As I’ve mentioned before, classic knee-high boots are still in (although not worn with skinny jeans, but rather with skirts and dresses, particularly midi-length). That said, though, the trendiest style for knee-high boots right now is a slightly looser boot shaft than what we’ve seen in previous years — not quite slouchy, but… roomy.

These Everlane boots are a great example of the trend — slightly roomy but still sleek. They’re a pull-on style with a 3″ heel height.

The boots are $350 at Everlane.

(Looking for something similar? Other examples of the trend include these boots at J.Crew and Stuart Weitzman… Meanwhile these Veronica Beard boots have the more traditional, tighter shaft. If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to try the style, check out these boots at Loft, or these boots at Amazon, both under $100.)

Workwear sales of note for 1.21.24

Our favorites are in bold!

• Amour Vert – End of season clearance: up to 70% off (readers love this short-sleeved silk blouse, some colors down to $59)
• Ann Taylor – 25% off full-price purchase, and extra 60% off 2+ sale styles (ends 1/22)
• Banana Republic – Up to 60% off sale styles plus an extra 25% off sale styles (ends 1/23)
• Banana Republic Factory – 40% off everything plus extra 20% off purchase
• Club Monaco – Extra 60% off all sale
• Eloquii – $19+ select styles; 40% off everything else
• Everlane – Up to 70% off sale; reader favorites include the Dream Pant, their ReNew Transit backpack, silk blouses and their oversized blazers!
• J.Crew – Winter layers $24.50+; select cashmere from $49.50; up to extra 60% sale styles — readers love this blazer, this blazer, these pants, and their sweater blazers
• J.Crew Factory – Extra 70% off clearance; up to 60% off everything; readers love the schoolboy sweater blazer
• Lands’ End – Sleepwear from $19; 60% off everything else plus free shipping
• Nordstrom – 5x the points on beauty; sale, new markdowns added
• Reiss – Up to 60% off
• Talbots – Extra 60% off markdown sweaters, coats, scarves, and shoes; 50% off all other markdowns (here are all the reader favorites at Talbots)

The post Coffee Break: Banana Heel Boot appeared first on Corporette.com.

We’ve rounded up the best wide-leg pants to wear to work, and discussed the latest toe shapes for work outfits, but we haven’t talked about the best shoes to wear with wide-leg pants. So let’s get into it!

Readers, what are you favorite shoes to wear with wide leg pants? Here are some of my thoughts…

The Best Shoes to Wear with Wide Leg Pants

It can be tricky to know what shoes to wear with wide-leg pants. After all, ankle pants for work were so easy because you didn’t need to worry about tripping on your hem, and you could easily switch between flats, heels, and boots.

Wide-leg pants can be a bit different — how they are hemmed is crucial, and the best shoes to wear with them are shoes that you intended to wear when you hemmed the pants.

If you want to wear flats with your wide-leg leg pants, then great — but you should take the shoes with you when you want to get your pants tailored. You can still switch between different pairs of shoes, such as commuting in sneakers, then switching to a pointy-toe flat or a very low pointy-toe heel at the office — I always thought kitten heels worked great with pants I had hemmed to wear with flats.

If you prefer to wear your wide-leg pants with heels, again, great, but make sure you take the exact pair with you to get them hemmed, because there can be a lot of difference between a 1″ heel and a 4″ heel. You can still commute comfortably with wide-leg pants altered for heels, such as by wearing a shoe with a platform, whether it’s platform sneakers, wedge sneakers, or “comfort shoe” brands like FLY London, Dansko, Eileen Fisher, and Børn.

Overall, the best toe shape to wear with wide-leg pants is a pointy-toe shoe, whether it’s a flat, heel, or boot. (Square-toed sandals were also styled with a lot of wide-leg pants, but sandals are not appropriate for every office, so know yours!)

Which Shoes Should You Not Wear with Wide Leg Pants?

For my $.02, I would not wear round-toe shoes with wide-leg pants, and I think even almond-toe shoes can look a bit dowdy. Square-toe shoes might work but that’s highly dependent on the exact shoe you’re wearing. I tend to think that a square-toe shoe that has an elongated toe box (but a squared-off tip instead of a pointy tip) would look the best. (There are some Tory Burch loafers that come to mind here!)

In general, be careful if you’re wearing a skinny, stiletto heel with wide-leg pants — if you have a wide hem in your pants your heel may get caught on your hem. (Ask me how I know.)

