When it comes to buying affordable shoes for the workplace, it can be a bit of a confusing shopping experience.
It's always a little bit harder if you are a woman as compared to a man, and it can be hard to know what will pass and what won't.
A lot of it depends on the location of the workplace; are you working retail or in an office, for a big corporation or a small start up? And what is their particular dress code? When looking for affordable shoes for retail, most stores have a pretty strict guideline when it comes to uniforms, specifically color-wise.
You also can't have any logos on your shoes.
So if you buy a great pair of black sneakers, because sneakers are allowed, you better make sure they don't have any logo of the company on them.
You want something solid and unassuming.
If sneakers aren't allowed, for both men and women, a good loafer can work as well as oxfords.
For women, comfortable ballet flats in the right color can usually pass just fine as long as you wear dress socks with them.
Do make sure they have enough cushioning because you don't want to be on your feet all day in a pair that makes you feel like you are walking barefoot.
When it comes to the office, things get a little trickier.
It all depends on the kind of dress code that is in place.
It's often safe to bet that an office will be business casual, as the largest percentage of companies go by this dress code.
That would be slacks and a button down for men and dress shoes.
For women it's an appropriate length skirt or dress, a nice blouse, and stylish heels or comfortable ballet flats that still look dressy enough for work.
If you're office has a dressier dress code, consider work heels that are no more than 3 inches in height and a neutral or at least solid color.
It's not always best to wear your wild, 5 inch zebra heels to work, though they may be perfect for going out after.
Stay conservative until you can really get a feel for the office's personality.
If you are lucky enough to work in a very casual office environment, feel free to wear sneakers.
But if you want to at least look like you've somewhat dressed for the part, fashion heels, trendy boots and wedge shoes will all look great and give you a little more style on the work floor.
It's always a little bit harder if you are a woman as compared to a man, and it can be hard to know what will pass and what won't.
A lot of it depends on the location of the workplace; are you working retail or in an office, for a big corporation or a small start up? And what is their particular dress code? When looking for affordable shoes for retail, most stores have a pretty strict guideline when it comes to uniforms, specifically color-wise.
You also can't have any logos on your shoes.
So if you buy a great pair of black sneakers, because sneakers are allowed, you better make sure they don't have any logo of the company on them.
You want something solid and unassuming.
If sneakers aren't allowed, for both men and women, a good loafer can work as well as oxfords.
For women, comfortable ballet flats in the right color can usually pass just fine as long as you wear dress socks with them.
Do make sure they have enough cushioning because you don't want to be on your feet all day in a pair that makes you feel like you are walking barefoot.
When it comes to the office, things get a little trickier.
It all depends on the kind of dress code that is in place.
It's often safe to bet that an office will be business casual, as the largest percentage of companies go by this dress code.
That would be slacks and a button down for men and dress shoes.
For women it's an appropriate length skirt or dress, a nice blouse, and stylish heels or comfortable ballet flats that still look dressy enough for work.
If you're office has a dressier dress code, consider work heels that are no more than 3 inches in height and a neutral or at least solid color.
It's not always best to wear your wild, 5 inch zebra heels to work, though they may be perfect for going out after.
Stay conservative until you can really get a feel for the office's personality.
If you are lucky enough to work in a very casual office environment, feel free to wear sneakers.
But if you want to at least look like you've somewhat dressed for the part, fashion heels, trendy boots and wedge shoes will all look great and give you a little more style on the work floor.
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