Working Girl: The Best Loafers For Fall
Something that really irks me about women’s clothing is the prioritization of fashion over functionality. I find this issue to be particularly prevalent when it comes to shoe options. Nearly a year ago I started to search for the perfect work shoe. I had three basic criteria: I wanted flat soles, but they had to be supportive and with enough substance so I could wear them as I commuted in the winter.*
As I searched for these near-elusive shoes, I got more and more frustrated. Surely there had to be an option that wasn’t a pair of boots (they just don’t work if you're wearing slacks) or that weren’t stodgy. I’ve come to tell you that I’ve succeeded in sourcing a few of these options. But it has to be said that this search was far harder than it should’ve been. Can a lady not find a pair of comfortable, functional AND fashionable shoes without having to look for a year?!
I don’t know why it was so hard - maybe the fashion industry doesn’t see a demand, maybe high heels or booties are the expectation for working women, maybe we don't question enough why woman's clothing tends to lead to more discomfort, or maybe I’m just picky and there are lots of options that I never considered. Regardless of the answer, big props to the designers featured below who, in my opinion, truly hit the mark for the working woman.
* It is unbelievable how many women’s loafers and flats are cut lower on the foot to look “feminine.” I also felt that wearing cardboard would’ve been more protective than the soles on some of my shoes. Don't even get me started on the heel-less loafer trend...