Can You Wear Loafers with Wide Leg Pants?

You could do this, but in general loafers look best with cropped wide-leg pants — if they are full-length pants, I think loafers only work if you have a pointy toe or other elongated toe box.

(You can, of course, wear comfortable loafers on your commute if the hem length works with the shoes.)

Can You Wear Mules with Wide Leg Pants?

You absolutely can wear pointy-toe mules with wide-leg pants, but note that because the shoe has no back, you may end up getting the back hem caught under your foot while walking. (Maybe this is a me problem, though? Hmmn.)

Can You Wear Sneakers with Wide Leg Pants for Work Outfits?

If your pants are hemmed correctly for your sneakers, absolutely — but keep in mind that sneakers are not appropriate for every office, so know yours. I’ve seen bright white sneakers styled with wide-leg pants, as well as Converse or other classic sneakers. (We just rounded up a bunch of bright white sneakers for work outfits!)

Personally, I think low-profile sneakers look best styled with wide-leg pants, as opposed to big, chunky athletic shoes. (Put the Hokas away, in other words.)

How to Hem Wide Leg Pants

Wide-leg trousers should be hemmed so that, while standing straight, the bottom back of your pant ends about a half-inch above the floor; in the front, the hem of your pant should hit around the toe box. Depending on drape and fabric, they might have a break in them or they might not.

The goal is to avoid having them too short — the top of your foot closest to your ankle should not be showing. You also want to avoid them being too long, though — in addition to you looking like you don’t know that tailors exist, your pants are going to get incredibly dirty and worn, incredibly quickly.

Two other pieces of advice for tailoring wide-leg pants: If you plan to throw your pants into the dryer, you may want to wash and dry them before you get them hemmed, just in case there’s some shrinkage.

The other piece of advice is that if you don’t like the pockets on your wide-leg pant, you can sew them down. Personally I’ve never been a fan of slant pockets or on-seam side pockets because they end up making me look incredibly hippy, so I’ve always sewn most of the pockets shut. In theory you could cut the pocket out entirely so it doesn’t get bunched up inside your pant, but I’ve never had a problem just manually smoothing out the pocket.

Some of Our Favorite Latest Wide Leg Pants

Hunting for more wide-leg pants to wear to work? We just rounded some up, and general favorites include pleated pairs like Favorite Daughter, Everlane*, Reformation*, and Abercrombie*, with flat-front pairs from Good American,* M.M.LaFleur, and Ann Taylor. (* = plus sizes; see the post for notes on petites and talls). We’ve also shared our thoughts on what shoes to wear with wide-leg pants! Our latest favorite wide-leg pants include these (as of 2024):

Some of Our Latest Favorite Pointy-Toed Shoes

Some of our latest favorite pointy-toed shoes include these options (as of 2023):

Some of Our Latest Favorite Low-Profile Sneakers

These are our latest favorite low-profile sneakers! Note that these tend to be more casual, so know your office! (Check out all of our latest favorite sneakers for work outfits here.)

Boots for Work Outfits with Wide Pants

As of 2024, some of our favorite general boots for work outfits include the ones below…

Stock photo via Deposit Photos / AG Creative Lab.

The post What Shoes to Wear with Wide-Leg Pants appeared first on Corporette.com.

OK, that may be a weird question, but hopefully you know what I mean — in 2024, are you wearing pointy-toed shoes? Almond toes? Square toes? Round toes? It feels like everything is available, and I’m curious — what are you personally finding works with most of your outfits?

What Toe Shapes Are You Wearing in 2024?

For my $.02, I’m always a fan of pointy-toed shoes — I think they give a leg-lengthening look and look great beneath so many of the wide legs that we’re seeing now.

I think my next favorite is square toe, particularly for boots and flats — something about it feels really modern and fresh.

Readers, what are your thoughts?

Pictured at top: boot / pump / flat

A Few of Our Favorite Pointy-Toed Shoes

Some of our latest favorite pointy-toed shoes include these options (as of 2023):

A Few of Our Favorite Square-Toed Shoes

A Few Of Our Favorite Almond-Toed Shoes

These are some of our latest favorite almond-toed shoes for work…

A Few of Our Favorite Round-Toed Shoes for Work

Round-toed shoes are a classic for work! Some of our long-standing favorites include these:

The post What Toe Shapes Are You Wearing Most? appeared first on Corporette.com.

