Women at Work: Top 5 Footwear No-Nos

I've always thought you could tell a lot about someone by looking at the shoes they wear.  When I interviewed women for my event planning firm, I would always take note of their overall style - but paid special attention to their shoes.  If a gal showed up with scuffed open-toed heels in the middle of winter, I questioned her ability to ascertain the practical details of the job.

So let's start with a some general guidelines...

Top 5 Rules for Women's Work Shoes:
5. No Crocs with socks.  Just quit it.  
The only exception here is if you work in the medical field or another industry where this is standard.  You ladies get a free pass.

4. Nothing over 3 -3 1/2 inches.  
The only exception here is if you work in the adult entertainment industry.

3. Stay away from extreme platforms.  A good rule of thumb would be maximum of 1/4 to maybe 1/2 inch.
Again, the adult industry gals get a free pass here as well.

2. Consider quality materials.  
Leather, suede, and other like materials are great options for days with important meetings.

1. Don't buy your best work shoes at the same place you buy your groceries.
I love Target just as much as the next girl.  But if you have a big board meeting or a showing with a potential client, choose classic shoes that look like you spent a great deal of money on them (only you need to know you scored a great deal at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!)  Save the Target shoes for your day full of paperwork (we all have them).

Here are a few of my picks for office-appropriate footwear considering some of the current trends!

Color Block: 1 and 2

Wild Side: 1 and 2

Snakeskin: 1 and 2

What are your thoughts about women's footwear at work?  

Do you think that there are certain "rules" for work footwear?  

Is your work environment a place where anything goes?

Thanks so much for reading!!  

XO - Marion

image credit: Elle