Are flats really that bad?

July 13, 2009 4:10 AM

I'm tall so never wear heels in the office, and I had a friend tell me this comes off as 'unprofessional'... opinions?

I'm 5'9 and work in a corporate office environment (with great laid back people though, mind you). I was having a discussion with a friend of mine recently in regards to work, interviews, impressions etc and she said that by me not wearing heels, I do not come across as 'professional'.
I own one pair of heels, just for the sake of owning a pair, and very rarely wear them because I hate towering over everyone else even more than I already do. Like I said I work with great people who don't care, and the flats I wear are very smart, however I'd just like some others opinions.

Employers - went interviewing or training a new (female) employee, do things like wearing nice heels with the nice suit matter? Does a woman come across as more or less professional depending on the height of her footwear?
Co-workers - is this something you even notice in your colleagues??

I'm interesting in hearing about other people's experiences :)
(Note: my friend is also female, so no sexism involved)

Thanks!

posted by sunshine arakhan to clothing, beauty, & fashion (39 comments total)

Your friend may be correct, for about 1962.

"Towering over everyone" probably would not help you in an interview, and it might even hurt a bit. I don't think it would bother me, but I also know that drawing attention to physical differences from most applicants is the wrong way to go unless you're a model/actress.

You can wear nice flats or very low heels without negatively impacting your power suit. It's not as if you're wearing ratty old sneakers, right?

It's also pretty common among tall women to do this: a good friend of mine is even taller than you, and wears a suit to work every day, and she has a wide and deliberate selection of not-very-high heels. She will wear real heels on occasions when she wants to tower over everyone, though, such as court dates or presentations where she's on a stage.
posted by rokusan at 4:15 AM on July 13

Pfffffft. Crappy shoes = crappy impressions, nice shoes = nice impression (or dare I say acceptable, non-attention drawing shoes = nice impressions).

Heels do not necessarily = nice shoes, with attendant kudos.

Don't worry about it - your friend must work for Mad Men or something. People at my work wear flats all the time.
posted by smoke at 4:30 AM on July 13

I'm 5'8, so I get where you are coming from. Luckily, my office is pretty laid back. However, I often feel less professional when I wear flats - but that's probably because most of my flats come from Payless.

However, when I see other women (tall OR short) wearing flats, I think nothing of it!
posted by firei at 4:31 AM on July 13

I suppose it could matter to some people, in some offices, but then they wouldn't be offices willed with great, laid back people, right?

Having worked with people in a corporate office and hired people, some of them women, for that corporate office, heels have never mattered in establishing whether they're professional. Frankly, if someone said they did matter, I'd consider them wrong and a prime example of vapid foolishness.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:43 AM on July 13 [1 favorite has favorites]

Flats are so in style right now, and very stylish. Your friend is wrong, flat out wrong (excuse the pun). Wear good shoes that you are comfortable with. Only proviso would be to make sure your pants are cut to fall to correctly over your shoes.
posted by arha at 4:44 AM on July 13 [4 favorites has favorites]

5'9, while on the tall side, isn't that tall. Maybe if you were 6', heels might draw attention that you'd rather avoid. At your height, wear whatever you feel comfortable wearing.

Does a woman come across as more or less professional depending on the height of her footwear?

No, a woman comes across as more or less professional depending on what comes out of her mouth.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 4:57 AM on July 13 [16 favorites has favorites]

I'm 5'3" and I wear a pair of nice, conservative flats every day. Because I just can't walk in heels. My business formal workplace has business casual summers, and a few people in my office continue to wear heels and hose. I don't think it's necessarily more professional--just a bit unnecessary and silly (especially the hose, especially in Florida summers!).

