Navigating a new dress code

I touched on some new job jitters, but I'm starting to get settled a few weeks into the gig. Though I'm in roughly the same industry as I was back in California, I have noticed some notable changes in the dress. The differences are due in part to company culture/environment and in part due to the different sartorial sensibilities of Miamians (vs. Sacramentans).

My observations so far:

In
Dresses – A popular choice around the office and a good go-to option. Hemlines are also a little more relaxed here.

Walking-friendly shoes – It's a big campus, and I learned quickly to wear comfortable shoes. Those blisters from week one are still fading.

Color – A Miami thing, perhaps? There was a lot more black and gray in Sacramento.


Out
Suits – A rarity in our office, even for VPs. I wore one for the interview and again last week (for a photoshoot), and totally looked out of place.

Jeans – We have casual Fridays, but folks rarely wear jeans. I need to get some non-jean casual pants (do these black skinnies work?).

I've spent most of this first month erring on the conservative side, and it still remains to be seen if and how my old work style will change. Some of it is just personal preference. My wont for a crisp button-up isn't echoed much in my office, but reflects my personal style, so that's something I'll likely keep. 

How much do you change your work style from one office environment to another? What regional/industry differences have you noticed?

On seasonal dressing (or not)

[My seasons are all mixed up. February | August]

Seasonal dressing  usually comes more out of necessity than of fashionability. But some things are purely aesthetic, and personal tastes and temperatures can vastly affect what is wearable at certain times of the year. Add to that useless fashion "rules" based on time or month, and really, who can keep it all straight.

Some common conventions or rules based on season or time, many of which are outdated now. These are some I've heard of/observed, not conventions that I follow or advocate.

• No white before Memorial Day or after Labor Day.
• No sequins in day time.
• Espadrilles for summer only.
• Boots are for fall and winter only.
• Lace is for evening (or summer weekends).
• Florals are for spring and summer.
• Wooly fabrics and tweeds are for fall and winter only.

With temperature control nearly everywhere (and not in a bad way—watching baseball in an air-conditioned dome is awesome), seasonal dressing doesn't mean the same thing it used to. My arguments against seasonal dressing:

Changing times
Lace and sequins are everywhere nowadays, from pencil skirts to otherwise demure flats and pumps. Though it may be temporary, the rules governing those items just aren't the same right now. It's just the nature of the beast.

Cultural norms
In Miami, white is acceptable year-round (though it might be because our winters are still warmer than summers in San Francisco). As are open-toed shoes and slightly shorter skirts. Many style conventions evolve or become moot due to a specific culture or climate in an area.

Indoor climate
Sure, it may be extreme outside, but indoor temperatures rarely vary from season to season. For those of us that spend the majority of our time in temperature controlled buildings, there is much less outdoor time to account for.

Personal preference
Everyone takes to climate differently. Some are comfortable in t-shirts at 60 degrees, others not until the temp hits 85. Some people can't bear to have their toes constricted in the summer, while others wear sneakers or boots year-round.

Perhaps I'm a little sensitive about this because I am always cold. Even in the summer (especially when there's a/c). Even in Miami. I spend as many summer days in pants and sweaters as I do in shorts and a tee and am just as likely to wear boots as flip flops with my shorts. I change out of my work clothes in the evening into sweat pants and a sweat shirt (yes, in the summer). Does that make me stand out? Sure. But at least I'm comfortable, and that's more important to me.

What does seasonal dressing mean and look like to you?

5 tips to create an outfit that helps you achieve your career goals [Guest post]

Hello everyone! My name is Virginie, I am a movie producer and small business owner and my blog is Virginie's Cinema. I started getting interested in personal style when I realized it could help me achieve my career goals. Since then, I have discovered many ways our wardrobe can be a tool in our success and wanted to share with you five basic tips to make your outfit help you accomplish your dreams. Every work occasion deserves a different outfit strategy, but these tips apply to all situations and all fields. Here we go!

