https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 14:12:41 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel/page/2#post-1413083 Fri, 19 Dec 2014 01:05:33 +0000 K.M. 1413083@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>rachylou, you piqued my curiosity! I'm both a germaphobe and also fascinated by all things food. I want to hear more... and also... I probably don't! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel/page/2#post-1411970 Tue, 16 Dec 2014 18:19:03 +0000 rachylou 1411970@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, for sure, you have to take off your muddy boots... but actually going shoeless... have to admit that has always bothered me. Between my mother's admonitions about going barefoot and disease, and then working in the food industry... it *like* not an option.</p> <p>(and p.s., boy there are a lot of people whose houses I would not eat dinner at, after watching them clean at the bakery... hehe) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel/page/2#post-1411915 Tue, 16 Dec 2014 17:20:55 +0000 eds 1411915@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can certainly understand being expected to take off wet,snowy shoes or boots but would want to replace them with something else. I feel undressed and way too casual without my shoes in someone's home, unless of course, it is family or close friends. I know there are different cultural norms but it seems we need to respect our guests feelings of comfort.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel/page/2#post-1411890 Tue, 16 Dec 2014 16:16:16 +0000 Truecolors 1411890@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is such a great topic as we've been invited back to a house that requires shoe removal for a holiday party next week. The first time we attended a party at her house I was taken by surprise when I was asked to remove my beautiful, new shoes that made my outfit. I didn't have socks on, so the hostess handed me a pair of cashmere socks (which were yummy on my feet!) and my pants dragged across her "clean" floors all night. She has wood floors. So do I, but I also have Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs who can't take their nails off, so I live with the scratches and I don't sweat the small stuff. </p> <p>I will pack some ballet slippers in my purse this year and wear cigarette length pants. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel/page/2#post-1411780 Tue, 16 Dec 2014 12:59:14 +0000 K.M. 1411780@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Style Fan, that's so sad!... (And like the Sex and the City episode some of you remembered.) Do you think it was a guest or a passerby? And did the host do something about it?</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel/page/2#post-1411744 Tue, 16 Dec 2014 09:50:13 +0000 Style Fan 1411744@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I live in Canada and we get a lot of snow.&nbsp; We have a dog who loves to be outside.&nbsp; We also have wood floors.&nbsp; People remove their wet boots in the winter or when it is wet.&nbsp; If they go to remove their footwear in the summer I tell them they don't need to because our dog doesn't.&nbsp; I clean the floors often (sometimes daily).&nbsp; Very few people bring shoes or slippers.&nbsp; Not sure why.</p> <p>When I was in my twenties (many years ago) I was at a party and removed my very beautiful and expensive&nbsp;boots.&nbsp; When I went to leave my boots were gone.&nbsp; :(&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel/page/2#post-1411617 Tue, 16 Dec 2014 01:11:25 +0000 K.M. 1411617@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for all the replies! After more than a decade in the US (mostly in places where taking one's shoes off are the norm), I have accepted the practice and I do embrace it at home because it makes it so much easier to clean. Especially after having a child, it also feels much more sanitary! And I don't mind the shoe removal in the everyday. But what throws me off, as many of you pointed out, is when the occasion is fancy. Because the shoe often anchors the fancy outfit... and it looks funny to be all dressed up and in bare feet or stockings! </p> <p>I love the suggestion of foldable slippers, thanks to all of you who recommended!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel/page/2#post-1411592 Tue, 16 Dec 2014 00:42:35 +0000 Staysfit 1411592@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have anything novel to say. I live in the snow belt. I have hardwood floors and so do my neighbors and friends. Outdoor shoes get removed upon entry and some form of indoor foot cover is substituted. </p> <p>This is of course a guideline, and if someone is unprepared, or uncomfortable, we forego this and allow the outdoor shoes to remain. My floors are easy to clean, and eventually will need to be refinished no matter what I do so I don't get too crazy. I have a 60 pound dog. He does more damage to the floors in a day than a few weekend guests with snow boots covered with a residue of salt and sand.