Workplace: In-Between

Casual?  Check.  Business casual?  Check.  But what if your office is more professional than business casual, but less professional than, well, professional?  My office is an example of this.  The men aren’t in polos and khakis, but they’re not in full suits either—usually dress pants, a collared shirt, and a tie.  (Though it should be said that, at least in my office, the ties are frequently covered in dinosaurs or plates of spaghetti.)  The ladies are equivalent: dressier than pants and sweaters, but not in full suits.  (And maybe a fun pin, to answer to the men’s fun ties.)

So!  What to wear… we have to start with a pump, of course.

The Delphine by Michael Kors is oh-so-classic in shape (I love almond toes), feminine with its bow trimmed in silver, and still a little fun with its color.  (Also available in turquoise or black!)  The heel is four inches tall—I know tall shoes give me confidence at work!  Find these at Lord & Taylor for $160.

The Prince by Impo is a little to saucy for a full-on professional workplace, what with the trellising up the front.  However, since it’s still a simple silhouette and in black, it’ll work for your in-between workplace.  Has a four-inch heel and a one-inch platform; yours for $50 from DSW.

(Also, a side note about platforms.  See the platform on this bootie?  That’s as tall as you should go for any workplace; otherwise you can look a little stripper-y.  Which is totally okay if your workplace is a strip joint, but not so okay if it's not.  Hidden platforms are preferable to visible platforms like this one, but if they are visible they should generally be the same color as the vamp.  There are exceptions, of course, but if you’re looking for rules, here’s one.)

As for a flat, I like the Sophie by Romantic Soles.  It's a great mix of professional but fun: the cap toe (but it's shiny!); the pointed-toe body (but it's orange!).  This one had a hidden heel (three-quarters of an inch) and comes in six other color combos if you're not sold on the persimmon.  Your choice for $36 from Zappos.

Last entry on Friday: the professional workplace!