoor messy work.

“Consider your workplace: if you have to wear a suit, a pointed toe whether flat or a heel looks very neat and professional and chic under trousers or with a skirt. If you can be more casual then experiment with your colours and textures more.”

When you work in an office, you have to comply with the office standards. It's safe to stick with the classic shoe styles, whether a court shoe, a pump or Mary Jane style. These styles are available all year round and never date.

If your office is not as strict on the attire, you can bring out, the funky heels, different materials, the bright colours and patterns. Bright coloured heels make a statement and look great with a plain outfit, and people will notice you.

If you work in an indoor retail job remember you will be on your feet for the entire shift so the shoe you pick has to be practical and comfortable. A classic pump with a small heel or a flat will work great and be comfortable for a long shift.

“Black or brown flats are a great choice, they are versatile and can be worn with any colour. If you wear a lot of plain outfits, you can experiment with different colours.” 

If you have a messy job, either indoors or outdoors, with a uniform, it is always safe to stick with a black leather pump, whether round toe or pointed toe, as they go with everything and look very professional. Leather is more durable and can last a couple of seasons if you look after them and if your shoes get dirty, it's easier to clean them up.

Choosing the right work shoe also comes down to the season. Like clothing, shoes also have different styles, colours and fabrics for the different seasons.

“In winter you tend to wear darker colours and heavier fabrics, so do the same with your shoes.”

“Go for darker tones, not necessarily blacks but deeper plums, tans, burgundy, purples, greys etc.”

“Summer shoes are lighter in colour, depending on the colour trends for the season. During summer you’ll usually see pinks, oranges, blues, greens and skin tones in lighter materials like satin or fabric.” 

There are so many variables to take into consideration when it comes to choosing the perfect work shoe but if you consider all the points, it should make it easier for you to choose, without feeling overwhelmed by all the styles available.