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Grown-up work shoes

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

What do you think? 3 pairs, all intended to go with the navy dress and grey dress in my “Lurking Quirk for Work” post (same pair for both dresses). One of these days I will have the grey/black shoes in this old post; otherwise I really don’t have anything in this category (closest are a couple pairs of sandals with heels). I think a major goal at interviews will be fighting bias against old ladies, so anything that reminds us of Granny is out.
1/4 is pewter “vegan” leather by “Jenny”
2/5, with the highest heel, is a little snug on my left foot. They’re leather, so might stretch out (or might not) (Gabor).
3/6 is navy leather by Hoegl.

https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-to-choose

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Anonymous

They all seem fine, but the photos are dark. Do you have a light bit of floor (or sheet or towel) to show them on?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Suntiger, I think I was adding the pictures from the website while you were posting. I also edited my pix to be lighter. Do those take care of it?

Kathie

Veteran

I like 3/6 the best. 1/4 looks a bit dated to my eye. But honestly, for you, I’m not in love with any of these options, since you seem to prefer things with a bit more interest, even if subtle. Do you think you need shoes that are this conservative? Or could you have a bit more fun with them? The price point might be a bit high, but I like Hispanitas for work shoes that are conservative, but with a twist.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Kathie, I know nothing about this kind of shoes, will take a look at Hispanitas. I need to stay pretty conservative for interviews, but a little something special could be good. Thanks!
I had thought the pewter color would be a little bit quirky, but it really isn’t. #3 is a nice, slightly unusual shade of blue—the company’s photo shows it a lot better than mine—but you are quite correct that these are more yawn-inducing than I usually wear.

Anonymous

Yep! I also look at the site on my phone, so everything is tiny...i like the higher ones the most, because the toe looks sleeker, but you said they were less comfortable. Pewter would be the most versatile probably.
I used to do employment services, so let me know if you want interview practice:)

cindysmith

Veteran

I'm with Kathie. 3/6 is best, by far. 1/4 looks dated to me, too. I didn't like 2, but it's better on your feet

Cardiff girl

Veteran

#2 is my preference but they are all interview appropriate.l suppose it depends what looks best with rest of your outfit and don’t succumb to any of this age bias nonsense.As we all know without us midlifers the world would stop working!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Suntiger, that’s a great offer, thanks! Let’s see how the first round goes.

Complicating the shoe choice, there are indeed some Hispanitas I like.
These 2” heels, but they are 25€ more than the most expensive pair here https://www.hispanitas.com/en/.....7856-28622
And these “ballerinas” with a 3 cm heel, which I’d wear only if I could get the bows off without leaving a mark. Another strike against them is that they’d duplicate the shoes in that older post. https://www.hispanitas.com/en/.....5785-27864

In other matters, I also found these, which I will get as everyday shoes if the Pikolinos don’t work out https://www.hispanitas.com/en/.....5644-27415
And these might be the pink low cut boots I’ve been thinking of getting myself towards the end of the year (assuming everything has worked out by then) https://www.hispanitas.com/en/.....6007-27427

Anonymous

Yes all those are more special looking! Theres no sense getting uber conservative shoes if they would not be worn other than interviews. Texture seems to help a lot to add interest to simple shape, imo.
I like hispanitas motto-joy is a choice (meta message, buy joyful shoes!)

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’ll have to think about it, and about what clothes I have, including those that still aren’t here yet. The conservative ones are so unusual for me that they’d almost be a wild card, but of course no one wants to get stuck with the joker in their hand at the end of the game. Also worth thinking about is the price tag.

Bijou

Veteran

These shoes all look good on your feet. Are you able to post the entire outfit? It would really make it easier to see what the overall effect is. Because you have the blue tweed blazer, I would have thought any of these shoes will look professional for interviews. I would go with the most comfortable pair.

Liz

Veteran

I'm with Bijou in saying to go for the most comfortable pair, and the pair you see yourself wanting to wear the most.

I think, for fighting the bias against old ladies, your personal energy counts for a lot, as well as anything near your face. In fact, your hair, makeup, and glasses (if you wear them) will be more important than your shoes in signalling "modern and current," because people will for sure be seeing them, while they may or may or may not notice your shoes.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like the patent pair best. #4.

