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<p>Being a guy, I agree… but, from observation, women generally appear to put in more effort in clothing selection than men do, even in the same type of job in the same industry. Even in Silicon Valley computer companies where men commonly wear T-shirts and jeans or shorts, women are more likely to look as though they made more of an effort in dressing (and more often dressing anti-functionally, such as high heels), even when dressing casually.</p>
<p>I have seen other posts claiming that women tend both to be judged more on dress and also judge others on dress more. No idea how true that actually is. But if that is true, perhaps it is no surprise that Silicon Valley computer companies tend to be casual dress type of places, at least in the R&D areas.</p>
<p>No, ucb, I’m arguing against the misconception that flats are better than any heel (see the reaction to the office dress code prohibiting flats). Most anatomically correct is a heel of about 1 inch. I’m curious where in my posts I ever suggested that high heels are good for the wearer. If you think 1 inch is too high, well…</p>
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<p>Why would that be?</p>
<p>Humans were walking and running for millenia with no shoes, so they did not need a 1" heel to be anatomically correct.</p>
<p>Because, ucb, we are talking about shoes, not bare feet! 
I love to walk barefoot in my house, but since I have to wear shoes to work that requires closed toe shoes and involves a lot of standing in one place and walking, I had to choose what’s best for my feet and at the same time would not look like a sneaker (that involved some experimentation and reading about shoes).</p>
<p>Ucb- You aren’t even a female, are you? Why are you so invested in the issue of women’s shoes? Just wondering…</p>
<p>ucb I don’t know when we started wearing shoes (2000+ years), but I’d guess that as we started wearing shoes (even though they weren’t as advanced as the ones we have now) more and more our feet/legs got accustomed to the extra support. That’s why most shoes now a days come with some kind of padding/arch. Prolonged wear of flat shoes like chucks or flats hurt your feet and can mess up your knees. </p>
<p>MoWC- I don’t think it matters what sex ucb is. Nothing wrong with a man being invested in the issue of women’s shoes (although I wouldn’t call ucb or any other man’s participation on this thread “invested”).</p>
<p>I’m back after another afternoon of shopping! We haven’t even gotten to shoes yet. We found several size 0, 2 and 4 items at Banana republic today. I was certainly naive to think that this could be accomplished in one day!</p>
<p>Next week we will work on shoes. Nearby we have Nordstroms, Nordstroms Rack, many other department stores, and several discount shoe places. Where would you head first to buy supportive good quality leather shoes?</p>
<p>The nordstroms rack at the mall had lots of Born styles, very supportive and well made.
i like the rack cause then I can try on whatever I want without having to wait for a shoe salesperson to go back and forth fetching shoes. ( and for me to feel guilty if I don’t decide to buy anything)</p>
<p>I have great luck at my DSW - but a) I have a particularly good DSW in my town and b) I have a very good eye for shoes because my father was in the business all his life – selling, designing and ultimately president of a shoe company. Ironically, I see some of my father’s shoes at DSW every now and then.</p>
<p>I haven’t read this entire thread - but I would also suggest a shrug or two - black is good- goes with about everything. Offices can be cold - and these are good add ons in the AC.</p>
<p>I would also try Marshall’s. I went today and found a Calvin Klein peplum black dress for $50 (don’t remember the original price but I assume $100+). A nice dress can be as casual or formal or professional as you make it (to an extent of course).</p>
<p>Also she could get some chinos. Business casual and great to wear out of work too. Navy, grey, those are good colors for work/home. One of my (male) HS teachers and I would coincidentally wear our navy chinos the same day (maybe once a month-ish).</p>
<p>The Nordstroms in our city has an amazing shoe department. Don’t know if they are all like that, but selection and service are great. Now… D2 does NOT like have a sales person help with her shoe selection and trying on process. She strongly prefers the DSW experience where “they don’t touch your feet”. But those are two staples stores for shoe shopping for us.</p>
<p>Norstrom’s Rack sometimes has good deals, but it is so hit and miss. For people who hate to shop (which I think the OP said describes the two of them), I would skip the Rack. I did get my favorite pair of flat brown shoes ever there, BUT I have also made dozens of trips where I didn’t even find one thing to try on. It is really hit and miss, and not a good environment for people who hate to shop.</p>
<p>Yes, Nordstrom is known for their shoe department in general. I agree for someone who doesn’t like to shop and doesn’t really know fashion or style, avoid Nordstrom Rack. Their leftover shoes are often leftovers for a reason.</p>
<p>I personally love the Rack because I have tiny feet (size 6ish) and so they often have a TON of leftovers for cheap. I’ve gotten Cole Haans for less than $50, neutral Sperries, Sam Edelmans for less than $30…etc. </p>
<p>It is very hit or miss though</p>
<p>CPUScientist- Chinos aren’t all that popular for young people, except in colors (Gap) and rolled up a few turns at the ankle.</p>
<p>They don’t have to be worn like that. There are some that aren’t skinny-legged. </p>
<p>I am a “young person” and I see them worn by peers and those a bit older than I at work and outside of work.</p>
<p>Well, I guess we live in a different place, because most of the young people I know, especially in my corporate headquarters in the south, don’t wear khakis (as we call them) except in the trendy, roll up the bottoms way. I like them, but they also aren’t quite as sharp of a workplace look for women- even in a casual environment.</p>
<p>I like picking up clothing items at Nordstrom Rack on occasion but have never had success with shoes there. Nordstrom has an excellent selection of shoes, but they’re not inexpensive. DSW offers an array of choices at reasonable prices.</p>
<p>There are also small shops (not necessarily in a mall – in this area they could be on an island) that carry comfortable, harder to find shoe brands. Many of the shoes are in the $100 to $150 range.</p>
<p>When trying on shoes, make sure that your D walks in them around the store on both carpeted surfaces and tile or other hard surface. If a shoe does not feel right from the beginning, move on, because rarely shoes can fit better with time. Also, the best time to go shoe shopping is later in the day, when the feet are tired and could be somewhat swollen.</p>
<p>We completed a third day of shopping today! I have learned that often I can find the same items for less online. However, it has been very useful for my D to try clothes on in the stores because we had no idea what size she would wear (as most of her clothes are at least two years old).</p>
<p>Next on the list: shoe shopping at Nordstrom.</p>