• First, know what your goal is. You need to know specifically what you want in order to get it. Sure we all want success, but how do you define it? Do you want to get a promotion, be liked by everyone, establish your value in your company, get financiers to participate in your small business? You need a specific goal. My job is to get together the finances and organize the planning for the movies I make so my goal is always this: to convince and inspire—financiers, actors, service providers, my artistic team, etc. I have to convince and inspire them to come on my boat and row with me, although the seas will not always be clement. 

• Then, choose 3 words that define how you want to be perceive. A leader, an indispensable employee, an approachable and human boss, a feared business person...what do you want your clothes to say? I like to be perceived as a serious and ambitious but creative producer. That's why I'll wear something traditional for the workplace such as a pencil skirt (serious) but with a sweater instead of a blazer (creative) and am not scared to use bold colours like yellow (ambitious). Pick three words that describe the business person you want to be and translate them into your clothes.

• Stimulate imagination. By captivating the imagination we captivate the heart. And as much as we were made to believe business is emotion-free, it's not, even if only subconsciously. It's like publicity: no one is forcing you to shop at this or this store, you are choosing to because their ads stimulated your imagination and touched you. In today's world, you are your own brand and you need to sell yourself. How you look is definitely part of the equation. You want to choose an outfit that points to the goal you are looking to achieve and that shows you in your best light. You want to dress as if you have already achieved your goal so to inspire this energy in the people you are dealing with (and put it out in the universe!). I like to use subtle details like textured stockings or colourful shoes to add imagination to my outfits and like to be a little more dressed up than I really need to everyday to inspire, and hence create, success. 

• Be memorable. You don't want an outfit that is shocking and over the top but you want something that will make sure you are remembered. We meet a lot of people everyday and you need to stand out in a way that helps you achieve your goals. In a world full of grey, I find using colours is an enticing and creative outfit strategy. The people you work with need to keep a positive souvenir of you long after you have left the room so that when they need your expertise they will think of you right away.

• It's all in the details. Paying careful attention to the many details that make an outfit come together (accessory, jewelry, make up, nails, bag) says volumes about the care and attention you will give to your work, which is very important. It's a reflection of your work ethic.

I hope these tips are useful to you and I'd love to hear how they have inspired you and your work clothes! For more tips for the workplace, small business owners and freelancers check out my series You're the Boss Apple Sauce. We can all have the career of our dreams!

Thank you so much Angeline for having me over!

Virginie ♥

Shop this look!
Skirt: Vintage
Bag: Cole Haan
Shoes: ModCloth
Sweater: H&M
Pendant: Swarovski
Belt: Pretty Colourful Vintage
Stockings: Walmart

Reader Question: Mixing beach and business

I received a great question from a reader in the comments recently and it really got me thinking. You've probably seen Lorena's blog, which includes her daily work outfits and glimpses from around her city (check out the big houses in her neighborhood...gorgeous!). But she has a dilemma.

I have a question I thought you might be able to help with. I have a huge convention coming up and after it ends my boss chose to invite a few of the participants—all men—to a fun weekend. The weekend will consist either flying to an island or taking a boat to the island and spending the night. The thing is, it is a work-business related trip that I am also invited to. BUT the thought of going and having to wear a bathing suit in front of these men is totally intimidating. I want to go but I want to keep it professional. Any thoughts?

I haven't been in the exact situation Lorena describes, but I have worn my swimsuit (a bikini, no less) in front of male coworkers before. The first time, a female superior was also present and wearing a bikini. The second time, our spouses were with us and we were on different sides of a super-crowded hotel pool (for what it's worth, it was the same male colleague as before). Super-buttoned-up folks will also be horrified to learn that the bikini revealed my tattoo, which is not visible when I'm fully clothed. ::gasp:: Kosher? Maybe not, but it happened.

Back to Lorena. Some questions to think about: What will you be doing on the island? Will there be any activities that require getting wet? Will your male colleagues be in their swimsuits? Is the outing structured and scheduled or will you be free to do whatever you'd like?

The easy answer would be: if you don't feel comfortable in a bathing suit, don't wear one. But if water activities are on the schedule and expected of you, you should be prepared to participate. Conveniently forgetting your beach wear could come off as being unprepared, which is not an impression you want to impart on your colleagues. If you know you may get wet but still don't want to wear a swimsuit, keep your cover-up on. That begs the question: what kind of cover-up is appropriate?