I’m a bit excited… denim trousers are back after about 15 years. When they were last in style, they were a natural thing to wear to work on jeans-appropriate days because they’re a bit more polished than other denim. There are a ton cropping up all over the place right now, so let’s discuss how to wear denim trousers (and when you can wear them to work).

Pictured above: ASKK NY/ Sézanne / Le Jean / J.Crew / Boss

What Are Denim Trousers?

Denim trousers are pants that are made from denim but have more in common with trousers than jeans. Instead of the usual 5-pocket setup that jeans have, denim trousers have slant pockets on the side. Back pockets can vary — there may be none at all, they may be welt pockets like you see on trousers (maybe with a zipper, flap, or tab), or they may be patch pockets or pockets with some detail like an inverted pleat.

Denim trousers are almost a wide-leg style — usually the hem is finished (not raw) and there may be a cuff. Like trousers, denim trousers often have a crisp pleat or pintuck detail down the front of the pants; a lot of the ones we’re seeing right now have pleats that start at the waist.

The whole point to denim trousers is that they have a more polished look than regular denim, so most denim trousers do not have distressed features like rips or raw hems.

Denim trousers may be a mix of different fabrics, as well, so the trousers have better drape (or a crisper pleat) than regular jeans.

How Are Denim Trousers Different From Wide Leg Jeans?

The pockets are the main difference between the two kinds of jean styles — denim trousers very rarely have the traditional 5-pocket style, while wide-leg jeans often do have 5-pockets.

Are Denim Trousers the Same as Trouser Jeans?

“Trouser jeans” often have the traditional 5-pocket style but may share traits with denim trousers like pleated legs or a wide leg.

Can You Wear Denim Trousers to Work?

As always, know your office — so don’t assume you can wear denim trousers to work. If your office always allows jeans (or allows jeans on Fridays), I think it’s pretty safe to assume that yes, you can wear denim trousers to work.

Genearlly, dark-rinse denim is the most appropriate denim for work, but a lighter rinse of denim trouser should be more appropriate than a lighter rinse of denim jeans.

Are Denim Trousers Business Casual?

Denim trousers will not fly in every business casual office — it heavily depends on your actual office. Here’s our general rule of thumb: If you’re new at the office, look to a mid-level, not the boss, to see what to wear.

The theory here is that the boss has earned the right to wear whatever the heck she wants to, and a mid-level is a better gauge of fashion trends like this because she has a better sense of what to wear to the office, as well as how her superiors may want the business represented in meetings with clients, customers, and other third parties.

{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}

How to Wear Denim Trousers

Denim trousers are really easy to wear, but there are some important parts to get right!

How to Hem Denim Trousers

Denim trousers should be hemmed like other trousers so that the back hem of the pant is about a half inch above the floor, which means that the front should either fall straight to around your toes, or maybe have a slight break in the leg.

Thus, it is absolutely vital that you take the shoes you intend to wear with you to get your denim trousers hemmed. (Note that some stores offer free alterations, including Nordstrom!)

Once you have them hemmed, you generally do have to stick to the same height as the shoes you generally intend to wear with them. That said, there are a few good tricks around this if you want to switch between flats and heels. For example:

• If you mostly plan to wear them with flat sneakers (think Adidas or Veja) but want to occasionally wear them with heels, you’re going to want to go for low heels in the 1-2″ range.
• If you plan to wear them with heels but want something comfortable for your commute, you can switch into shoes with a platform (such as lug-soled loafers or boots), or some of the “comfort” shoes with a wedge heel, as seen on brands like FLY London, Dansko, Eileen Fisher, or Børn. Another option: wedge sneakers.

One more important alteration note for denim trousers: If the pants have slant pockets and you don’t like them, you can ask a tailor to just sew the pockets down. (In fact, they may come from the store already sewn, and you could choose just not to open them.)

What Shoes to Wear with Denim Trousers

I think the most important question here is whether your shoes are playing nicely with the hem of your denim trousers as noted above — not that much shoe should be showing! That said, be wary of stiletto heels, which can get caught in a heavy denim hem — and I always think a pointed toe or almost-pointed toe looks best.