Elle

Veteran

I think that all of the original three plus the first Hispanitas would be fine for an interview. In fact, they all look like shoes that my friend, a vice-president, wears to work. I'd go with the most comfortable since interviews are uncomfortable enough.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

But FashIntern, what about the amazing Pikolinos in the navy with the interesting pattern? I feel like you have far more personality than these 3 here? If you feel conservatism means it must be one of these, then I like the same as Angie, 1/4.
But, I'm really sorry, all these feel a bit what I call "old-ladyish". Not "granny", but a similar feel I guess. Just no interest to them?
Of course conservative interview clothes for Germany are not in my field of knowledge at all...

LaPed

Veteran

From the stock photos, I like the low-heeled one (#3) the best, but on your feet I think the grey patent (#4) looks the best. I agree with others that they are all very conservative. Is that essential for your interview shoe? Will you ever wear them again? The Hispanitas pumps look more contemporary, with the pointed toe and the block heel. I bet you'd get more wears out of those in the long run, and that may make the extra 25€ worth it.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Liz, I love your attitude, and hope my attitude is exactly what shines through in interviews.

Cardiff, Here's hoping the interviewers know that!

Bijou, I ordered the wrong blazer! It will be a few days before I can try on the whole outfit.

Elle and Bijou, yes, comfort is crucial!

La Ped and Suntiger, you both asked an excellent question about the life of these shoes beyond interviews. Here's what I see so far as the pros and cons of each.

I'd really like to develop an alt life for these pumps, in which they take on a punk edge (why, Rachy, why didn't you find a campsite with wifi?) I haven't figured out yet what that would look
like. If I'm going to do that, then the plainer ones probably edge out the Hispanitas (& I save my money for some of their booties towards the end of the year). They feel sort of normcore to me, or whatever you call the plaid shirts of Nirvana and the 90s Grunge scene.

But back to their main function: work. I've put together a collection of work clothes; the description includes a list of pieces I don't have individual photos of. Many of those are in last fall's 30x30 Florida fall challenge and the winter challenge I started. I don't know if I'll be able to wear the paisley corduroy skirt, but low-heeled, conservative interview shoes with dark hose/tights might be its best hope. I don't really have any shoes in mind yet for the blue dresses, am wondering how they'd do with any of these.

I'm also trying to figure out what wears the Hispanitas would get that plainer, lower-heeled pumps (pewter or blue) wouldn't get. That's a tough question!

What do you all think of that?

Jenni NZ, I still plan to get the Pikolinos, if I can find my size, or, if not, then I'll get the third pair of Hispanitas I posted above. Those are daily wear shoes, what I think of as my "school shoes". This post (even though I got sidetracked by those and the ones after them) is supposed to be about interview shoes. Everything I've heard from Astrid and Joha has warned me to stay on the conservative side. After an interview and first couple days, I may be able to loosen up, but I don't want to jeopardize things over shoes. (And since you're a shoe fan,
here's my list of shoes I plan to buy: interview shoes, "school shoes", sneakers that work for low-impact working out and fashion (so probably
cute cross trainers) all fairly soon (and I've posted about all of them); red or blush pink booties (similar to the cheap ones I loved wearing last winter in Florida) by the end of the year, if everything has worked out; Melvin and Hamilton or Angela Scott or Think! shoes eventually, maybe as soon as the winter booties or as summer work shoes)

Oh, and I’m officially irked that my combat and cowboy boots are in a storage locker this winter. But I don’t plan to buy replacements—if the trends last more than a year, I’ll wear them later. If they run their course in a few months, they’re no big deal anyway.

Kathie

Veteran

More thoughts- Jenni hit exactly what I meant- the shoes in the first post seem frumpy to me. Now, if in Germany, conservative = frumpy and old-fashioned, then you should definitely stick with one of the first three. How important is it to you to look modern/current/not “granny” as opposed to being absolutely certain that your shoes would read “conservative” in all contexts? Also, how important are shoes, relative to hair and make-up? Both for you personally, and in the context of an interview? (For example, for me personally, in important situations I get my hair blown out professionally, but I don’t worry about shoes as much.)