If you can avoid being in the water, a sundress and sandals can keep you covered up and comfy relaxing on the sand or even throwing a frisbee. If you need more range of movement, perhaps for a hike or sporty activity, try capris or bermuda shorts and an embellished tank or tee (perhaps something borrowed from your business wear in a casual fabric).

Day Dresses by Lands' End Canvas
Sandals by Report

Shorts by Tommy Hilfiger
Sleeveless Tops by New York & Co.

If water activities will be part of the mix, try a tankini with a top that looks almost like a regular tank or halter. Throw on some bermuda boardshorts for a look that's modest but water-friendly. Bonus—you can wear it to dine or shop without it looking like you obviously threw on shorts over a one-piece swimsuit. I'd recommend against wearing cotton into the water, because it's sort of awkward wearing clothes not meant for water into the water and afterward you'll be damp for hours. Wearing something that's meant for water, like boardshorts, shows that you're not only prepared for the situation but are game for whatever they come up with.

Two-Piece Swimwear by Volcom
Sandals by Madewell

I think the key to make casual beach wear a little more appropriate in a potential business sense is accessories. Although I wouldn't normally wear jewelry with a bathing suit, I might put on some simple (and cheap) jewelry—something that you don't mind getting wet or putting away in your bag and leaving while you're in the water. If jewelry is not your thing, a gauzy scarf or hat will do the trick as well.

Sunglasses by Fossil
Scarves & Wraps by Madewell

Ashley of Ashley Getting Dressed asked a similar question last year...check out the comments on her post for their take on swimsuits and coworkers.

What do you think? Do you have any advice for Lorena?

How to wear jeans to the office

For every office with a no-jeans policy, there's an office in which jeans are a staple. But how about those that straddle the two with a jeans-friendly Casual Friday? Or what if you want to kick your denim up a notch?

Reader Elizabeth emailed me with that very question:
I just started working at a casual office and I am having trouble creating work appropriate casual looks.  I love seeing how you make jeans work for the office.  Are there any "rules" you follow when you wear jeans or other casual clothes to work?

While I don't really have "rules" for wearing jeans, here are some of my tips:

• The darker wash the better. Look for uniform washes--whiskers and other details can be too casual for the office.
• As far as cuts go, I recommend trouser jeans (usually a thinner fabric that falls straight from your hips down to the floor), wide-leg jeans, or slim cut/skinnies that aren't clinging to your body.
  
• I try to go with a dressier shoe. If it is a trouser or wide-leg jean, a pointy-toe looks really chic and balances out the volume. Heels are preferable, since they instantly dress up the jean (even a one-inch).
• The "finishing piece" is key--a nice blazer or cardigan is a great way to really bring jeans into the office.
• I usually keep the top something I'd wear with a trouser to work on a regular day.  That way the jeans are the only casual piece in the whole outfit and look less out of place.
• Bold accessories can really dress up jeans as well--belts, necklaces, bracelets (but probably not all at once. :)

Here are some of my favorite jeans outfits from my archives. Click on a photo to see outfit details and the original post.

 

 Bootcut

Trouser

Skinny

Can you wear jeans to your office? How do you style them to be more office-y?

Email a pic or link to me by Thursday (9 p.m. PST), and I'll do a round-up post of your pics Friday!

Dealing with dress code violations [Guest Post]

[source]

Hi everyone, Nicole from Employed Panache here to talk about how to handle employees who violate the office dress code.  As New Professional reader Martha mentioned here, this can be a very touchy subject, leading to difficult conversations.  Depending on the extent of the violation and tenure of the employee, you can take several approaches.  Just keep in mind that more often than not, you should be engaging in a conversation with the employee versus telling him/her what to do.  I have found that most people do not respond well to commands and want a chance to discuss their side of the story.

If your company has a dress code policy in print, use this to your advantage.  The first approach might be to have a quick conversation educating the employee on the details within this policy.  Depending on the scenario, the unprofessional attire could be simply due to ignorance of the policy because the employee is new to the company or new to the workforce in general.  Most employees want to comply with company policies, so in this case, the changes should happen quickly.