Some sneakers can look OK with denim trousers, but I would say they’re some of the flattest, lowest ones like Adidas. Loafers can be a difficult look with denim trousers, as can round-toe ballet shoes…

What Tops to Wear With Denim Trousers

For my $.02, I think this heavily depends on the waistline and pleat situation of the pants themselves, as well as what look you want. A cropped top would be fine for a casual look. You could elevate that same look in theory by wearing a third piece that is cropped instead, such as a cropped cardigan or cropped Chanel-like jacket, while pairing it with a sleek bodysuit or fitted, tucked-in top beneath that.

Some blouses are available as work-appropriate bodysuits, which would be a great way to get that really fitted look you see in a lot of the pictures below.

If neither the cropped nor “super fitted” look is for you, you definitely can go for a regular, elevated T-shirt or simple sweater with the denim trousers. You may want to consider a half-tuck, but it’s ok to play with it a bit and decide what’s right for you.

Can You Wear Blazers with Denim Trousers?

I see no reason why you couldn’t wear blazers with denim trousers… That said, though, I would probably avoid a matched denim blazer, even though I have seen that look also recently. I also think that if the pleats start at the waist then you really need to watch the proportions — I think you’ll have a much easier time pairing a blazer with denim trousers that have a flat front.

Where to Find Denim Trousers in 2023

They’re really everywhere! Some of my favorites I’ve begun noticing just in the past few weeks:

As of 2024, there are some great denim trousers at Nordstrom, J.Crew, Ann Taylor, and Sézanne – what are your favorites?

Specific Styles to Wear with Denim Trousers

Wear Bodysuits with Denim Trousers

If you want a sleek, polished look, don’t miss out on the classic bodysuits for work outfits. Some of our 2024 favorites include Everlane, MangoPop, Paige, Commando, SKIMS, Madewell, and Wolford. You can also try these unusual suspenders to keep shirts tucked neatly!

Wear Chanel-Style Jackets with Denim Trousers

Some of our latest favorite Chanel-style jackets for work in 2024 include these, but in general check brands like Chanel, St. John, IRO, L’Agence, and Sandro. On the budget side of things, check out Mango, Express, and White House Black Market.

Wear Cropped Cardigans and Cropped Sweater Jackets with Denim Trousers

Stay tuned for our roundup — right now the big one that comes to mind is this J.Crew sweater.

Wear Elevated T-Shirts with Denim Trousers

Looking for the best work-appropriate T-shirts? As of 2024, some of our favorite dressy T-shirts for work are from Amazon Essentials, Theory, Everlane, J.Crew, Banana Republic, and Vince — also check our posts on opaque white tees and the best plus-size tees for work!

Wear Simple Sweaters with Denim Trousers

Stay tuned for our roundup of general sweaters for work, but these are some of our favorite cashmere sweaters:

Simple sweater tees are another good option, especially for warmer weather…

Wear Pointy-Toed Shoes with Denim Trousers

Some of our latest favorite pointy-toed shoes include these options (as of 2023):

Wear Sneakers with Denim Trousers

Low-profile sneakers look better with denim trousers compared to stacked sneakers, IMHO…

These are our latest favorite low-profile sneakers! Note that these tend to be more casual, so know your office! (Check out all of our latest favorite sneakers for work outfits here.)

The post How to Wear Denim Trousers appeared first on Corporette.com.

White blazers have always been a spring and summer staple for me. They make everything in my wardrobe look fresher, they provide needed warmth when the weather can be unpredictable, and they’re a great way to add polish to an outfit.

There are, of course, some great basic white blazers we love — but there are a few other interesting styles out right now, so I thought I’d round them up.

Readers, are you wearing white blazers this year? What are your favorite white blazers? (And what are your best tips for keeping them white?)

Classic White Blazers for Summer

Before we get started on the more trendy styles, here are some of our favorite blazers that come in white…

Note that the big risk with a more classic blazer style is that you’ll feel like you’re dressing up as a doctor for the day — so avoid combining lapels, patch pockets, and below-the-hip length details in blazers if you can help it.

Trendy White Blazers for 2023

White Sweater Blazers

Sweater jackets for the office have been a trend for years, now, and it’s nice to see that’s carrying through to white blazers as well.

The pictured blazer is $395 from L’Agence.

Two other options: Summersalt’s sweater blazer looks great and is $125; the Woolf jardigan also comes in ivory for $295.

Shrunken White Blazers

Shrunken blazers have always been a great option for white blazers because they avoid the “Are you a doctor?” look. I’m loving this linen blazer from Theory — those bracelet-length sleeves look fabulous.

