Business Etiquette: Wearing Sandals at the Office?

Who doesn’t love a pair of great looking sandals – always a great reason to indulge in a fabulous pedicure! Worn with the right outfit under the proper circumstances, you can shine at your girls’ lunch, poolside party or dinner with friends. But should you be wearing sandals at the office?  Refer to my tips below for sandal etiquette.

• Consult your company handbook for shoe-particulars. Even if you can, you shouldn’t. Unless your office is on the beach, wearing sandals at the office takes your corporate look down a notch (or three). A “flip flop” never belongs in the corporate corridor.
• Does a peep toe count? Technically, a peep toe falls in the pump category and showing a little toe doesn’t hurt – especially when your tootsies are perfectly polished.

• Look around. Just because your cubicle mates are wearing rubber straps around their feet doesn’t mean you should follow suit. You are responsible for your own corporate image and that includes your choice of shoe.
• Use your best judgment. Take a careful look at your work environment. If you work in retail, a fashion forward choice is perfectly acceptable but consider comfort before selecting a beautiful, 5 inch sandal. While a sandal with a low to moderate heel may be an acceptable shoe for your office, a jewel encrusted satin sandal sends a different message.
• Make sure your feet are sandal-ready. If you haven’t invested in a pedicure at your favorite salon in several months, you are overdue. If you have the time and talent, opt for an at-home spa option. Avoid neon colors and bejeweled artwork on the toes if you plan to show them off at the office.
• Check the weather. Even if the calendar says Spring/Summer, if the thermometer still says “freeze,” keep your toes warm and wait it out until it’s a more comfortable sandal wearing temperature.
• Don’t wear sandals (or any shoes) that are plastic, foam, or otherwise beach or pool appropriate to the office. Again, just because sandals are permitted at your office doesn’t mean you should wear them.
• Don’t remove your sandals (or shoes) and walk around the office barefoot. The general rule is, if it slides between your toe, it is not office appropriate. It’s also too easy to kick your shoes off under your desk and take a quick trip to the coffee pot or water cooler.

Just because the weather is starting to change doesn’t mean we should change our attitude about office appropriate.