If the employee has a longer tenure with your company, or if the violations continue, the next approach is to discuss specifics on how this behavior is hurting the employee’s career.  If there are no events that you can point out (like when a peer was chosen to present to a client over them), then solicit anonymous feedback from colleagues, clients, managers, etc.  Hearing the same opinion from multiple people and not just their manager may be the support needed to change what the employee wears to work.

The final approach, which should be last resort, is documenting the violations and submitting to Human Resources.  It is my personal opinion that the employee should first be given the benefit of the doubt because you just never know why s/he is choosing to wear unprofessional clothing.  As mentioned above, the employee may not understand what attire is acceptable.  However, if there are repeat offenses and/or incidents where the outfit is lowering productivity or damaging the business, the employee must understand that there will be consequences for his/her behavior.  Also, feel free to loop in your Human Resources rep from the start as HR will understand your company’s policy best and what actions are typically taken in these scenarios.

Nicole Martin is a Senior Human Resources Specialist who blends corporate fashion and personal branding on her blog, Employed Panache.

No Sneakers at the Office [Book Tour and Giveaway]

There is no shortage of business books out there, but where does a young professional start? Here's a good option: No Sneakers at the Office. Written by businessman and filmmaker Adam Scholl, this book is written specifically for college seniors, recent grads, and 20-something professionals seeking to make it in the corporate world. Topics include everything from appearance to office politics. Released last fall, the book has already been touted by fellow business pros Penelope Trunk, Shama Kabani, and Robert Tuchman. Read an excerpt from his chapter on career growth and mentorship here.

Scholl was kind enough to answer some questions I posed recently about his experience and his book. I also have a copy of the book to give away to one lucky reader! Keep reading for details.

The New Professional: Please briefly tell us what your book is about.
Adam Scholl: No Sneakers at the Office is a step-by-step guide for college seniors, fresh-outs, and Gen Y professionals seeking to enter, survive and thrive in corporate America. The book covers corporate communication, time management, professional appearance, business travel, workplace etiquette, office politics, and career growth.

Tell us about your own career and how it influenced your book. 
My professional life began when I enlisted in the Florida Army National Guard in 1993. The military provided an excellent foundation for a successful profession later on because I was exposed to an outstanding group of leaders during my service. I continued to progress in my career by obtaining a BS in Management Information Systems from Florida State University in August of 2000 at which time I took a position at Publix Super Markets, Inc. as a programmer. Starting my business career at Publix provided me the opportunity to mature as a professional--it was an organization filled with innovative leaders. During my six year tenure at Publix, I obtained an MBA and then produced and directed the successful documentary, Agent Orange: The Last Battle.

After advancing within Publix and accomplishing many of my personal goals, I enrolled at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Over the next three years at law school, I worked at an established financial institution as a business system analyst. This experience convinced me to enter the business community upon graduating law school in 2009 at which time I accepted an engaging opportunity at Winn-Dixie Super Markets.

While writing No Sneakers at the Office I was able to draw upon the many tools I had collected and placed into my professional tool kit. All of these tools influenced the development of and concepts in my book. Equally important, I incorporated what I’d learned from the many mentors in my life to create this book.

What inspired you to write this book? 
After observing so many young professionals struggle to adapt to corporate environments I wanted to share my experience and knowledge.

What was your first office job and what did you learn from that initial experience? 
I was a customer service representative for a small company while attending Florida State University. This job made me realize the importance of taking care of customers. In customer service, you feel the pulse of your company, which is its customers. Note that there is a difference between a career and a job, a point that I discuss in detail in No Sneakers at the Office.

What is your most memorable professional faux pas? What did you learn from it? 
In No Sneakers at the Office I tell personal business stories for the purpose of providing humor along with real life. I describe how I worried during my vacation that I would be fired upon returning to work. And upon returning from my vacation I learned that while a problem did occur while I was gone because of something I did, I worried for nothing. My coworkers decided to make the incident a teaching experience, which showed their professionalism.