The pictured blazer is $425 at Nordstrom.

Two other options: J.Crew Factory’s two-button blazer has a shrunken fit, is available up to size 24, and is $198 full price (but frequently on sale). Meanwhile, Ann Taylor’s Newbury Blazer also has a shrunken fit (and comes in petites!) for $169.

(Looooooove this fitted white jacket from The Fold, for $785.)

Cropped White Blazers

I always think of Abercrombie & Fitch with the cropped blazer trend, but I’ve noticed them at a lot of stores lately. The one above is from Boss, available at Nordstrom for $495.

Similar options include J.Crew’s Odette sweater lady jacket, which is $178 and available up to size 3X; Banana Republic also has a cropped suit blazer marked to $78 today and available in regular and petites. Kohl’s also has a cropped white blazer from Nine West for $48.

Double-Breasted White Blazers

Double-breasted blazers have been a trend for a while now, and they continue into the summer. This Veronica Beard one looks gorgeous — it’s $695 at Nordstrom.

For similar options look to Reiss ($545), BCBGMAXAZRIA ($328), and Steve Madden ($99). I especially like this one from Halogen ($129) — it has faux black leather details on the pockets and lapels so it’s got a more unique look. This one from Banana Republic Factory is under $100 and available in petite and regular sizes 0-18.

Tie-Front White Blazers

I’m not seeing this trend too many places, but I like it: the tie-front blazer. This particular one from City Chic is lovely — I love the collarless blazer, and the white bow simultaneously cinches you at the waist, makes it more feminine but not too frilly, and sidesteps the whole “doctor” problem immediately.

The jacket is $119 and comes in four colors at Nordstrom.

Here’s a similar option in sizes 2-16, from Calvin Klein; it’s at Dillards for $159.

Readers, which are your favorite blazer trends of the moment? What kind of white blazers are you wearing this summer?

The post 5 Fresh Ways to Wear White Blazers appeared first on Corporette.com.

Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.

Here’s a timely question, readers: Which are the best sneakers for work outfits? When are “sneakers for work” appropriate in your offices? Do you think there’s a generational divide here?

Here at Corporette, we’ve always taken the position that sneakers are fine — for your commute. I certainly wore my Chucks with suits on a lot of commutes, and kind of thought it was a cute look… again, for my commute. But retailers have been showing sneakers with outfits for years (some of the product photos we’ve featured are pictured below), so I thought it was prime time for a discussion.

Readers even recently had a threadjack pondering this issue (with several saying sneakers were never appropriate for work outfits). I’ve included some of the choices from Team Sneakers for Work below.

{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}

Table of Contents:

• The Best Sneakers to Wear with Work Outfits in 2024
• The Best Overall Sneakers for Work Outfits: Cole Haan (read our thoughts / buy)
• The Best Affordable Sneakers for Work: Cariuma (read our thoughts / buy)
• The Best Classic Sneakers for Work: Superga (read our thoughts / buy)
• The Best Athletic Sneakers for Work: J.Crew (read our thoughts / buy)
• The Best Comfort Sneakers for the Office: Vionic (read our thoughts / buy)
• The Best Sneakers for Lousy Weather On Your Commute: AllBirds (read our thoughts / buy)
• The Best Pricey Sneaker for Work ($$$): Tory Burch (read our thoughts / buy)
• The Best Fancy Sneaker for Work ($$$$): Loewe (read our thoughts / buy)
• What to Look For in Sneakers to Wear with Work Outfits
• How to Keep Your Sneakers Looking Clean
• Sneakers For Your Commute
• Weekend Sneakers

The Best Sneakers to Wear to Work in 2024

Without further ado, here are our favorite sneakers to wear to work in 2024!

Best Overall Sneakers for Work Outfits

Cole Haan Grand Pro Topspin

I think this sneaker meets all of the qualifications we’re looking for in an office-appropriate sneaker — in particular, the contrasting details such as the beige leather strip around the sole and the lighter beige details on the tongue and back of the shoe are great standouts.

The other HUGE pro here is that Cole Haan is an established, safe brand that is known for making office-appropriate shoes for both men and women — which means that your non-fashion-y boss will almost certainly have seen the shoes if they’ve been in a store recently.

Another great option here: Cole Haan’s oxford sneakers, available in a wide range of colors for both women and men, are $170 at spots like Zappos.