</p> <p>Oh, the same works when I go to friends homes, I definitely take off my shoes. I carry warm and fun socks to wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel/page/2#post-1411375 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 17:24:48 +0000 Susie 1411375@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I totally agree with Angela. IMO, people are always more important than stuff and I would not put my floors above someone's comfort. I also agree that the shoes are an important part of the outfit so I would hate to have to remove them! </p> <p>That said, I understand that cultural practices are an important consideration. If I was asked to remove my shoes I certainly would do. I'm just glad it's not the norm here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel/page/2#post-1411359 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 16:43:29 +0000 Angela K 1411359@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have to weigh in on the minority here.&nbsp; I agree with gryffin as a pet owner, I can't really in good conscience ask guests to remove their shoes.&nbsp;I do agree that it is polite to make sure that your feet are clean from any mud, snow, sand, or anything&nbsp;yucky, before entering someone's home.&nbsp; If I am going to a close friends home for a comfy evening then I will probably pad around in my socks--just because it's comfortable and I feel able to do so.&nbsp; Same goes if I have friends over to my house.&nbsp; They are welcome to take off their shoes but only for <i><b>their comfort</b></i>, not because of any house rules that I have.&nbsp; Stuff is stuff and I'm not going to sweat it.&nbsp; .&nbsp;One of the most uncomfortable evenings I ever spent involved a hostess (that I knew very well) following people around in her home cleaning up after them.&nbsp; Cleaning "scuff" marks off her linoleum in the kitchen and any spot she could find from her white carpet in the den.&nbsp; Very awkward, to say the least.&nbsp; We never accepted another invite to their home.&nbsp; &nbsp;I want people to remember a visit to my home as pleasant and enjoyable.&nbsp; Not worrying about their feet, shoes or what ever.&nbsp; IMHO&nbsp;a relaxing evening shouldn't be that difficult.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel/page/2#post-1411342 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 15:29:22 +0000 Aziraphale 1411342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm actually with Angie on this one, even though I remove my shoes in my own home and it is generally expected to do so in other people's. Often, my footwear is an integral part of the outfit, so I don't really want to take them off. On the other hand, I don't want to track the dirt and wet&nbsp;onto someone's nice carpets. The only real solution is to bring an extra pair of dry shoes. People are fine if you change your shoes for a party. For more informal hanging out inside people's homes, I just take off my shoes and sit there in my socks.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel/page/2#post-1411330 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 15:14:41 +0000 Angie 1411330@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My Mum was Eurasian, and we grew up removing shoes in our home too. I understand the cultural norm.&nbsp;</p> <p>Greg and I wear slippers or socks&nbsp;at home, but put on shoes when we have guests. I guess my gripe is that I don't want to be <i>expected</i> to remove my shoes in another home unless I've brought my slippers with me. I do not like to go&nbsp;barefoot or wear&nbsp;socks in other people's homes.&nbsp;And having to remove your shoes at a fancy bash in someone's home makes little sense to me. There are ways to work around that when the weather is bad as I mentioned in an earlier comment on this thread.&nbsp;</p> <p>Feelings will differ here, and we have to find a way that works for us. In Seattle there are both shoe removing homes and shoe homes. Sometimes I ask the host if I should remove my shoes&nbsp;and sometimes I don't.&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel/page/2#post-1411316 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 14:50:11 +0000 Laurie 1411316@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great thread. &nbsp;Having grown up in a home with a very very neat freak mother we were trained to take off our shoes and then&nbsp;march to the sink to wash our hands (she was really ahead of her time on that one).<br />Consequently, I have always had this anxiety about people tracking mud and dirt into my house. &nbsp;I yell at the boys constantly, of course!&nbsp;<br />For parties, if it is really bad out, I just put a throw rug at the door - if there are kids, they are all instructed to remove their shoes immediately. &nbsp;The adults generally are considerate and check, and wipe. &nbsp;Occasionally people ask if they should remove their shoes.&nbsp; But, I would never ask adults to remove their shoes unless I could see soggy mud or snow covering them.<br />I don't mind the dirt on the tile, wood or laminate which is easy enough to clean after a party, but I do very much mind it on carpet.