I understand that you give fresh-outs and young professionals some principles of professionalism. What are they? 
The principles of professionalism that I provide in the book range from the importance of dressing for the business world to not being late. The principles create the foundation of who you are as a business professional. This foundation affects your reputation which determines your career path.

What do you think is the biggest mistake young professionals make these days, and how can it be avoided? 
I believe that young professionals do not realize the importance of having a positive reputation because, among other reasons, the business community is smaller than one realizes. Your reputation affects your ability to obtain employment both within your own organization and at others. By taking control of your career at the onset, your reputation will help instead of hinder you.

Want to win a copy of No Sneakers at the Office?
Just leave a comment below by March 2 answering the question "What is one thing you wish you'd known before you got a job?" and your email address and you're in the drawing! One lucky winner will receive a paperback galley or PDF e-book (winner's choice).

About the author: Adam T. Scholl is a business leader, manager, software analyst, and filmmaker. He drew upon both his corporate experience and artistic creativity to produce & direct the documentary, “Agent Orange: The Last Battle”. Adam is currently collaborating with attorney Evan Peterson on a business law book.  Visit the author at www.ceremarkcreations.com and join the book’s following on Facebook.

In case you're wondering--I was not compensated in any way to feature or give away this book on my blog. I am, however, dedicated to providing useful professional resources that I feel my readers will be interested and will benefit from.

Walking the halls, not the streets

Last week, I noted my personal discomfort at flirty tights in the workplace and posed a question to you, my readers--Are there any items you just don't feel comfortable wearing to work even though they're not expressly forbidden by the dress code?  Several ladies brought up the question--can you wear knee high boots with a skirt in the workplace without looking like a hooker?

Yes. Unless the answer is no.  Skirts and knee-highs should be avoided in conservative business professional dress code offices.  But since most workplaces are some kind of hybrid business casual, the answer is yes.

Aside from your office's dress code, here are some things to consider.

• Heel. Flat heels come off as more casual, but not all high heels are created equal, either.  A thicker stacked heel reads better than a stiletto.  Avoid very high heels on boots (maybe 3" tops), which will add to the hooker-ish ambiance.
• Color. Stick to browns and blacks. Grays are a great casual neutral, but may stand out a bit in the office.
• Material/finish. For office wear, opt for a matte leather (or faux, whatever your preference) rather than shiny or patent, which will just serve to bring more attention to the fact that you're wearing knee-highs to the workplace.
• Skirt style. Pairing your boots with an A-line skirt is the safest way to avoid a streetwalker connection, but a pencil shape can be appropriate as well, as long as the material is nice and the fit is not tight.
• Skirt length.  A nice general rule--the higher the boot shaft, the longer the skirt should be. Think of it as a meet-in-the-middle.  If your skirt overlaps with the boot, it's fine (it may feel weird in the beginning, but the overall look is not as awkward as it feels, and certainly not as awkward as being mistaken as the entertainment).  And of course, if the skirt isn't appropriate for the workplace in the first place, don't try wearing it with the boots--it won't help.
• Legwear. From trial and error, I would recommend wearing some kind of legging or tight with boots and skirts if any knee will be showing.
• Condition. Make sure your leather footwear is free of visible scuffs and scratches. Nothing makes you look like a novice more than a scraggly wardrobe.
• Balance. A covered up top goes a long way in balancing out the raciness of the boot. As you'll see below, I pair all my skirt/boot outfits with at least a 3/4 length sleeve. When I wear my boots with skinny jeans, though, I often go sleeveless.  It's all about balance.

I have four pairs of tall boots--flat and heeled in black and brown. But only two of these have made it into my work wardrobe-- my brown ones! My black flat boots are completely ratty, and my black heeled ones are too big. And I've been on more of a brown kick lately.  Here are some ways I've styled my knee-high boots for the office on the blog.

Heeled boots

October 2010 - with a brown corduroy pencil skirt (a little on the short side).
I think this would have looked better with tights.

March 2010 - Having a similar (but different) brown skirt helps downplay the boots
a little and creates an elongated silhouette despite my shortness.  The color
on top also draws the eye up.