Best Affordable Sneakers for Work

Cariuma OC Low

$79 at Cariuma

Cariumas are consciously made in ethical factories, using natural premium materials, with carbon neutral shipping — and more. The look to old-school sneakers isn’t by accident — they’ve branded themselves as “old-school looks; new school ethics.” Accordingly, the rubber used is collected through an ethical tapping, the vegan insole is made from cork, and the cotton is all organic.

The shoes are $79, available in sizes 5-13 in canvas, suede, leather, and a TON of colors.

Looking for something even MORE affordable? Check out the old-school classics such as Converse, Superga, Keds, or more.

The Best Classic Sneakers for Work

Superga Cotu

$69 at Zappos

$69 at Nordstrom

Like a lot of the “classic” sneakers, the Superga has been around for a loooong time. According to the Nordstrom product page:

“founder Walter Martiny designed the first Superga sneaker in Torino, Italy, in 1911. But it wasn’t until 1925 that he expanded his collection to include vulcanized-rubber soles, and in doing so created the now-iconic 2750 tennis shoe. The brand’s classic minimalist styles and new hits—beloved by Italians for weekends and getaways — now count fans all around the world.”

For some reason, I always associate Superga with Extremely Fashionable People (perhaps because I’ve always been a Converse girl myself). Any of the classics can work, though, especially if they’re part of your personality and you’re comfortable with them.

The Best Athletic Sneakers for Work

J.Crew Colorblock Trainers

$89-$118 at J.Crew

Know your office very well before you try to wear an athletic-looking sneaker to work as part of your outfit. A lot of older people in the workforce will strongly associate this with movies like Working Girl, where the heroine commuted from Staten Island into the city wearing white sneakers with black hose.

THAT SAID, I’m seeing J.Crew colorblock trainers everywhere (particularly this beige-on-beige one pictured), so they deserve a mention.

There are a TON of different options in terms of colorways — for the office I’d keep it relatively neutral. (These particular shoes are 50% off full price at the moment, so if you’re interested, now is the time!)

The Best Comfort Sneakers for the Office

Vionic Zinah

$119 at Amazon

There are, of course, a ton of options for the most comfortable sneaker. VIONIC has built-in arch support, as well as a podiatrist-designed footbed.

Here’s how the company describes their comfort system:

“The innovative biomechanics of THREE-ZONE COMFORT deliver enhanced stability with a deep heel cup, superior forefoot cushioning, and ultimate arch support midsole. These essential contact points hug your foot’s natural curves in all of our casual, dress, active, and slipper styles.”

If you have foot issues, this is definitely one of the top brands to check out. They’re available in whole sizes 5-11 for $120.

Other great comfort options: Vionic makes insoles, so you can add those to any shoe of your choosing. AllBirds (below) also get rave reviews for comfort, and readers have also sung the praises of Kizik shoes.

The Best Sneakers for Lousy Weather On Your Commute

AllBirds Mizzle Shoes

$125-$165 at AllBirds

Readers have noted that they really love their Allbirds to wear with work outfits, singing the praises of the extreme comfort of the brand. Their water-repellent shoes are renowned for being great in bad weather, so they’re getting our pick for the best sneakers for lousy weather on your commute.

As the company notes, they’ve combined “cozy ZQ Merino wool and a bio-based water repellent shield [so that] our rain-ready sneaker keeps your feet predictably dry in unpredictable weather.” Nice.

They’re available in whole sizes 5-11, in both classic and limited edition colors, for $125-$165 (depending on the style of shoe).

Rothy’s has similar styles that are washable.

The Best Pricey Sneaker for Work ($$$)

Tory Burch Ladybug

$288 at Zappos

$288 at Tory Burch

There are a lot of pricey middle options! Tory Burch has some of my favorites, though — not only are they at the more affordable end of this range (roughly $250-$500), but they’re simple yet elevated.

The Ladybug sneaker comes in a bunch of different colorways, but they’re all predominantly white sneakers.

Reviewers call the sneakers “quite comfortable” and note that they “look super cute with dresses!”

They’re available in half-sizes 5-11 for $288.

Another nice option from Tory Burch: the slightly more athletic-looking Hank sneakers. Other option in this middle price range from other brands include P448, Common Project, Rag & Bone, and Acne Studios.