Oh, and you can say there's no sexism involved, but when someone insists that the dress requirements for women are drastically different than they are for men--like in the case of heels--it's still a sexist requirement.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 5:31 AM on July 13 [10 favorites has favorites]

I'm a shade over 5'9" and have never worn a pair of heels to work in my life. No one has ever noticed/mentioned my flat shoes. I've also been very successful and productive in my jobs. I think my co-workers and supervisors notice my performance and professionalism far more than they do the shoes on my feet.
posted by MorningPerson at 5:38 AM on July 13 [1 favorite has favorites]

(Note: my friend is also female, so no sexism involved)
actually... that has nothing to do with the gender of the person voicing such an opinion and women are capable of putting each other under enormous stress.

whether or not you wear heels does not strike me as indicative of professionalism or lack thereof. I understand this might be different elsewhere but in general I'd suggest that most people would not care to evaluate your professionalism on the basis of the height of your heels but on your conduct and how you present yourself. my feeling is that either your coworker is pointing out she doesn't like you wearing sneakers of flip flops or she has no clue about leadership. try some leather shoes if the height bothers you (it wouldn't bother me but I understand your sentiment), if just to shut her up.

I think your friend doesn't know what 'professional' means.
posted by krautland at 5:41 AM on July 13 [7 favorites has favorites]

I've never worn high heels to work and never plan on it, and I'm shorter than you! I on occasion break out a pair of kitten-heels, but aside from that there many, many professional and stylish flats out there that wouldn't make you look less professional in my eyes nor for most people I know.

Also, I don't judge people on their shoes, in regards to professionalism or anything else and I certainly wouldn't make a judgment on their capability to work because of what they were wearing. Unless it was completely ridiculous.
posted by liquorice at 5:54 AM on July 13 [1 favorite has favorites]

Given the health implications of long-term high heel shoe wearing, I tend to regard heels as the less professional choice, actually. There is no equivalently damaging piece of office attire for men, so I view a requirement that women hurt themselves by wearing heels as sexist and unprofessional.

Which is not to say that women can't or shouldn't wear heels if they want to, but making it part of the dress code, implicitly or explicitly, is wrong.
posted by jedicus at 6:06 AM on July 13 [3 favorites has favorites]

I think it depends what you mean by flats. IMO a smart work shoe needs to have a heel but it doesn't need to have a high heel.

If you're talking no-heel (like sneakers or ballet shoes) then I'd say your friend may have a point, I wouldnt go so far as to say its 'unprofessional' but it can come across as a little scruffy/casual.
If you're talking something on a par with what your male colleagues would be expected to wear (ie, smart, tailored shoe with a 1/4-1/2 " heel) then I think your friend is completely wrong.
posted by missmagenta at 6:09 AM on July 13

If all of the women, and especially the tall ones, in your office, are wearing heals, and you are wearing flats, yes that might appear to be unprofessional (i.e. too casual for the prevailing style). All office environments tend to have a uniform. I don't see this as a bad thing-- one of the ways to get people to take you seriously is to "fit in" by doing things such as following the same sports/teams, reading the popular books, and dressing in the industry uniform. I am reminded of a meeting I attended between managers from a whole lot of arts organizations and the foundation rep from a major local foundation-- we were all in our "uniform" of artsy, blowsy mis-matched clothes and clunky shoes, and she was in hers of a designer dress and $800 heels. She looked absolutely ridiculous and came across as pompous and out of touch, because she just clearly didn't understand us at all. All we could talk about afterwards was that the cost of her outfit alone could fund a small theater for a month. So the talk on you might be "What do we pay her? She can't afford a nice pair of shoes?"

As far as towering over everyone, do tall men worry about this? (Seriously) Not to be rude, but just get over it. Also, exactly who are you towering over? The 6-foot men? It seems to me that looking your tall boss (assuming you have one) directly in the eye is a plus. If your boss is short and resents the genetic accident that made you tall, that's his issue. Tall people rock. Plus they make more money.
posted by nax at 6:13 AM on July 13 [2 favorites has favorites]

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posted by nax at 6:15 AM on July 13

I think "looking" professional has a great deal to do with "feeling" professional. I'm 5'11", and also a bit overweight, so I feel like a giant wildebeest thundering through across the savanna when I wear heels. Whether or not I look professional to others, I don't FEEL professional. So I wear flats (while still towering over 90% of my co-workers), which don't feel as professional to ME, because they don't make that satisfying tap-tap-tap sound. So I try to boost my professional "feel" in other ways (usually by wearing a collared shirt and/or jacket.) But I really have no idea whether or not I look professional to others. We're a pretty laid-back workplace, as long as we're not slouching around in ratty jeans and t-shirts.

