Style

6 Pairs Of Shoes Every Woman Needs In Her Office Wardrobe

Put your best foot forward with these wardrobe staples.

By Brooke Bayes

Style

Put your best foot forward with these wardrobe staples.

By Brooke Bayes

Amassing a collection of pumps in a suite of colours is great. Amassing a collection of colourful pumps that fail to be worn more than once is not so great. Most women admit to falling into the latter. When it comes to shoes for the office, it really is about quality over quantity. Whether your job requires you to wear a power suit or jeans and a tee, shoes are an essential part of the aesthetic, unless of course, you’re a yogi. For the woman bound to an office of sorts, here are six pairs of shoes you need in your arsenal to put your best foot forward in the next meeting – and they’re completely worth the investment.

Thanks to the revival of Gucci’s Brixton Leather Loafers, androgynous footwear is back and you won’t find one woman who is unhappy about it. The fact a good pair of loafers feel like your comfy old slippers should be reason enough to invest in a pair ASAP. On top of this, they’re completely office-acceptable, and you can add a little personality by choosing some with embellishments, bold colours or prints. Stick to blacks and neutrals if you prefer a classic look. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

A good pair of pointed toe stiletto pumps are a must. But we also don’t want to uber to every appointment in fear of covering ourselves in band-aids for the rest of the week. So, meet in the middle and opt for a mid-range heel you’ll wear more often. A good pair of pumps will let you get away with more casual work looks too. (Read: Jeans.) Win win.

These are the heels that look hot as hell, but you only bring out for special occasions. When we say special occasions, we’re referring to those long lunches booked or conferences where you can safely rest your feet under the table for long periods of time.

If your office will let you get away with nice (as in clean and white, because they must be both of those things) sneakers with a dress or skirt then congratulations. If not, invest in a pair anyway. They’ll be perfect commuting sneakers that won’t ruin your put-together look, and if not, you’ll wear them on weekends. Just make sure they are clean and white. Dirty doesn’t cut it.

This versatile style can be paired with everything from trousers and jeans to dresses and maxis. Case in point: Christian Dior’s slingback kitten heel pumps. These are everything and more. If your budget doesn’t quite allow you to stretch this far, there are tonnes of adequate alternatives.

A good pair of boots are as reliable as a best friend. They’re no longer only reserved for the cooler months but worn all year round. White ankle boots are certainly having their moment right now, as are cowboy inspired boots thanks to the likes of Isabel Marant and Calvin Klein, but steer clear of trends and invest in a classic pair that will last the distance.