ask stylebook: summer work attire?
Bailey: Are espadrilles every appropriate for work? (I work in an office setting.)
Alicia, TulleBox: The short answer is no, espadrilles are not work appropriate.
One of the rules of style is relevance to your environment. We live within striking distance of D.C. which puts us in the last frontier of breaking tradition. With so many other options in footwear (leather finished wedges, chic flats, d’orsay heels…), save the espadrilles for the weekend or after work. When you look to the roots of the espadrille, they were designed as a resort footwear. Style trends may dictate they are in style but there may be subliminal messages you send to your superiors in the workplace by choosing a casual “vacation” shoe for work.
I was discussing office attire with one of my male clients and he believes casual friday is the downfall of society (hyperbole). He’s an attorney in a law firm. What our discussion surmised was that one should dress for their job – meet the client’s expectations. Why add that challenge of showing up for your job and having anyone ponder your ability to do that job?
This opens your question up to what you do at your job. So many office settings are relaxed these days so the lines are blurred. If you are looking for what’s called for in your particular office, I would consider what your direct supervisor wears or CEO. If she or he is traditional in their approach to office dress and you want to continue to be recognized for your work in this career, follow “suit.”
1 Comment
Agree on all fronts. Your footwear and your dress says a lot to me about how seriously you take your job. And I’ll one up your client – I think Business Casual in general is the downfall of society.