April 2010 - Layering textures in the same shade creates a cohesive look
on bottom, and details on top keep the look fun.

Flat boots

November 2010 - Volume in the skirt balances out the leg underneath,
while the belt gives some curves. A turtleneck balances out the skin shown below.

November 2010 - Flat boots with a pencil skirt work when it's not skin tight.

December 2010 - Add length by layering a skirt underneath a dress. 
I think I'm wearing tights under this, too, which downplays the gap
between boot and hem.

Working ladies -- do you wear knee-high boots with skirts to the office? How do you style them?  Email a pic or link to me by Thursday, and I'll do a round-up post of your pics Friday!

Where to wear | Interviews for creative-types [Greatest Hits 2010]

[Greatest Hits 2010: Each day this week, I will be reposting a popular post from the past. This was first published July 14, 2010. See original post and comments here.]

A few weeks back, my friend T posed this question in a comment:

I would love to know what I should wear for graphic design/artist interviews. Entire suits are overkill for us. What do you suggest?

T brings up a good question -- not all business clothes are right for all businesses.  Not all interviews are alike.  We recently hired a new graphic design intern here at work, and let's face it...presentation matters in this situation, especially in such a visual job.

There is a slight caveat here.  While, yes, we don't want people judging us solely based on appearance, it can affect an interview, both positively and negatively.  And that's just the same outfit.  The first thing to ask yourself is: what is my design/creative philosophy?  Are you a minimalist that lets the content and elements speak for themselves?  Do you push the limits of what's acceptable and hope it pays off?  Are you an unabashed girlie girl designer? Are you great at dealing with in-house clients for corporate design work?

A few general rules still apply to job interviews, especially those for in-house design jobs, in which a corporate HR person will probably be involved in the process (their opinion does count in those cases).

• Keep it covered.  Skirts and dresses should be no shorter than 2 inches above the knee.  Sleeveless looks should still be demure, and keep that neckline in check.
• If you are currently in a creative job, try something you would wear to the most formal day on your job.  Chances are it's still not a suit.
• Separates (blazer + pants or skirt that don't match) are your friends. 
• Depending on your style, use accessories to show your creative bent.

Since creatives are such a diverse bunch, here are some looks I found for each of the different design styles mentioned above.

The Minimalist
Minimal does not equal boring.  The key to a minimalist creative look is fit and cut.  Have fun with proportions.  I love this top with a narrow trouser, white asymmetrical blazer and some architecturally inspired heels. Minimalists can also go with mens-inspired pieces, such as a trousers and a vest (no jacket). 
I had a hard time finding looks at retail sites for this one, but think Jil Sander for inspiration...beautiful cuts and drapes with minimal frill.

The Experimentalist
Mix prints and graphics for an out-of-the-box look.  The blazer adds polish.  I would aim for a slightly longer skirt.

Urban Outfitters

The Girlie Girl
Have some fun with colors and accessories here.  I love the brightness of this look, but might go with a shorter jacket so it doesn't look like you should be taking the coat off when you go indoors.

Ann Taylor Loft

The Corporate Designer
This is the most similar to the traditional office interview look.  Try mixing a blazer with fun details with trousers or a pencil skirt.  Throw in some playful shoes and accessories.  I like this blazer, too.

Banana Republic

Do you have a creative, a traditional, or other kind of job? What did you wear for your interview?

How high is too high? [Greatest Hits 2010]

[Greatest Hits 2010: Each day this week, I will be reposting a popular post from the past. This was first published September 1, 2010. See original post and comments here.]

 My work heels

Heels can do wonders for your calves, snap your spine straight (helllooo balance), and create a sexy strut.  But is there such as thing as a heel too high for the office.  In short: yes. But it's not always that easy.

I think we can all agree that an over-the-top shoe like this one is not office appropriate. But what about something with a smaller platform that's closed-toe?  Or if the heel is chunky or a wedge, does that affect how high your heels can be?

While most office dress codes don't specify a min/max height, tradition states that a lower heel (<3") usually translates as more professional than one that's higher.  But in most business casual offices, there is quite a bit more leeway.

