Sure, we all know what basics professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you're buying one for the first time or replacing one you've worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.

Almost since this blog was born, we've done roundups of nude-for-you heels — beige heels, brown heels, pink heels and more. But I don't think we've ever done a roundup of nude flats — so I thought we'd do one today.

Ladies, do you wear nude-for-you flats as often as you wear nude-for-you heels? Which outfits are your favorite to pair with nude-for-you flats? Any favorite brands of flats, either for comfort or the perfect match to your skin?

{related: cute flats for the office}

Our General Favorite Flats for Work

First up, some of our “Workwear Hall of Fame” styles — these are the best sellers and classics that have been around for years:

Some of our favorite comfortable flats for work as of 2024 include M.M.LaFleur, AGL, and French Sole. On the more affordable side, check out Rothy's, Sam Edelman, and Rockport. We've also rounded up the best loafers for work, and our favorite sneakers for work outfits!

Our Latest Favorite Nude Flats For All Skin Tones

Looking for comfortable flats with a variety of skin-tone options? As of 2024, take a look at Rothy's, Ferragamo, M.M.LaFleur, and AGL; brands like Naturalizer and Rebecca Allen specialize in having many skin tone options.

Why You Might Want to Wear Nude Flats to Work

The theory is thus: the closer to your exact skin tone you can get with any shoe, the more elongating and flattering a look it can be with sheer hose or bare legs.

(Here’s our last guide on when and how to wear pantyhose if you need a refresher!)

In addition to being a leg-lengthening look, they're a great neutral and can pair with pretty much any outfit because, in theory, you are matching your skin, not anything you're wearing.

One important note, though: you can buy a “nude” flat that isn't YOUR nude — it's totally fine. Wear what you want!

In fact, as we noted in our post on the best nude heels for every skin tone, there are a few rules that you may want to be wary of:

• Know your office — we've focused our roundup on closed-toe shoes, as that's what appropriate at most offices, but some may allow sandals. Trust your own comfort level with shoes that show more skin, such as d'Orsay flats that show your instep, or shoes that bare toe cleavage. (Maybe that's a topic for another post — I'm curious if anyone is still scandalized by toe cleavage.)
• Similarly, know your office with regard to whether bare legs are appropriate — depending on how conservative your office is, I might assume that pantyhose is still appropriate for “big meetings” or, say, court appearances, and you may want to keep a pair in your desk just in case. (In our last roundup of pantyhose for work, Oroblu, Wolford, and DKNY were among our favorites.)

What to Look For in Nude Flats If You Don't Want to Look Barefoot

A number of readers have noted a big pitfall with nude flats, which is that — as you're walking down the hallway — you may look as if you're barefoot. If this impression would bother you, keep an eye out for nude flats that have darker details.

For example, animal prints often have different colors of beige and brown that can match a variety of different skin tones and give a leg-lengthening look — but because there are always contrasting colors with your skintone, it won't look as if you're barefoot.

Another way to do this is to look for nude flats with a darker captoe, such as the Rothy's pictured below.

How to Wear Nude Flats with Work Outfits

I think these are a particularly great look to pair with office skirts and work dresses — your legs will look a mile long, and the neutral color won't detract from the rest of your outfit. (They're also great shoes to keep at your office because they go with everything!)

A Closer Look at Some Great Nude Flats for Work

Rothy's

Rothy's have been a reader favorite for a loooong time, and they often have a bunch of “nude-for-me” colors in various shades of ivory, beige, tan, and more. (They often have an animal print, too, which can be a fun way to wear nude(ish) heels.)

As of September 2023, they offer “camel captoe” (pictured), a darker “portobello,” a lighter “ecru,” and a very light beige “moonlight tweed;” the shoes are available in sizes 5-13.

The brand also offers square toe flats, round toe flats, three kinds of loafers, and boots.

MM.LaFleur

These M.M.LaFleur flats have been another reader favorite for a while, although at a higher price point ($245). The shoe has come in a variety of colors over the years, but always in several neutral shades.

Rebecca Allen

There are a number of brands that specialize in making nude-for-you heels — I was poking through Nordstrom's Black-Owned Business section recently and was delighted to find just such a brand: Rebecca Allen.

This pointy-toed, patent flat looks great for everyday wear. For some reason, I think it would be a particularly great flat to wear with a dress, since it's got such a sleek look.

The brand offers four colors of “nude” in sizes 6–11 for $150. If this flat isn't your jam, the brand also makes sandals and heels in the same color spectrum.

Sarah Flint

These pale pink flats are a bit on the lighter side, but I can't get over how cute they are — I love the bow on the toe.

