I just started interning and it’s my first office job (Yay!) but most of the clothes I feel comfortable wearing are not really office attire. Especially shoes. I have no “appropriate” shoes because shoes have always been a particular source of sensory issues so I wear the same black pair of mesh trainers. I have to commute in a big city so I end up walking a decent amount, and shoes that are tight and/or heavy really mess with my focus.
Do you guys have any advice on how to find comfortable shoes that are at least a bit more office appropriate? Maybe solid clean white sneakers? For reference I’m female.
Kinda off topic but I hate standard shoes because for whatever reason it’s widely accepted that we should not use our whole foot, crush the pinkie toe, and deform the foot for life. I don’t get it. No wonder so many people have foot problems later in life.
I wear shoes that allow my toes to spread out completely. Xero is what I use for now but since this is a shoe discussion I’m interested if anyone knows of others. I only wear “barefoot” shoes for reasons above. I don’t want the accessory muscles that support my foot to atrophy.
Shoe rant concluded. That said Xero does make some professional shoes I think. I wear some around the house that have no laces and are just black, cozy.
I recently watched a YouTube essay about this and completely agree. Luckily my foot isn’t wide, so the shoes that I wear as my dailies don’t push in my pinkie toe at all even though it doesn’t have a particularly wide toe box, just a mix of soft flexible fabric and a slightly bigger size.
The video I watched does recommend a few shoes for people like you, I’d be happy to find it and send it if you’d like :)
Please do, it seems like every time I commit to a brand the owners say or do something distasteful. In expectation of that, these days I have a habit of exploring in advance. Shoes are one thing one can always use more of.
Here’s the video: https://youtu.be/Ap990027tOY?si=h3pgJMEwOSf5p-y5
For ease, here’s the list of shoes he recommends in the video description. Please note these are all affiliate links for the YouTuber as I’ve copied them from his description.
Xero: https://xeroshoes.com/go/JAKELEARY VivoBarefoot: (10% off code JAKEL10 when viewing cart) http://bit.ly/3OQibYD Tolos (10% off) https://weartolos.com/?ref=JakeLeary Wildling (handmade): https://fas.st/t/ijBYSq2N BeLenka (handmade, streetwear sub-brand BareBarics is included here) https://bit.ly/3P2rCUP Peluva (five toe sneakers that don’t look terrible, 10% code JAKELEARY) https://peluva.com/JAKELEARY
Best Price Point non-Amazon: Saguaro (10% off code JAKELEARY) https://bit.ly/3sgi4gi
Best Price Point made in North America: Splay (10% off with code LEARY) https://splayshoes.com/?ref=p6ii6mlj
Amazon Minimal Shoes Under $40 Skaso: https://amzn.to/45p7nWG Whitin (“view Whitin store” to see other models) https://amzn.to/47q4oiM Geweo: https://amzn.to/453qB4q
Wide Toebox, Thicker Soles (check the stack height and drop in shoe specs) Lems: https://bit.ly/3quE2vl Altra: https://bit.ly/444uvZB Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rYkZda
Amazon Water Shoes Under $30: $20 with holes: https://amzn.to/4424pqk $27 no holes: https://amzn.to/3OMOurn $20 with holes: https://amzn.to/47rizUI
Barefoot Dress Shoes (price: low to high) Saguaro: https://bit.ly/3OMO9VD BeLenka (handmade) https://bit.ly/442Gyqn Xero: https://bit.ly/3YurgcJ BeLenka (handmade): https://bit.ly/45p6Ofw Vivo: https://bit.ly/4497y7E
Toddler Shoes: Amazon (order full size bigger AND remove the insoles) https://amzn.to/47rYpK7 Wildling: https://bit.ly/45obKBC
Handmade Minimal Shoes: Wildling (Portugal) https://fas.st/t/ijBYSq2N Ahinsa (Czech) https://ahinsashoes.com/r?id=i1kv05 Softstar (USA) https://bit.ly/45iwE4W
Barefoot shoes for life! I have switched entirely to barefoot shoes - or at least, foot-shaped and zero drop, even if the sole is thicker - and my feet have never been happier.
Some of my favorite brands:
LEMS - good hiking shoes. Nice wide toe box, decently lightweight, don’t look too goofy.
Peerko - good all-around. Lots of looks, some casual, some nicer. Definitely avoiding the crunchy outdoor hobo and/or silly clown shoes look.
Designed by Anya - Anya was a barefoot enthusiast who eventually made her own line, with loafers and boots. Cute and comfy femme barefoot shoes.
Vivobarefoot - used to be a little on the crunchy outdoor hobo side, but some of their more recent looks have stepped up their game nicely. I really like their loafers.