P2 Styles and Image Consulting | Personal and Professional Image Consultants

Female Lawyers and Their Iss Shoes

Saturday, February 26th, 2011

Every year during spring, I get invited to speak at law firms on the topic of business casual and every year, without fail, a young female lawyer poses the question: “Are peep toe or open toe shoes appropriate in the legal field?”

Attempting to not put my foot in my mouth, I generally answer in this manner:

Yes to either styles on business casual days, provided:

• the shoe has a sensible heel (4″ or shorter); and
• feet are well manicured.

BUT if

• you’re seeing clients;
• you’re going to court; or
• management frowns upon it,

No.

While I “gently” present to managers the argument that business attire has changed tremendously over the last 20 years and, in order to attract new clients, one should appear current, I also emphasize that casual should never trump business in terms of “business casual.” I’m told by many HR managers that they simply don’t wish to deal with that one person who always “steps” outside the boundaries – poorly manicured feet; stilettos – so they choose not to deal with the issue at all. While some offices are more accepting of one open toe shoe style over another, other offices accept both. And then there are those offices that still struggle over the issue of bare legs. My best advice is to adhere to whatever policy your company adopts. Toeing the line simply isn’t worth the possibility of having both feet out the door.

What’s your take? Complete the poll and leave a comment telling me what you really think.

Full Frontal Open Toe