I think how professional you look to others is more a function of your attitude and bearing, rather than what you wear. Hell, Michele Obama could probably wear sweats and crocs and still out-professional the business suits and heels crowd.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 6:24 AM on July 13 [1 favorite has favorites]

Look, I'm 5'11" and almost always wear heels. Not hooker heels, mind you, but classic, well-made shoes with medium heels of about 2" - 3" or less. In my view, heels make the overall look more stylish, make my feet look smaller, and (at the risk of stealing pastel script from a soft-focus hygiene commercial) make me feel more confident and feminine. I don’t worry about "towering over" certain people in the workplace. If shorter folks have a problem working with the tall lady in the fabulous shoes, well, let them write to Ask Metafilter. I don’t mean to sound curt here, but I’m tired of watching tall women (or, in your case, merely taller than average women) apologize for something that they had nothing to do with--being in the standard height range of most fashion models.
posted by applemeat at 6:27 AM on July 13 [1 favorite has favorites]

I'm usually speaking up for slightly more conservative business attire, but I disagree that one must wear high heels to look professional. Possibly your colleague is trying to tell you that your shoes are too casual of a style for your outfit, and she doesn't know how to effectively explain what looks "off" to her.

Or maybe she takes your assertion that you're too tall to feel comfortable in heels as something that makes her feel insecure about her height?

I've interviewed a fair number of people, and of course appearances matter, but height of heel of shoe is not an issue. What dings the warning bell for us is people who show up to interviews looking sloppy or wearing worn-out or ill-fitting clothes.
posted by desuetude at 6:33 AM on July 13

There are a lot of really stylish extremely well made flat shoes out there (and they're not Payless -- Ferragamo makes flats!). I think as long as you put in an effort to wear nice shoes that coordinate with your suit/outfit, and you are confident in your choice, you will look professional. Applemeat feels very confident in her heels and that makes her look professional. If you are confident in your flats, you will also look professional.
posted by bluefly at 6:38 AM on July 13

I tend to agree with most of the previous comments that you should wear your professional flats on a daily basis and not worry about it.

However, you say you're in a "corporate office environment," but you don't say what field. If you're in law or finance, the interview uniform is pretty much set in stone, at least in the US. (There are also regional differences to take into account -- what you could get away with for an interview in LA would never fly in DC.)

To play it safe (since you can't always guarantee that you'll be interviewing with desuetude), for corporate interviews you pretty much always want to dress to the highest corporate "uniform" standard. Unfortunately for women, the Uniform includes a pair of closed toe pumps (again, speaking to US standards here). A low- or mid-heel pump would be perfectly appropriate, but it still needs to be a pump, meaning something with a heel. Would you be comfortable with a pair of "interview pumps" in a low or mid heel?

Yes, I want to impress you with the professional things coming out of my mouth. I will have an even better chance of doing that if you are not distracted by my footwear. And you will not be distracted, because I am wearing the Uniform.
posted by somanyamys at 7:00 AM on July 13

I have interviewed a number of women physicians, perfusionists, and other health professionals over the years, and while I probably would have noticed if they were barefoot, I don't recall footwear making any impression whatsoever. I would say wearing something comfortable enough so that it doesn't become a distraction is more important than heels.
posted by TedW at 7:07 AM on July 13

Seriously? Women should not have to wear crippling footwear in order to be considered professional. If you like to wear heels, fine, but I have arthritis, and must wear shoes that are flexible and flat. The idea that women have to wear clothing that prohibits them from running and promotes damage to the foot and spine, is just wrong. Don't succumb to it.
posted by theora55 at 7:07 AM on July 13 [14 favorites has favorites]

A one-inch or so heel that is covered in the same material as the shoe's upper is a good look for those of us who really can't wear heels or don't want to.
posted by jgirl at 7:10 AM on July 13

Flats can look a bit off with certain lengths of skirts. If you're wearing short (knee-length or above, and anything much above the knee is questionable for a business suit) skirts, you might consider a low heel--a kitten, perhaps, or something like what jgirl mentions--with those skirts only. If you're wearing trouser suits, smart flats are always professional.

