do women wear heels in a law firm? Forum

[elizh1016]

I still haven't heard if my SA will be remote or not, but in the off chance that it's in person, I'm wondering if it's acceptable for women to wear flats

[papermateflair]

I can't speak for every law firm, but I haven't worn heels in literally years. Some women wear them, some do not, some will wear them every day, and others only sometimes. Don't go out and buy heels if you don't usually wear them, and I don't think there's an expectation that you ever wear them at all. I wear flats and flats only, and I can't imagine anyone at my big law firm looking askance at someone who wore flats instead of heels.

[bigchiefhoho]

In my experience, most women keep some basic heels in their office and put them on for major meetings and court, but they wear flats otherwise. Usually they also wear comfy sneakers or birkenstocks or Rothys or something to travel to/from work and put on dressier flats inside the office. I keep black and nude heels in my office to match black and navy suits, but they don't get a lot of wear.

[Mr. Kister]

As an aside, for anyone reading this who prefers to wear high heels, please keep in your office a pair of comfortable flats for the purpose of walking to summer lunches. You'll save yourself pain plus not slow the group down.

[Anonymous User]

I know more than a few people who keep a pair of nice heels in their office if they happen to need them but wear comfy shoes / flats when commuting / around the office. As long as your shoes look vaguely professional I wouldn't worry.

[Anonymous User]

I used to sometimes but got tired of creepy comments from male associates and partners. I’m nearly 6 feet tall in flats FYI.

[legalpotato]

I used to sometimes but got tired of creepy comments from male associates and partners. I’m nearly 6 feet tall in flats FYI.

TBH, if OP were to ask any male partner this question, I'm sure the convo would go like this "This is a very progressive firm (I have not voted for a republican once in my entire life) and expecting that women wear high heels or skirts is a vestige of sexism for which our firm has no tolerance. While I wouldn't wear tennis shoes to work, you should wear whatever you want as long as it looks professional. Would you like to see my p*nis?"

[Anonymous User]

Any recommendations for comfortable/professional flats?

[lolwutpar]

Please don't. I still have PTSD from the sound of heels clacking down the hallway toward my office from a nightmare senior I used to work with.

[Anonymous User]

Ditto on the keep a pair in your office. I invested in a pair of Tory Burch wedge heels (not high; maybe 2 inches) and would walk 1.2 miles to Capitol Hill and back in DC in them — very comfortable. Their flats are stylish but I’ve had a hard time with them and have gotten really bad blisters and sores on my Achilles. Surprisingly, I’m obsessed with my Skechers flats (I think that’s the brand I’ll check) — never would have guessed it but walking on sunshine. My sisters are nurses and they recommended them to me (they look professional don’t worry).

On a separate note, I would be careful with any heels (if you choose to wear them) that have open or peep toe or open/sling back, and go for a more conservative shoe. Best to play it safe during summer and get that offer!

[Anonymous User]

In my experience, most women keep some basic heels in their office and put them on for major meetings and court, but they wear flats otherwise. Usually they also wear comfy sneakers or birkenstocks or Rothys or something to travel to/from work and put on dressier flats inside the office. I keep black and nude heels in my office to match black and navy suits, but they don't get a lot of wear.

I generally agree with this but FWIW I wear (wore) Rothys all the time in my supposedly stuffy office. On days that it rained I often left my Hunter boots on unless I was going to a meeting.

[Anonymous User]

In school now, but I worked at a DC firm (not one with a reputation for being "stuffy") pre law school and wore them every day, but I was in the minority. Most of the female attorneys I worked with did not. I'll go back to wearing them when I start going into the office. You should be completely fine wearing flats, though.

[Monochromatic Oeuvre]

Watching summers in heels who are obviously uncomfortable both physically and situationally meekly knock on the office doors of a 100%-burnt-out midlevel in leggings (no long shirt, sweater or skirt, just a fleece zip-up) and Uggs who looks like she might murder a puppy for a stress release is always one of the most hilarious things to happen every summer.

Ranks above "last four fratty bros at a summer event taking shots with the alcoholic partner obviously trying to relive his twenties while recruiting clearly wants to go home," but just below "hungover fratty bro falls asleep near the end of a 90-minute partner call he was invited to sit in for."