<br />Just last night a new friend came over for a glass of wine and, without asking,&nbsp;she removed her fashionable boots and put on a pair of comfy sandals she had brought with her in a little bag&nbsp; - I thought it was interesting.<br />I think it is all about consideration, it just is common sense to check your shoes when you enter a home and if they are muddy remove or ask for a paper towel to clean them off.<br />I do remember that "Sex in the City" episode! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel#post-1411305 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 13:50:26 +0000 Anonymous 1411305@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm also kind of glad shoe removal isn't really the norm where I am. I'll certainly do it if the hosts would prefer it&nbsp;(or if my shoes are really muddy or whatever). But it feels a little&nbsp;funny to me to be all dressed&nbsp;and not have shoes on.&nbsp;I also&nbsp;wouldn't want to have to think about how my outfit looks without shoes every time I go to someone's house. Especially since I wear a lot of dresses and tights and a lot of tall boots in the winter, so it would be more of an effort to find something&nbsp;that looks okay without shoes.</p> <p>On the other hand, I usually do&nbsp;take my shoes off at other people's houses when we're doing something&nbsp;<i>really</i> casual, like ordering pizza and watching TV. I guess because I wouldn't wear shoes when I'm kind of vegging around at home, so it feels more natural to have them off if I'm doing something similar somewhere else, but a party or a nicer dinner feels like more of an "event."</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel#post-1411303 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 13:31:15 +0000 Hil 1411303@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fascinating discussion... Here in South Africa, it is definitely NOT the norm to remove shoes at someones house, and probably only something I would do if I was extremely comfortable or at ease in their homes. By the same token, I think my friends would consider me a bit odd if I were to ask them to remove shoes. </p> <p>When we stayed in the UK, our hostess asked us to remove shoes and I think that was to do with keeping the floors and carpets clean. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel#post-1411300 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 13:17:13 +0000 Glory 1411300@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another Canadian here. The overwhelming majority of people coming to my house remove their shoes. This number moves to 100% in the winter. I never have to ask them to remove their footwear.<br />I would say most do not bring slippers or indoor shoes to change to. &nbsp;In summer people tend to keep their shoes/sandals on but only if I tell them to. I don't mind but like Angie, ask them to remove their shoes if they go upstairs.<br />I went to a very casual afternoon party yesterday and took my birkentstocks which I have worn as indoor shoes. They are black patent with pink soles! I was the only person of about 40 that had any footwear including slippers.&nbsp;&nbsp;I have 2 parties this weekend and really want to wear heels but will probably take ballet flats due to hardwood floors. I know most people will be in socks. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel#post-1411297 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 13:01:35 +0000 Elizabeth P 1411297@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Diane, yes, I've noticed quite a cultural difference between the UK and Canada.&nbsp; In North America there are a lot of hardwood or tile floors. My parents don't take off their shoes unless it's winter, as they were brought up that way (we moved when I was little), but it's much more "normal" for us to take off shoes, even with the wood flooring.&nbsp; People still have area rugs, after all.&nbsp; But in the winter, we are taking off wet, slushy winter boots, so it's certainly the thing in that season.</p> <p>I often take shoes, heels or flats, if I'm gong to someones house in the winter.&nbsp; Fuzzy slippers for book club &nbsp; In other seasons, on a dry day, I'll either take them off, or clean them off (if they are important to the outfit ) depending on the situation, and the house.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel#post-1411290 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 12:53:15 +0000 gryffin 1411290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have dogs.&nbsp; We have a fenced in backyard but they are in and out all day.&nbsp; although I have door mats and towels, no matter how many times I clean my floors and I also have cleaning ladies who come in weekly, I have two 40 lbs pups bring the great outdoors inside.&nbsp; So I would never ask someone to remove their shoes upon entering my house.&nbsp; That being said, I have a decorative&nbsp;rubber door mat outside the doors&nbsp;and a porcupine boot scraper, inside all the doors are have heavy but attractive woven&nbsp;jute door mats.&nbsp; Most people are courteous enough to make sure their soles are free of debris and dry before walking on my hardwood and carpets.&nbsp; I don't worry about heels, yes, the floors get dinged but dog nails are just as bad.