What shoes to wear to commute to work? - YouLookFab Forum

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What shoes to wear to commute to work?

Eva

My company has decided to take away paid parking for all employees. While this is a major bummer, at least they are going to pay for bus passes. I work in downtown Seattle and wear business formal or business casual clothing. My dress shoes may not be comfortable enough, and I do not want to ruin my shoes walking to and from the bus stop (could be ½ mile each way depending on the bus I choose), so I am contemplating commuting shoes. The problem is, I usually wear heels because I am under 5’ 3” and my pants will be too long to wear with anything flat. What do you recommend? Maybe this is the purpose of the sporty heel that Angie just blogged about. But even they might not be high enough (or not comfortable if too high). http://youlookfab.com/2008/03/17/sporty-heels/

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from christie

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Can you do the NY thing Eva? Where you carry your heels and wear sporty shoes (like the heeled sneakers I posted) for your commute.

By the way, this is the story of my life!

Nicole

Veteran

That is a tough problem. Aside from looking for shoes that have a high enough heel AND are comfortable--the only thing I can think of is...wear more skirts and walking shorts.

You know...I think this could be a brilliant product idea. Something simple that clips the hems of your pants up, while commuting on foot.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This invention actually exists, but it doesn't work if you're hitching up more than an inch.

Nicole

Veteran

I was trying to find the product but instead I found a bunch of patent ideas and this..

http://www.camileonheels.com/index.cfm

And I bet a binder clip or two would keep your pant length elevated for the commute. People might notice it, but if they are using public transit, they probably get it.

mayapple

I have seen plenty of women in NY float effortlessly in heels of all sizes with no signs of suffering...that are visible, anyway. I am definitely not one of those women, but if so many others can do it, maybe you can too. Maybe try a comfort brand like Clarks. It's a tough situation I really can't think of a solution. I guess most of the women on my commute are wearing pants that are too short for their work shoes because they all seem to look fine in flats.

Eva

Thanks for your responses. The summer won't be so bad because I will wear more dresses or skirts, Nicole. It is when I wear pants (that are the correct length for my 3 inch heels) where I have a problem. Maybe you are right, Mayapple, the women are wearing pants too short, do you commute in the shoes you wear at work? Maybe that is why women wear their pants too short. Nicole, I liked some of the shoes on the link you sent...but not enough to buy any because it really wouldn't solve my problem with pants. I might try the heeled sneakers that I laughed at...before I was told we lost our parking. I might also try the clips until I get to work. Angie, this is the story of your life, which is why you buy your shoes for comfort. I will need to purchase a whole new wardrobe of shoes! Hey, maybe that won't be so bad afterall.

Nicole

Veteran

Eva, if you buy a whole new wardrobe of shoes, you'll have to hem all your pants too!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

First of all, Happy Easter everyone! Hope that the Easter Bunny was abundant.

Eva, we will sort this problem out. You know how much walking I do and I wear heels half the time. Just one to two inches but it’s a heel. It just takes an incredible amount of time and energy to find the right 8-hour heel. It HAS to look fabulous too. You want something a lot more stable and comfortable. We’ll work together on this.

http://www.zakkerz.com/products.html - these were the pant magnets I was talking about. I haven’t a clue how effective they are. I might need to buy some to find out.

.

mayapple

Eva, I wear flats at all times except for one pair of boots with 1.75" heels, so almost all of my pants are hemmed to accommodate flats. I doubt that's the most practical solution for you. If you can find some comfortable 2" heels and then use those pant clips, that might be a compromise.

Steph

Veteran

As a very dedicated wearer of very high heels, I say--don't hem your pants and give in to lower heels because of your commute. Surely there is something out there for you.

I have a few ideas. The first is the "hi-wedge" by Keds.
http://www.keds.com/shopping/p.....8;keyword=
http://www.keds.com/shopping/p.....8;keyword=
I just got mine in the mail today, so I will measure the heel when I get home, but it looks to me to be somewhere between two and three inches.

I know your pants are hemmed to the proper length for your three-inch heels, but how low to the ground are they when you are wearing those heels? Could you wear a walking shoe that is a half inch shorter than your regular heels and still have the pants not scrape the ground?

Another option would just be to get a pair of wedge shoes. I find they are generally easier to walk in than regular heels and, more importantly, the heel won't get chopped up as you walk along the city streets.

Perhaps easiest of all--can you cuff your pants as you walk? Or would that just look too odd and not stay up?

christie

I used to commute on foot (1.45 miles) until I bought a bike. I had the roughest time trying to find shoes, and I don't have finicky feet (though disgusting toenails because I dance!). But a mile and a half is too far for heels.

I would suggest hemming a couple of your pants to wear with shorter heels or flats, but keeping the others long. Save those long pants for days when perhaps you drive or something else happens that you can get by with wearing your heels. You can always wear heels with skirts and dresses.

Now that I'm on my bike, I can wear whatever shoes I want. (Check out my OTHER favorite fashion blog: copenhagengirlsonbikes.blogspot.com)

AntjeH

What a fun blog, Christie! I frequently have layovers in Copenhagen on my annual trips to Germany to see family and friends. Last fall I walked through the city and noticed all these chic female bicyclists; lots of skirt/boot combos, very trendy.

Nicole

Veteran

I think Christie's suggestion makes a lot of sense. Have different length pants and skirts and wear them according to your travel and shoe needs for that particular day.

christie

Isn't that blog great Antje? I read it religiously. It finally got me to start riding to work. I love it. Angie made me stylish. Copenhagen Cycling Chic made me feel like I'm Danish...

Yes, Nicole. I think you made my point better than I did.