So I bought a bunch of new clothing, but a friend of mine was arguing that, really, all anyone looks at is a woman's hair and shoes.
She might be right about the hair, but I don't know about the shoes. If that's true, I've got a problem. I was never the queen of great shoes, but recently I burst a blood vessel in my foot and I've had to really prioritize comfort. So this is what I've been walking around in:
I don't think they're horrible or anything. I was looking around at my physician coworkers' shoes, and it ranged from bad to worse. One doctor was wearing sneakers. But the thing is, I never noticed! I never notice shoes.
What do you think? Are the shoes the most important part of the outfit?
Very rarely notice shoes. Not unless they stand out.
ReplyDeleteThose are fine - neither stunning or awful. You're good!
ReplyDeleteYour shoes look comfy. I personally think women's shoes are overrated. Who can complete a workday without pain walking on stilettoes? To me, women who talk shoes are somewhat narcissistic, pretentious, far from genuine. I usually do not enjoy talking to these women about anything. As far as doctors go, the only shoe-obsessed women in medicine I met were those working in the chair: pathologists, radiologists. They can afford it, other specialties who "walk for a living" should choose comfort.
ReplyDeleteMe personally, a colourful and comfortable pair of sneakers is what I most like to see medical staff wearing. I know they have to be on their feet a lot, and I prefer for the people responsible for making me healthy to be comfortable. ;)
ReplyDeleteIf you want to get both comfortable and pretty, a pair of Cole Haan ballet flats is my recommendation. Those are the most comfortable things I ever put on my feet. :)
Do you have to dress up, or can you live in scrubs? A year with plantar fascitis left me wedded to my crocs, after trying every pair of spongy running shoes on the planet. Now I'm back to running shoes. Business casual - ballet flats.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, people do notice shoes. Strangely, for a tomboy, I notice them. And fingernails. We have a PA who is somewhat generous with her favors, and prances thru our units all day in pencil skirts and stilettos. We despise her out of principle. We're friendlier with the staff who aren't putting on airs.
I'm all for comfort, but those are pretty ugly. Maybe some sneakers?
ReplyDeleteI think those shoes are nice. I, too, rarely notice shoes, unless they are cute. Especially at work, where I'm too busy to do things like study people's outfits. But then again, I also wear (nice, clean, white) sneakers to work. I'm a Hospitalist and on my feet all day. I absolutely prioritize comfort. I find it hard to focus on my patient when I am shuffling from foot to foot because my feet are hurting.
ReplyDeleteI never notice shoes unless they seem stupid like high heels anywhere or flip flops on a building site. Comfort is the most important thing, especially for someone who is on their feet all day. Clean and stylish is secondary depending on the setting
ReplyDeleteMy fiancee cracked a heel spur last winter. She spent several weeks in The Boot and then graduated to a supportive shoe which she still wears. She's in IT and doesn't interact with many people outside her office. Like yours, her shoes are neither hideous nor glamorous. They are functional and comfortable. If you spend your day sitting like I do, you can afford to opt for fashion. If you spend it walking, like I suspect you do, go for comfort. As in all things, there are two categories of people. Those who matter, those who care (about a particular issue) and they are mutually exclusive. Those who care, don't matter; those who matter, don't care.
ReplyDeleteMy fiancee cracked a heel spur last winter. She spent several weeks in The Boot and then graduated to a supportive shoe which she still wears. She's in IT and doesn't interact with many people outside her office. Like yours, her shoes are neither hideous nor glamorous. They are functional and comfortable. If you spend your day sitting like I do, you can afford to opt for fashion. If you spend it walking, like I suspect you do, go for comfort. As in all things, there are two categories of people. Those who matter, those who care (about a particular issue) and they are mutually exclusive. Those who care, don't matter; those who matter, don't care.
ReplyDeleteBob, you are the best! I love your division of people to those who care and matter. I recently broke up with the friend who is shoe and fashion obsessed (she didn't matter to me anymore). Yes, we were mutually exclusive.
DeleteHealth and comfort come first. Beyond that, my usual criterion for fashion acceptability is the following: As long as people don't point and stare, I'm good. Your shoes look fine.
ReplyDelete--Queen Anne's Lace
And I should know.
Delete--Queen Anne's Lace
I think your shoes look fine! Unremarkable and can match a lot of outfits. Perfect. Weirdly about shoes.... My patients always comment when I wear one certain pair of shoes that I have on how dressed up I am (the only heels I would ever wear - they are cute and comfortable and how I wish I had bought two more pairs in different colors as I cannot find them now) - moral of the story is I set expectations for dress so low that when I make a pathetic effort people are wowed. Success.
ReplyDeleteI'm not worried about the shoes. Docs attitude, personality, and aptitude yes. Shoes, as long as they are wearing some, we're good.
ReplyDeleteThese Franco Sarto loafers are very comfy (or how about Danskos? They have nice ones!): http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/franco-sarto-bocca-loafers?ID=585840&pla_country=US&CAGPSPN=pla&CAWELAID=120156340005796424&CAAGID=24768197470&CATCI=pla-101283879137&catargetid=120156340004042427&cadevice=c&cm_mmc=Google_Womens_Shoes_Adchemy_PLA-_-G_WS_PLA+-+Franco+Sarto_Franco+Sarto-_-88358990350_-_-_mkwid_mA5fPYuv|dc_88358990350%7C-%7CmA5fPYuv&gclid=CISQ7Ybiys0CFQgoaQodGUsOSA
ReplyDeleteNope, the outfit is the most important part of the outfit. As long as shoes look presentable (polished, clean etc) then you're good to go.
ReplyDeleteI don't notice shoes at work
I don't like them
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to wear them. You can wear stilettos if you prefer.
DeleteNo wonder you were never able to make it in DERM... no one in derm would be able to tolerate those horrific shoes!
ReplyDeleteI tried recalling the type of shoes any of my doctors wear.... I've got nothing. Those shoes aren't the most stylish, but who cares? Wear what's comfortable!
ReplyDeleteThose are the same shoes I wear every day (20-something social worker). I'm not a good person to ask, though--I didn't notice when my office mate wore two different shoes to work. She had to point it out to me.
ReplyDelete