I'm 5'8" and used to work in a law office. One of my reasons for getting out of that field was to stop wearing heels, which were killing my feet. There's no reason to wear high heels ever if you don't want to.
posted by immlass at 7:48 AM on July 13 [1 favorite has favorites]

It's ridiculous to say that "you have to wear heels" to be well dressed. Also mildly sexist. There's tonnes of snappy flats/low heels out there, so go ahead and rock that look.

That being said, I'd hate to think that the only reason you weren't wearing heels is because you're uncomfortable with your height. Tall is where it's at--own it, and wear whatever shoes you want. I'm 5'10", and I regularly wear kick-ass heels (3" or more). The way I see it, I'm already tall so what's a few more inches? You probably feel more awkward about it then all those people you're looking down on. Plus (as a confirmed shoe junkie) why would you limit yourself to flats only? Life is too short to not wear fabulously impractical shoes on occasion. You certainly shouldn't have to wear them to work every day however, and don't let anyone tell you different.
posted by Go Banana at 8:13 AM on July 13 [1 favorite has favorites]

I'm 5'8" and I wear shoes ranging from ballet flats to 4" heels. I'm moving back into in-person work after being laid off from a remote work-at-home job, and one of my happy thoughts is that I'll get to wear my shoes again.

nthing that it matters more what you're wearing the shoes with; if your pants and skirts are hemmed appropriately for flats, wear them and revel in the fact that you're being fashionable.
posted by catlet at 8:16 AM on July 13

I totally agree with previous posters that heels are the less professional choice. Some of my 20-something colleagues wear heels a lot, and I think of them as somewhat immature for buying into the idea that heels are hawt. Heels suck, and I think many women figure this out as they get older (and also become more confident and less dependent on ridiculous fashion to make them feel confident). Maybe age is a factor in your friend's case? Anyway, ignore her and wear what you like.
posted by acridrabbit at 8:40 AM on July 13

For the record, I agree with other posters that there are plenty of attractive and professional flat shoe options available, and also that it is absolutely sexist and unreasonable to expect that women wear heels (or skirts, or make-up, etc.) to work in an office. My comment on the virtues of heels is not directed at those many women who find heels physically uncomfortable (note, though, that not all women find heels uncomfortable), but to tall women who want to wear heels but don’t for fear of being taller.
posted by applemeat at 8:58 AM on July 13

I came in to say precisely what nax said and add what desuetude said, with the caveat of what somanyamys said about interviews requiring the most formal iteration of your profession's "uniform", just so you can be a blank slate judged by her credentials, answers and ineffable being a person someone else wants to work with.

It's not so much that "only high heels are professional" (and--although it's a shame--alas, we live in a world where every person is judged professionally by a million things which have nothing to do with the words that come out of our mouths), but that some shoes look more serious and professional than others do. A low heeled pump is more appropriate in my office than either a stiletto sandal or a flowered canvas ballet flat. In my last office, my twenty-year-old Fluevog-upper Doc-sole (no topstiching, ah, those were the day) monk flats were perfectly appropriate, but at my new job, I'd be judged frivolous for wearing them.
posted by crush-onastick at 9:18 AM on July 13

I'm an HR director. I have looked at shirts, coats, watches, jewelry, grooming, and tattoos during interviews. ALMOST NEVER have I noticed shoes. If you asked me to identify workers by their shoes in my office environment, I wouldn't be able to.

