"Businessy" flats for class?

Plushpenguin

I'm gonna be taking some management night courses at my culinary school and there's a little cooking involved, so we have to wear regulation shoes. The pamphlet actually says "oxfords". I think that the writer of the pamphlet just has a limited shoe vocabulary, and what they really mean to say is flat, dark colored, serious, sensible shoes. Believe it or not, I don't own any shoes of that description. Sometimes we will be wearing a chefs uniform, so I don't want any patent or flashy details. It would just be silly. I realize fashion is not the top priority in this case, but if I can choose something that doesn't look terrible, why shouldn't I? They'll need to be comfy, and safe, with good grip. My prejudice against sensible flat shoes put's me at a disadvantage. Any ideas?

17 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from Inge

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Culinary school, now I'm intrigued Plushpenguin!

A few questions:
- will you be wearing these shoes with pants only or skirts/dresses as well?
- would a small heel or wedge be alright, or do you only want completely flat shoes?
- how high does the vamp need to be?

For example, would something like the Incite or Karina from the Miz Mooz fall collection work?
http://www.miz-mooz.com/

17 years ago

Plushpenguin

Active Member

I'll only be wearing them with pants, and I'll probably only be wearing them to class, but I'll
have to keep them on for the long commute, and if I go out somewhere after class. That's the main reason I don't want them to be really ugly. I think they probably won't be to strict about perfectly flat shoes, but I think anything over one inch might be a problem.
Wedges would be okay, but I should probably stick with brown or black shoes.

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

Hmmm. So if you really think you'd only wear the shoes for class: Are you sure you want to spend a lot of money on them? I'd probably just go to Payless Shoes and buy some boring black flats, take them in a bag to and from class (do you *have* to wear them on the commute or for going out after class?), and save my money for stylish shoes you actually like and will wear all the time.

17 years ago

Plushpenguin

Active Member

Thanks, I was thinking of that, but I found a flaw in my plan. Turns out they probably really do want us to wear oxfords. I finally bothered googling "oxfords", and I don't like what I turned up. When I think of oxfords I think of this: http://www.overstock.com/Cloth.....-6017950-2
which is bad enough. But almost all the results actually looked like this: http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Sk.....d:51,pos:1
Basically a very sturdy cross between a "dress" shoe, a work boot, and a sneaker. Ugh, I definitely won't wear these out to a restaurant after class. I don't think there's a way I can spin this into a positive, but I'll probably still do what I always do, and try to find the least hideous pair, not that there's even a point.

17 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

I don't know if ballet flats would have enough of a grip, but people have been raving about how comfortable the Me Too's are, AND they're cute!-)

Just a few ideas:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/34833922/c/21549.html
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/32222870/c/21549.html
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/31698630/c/59181.html
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/35398738/c/72.html
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/36752410/c/110.html
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/35358150/c/72.html
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/36243727/c/72.html
http://www.piperlime.com/brows.....=594595002
http://www.onlineshoes.com/pro.....cid=123942
http://www.onlineshoes.com/pro.....cid=117514

Camper and Aerosoles might be worth checking out as well.
Admittedly, not the most exciting shoes ever, but maybe this might give you some inspiration? There are of course daintier and prettier options, but I wasn't sure if they would be suitable for this.
Oh, and maybe a darker grey would work too?

17 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

I just saw your response to Antje's post, so the above might not be suitable at all.

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Hmm, this is a tough situation. Can you clarify with them what they exactly mean, do shoes really have to lace-up like proper oxfords. And also, you can poll your classmates to see what they would be doing.

17 years ago

Plushpenguin

Active Member

I plan to weasel around the rule as best as possible by looking for typical lace-up booties instead of the shoes usually sold as "oxfords", which look more like short work boots.

17 years ago

shell

Active Member

although they're only requiring these shoes for this class, you may be required to wear them in the workplace. i have a couple friends who are cooks/chefs - i never know what to call them - and they wear shoes similar to the ones you linked that you keep finding when you search for oxfords. so, i guess id keep that in mind before you go and buy just a cheap pair. plus, you have to keep comfort in mind when youre working in a kitchen. sometimes you do have to go with function over form.

17 years ago

Plushpenguin

Active Member

Inge, sorry to take so long to respond, but those are all pretty cute and appropriate. I'm gonna get the first pair, wear them to class, and see if anyone says anything. Their really cute, but the only problem is that they seem to be made of that certain kind of leather that
creases in a really ugly way after only a few wears. Hopefully they'll take the abuse.

17 years ago

Monica

Active Member

Here's a late thought. A chef friend of mine wears Dansko clogs to work, like these: http://www.dansko.com/html/det.....ofessional

They're not what I'd call cute, but they're better than those work boot things, in my estimation. If you don't have to wear lace-ups, they might be worth a try.

17 years ago

Anonymous

If I had to be on my feet all day in a work situation I would wear Dansko's. They are sturdy, yet bouncy, a great mix for happy feet. They also make other styles besides the clogs, that do lace up. They make a lot of styles, even sandals.
The clog style is not as bouncy as the other type of sole. The clogs are comfortable enough that you forget you are wearing shoes, but the other sole I think feels better. I think they would last for a long long time in a work situation also.

17 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

No problem at all, I hope they work out for you.

Monica and San have a point though: I used to work weekends as a 'cook' in a restaurant kitchen during my student years and being on your feet about 7 hours a night (I don't know what your situation will be) is very tiring, you definitely need comfortable footwear with some decent support (that coming from someone who usually just wore sneakers then, oh well, my feet were young and so was I;-))

17 years ago

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