&nbsp; It's only "stuff!" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel#post-1411282 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 12:03:52 +0000 Alexandra 1411282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If I know, or think, that I'll be asked to take off my shoes, then yes, I plan the outfit accordingly. You could always bring a pair of comfy flats (clean) to change into. It's just easier and you won't spend the evening wondering if you look odd. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel#post-1411272 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 10:59:17 +0000 Diana 1411272@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm chinese American and it's definitely the cultural norm in that community to take shoes off in the home. it's second nature to me as I've been taking off my shoes in friends' and relatives' homes my whole life. (In my own home I personally go barefoot or in slippers. No shoes OR socks. I don't actually make visitors remove their shoes if they don't want to though. I just personally think it's more comfortable!) </p> <p>I don't worry overly much about my outfit w/o shoes as I know everyone else is in the same boat. As I don't wear high heels anyway the most that happens is that my pants are maybe 1-2" too long. Trust me, nobody is going to judge you for that. The most I do is make sure my socks have no holes!</p> <p>Just to reiterate, my best advice is to stop worrying about it! Just remember *everyone* is going to be shoeless so it's unlikely you will be judged unless you make a scene and refuse to remove the shoes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel#post-1411266 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 09:36:16 +0000 Anonymous 1411266@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I find this fascinating. I'm a Brit and in the UK a lot of people over here&nbsp;have carpets as flooring (some people have wood or laminate). So, do a lot of people in the US and Canada have wood flooring? It's not as popular over here. In my house, I always wear slippers and friends and family always take off shoes at the door. I have clients visiting regularly, though and whilst a lot of them just leave shoes by the door some just wipe their feet. Luckily they only have to go down a short section of hallway and over a tiled kitchen floor. But... carpets aren't as easy to clean as wood and I&nbsp;imagine a quick wipe over soon brings wood up fresh and clean. Carpet has to be vacuumed and marks have to be spot cleaned off. I would hate to have shoes worn in my living area, cleaned off shoes would be a must at any gathering.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel#post-1411259 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 08:08:03 +0000 Sharon 1411259@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I seldom wear shoes inside my home, but I have no expectation that visitors will remove their shoes. Brisbane is warm and I have wood floors, so going bare foot is comfortable and simple. I do think their is a cultural aspect to this. My BILs partner is Indonesian, and always removes her shoes at the door and when I spent 8 weeks in Brunei there was always a pile of shoes at the front door of any home you visited. Certainly if I were visiting someone and my shoes were muddy or wet I would want to remove them, but that almost never&nbsp;happens in my region! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel#post-1411251 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 06:52:50 +0000 Deborah 1411251@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would love for some of the other Aussie girls to contribute here:). Generally our weather doesn't necessitate removal of shoes indoors. But we do tend to ask if not hosts would like us to remove our shoes, however it is more about maintaining the floors:). My sister has lovely wood floors and pointy heels will create dents in the flooring. I am permitted to wear my wedge heels and flats indoors at her home:). I think it's more on casual occasions that we tend to take of our shoes, very few people ask you to take shoes off at dinner party etc. I suppose because we have long hot summers, we are quite accustomed or wearing bare feet indoors. At home I rarely wear shoes indoors. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel#post-1411247 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 05:33:26 +0000 catgirl 1411247@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just to add, I think this is not just a regional issue but a cultural one. Being of Indian descent, I am very mentally uncomfortable wearing shoes inside my home or another person's home. It just feels wrong. Thus, removal of my own shoes is not so much a courtesy shown to me as it is me being courteous in my mind. Otherwise, it's like I'm saying my outfit takes precedence over your sanctuary. But I totally get that not everyone has that outlook, and maybe I've insulted people unintentionally by taking my shoes off at their door! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel#post-1411192 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 02:46:19 +0000 Kat 1411192@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I plan for and do clean floors before and after parties and am not so worried about the workload, Here, it's not so much the grime, but road salt and watery-slush are tough on our wood floors....</p> <p>It IS interesting to hear the differing expectations everywhere, while I'm certainly not expecting my guests to put their bare feet on the coffee table or anything, we're casual enough that, except for the most formal of events, no one really seems to think twice about shoes off at the door (everyone, including workmen and the cable guy, asks whether we'd like shoes off...) and bare or stockinged feet in the house seem perfectly normal to me.</p> <p>I think the juxtaposition of a fancier occasion and the casual nature of "shoes off in the house" is the crux of the issue for me, and the one likely to lead to the most confusion or discomfort for guests (as KM mentioned, this was discussed some time ago)--- but to address the question of what to do in these circumstances, I'd likely ask directly prior to the get together, if I knew the host well, and be prepared for anything if I didn't feel comfortable checking with the host. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel#post-1411191 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 02:44:52 +0000 Angie 1411191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is SO tricky, and we have been down this road before. There is no one universal method to please us all.&nbsp;</p> <p>No one wants muddy, slushy or snowy shoes in their homes - but you shouldn't be made to take off your shoes for a 'do either. In fact, I don't like taking my shoes off in other people's home full stop. (I carry my slippers with me usually, just in case this happens).&nbsp;</p> <p>Personally, I would ask&nbsp;everyone to take their snow boots off and put on their clean party shoes in our home. I would communicate this in the invitation. That way everybody gets to keep their complete outfit on, and our home stays clean too.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>In Seattle, where it is often wet, I ask guests to wipe their wet shoes on a dedicated cloth inside (works better than the mat outside), and they keep their shoes on in our home downstairs. We do ask guests<b> who are staying with </b>us to remove shoes when they go UPSTAIRS, because we do that too. We do not ask guests to remove shoes downstairs.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel#post-1411180 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 02:15:57 +0000 Janet 1411180@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I live in an area where this is definitely outside the norm, and I've got to say, I'm glad. I really don't care to go barefoot or in stocking feet at someone else's home. And I don't particularly care if someone wants to take off their shoes in my home. But I enjoy dressing for an occasion enough that I really don't want to have to take off my fab, carefully chosen footwear at a party! I guess I'd have to if I found myself in that situation though.</p> <p>I dunno. I don't expect my floors to stay clean after I host a party (quite to the contrary, I know I'll be busy cleaning them the next day!), but we don't have particularly brutal winter weather here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel#post-1411118 Mon, 15 Dec 2014 00:29:00 +0000 Suz 1411118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I was going to add what Thistle said -- <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/Sidekicks-Foldable-Portable-Matching-Carrying/dp/B00CF01U66">lots of stores carry a kind of fold up shoe and many women carry them</a>. I don't do this myself -- I prefer regular shoes carried in a little bag. But I actually have a pretty bag for this purpose!&nbsp;</p> <p>It really is interesting to hear different norms. Mostly they make sense, given the contexts.&nbsp;</p> <p>I used to have a bunch of slippers for people to borrow, but they have disappeared. I need to make a trip to the dollar store for some more. Our kitchen has incredibly cold floors (no basement) so if I am having people over for a meal in the winter, I really don't want them to suffer.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel#post-1411105 Sun, 14 Dec 2014 23:52:29 +0000 Thistle 1411105@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here, most people take their shoes off in the fall, winter and spring - basically when it is cold, slushy, snowy or muddy.</p> <p>Some people just wear cute socks, others bring slippers. It is common enough here, I have a pair of fold up slippers I can put in a coat pocket or my purse. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-removal-at-party---the-sequel#post-1411104 Sun, 14 Dec 2014 23:48:25 +0000 frannieb 1411104@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yea - a MN person and it is pretty standard practice in the Winter/Spring when it is muddy and yucky out. I usually bring a pair of wool socks with me or my big fluffy ugg slippers. &nbsp;I never really worry if they match my outfit or not.</p> <p> </p>