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Last week I landed on the runway of Laguardia Airport in New York for a very specific reason: To attend Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. For a week straight I have been among the fashion elite, the fashion wannabes, the writers, the editors and—like myself—the bloggers. The important thing about Fashion Week is to look fantastic while being comfortable enough to run around all day and night atop concrete and under tents. When packing, it occurred to me that this ‘rule’ of dressing for Fashion Week applied not just for this one week, but also nearly every day for the working woman.

Many of us require footwear that is not only within our company dress code but that also doesn’t ‘frump up’ our business attire. We can be comfortable and cute, right? Well, if I can figure it out for Fashion Week, then I believe we all can figure it out for the work week!

We all love the look of stilettos, and it’s absolutely correct that heels add height and the appearance of “lean” to our overall look; so instead of banning the heel, I say compromise with it. Luckily many designers are realizing that pain isn’t necessarily beauty—the shoe may look fabulous but it doesn’t necessarily pair well with a grimace or a limp. Cole Haan developed new fashionable footwear with Nike Air technology and Kenneth Cole released his 925 Technology within all of his latest footwear in late 2009. I have to say, I have never tried on a more comfortable heel in my entire life! I’ve owned a pair of Kenneth Cole pumps that I always deemed “my tradeshow shows”. However, as much as they’ve done for me, they recently have been replaced for the more supportive option—plus they look amazing! They may have been included in my suitcase belongings en route to New York as well!

For those of you who don’t want to be restricted to one or two shoe designers (then again, who does), there are options out there for comfortable working footwear. When it comes to heels, opt for a thicker 2-inch heel. It gives you enough height for the flattering effects of the high heel and the thickness of the heel itself provides your foot with more support. Round-toed shoes are usually more comfortable, but if you are wearing slacks, the pointy-toed pumps are more flattering. If you don the pointy-toed shoe, make sure the point starts where your toes end—otherwise you’ll end up with toes on top of one another, which can lead to blisters, pinching and extreme discomfort. Also, make sure you invest in footwear with padding—many of us have purchased flats that make you feel as if you are walking directly on the ground. Try to find shoes with a bit of padding and arch support. I also suggest looking into purchasing orthotics from your chiropractor or doctor. Unsupportive footwear doesn’t just cause your legs to ache but it also results in lower back pain. Orthotics provide fantastic arch support that will save both your back and legs from painful throbbing at the end of a long day on your feet.

We are smart savvy working women, and there is no reason for us to ‘kick off our heels’ in order to get work done. We can perform our work with stealth and style whether we are at Bryant Park or at the office.

Bio
Rachel Yeomans has been working in a corporate environment since graduating from college with a degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago. She frequently found herself struggling to decide on what ensemble would make an impression within her industry that was both professional and fashionable. Once she discovered how to exude her own style and personality within her office dress code, she was amazed with how well it affected her work performance. She then decided to start the blog, TheWorkingWardrobe.com, on the topic of assisting professionals on finding their own business style. This proved to be a spearhead into Yeomans launching her career as a business style and fashion consultant, and thus launching her own company, RachelAnna Consulting. Yeomans also works as the Chicago Style and Event Contributor for fashion site LittleDesignerBook.com, and Fashion Editor for SecondCityStyle.com.