The flats are available in three colors for $495, available in US sizes 4-13.

The post The Hunt: Nude Flats for All Skin Tones appeared first on Corporette.com.

What should you look for in interview flats? When, if ever, must you wear heels to an interview? Which are the most stylish kinds of flats for interviews? Reader L wonders:

I'm starting law school in August, and I've heard that heels (3-4″) are a MUST for interviewing and working at a law firm. However, I am a 6′ tall female. I never wear heels, since when I do, I tend to tower over everyone. Would it be appropriate to wear a nice pair of flats in my case?

Great question! We've talked about how to look professional in flats all the time, how to wear heels (if you're used to flats), and whether flats are professional enough for court.

As far as shoe questions go, this is important, so even though we've talked about it a lot, I want to stress it again: you don't need to wear heels to look professional. 

{related: check out our entire Guide to Women's Interview Attire!}

There are a number of reasons why you wouldn't want to wear heels — from feeling too tall (although hey, I say rock it out if you have the height!), to having foot injuries or issues, to just I-don't-wanna-itis.

What to Look For in Interview Flats

A few things that I would note about wearing flats for big events like interviews:

{related: the rules for interview shoes}

a) There are many, many, MANY professional options for flats — and there are many that look like bedroom slippers, sneakers, or other casual shoes. Unless you have ethical objections, look for leather and suede options over faux leather or fabric (and keep your shoes well maintained!), and if you want a sleeker look, consider a slightly pointed toe.

b) Be confident when you wear them. Don't feel like you have to apologize for your flats or explain them away on an interview. Any time any of your clothes or accessories distract you (or an interviewer), you lose.

{related: how to look professional in flats—all the time}

{related: cute flats for the office}

Readers, which are your favorite professional flats? Do you think any styles of flats look more professional than others?  Do you agree with my advice that you CAN interview in flats, even if you're 6′ tall?

The Best Kinds of Interview Flats

Reader-Favorite Polished but Comfortable Flats

We often include good looking, professional flats in our “Coffee Break” posts — but these are some of the reader's favorite flats that have stood the test of time. These would be my first purchases if I were looking…

Some of our favorite comfortable flats for work as of 2024 include M.M.LaFleur, AGL, and French Sole. On the more affordable side, check out Rothy's, Sam Edelman, and Rockport. We've also rounded up the best loafers for work, and our favorite sneakers for work outfits!

Investment Ballet Flats

If you want to make an investment in flats, these are some of the most classic options. AGL and Ferragamo are reader favorites for comfort, while Chloé, Chanel and Valentino are all recognizable status symbols.

Comfortable Low Heels for Work

If you're willing to consider a heel but feel like it must be low, or a “comfort shoe,” we've got you covered…

These are some of our favorite comfortable low heels for work as of 2024… also check out CK Calvin Klein, Trotters, Sam Edelman, and Sarah Flint!

Picture below via Stencil.

The post What to Look For in Interview Flats appeared first on Corporette.com.

Sales of note for 7.19.24

• Nordstrom – The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is now open to everybody! Here are all of our picks, and here are reader favorites.
• Ann Taylor – Semi-annual sale, extra 50% off markdowns + 20% off everything!
• Banana Republic Factory – 40-60% off everything, take an extra 20% off your purchase
• Eloquii – 50% off select styles
• Everlane – Up to 70% off
• J.Crew – End of Season Sale, extra 50% off sale styles
• J.Crew Factory – 40-60% off everything
• Lo & Sons – Summer sale, up to 50% off
• Madewell – End of season sale, up to 70% off with code.
• M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide. (Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this is the biggest sitewide discount I've ever seen…)
• Rothy's – Lots of great finds in the “final few” section
• Talbots – Semi-annual red door sale, extra 40% off markdowns

Some of our latest posts here at Corporette…

And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

• Is there a mantra or slogan that will help me combat imposter syndrome?
• AITA for not moving to the middle seat to be closer to my husband on a recent flight?
• What are your latest favorite nonfiction books for fans of Mary Beard?
• I'm so annoyed by people who look at their smart watches instead of paying attention to our conversation…
• Let's have a secrets thread…
• I need tips on managing employees in BigLaw who have to leave for daycare pickup…
• I'm thinking of leaning out to spend more time with my family – how can I find the perfect job for that?

The post Coffee Break: Nice Flats appeared first on Corporette.com.

Which are the most comfortable flats very professional should own? We did a roundup of the most comfortable ballet flats a while ago and a lot of readers noted that they've never found ballet flats to be that comfortable. I get it, trust me — I've said for years that personally I prefer strappy flats.

