WHY IT WORKS
Sandals just won’t cut it in a corporate environment – but you can still update your work shoes for summer
QMy go-to black court shoes look much too wintry when the sun is shining – but what’s the alternative?
AWhen I worked in fashion, any style of shoe went. The higher the better, the weirder the cooler, and morning meetings started with a shoe appreciation society. Switch to the more corporate environment of Downing Street, and my shoes suddenly needed to be more ‘appropriate’.
I can’t say
I wasn’t relieved – it made getting dressed in the morning much quicker and less stressful. But I did – and still do – enjoy finding twists on the classic office shoe, especially in the summer when I crave a bit of a change. There’s nothing wrong with the classic office shoe (a black or navy pump, probably suede and a low heel), but summer is a good time for a re-think. For those of you that have to dress in a conservative way for the office, a fun shoe is the perfect way to embrace the hot weather, and there’s lots of choice out there. Avoid open toes as, unless you have consistently perfectly manicured feet, they just don’t look polished enough for the office. Here’s what I’d recommend. I am a big advocate of wearing a comfortable but chic flat to the office on the commute – there are no medals for turning up at work with feet that are already aching, especially in the heat – and then bringing out your heels, whatever height, for your day at work. Who hasn’t hidden around the corner of a building before a business meeting and swapped shoes? No one needs to know – and there really is something about a pair of heels that makes you walk into a room with more confidence.
But while flats are brilliant for the commute, they’re also a necessity on those days when you just need to get a lot done – there is only so much teetering around I can put up with on a busy day. You can’t go wrong with a pair of loafers. They’re chunky enough to balance out trousers or a dress, and so much more flattering than a ballerina. A white or nude pair for summer goes with everything and looks really modern. Good footsie socks are key to wearing loafers without tights, and I think M&S do the best. Look at metallics as neutrals in the summer. A gold or silver heel in the day is perfectly acceptable, especially in a sensible low heel – Jimmy Choo’s Romy pump is a favourite of mine.
Block heels are the comfiest way to wear a heel – you could almost commute in them. Again, try to stick to neutrals or fresh white in the summer. I love the very simply pair from Whistles.
A flash of colour will brighten up your outfit, especially if you’re wearing dark suiting. Look for suede, rather than leather, as it softens bright colours; Boden have a great selection.
A simple court shoe in tan suede is a summer classic, and will go with literally any colour you wear.
Try and match the tone to your skin colour as much as possible – ASOS. com has four different ‘nude’ shades, or try Kahmune.com and Nubianskin.com for even more skin-tone shades.
To ask Isabel Spearman your workwear questions email isabel.spearman@telegraph.co.uk; Instagram: @isabelspearman