So how do you figure out if your heels are appropriate?  Start with these questions:

• What is on my agenda today? Will I have to walk? There is nothing pretty or professional about limping around in heels when you know you have a lot of walking to do during the day. Practicality first (sometimes).
• Who will I be seeing or meeting with? Do they have any preconceived notions of propriety? This goes for clothes, as well.  If you know an old-fashioned good ol' boy bigwig is coming in, you  may want to play it safe for the day. 
• Would I wear these shoes to a club? If so, you may want to think twice (unless they're more office appropriate shoes you just happen to wear to a club, like me, who wears knee-length dresses, long coats, and closed-toed pumps).
• How high is the platform? Steer clear of anything higher than about 3/4", and try to keep the rest of the shoe a little conservative. 
• How skinny is the heel? Especially for heels higher than about 4", spiky stilettos can look inappropriate or dangerous. If you're going to do a taller heel, try a stacked or chunky heel (plus it helps with balance).  A wedge can also look polished, especially with heels 3" or lower.
• What does the rest of the heel look like? If you're wearing something especially high, it helps if the rest of the heel is a little less attention-getting.  Details like ruffles, buckles, straps, neon, and shiny patent only call more attention to your feet.  A classic almond-toe pump in a matte leather and 4.5" heel is less likely to raise eyebrows than a platform pink strappy shoes at 3".
• What else am I wearing? If you're wearing trousers, the rules can be a little looser, since the bulk of your shoe will be covered by the pant leg.  If you're wearing a skirt, consider the fact that people can get a 360 degree view of your shoe.

Don't get me wrong, I love a fun heel and have several. But for the sake of professional decorum and not distracting others, let's keep the crazy at home, okay?


How high do you think is too high of a heel for the office? Do you have any personal rules for work footwear?

How high is too high?

 My work heels

Heels can do wonders for your calves, snap your spine straight (helllooo balance), and create a sexy strut.  But is there such as thing as a heel too high for the office.  In short: yes. But it's not always that easy.

I think we can all agree that an over-the-top shoe like this one is not office appropriate. But what about something with a smaller platform that's closed-toe?  Or if the heel is chunky or a wedge, does that affect how high your heels can be?

While most office dress codes don't specify a min/max height, tradition states that a lower heel (<3") usually translates as more professional than one that's higher.  But in most business casual offices, there is quite a bit more leeway.

So how do you figure out if your heels are appropriate?  Start with these questions:

• What is on my agenda today? Will I have to walk? There is nothing pretty or professional about limping around in heels when you know you have a lot of walking to do during the day. Practicality first (sometimes).
• Who will I be seeing or meeting with? Do they have any preconceived notions of propriety? This goes for clothes, as well.  If you know an old-fashioned good ol' boy bigwig is coming in, you  may want to play it safe for the day. 
• Would I wear these shoes to a club? If so, you may want to think twice (unless they're more office appropriate shoes you just happen to wear to a club, like me, who wears knee-length dresses, long coats, and closed-toed pumps).
• How high is the platform? Steer clear of anything higher than about 3/4", and try to keep the rest of the shoe a little conservative. 
• How skinny is the heel? Especially for heels higher than about 4", spiky stilettos can look inappropriate or dangerous. If you're going to do a taller heel, try a stacked or chunky heel (plus it helps with balance).  A wedge can also look polished, especially with heels 3" or lower.
• What does the rest of the heel look like? If you're wearing something especially high, it helps if the rest of the heel is a little less attention-getting.  Details like ruffles, buckles, straps, neon, and shiny patent only call more attention to your feet.  A classic almond-toe pump in a matte leather and 4.5" heel is less likely to raise eyebrows than a platform pink strappy shoes at 3".
• What else am I wearing? If you're wearing trousers, the rules can be a little looser, since the bulk of your shoe will be covered by the pant leg.  If you're wearing a skirt, consider the fact that people can get a 360 degree view of your shoe.

Don't get me wrong, I love a fun heel and have several. But for the sake of professional decorum and not distracting others, let's keep the crazy at home, okay?


How high do you think is too high of a heel for the office? Do you have any personal rules for work footwear?