The only people who look at women's shoes are women who care about shoes. Nobody else. Also, my understanding is that heels may cause medical problems in some women...so I would NEVER suggest someone dress in heals to be more "professional".
posted by hal_c_on at 10:05 AM on July 13 [2 favorites has favorites]

Michelle Obama is a tall woman who sort of lives in dressy, feminine flat shoes (often ballet flats). She also wears kitten heels on occasion, for more formal events, but she very rarely wears real high heels. I'm guessing this is partly due to a desire for comfort and partly because she's only a couple inches shorter than BHO and it's probably better for their public image if he is always the taller one in photos, etc. Anyway, she does take some flack for not wearing heels, from people who think that kind of thing is notable, but she also seems to have found a good balance of style and function. Hers might be a good shoe style code to copy.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 10:09 AM on July 13 [1 favorite has favorites]

I have worked in several corporate offices and have never felt that flats by their very nature gave off an unprofessional image. I personally tend to wear a low heel because those are the shoes I am usually attracted to, but I have noticed (and complimented) lots of my coworkers' flats over the years.

I have heard people remarking that specific KINDS of flats look unprofessional -- specifically ballet flats and mary-janes. Obviously anything with excessive embellishment also might come off as unprofessional.
posted by tastybrains at 10:11 AM on July 13

At 38, and 5'9" I hate wearing heels. They're uncomfortable and I would prefer not getting up from my desk while wearing them, hence making them moot. I wear a pair of flat mary janes to work nearly every day. I am a professional. It is appropriate and I don't feel like I'm trying to be someone I'm not.
posted by Sophie1 at 11:11 AM on July 13

Oh, c'mon. They're shoes.

If colleagues actually care about your choice of footwear to the point that it affects their opinion of your "professionalism" (whatever the hell that even means)--if they hinge their assessment of your work and capabilities on the uncomfortability of your shoes--it is they who are unprofessional.

That said, I personally think heels are a clear sign of Not Very Professional, in the same camp as, say, a tube top or fishnets. Also, that click-clack walking noise is annoying as hell.
posted by Sys Rq at 11:14 AM on July 13

TedW, thank you for my vocab word of the day, perfusionist. New to me!
posted by thinkpiece at 11:25 AM on July 13

The 5'11", West Point graduate, former COO of one of my previous workplaces would disagree with your friend's assessment.

And could probably arm-wrestle him to the ground over the point. And convince him of his wrongness with her sheer force-of-will + charisma.

Then go mountain-biking, and give birth to her 6th or 7th child.

/ She's an alien. I'm convinced of it.

// All hail our tight-butted, tall alien overlordsladies.
posted by IAmBroom at 12:58 PM on July 13

5'9, while on the tall side, isn't that tall. Maybe if you were 6', heels might draw attention that you'd rather avoid. At your height, wear whatever you feel comfortable wearing.


I am a little over 6'1". I though 5'9" was only slightly above average for a woman and would NEVER consider that TALL. I doubt that people would be worried about your height because of your shoes, just wear what style you like.

I usually wear flats to work but on occasion will wear 2" heels to dress up because I like the look. I do own one pair of 3" heels and have found that they, like all heels for me, are just too uncomfortable to wear all day. As for towering over people, my choice of footwear is irrelevant. I have always been taller than all my coworkers and every boss that I've ever had, in flats or heels.
posted by saradarlin at 1:24 PM on July 13

Michelle Obama is 5'9"-5'11", looks stylish in flats, and wore flats to a formal White House dinner.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:37 PM on July 13

I'm 6'0" and I almost never wear heels. I find them pretty uncomfortable, and I feel a little silly wandering around my office being 6'3".

I have a pretty expansive collection of flats, and I think those are fine. I also have a couple of pairs of boots with heels, just to have heels. If you think you need heels in your wardrobe, maybe try a pair of kitten heels? Your friend has an outdated view of the corporate world, methinks.

When I interviewed for the job I currently have, I wore flats, and I'm very glad I did, because the two women who interviewed me were both 5'0", and I already felt freakishly huge next to them!
posted by just_ducky at 5:28 PM on July 13

I've worked in corporate-y environments that required a suit. I always wore nice shoes with my business strait-jacket, but never, ever heels, of any height. Nobody cared. And if anyone had suggested I wreck my feet and knees to look more ''professional'' I'd have been deeply unimpressed.
posted by t0astie at 8:56 PM on July 13