Sweatier months are coming – which means ditching closed-toed shoes in favor of sandals and other foot-freeing options.
But even with the hotter temperatures on the horizon, some women feel strongly that it’s never acceptable to get your tootsies out at the office.
TikTok has recently been alight with female employees questioning what kind of footwear is both comfortable enough to commute in and office appropriate.
FEMAIL reached out to a New York City-based stylist to find out what shoes are commuter friendly and chic – and whether it’s suitable to don sandals in a business casual environment.
Seattle-based TikTok content creator Katie Spence asked her 59,000 followers, ‘What shoes are the girlies wearing to work this summer?’
Katie showed off a few of her favorite options, including this black jelly fisherman sandal with a chunky heel, as well as a raffia version of the same style
Katie Spence, based in Seattle, Washington, makes videos as goforkady and focuses on ‘casual workwear.’
In her latest TikTok, Katie asked her 59,000 followers, ‘What shoes are the girlies wearing to work this summer?’
Katie admitted she’s been wearing the same white loafers for the last few years, but is looking for trendy new options – although she has three rules she sticks to.
‘No free feet at the office – not a hard and fast rule for me, but generally I would prefer closed or an obscured-toe shoe,’ Katie joked. The creator is also looking for ‘something comfortable enough because my feet are not shaped for shoes and everything hurts.’
The shoes also ‘need to have some height,’ which means no flats.
Katie showed off a few of her favorite options, including chunky white closed-toe sandals and a black jelly fisherman sandal with a chunky heel, as well as a raffia version of the same style.
She also displayed more traditional options, like pointy-toed pumps in white and espresso, as well as a Mary Jane with buckles and a block heel and patent loafers.
The content creator captioned the video, ‘any additional inspo of your favorite summer work shoes highly requested pls send help!!!’ and her followers were happy to weigh in with their fashion opinions.
‘No free feet at the office – not a hard and fast rule for me, but generally I would prefer closed or an obscured-toe shoe,’ Katie joked, making a Mary Jane like the one above ideal
The content creator captioned the video, ‘any additional inspo of your favorite summer work shoes highly requested pls send help!!!’ and her followers were happy to weigh in
Many people recommended wearing classic white sneakers to the office, like Dr. Scholl’s (pictured above)
‘Open-toed shoe is sooo foul in the office,’ one appalled commenter pointed out,’ as another responded, ”Foul? Yes but so is having me go into work — therefore, sandals alll summer’
‘Open-toed shoe is sooo foul in the office,’ one appalled commenter pointed out.
‘Foul? Yes but so is having me go into work — therefore, sandals all summer,’ another commenter responded.
Katie then made a follow-up video summing up everyone’s favorite options, including Rothy’s flats and clogs, penny loafers, and woven flats from Byrdies, and espadrilles.
The response she saw most often was a clean white sneaker, and she wears a platform Converse.
Many people recommended Dr. Scholl’s white platform sneaker as well as Vejas, which are a favorite with celebrities like Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton, Emma Watson, and Katie Holmes.
‘The clean white sneaker will alwayssssss be elite,’ a commenter agreed.
New York City-based personal stylist Jamie Lewis made her own TikTok about finding the perfect commuting and business casual shoe
Jamie thinks it works to opt for white sneakers like Vejas ‘as long as the rest of the outfit is elevated, such as wearing trousers or a blazer to balance to the casual look of the sneaker’
Jamie thinks it works to wear white sneakers to work ‘as long as the rest of the outfit is elevated, such as wearing trousers or a blazer to balance to the casual look’
‘I highly suggest investing in a good pair of loafers,’ Jamie said, with Katie Holmes showing off the look above
New York City-based personal stylist Jamie Lewis made her own TikTok about finding the perfect commuting shoe.
‘We don’t actually have to ruin our outfits with our commuting shoes,’ Jamie explained, before showing options ‘you don’t have to change when you get to the office.’
Jamie told DailyMail.com she loves the Mary Jane trend for commutes because ‘it’s a fun alternative to the standard flat and adds a touch of femininity to your outfit’
Jamie recommended Mary Janes, elevated metallic sneakers which work for a business casual setting, and sling backs, which would all work on the subway and at the office.
The expert told DailyMail.com she loves the Mary Jane trend for commutes because ‘it’s a fun alternative to the standard flat and adds a touch of femininity to your outfit.’
‘If Mary Jane’s aren’t your preference I highly suggest investing in a good pair of loafers – they’re just as versatile as a flat but again adds a touch more style to the outfit,’ Jamie added. ‘My favorites are from G.H Bass – great leather and no logo making them easy to wear with all of your prints.’
When it comes to the great open-toed shoes debate, Jamie thinks women can ‘absolutely’ wear sandals in the office, as long as they ‘stay away from a flip flop or anything that you would also wear to the pool.’
‘If we’re in the office I like there to be some sort of strap versus a slide,’ Jamie said, adding that she prefers ‘a touch of a block heel,’ but it’s not necessary as long as there is an ‘ankle strap or a clear distinction,’ so it doesn’t look like a shower shoe.
Jamie thinks it works to opt for white sneakers like Vejas ‘as long as the rest of the outfit is elevated, such as wearing trousers or a blazer to balance to the casual look of the sneaker.’