So if you hate ballet flats, but still struggle to find comfortable heels, which ARE the most comfortable flats for work?

Today, we're rounding up four types of comfortable flats every professional should own — other than ballet flats. 

{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}

This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!

The Strappy Flat

Stylish strappy flats can be hard to find! As of 2024, these are some of our favorites — also, in general, check J.Crew and Valentino (on the pricier side, obviously). Nordstrom also has a surprisingly large selection!

I've said for years that the strappy flat is my preferred kind of flat — an ankle wrap, a T-strap, a more elaborate lace-up situation like a Ghillie shoe — I'll take any of them.

Pro tip: make sure you're comfortable with how it buckles or fastens (personally I prefer ones that zip up the back of the shoe, but sometimes the zipper can dig).

Other tips: for the most flattering look, watch where the straps hit — for some reason straps that hit higher, at the skinniest point of my ankle, seem to look the best. If you can find them, look for ones that have a strap that's close to your skin tone, or where the strap has a slight shape of a V on your leg instead of a straight line across your ankle.

For the most sophisticated, sleekest look, watch the way the toes are shaped and where the shoe hits the top of your foot (the vamp) — the rounder the toe and higher the vamp, the frumpier the shoe (in general).

The Sleek Loafer

As of 2024, some of our favorite loafers for work are from Sam Edelman, Everlane, and Madewell. If you want something more classic, readers love Sperry and Ferragamo; if you want comfort, Vionic and Dr. Scholl's both have options. Meanwhile, if you want something a bit more feminine or slouchy, the Tory Burch loafers are all really highly rated at Nordstrom (especially this “ballet loafer“)!

Loafers have come a LONG way since the days where you actually put pennies in them — there are a number of sleek models out here. Personally I can't wear them (narrow ankle, wide toes), but from a fashion perspective these can look great with a pencil skirt, shift dress, ankle pants, or more. (For some reason I think they look a bit dowdy with full-length pants, but that's me.)

Look for cutouts on the side, a soft but firm leather, and a sole that doesn't slip for you — and avoid a “slipper” look as much as possible for a sleek work look.

The Oxford

As of 2024, some of our favorite loafers for work are from Sam Edelman, Everlane, and Madewell. If you want something more classic, readers love Sperry and Ferragamo; if you want comfort, Vionic and Dr. Scholl's both have options. Meanwhile, if you want something a bit more feminine or slouchy, the Tory Burch loafers are all really highly rated at Nordstrom (especially this “ballet loafer“)!

If you like the “borrowed from the boys” approach to dressing, this menswear-inspired trend can be a great look for the office. There's a huge range in these shoes, with platform oxfords, laceless oxfords, and sporty oxfords trending right now (I'd say “know your office” applies to the sportier ones, particularly those with a white or colored sole).

They look particularly great with pants, but some of the sleeker models also pair well with skirts and dresses.

(Readers just had a discussion about how to style oxfords for work like the Everlane Modern Oxford; this $69 pair is similar and a best-seller at Zappos.)

The Foldable Flat

To be totally clear, if a flat can fold it's probably not an “all day” sort of look — but these can be amazing “savior shoes” when your other shoes are killing you. Because they're foldable and super lightweight you can throw them in pretty much any bag — I've even stuffed them in a clutch.

There's a huge range of prices here — Amazon has options as low as $5 (your local drugstore probably does too), while other people swear by $200+ versions like Tieks (Tory Burch and Kate Spade both have options as well!).

The middle tier option that I've heard great things about is Yosi Samra, generally $89ish new (but find it on sale in select colors at Amazon for as low as $35).

Readers, what are your favorite flats to wear to work — and which do you think are the most comfortable flats every professional should own?

Some of our favorite comfortable flats for work as of 2024 include M.M.LaFleur, AGL, and French Sole. On the more affordable side, check out Rothy's, Sam Edelman, and Rockport. We've also rounded up the best loafers for work, and our favorite sneakers for work outfits!

(Oh, and if you still want classic ballet flats instead of or in addition to these shoes, these are some of the best-selling, most comfortable ballet flats according to thousands of reviews:)

Some of our favorite comfortable flats for work as of 2024 include M.M.LaFleur, AGL, and French Sole. On the more affordable side, check out Rothy's, Sam Edelman, and Rockport. We've also rounded up the best loafers for work, and our favorite sneakers for work outfits!

Pictured at top and in Pin: Deposit Photos / © belchonock. 

The post Four Types of Comfortable Flats Every Professional Should Own — Even If You Hate Ballet Flats appeared first on Corporette.com.