What do you have to wear for shoes at your job? It’s one of the things I hate the most about putting together a work uniform/costume because shoes are too freakin’ expensive to begin with. And then to have to buy a pair that you are only going to wear at work and eventually you see them covered in coffee, ketchup and tears. At my most recent job, I was required to buy a very specific pair of shoes so that they would match the decor of the restaurant. Unlike normal eateries, this place wanted shoes based on style rather than comfort or safety. We were asked to wear Converse or Vans or Keds or some similar sneaker and they needed to be a certain shade as well. They encouraged us to look for these shoes at thrift stores in order to “go green” but like anyone is going to buy a pair of used shoes. You may as well just put out a welcome home sign for bed bugs, cooties and bacteria. So I splurged and bought some really cute tan colored Vans that I thought I would wear outside the job too. However, once I wore them at work for more than a couple of hours, I knew these would only be work shoes. I have never noticed before, but sneakers like that have absolutely no support and wearing them on hard floors all day was not good for the dogs. In addition, they have no resistance, so slipping was a common occurrence. “Oh, what? You slipped and busted your ass and your arches have fallen? Pity. Your shoes are darling though and they go so well with the decor.”
After my first eight hour shift, I was longing for my Payless $29.99 work shoes that are made of vinyl and have a skid resistant sole. Any food or drink that drops onto them simply wipes right off with a wet paper towel. These Vans were made of canvas, so the first time any bit of food gets on them, it’s a permanent stain. And they were not good for my corn either. Yeah, that’s right. I have corn on my little toe and no amount of Dr. Scholl’s products will heal it. I have had it for so long that it’s practically a member of the family. Seriously, my corn will have a place at the table on Thanksgiving. Only on that day we won’t refer to it as “corn. In honor of Thanksgiving, we shall call it “maize.”
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julie
Dansko, Dansko, Dansko.They have professional soles and totally worth the $I can wear a pair for over a year (when my dog doesn't get ahold of them) they clean up great, great support and I know it is time to get a new pair when my feet hurt at the end of a shift. On a busy night, in the front section of the (tiny) restaurant I work in I will walk 8 miles (someone wore a pedometer once).
Anonymous
I don't have to wear shoes; I work at home. When I worked fast food, though, I had a pair of Shoes for Crews that were SO comfortable I'd wear them outside work. They got ruined in a basement flood. 🙁
Anonymous
I got lucky–black with a medium to high polish was the only requirement. Since we're a Japanese restaurant we also have to take off our shoes to serve some of the rooms. I got Sketcher Scholars, which are stiff leather and easy to get in and out of without using my hands, and also have a stiff sole so they're comfy for hours of standing and walking. If they asked us to wear loafers or something soft I'd be in hell…
yellowcat
I wear Crocs and my feet never hurt. I can work all day and half the night before I want to take them off. I used to wear black or brown, but last year I decided to give in and wear coloured ones. I have lime green & neon orange. If they were the same size I'd wear one of each colour.
grahamophone
Hazza to Sharlene!I'm an opera singer and always have to wear heels of some sort. I ruined my feet with Converse and china-doll slippers as a teenager, and well, there you have it.Off-duty, Dansko is the only way to go. When I was working at T.J. Cinnamon's bakery, my boss got on my case for having black shoes instead of the required brown. I stood at the cash register all day long, and my feet were never seen… But rules are rules!!If only they'd finally open that restaurant at the end of the universe — zero gravity workplace. Yeah!
SharleneT
If they want you to wear a certain shoe, they should provide them… and pay for the cleaning… Have a Happy Thanksgiving
Mary A.
This is the place that steals your tips right? Becasue they are asshats.
flourchild
Luckily for me, I work in a small diner so it doesn't really matter what shoes I wear. Crocs are the way to go. My feet NEVER hurt, and they don't slip on wet floors. Sure, they're ugly as hell. Not to mention they're bright neon orange. You should get a pair and wear them to your new job. Right before you plan to quit, of course. Just for kicks 🙂
hed.
I can't believe they don't require you to wear slip-resistant shoes! That seriously does sound like a lawsuit waiting to happen. Too bad they care more about the color of your shoes then the safety of their employees…hed http://www.hedabovewater.com
Amanda
i fortunately work in a place that allows us to wear any shoe we choose. however may i suggest an arch support insole?i have unusually high arches and wear them in my already supportive shoes. another suggestion is arch supporting socks. they have a special band built in to support the arch of your foot and are another one of my must haves.
Donda
Tretorns…those are the most comfortable shoes ever made and you can still find them online. Clorox 2 and a magic eraser before you throw them in the wash works really well. Good luck to you and your maize 🙂
Jeff
If you have had a corn that long, it ain`t going away, so you might as well name it!
Practical Parsimony
I don't wear uniforms. But, one time when I was a cocktail waitress for two long horrendous years after my divorce, the place I worked at all of a sudden wanted uniforms. The owner picked out French maid uniforms, low cut, and not comfortable at all. Don't laugh, but the skirt barely covered the black panties/bloomers with several rows of white lace. We were incensed. At least you don't have to fight people off because of your uncomfortable, greasy shoes. My dignity was fractured. And, I was a minister's wife before the divorce that I got. Okay, being a cocktail waitress in ruffled bloomers was easier than being his wife!
donna reed
Maize. That is freakin' hysterically disgusting.
Tanya
I'm 5 feet tall and work in a psych ward, so I try to wear high heels to give some sense of authority… but I usually end up wearing purple flats. Then the schizophrenic patients ask me out. Kinda makes my waitressing days look better…
Bouncin' Barb
There's nothing worse than sore feet. Well maybe a bad back but if you're walking all day with foot pain you cringe with each step. ARe there gel insoles or arch supports you can put in them? Dr. Scholls has a lot of stuff out there.
Sawyer
Fall. Then sue. But I'm sure you've already thought of this.
Anonymous
That is a dumb shoe to work in! I wear Dansko. Everyone is required to wear black. Some wear S.A.S. nurse and old lady shoes. Or 'Shoes for Crews' in many styles slip resistant and comfy. Black slacks and black shoes. Shoes are not very noticeable. If you wear khaki then those vans probably look real cute but my feet would be killing me. If you can't wear slip resistant shoes that place is just asking to pay for a broken ass. ouch!
Tesakana
Vans are nice but I'm a huge fan of Converse – they're popular, have good support (for me at least), and reasonable traction. Still, I don't think shoes are a huge part of a uniform, lol…