And finally. have you had a chance to see what women in your field are wearing currently in Germany? (Perhaps you mentioned this in a different thread, but what field or type of position are you looking for?)

elpgal

Veteran

I like the pink shoes you plan to get! For interviewing, I'd say stick with the most comfy option.

ladypainter

Fashintern,
I agree with JenniNZ, all three pair are “old ladyisch”. The first 3 Hispanitas you linked above are all excellent “edgy conservative” choices, I think.
Paul Green is a German brand that is conservative with an edge; maybe it’s more affordable there than here? Ecco is another Euro “conservative chic” option.
Having interviewed for jobs where I was 15-20 years older than the expected candidate, I’d say It depends on who is interviewing you. Are you going to talk to one of the partners/directors, an HR manager or a junior level HR staffer?
Conveying energy in the interview is more important, I think. If you have any hobbies that sound high-energy (read youthful, lol), that would make an impression. Triathlons, Habitat for Humanity projects, trekking, cabaret pianist—silly-sounding yes, but It does make a good impression.

krishnidoux

Veteran

#5 is my favourite, and also looks very fresh.

You can stretch the leather a little bit by wetting your foot and wearing them around the house (trick from Angie actually). It works!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Kathie and lady painter, oh, I get it. You’re saying that these shoes have exactly what I said I was afraid of. Ugh. Thank you both! And thanks for your other ideas about interview prep. Maybe I should go hang out near the Bundesrat at lunch time.

Krishnadoux, oh, she is so good with clever little tricks! Thanks for passing that one on to me.

Thanks epigal! You went through this yourself recently, didn’t you?

Anonymous

Ok, since youre putting together a work shoe capsule, not just an interview capsule, heres my (year round) formula:

For each season i have work shoes in my 2 main neutrals (with texture, other interest), black and cognac/dark tan, then at least 1 fun (print, color) pair per season. For my climate that includes sandals (worn 6 mo), transitional shoes (worn 2 mo), boots/booties (worn 4 mo).
Your climate needs and color scheme will be different though.

Maybe post the lot of what you currently have, then figure out what the shoe capsule should look like.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Suntiger, for links to pictures, see the 5th comment down https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/so-close

navy lace-up 3" booties

high vamp black shoes*

black Mary Janes

short black boots*

black/grey pumps ~2" heels

purple velvet mocs*

white slides with 2" heels

tall brown boots with 3" heel

Redwing flat mid-calf black boots

2" tan sandals*

tan Born Oxfords

Metallic Seychelles boots (in finds)

Current shoes are in finds

That's all shoes--some are not for work

*Clarks

by Stagiaire Fash

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by Stagiaire Fash

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by Stagiaire Fash

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Seychelles Offstage Boot

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Jenni NZ

Veteran

I thought the Pikolinos could have been interview shoes. I would love to see someone wearing something like that in an interview rather than the first 3 you posted which somehow look like they should be on the feet of someone 20-30 years older than you. By saying that I in no way mean to insult our wonderful forum ladies who are older. Somehow they don't dress old! I see women out and about who do dress old to my eye and many wear shoes not dissimilar to those.
However. Astrid and Joha live in Germany. I do not. Therefore, I am concerned I may be steering you wrong and that my personal taste is taking over, even though I have company in this thread. It's bedtime here in NZ and I honourably bow out of offering more opinions on your interview shoes! Best of luck with it.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Jenni NZ, thanks for your comments. They are helpful! Although Astrid and Joha have generally said to stay conservative, they have not weighed in on the shoes specifically. Kathie's question about if "conservative" here = "frump" is a good one that I don't know the answer to.

Good night!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Dear anon, tracking me down on another forum and “correcting” my musings on which shoes I might want with your interpretation of this discussion is breath-takingly rude. I can’t even reply there, because of how long it takes to get through the spam filter from Germany. So I’ll congratulate you here on getting me to bow out of the forum for a while again. I don’t mean to flounce, just want to explain my departure to anyone who wonders. Ciao, baby

L'Abeille

Veteran

Like Jenni NZ, I am an older professional in a different continent, so what I say may have little relevance.

But if I wore those ladylike low heeled pumps with a skirt suit or dress and jacket, I would feel frumpy. What works for me is to mix in a trace of androgyny. With the skirt suit could you wear something like a heeled oxford or a refined bootie? And save the pumps for pantsuits? (Unless your field is law or banking, those are conservative everywhere I think.)

Definitely time to hang out near the Bundesrat and do some research!

binkle

Veteran

I think these are good choices for interviews. Not old lady or frumpy, especially if the outfit is well-fitted and smart. You can always get more "fashion" shoes once you get the job and know the work environment. As I've mentioned on your interview threads, I'm old school/finance background.

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