
What boots are acceptable for the workplace in 2023? Have the foundations modified for conservative workplaces — and for enterprise informal workplaces? Buckles, cork heels, lug soles, harness straps, and extra… let’s talk about.
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The Previous Rule: Solely Easy, Traditional Boots for the Workplace
The outdated rule was once that, for a conservative workplace, the boot must be as near plain leather-based as doable. Easy! Not a dialog level! In years previous we’ve talked about how any of the next gadgets have been finest to keep away from for a really conservative workplace:
- Ornamental buckles and harness-type straps, whether or not on the toes, vamp, or tops of trainers
- Ornamental detailing, embroidery, or patchworked items, both in the identical colour/material or completely different colour/material
- Footwear with a dip within the entrance, like cowboy boots (typically known as a “curved topline”)
- Heels which might be a distinct colour from the remainder of the boot, comparable to a brown picket heel with a black suede boot, a pink rubber heel on a black boot, cork heels, and so forth. I feel I even bear in mind some readers not liking a strip alongside the underside of the heel, like this Blondo boot, that attracts consideration to the boot.
- Knee-high boots — YES, REALLY!! I nonetheless snicker to recollect a dialog I had with a good friend from regulation evaluate, as we have been taking BarBri courses — she had a tongue ring, for goodness sake! — whereby she urged that solely intercourse staff wore knee-high boots. This was really a factor again then — Condoleeza Rice was accused of wanting like a “dominatrix” in 2005 when she wore an all-black outfit with knee-high boots, and as not too long ago as 2011 reporters questioned if Michelle Obama’s knee-high boots have been acceptable for a Veterans’ Day service.
- Over-the-knee boots — Right here’s our final dialogue on OTK boots for work… I’m actually curious the place most individuals fall on these for work and different conservative environments in 2023! I wore some tan OTK boots to my youngest son’s First Communion final 12 months, for what it’s value (worn with a knee-length black gown), nevertheless it was a really small class.
What Boots are Acceptable for the Workplace in 2023?
Readers, what are your ideas? The place do you draw the road for boots on the workplace in 2023? Which of your boots for the workplace are NOT easy leather-based with out buckles, adornments, and extra? Do you put on OTK boots to the workplace? (With skirts or pants?) What components matter to you whenever you’re shopping for new boots to put on to work?
Just a few boots for example the above questions, all from the NAS…

Inventory picture through Deposit Photographs / xcai.