Female attire for interview - heels or flats

[Anonymous]

She should wear what she's most comfortable in. I work in a corporate setting and there is a massive amount of walking from office to office. She should be comfortable and not think about her feet.

[Anonymous]

I'd say low heels, more polished.

[Anonymous]

There are plenty of polished styles for flats. Your wife should wear what makes her feel the most confident.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of polished styles for flats. Your wife should wear what makes her feel the most confident.

+1. I wouldn't wear an unstructured ballet flat to an interview but there are plenty of very professional looking flats out there that wouldn't raise any eyebrows in an interview.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My wife, who is 30, is interviewing for senior analyst/supervisor roles at Fortune 1000 companies. She is about 5'9 in height for what its worth. She says she feels comfortable in flats, so she wears those to interviews. She thinks that women who wear heels come off as high maintenance. My opinion is that she would wear heels with her suit as this is what I've seen other successful women wear in professional service firm settings - and it projects an image of confidence. What do you all think?

Heels are uncomfortable and bad for your feet. Why don't you wear heels if you love them so much?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My wife, who is 30, is interviewing for senior analyst/supervisor roles at Fortune 1000 companies. She is about 5'9 in height for what its worth. She says she feels comfortable in flats, so she wears those to interviews. She thinks that women who wear heels come off as high maintenance. My opinion is that she would wear heels with her suit as this is what I've seen other successful women wear in professional service firm settings - and it projects an image of confidence. What do you all think?

Heels are uncomfortable and bad for your feet. Why don't you wear heels if you love them so much?

Forgot to add...not your feet so MYOB

[Anonymous]

OP here - Thanks for the comments and suggestions. For some perspective: for a number of years, I was wearing work clothes that were way too baggy for my body type, until someone pulled me aside and said that I would look more professional wearing the 'slim fit' shirts from brooks brothers or just something that fit better. This person was right, even though I was comfortable in my looser fitting shirts.

From reading everyone's suggestions, it sounds like:

- heels are more formal and look best, but she should wear what is most comfortable and feels most confident in
- I should just let my wife do what she wants

Thanks all

[Anonymous]

Biggest issue is wearing shoes that aren't beat to hell (this goes for men and women). As an interviewer, I don't particularly care about a candidate's shoes or clothes unless they look poorly taken care of or way too casual/'clubwear'.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of polished styles for flats. Your wife should wear what makes her feel the most confident.

+1. I wouldn't wear an unstructured ballet flat to an interview but there are plenty of very professional looking flats out there that wouldn't raise any eyebrows in an interview.

Same. I can’t wear heels at all if it involves walking any more than 200 feet or so, due to two foot surgeries and having a metal rod in my big toe joint. I’m an attorney and found plenty of options that are sharp and dressy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 5'11' and I've always worn (low) heels to interviews. High heels you can't walk in may seem high-maintenance.

On the other hand I'm guessing she probably knows what she feels best in and what is appropriate

I’m your height and never wear heels. The point of heels is to add height and posture. I don’t need help in those areas.

I guess you are better than me.
Seriously, though... not sure i agree with your point of heels... in some cases, as the OP (awkwardly) implies, it's about formality.

[Anonymous]

The point of heels is not just to add height and "posture". It elongates the leg and looks more formal and like proper women's business attire, which is what you want to have in an interview. Just like for a man, a tie serves no purpose but looks more formal.

Obviously it's up to her, but I would get some low heel, comfortable to walk in heels for the interview. Not flats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The point of heels is not just to add height and "posture". It elongates the leg and looks more formal and like proper women's business attire, which is what you want to have in an interview. Just like for a man, a tie serves no purpose but looks more formal.

Obviously it's up to her, but I would get some low heel, comfortable to walk in heels for the interview. Not flats.

PP here. I’m 5’11”. I don’t need to “elongate” my legs. As for it looking “formal,” it’s hardly a focal point like a tie so I don’t think I’m missing anything. Sitting at a table for an interview no one is looking at my feet. Heels are traditional, I get that. But it’s a tradition that is changing and nice flats are fine too.

[Anonymous]

If you don't really care, by all means go ahead and wear flats.

Personally I think flats look stupid with most interview-appropriate suits and dresses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't really care, by all means go ahead and wear flats.

Personally I think flats look stupid with most interview-appropriate suits and dresses.

Personally I think women look stupid in heels. Maybe it’s a generational thing but a lot of younger women don’t seem to know how to walk gracefully in them. Nothing looks stupider than someone plodding along awkwardly in heels. Also, as a lawyer, sometimes we’re walking to the courthouse or something quickly and the women who can’t keep up in heels seem really dumb. No one wants to wait for you as you gingerly step along the sidewalk.

[Anonymous]

I hire analysts and financial people.

Flats or heels are fine, as long as they are clean and in good condition and a neutral color (black, navy, brown)

Don't be too flashy in an interview. Let your personality and skills (not your clothes) speak for you