The Best Fancy Sneaker for Work ($$$$)

Loewe Flow Runner Sneakers

$790 at Bergdorf Goodman

$690-$790 at Saks

There are a lot of options for Very Fancy sneakers if you’re looking to spend a lot of money — Golden Goose, Gucci, Chloé, Maison Margiela, and more. For my $.02, my vote goes to the Loewe Flow sneakers.

Yes, they’re much more athletic-looking than a lot of the other sneakers we’ve featured… but the distinctive cursive L, the multicolored sole, the colorblocking, the leather and rubber details — all of this adds up to a *chef’s kiss* beautiful sneaker.

What to Look For in Sneakers to Wear with Work Outfits

Here are the things I think you should look for in work sneakers:

• They don’t look like they were run over in the street.
• They’re not super chunky/athletic.
• Look for a design that is just a BIT more than your basic white sneaker — interesting stitching, a contrasting detail

If you need outfit inspiration advice, we highly recommend watching the movie I Care A Lot (currently streaming on Netflix) — lots of colorful suits worn with sneakers.

As always, the most important part of knowing which sneaker to wear to work is knowing your office. Our advice here is the same as it always is: Look to the mid-levels above you for fashion inspiration, not the CEO, partners, or other C-suite people — they’ve earned the right to wear whatever they want.

For example, in a March 2023 conversation, some readers noted that Golden Gooses were great for their office, but others noted that a “distressed” shoe, no matter how expensive, just wasn’t appropriate for their offices.

Another important thing to note: When you wear sneakers to work may be highly dependent on what kind of day you’re having, who you’re meeting with, and more. You may want to keep a pair of neutral flats or heels in your office just in case — here are some of our latest roundups of comfortable work heels, as well as the most comfortable flats for work.

(Another note: If your bosses are “non-fashion people” and tend to be a bit curmudgeonly, tread really carefully before wearing sneakers to work.)

How to Keep Your Sneakers Looking Clean

Whatever sneakers you’re wearing, we love this reader trick: Magic Erasers work great on cleaning dingier white soles and sometimes white leather also.

A lot of brands are also making washable sneakers (notably, Rothy’s and Allbirds) — and you can get a specialized bag for your washing machine so they don’t knock around.

{related: check out our roundups of foldable flats and washable flats!}

Sneakers For Your Commute

For my $.02, a lot of the newer (expensive!) sneakers look like the kind of thing I kept in my gym locker in middle school — they were so fugly they could stay at school because I’d never want to wear them elsewhere. But obviously, tastes and styles change, and after a bit of adjustment (and seeing it enough places), those of us on the older side adapt. This is partly why I’ve always suggested being really wary of a new trend or aesthetic that wasn’t popular five years ago — but at the rate that fashion moves these days, that may be difficult (and, I suppose, another vote for classic style for work outfits because you’re more likely to get more wear out of them).

Commuting Shoes: Sneaker Flats That Will Blend in With Trousers

The main claim to fame for these kinds of sneaker flats is that if you’re working in a really conservative office and want to wear comfortable shoes for your commute, but not have a coworker look too closely and think, “Hey, there she is in her sneakers again,” these will blend in. (We’ve even had conversations in the past about whether commuting shoes should be swapped in the lobby or even outside your office building!)

I will freely admit that these are not chosen because they’re “cute” — many are pretty hideous, in my opinion. But they blend with work clothes and are comfortable, and lightweight enough to carry in your bag if you want to.

Reader favorites that have been called out over the years:

Note that if your trousers are hemmed to wear with heels, these shoes might not be the best because your hems might drag on the ground — you could either look for platform sneakers, or go for commuting shoes like comfort brands with chunky heels such as FLY London, Dansko, Eileen Fisher, and Børn.

Sneaker Sneakers for Weekends: The Classics

We’ve actually had a conversation about what your weekend sneakers say about you — some of the “classic” sneakers we discussed are below…

Pictured below (by color), Row 1: black / gray / gray / white; Row 2: white / white / green / black

What do you think, readers: Are you on Team Sneakers for Work, or on Team Please Wear Shoes? Where would you draw the line for which sneakers are acceptable for work and which aren’t? (For example, certain colors like white or black, only “well taken care of sneakers,” sneakers with a specific sole color (e.g., the way that historically, heels with a cork sole aren’t appropriate for work?)

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!

Stock photos via Pexels / Godisable Jacob.

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