It’s the Shoes April 28, 2010
Posted by indigobunting in Uncategorized.trackback
Tomorrow I head to New York to attend a snooty work-related dinner at a snooty club. This is all well and good. I have attended this dinner a couple of times before and spent the night in said club. My problem is always trying to balance what to wear to comfortably negotiate New York City with what to wear to be allowed to walk in and out of the lobby of this place.
The biggest problem, ultimately, is the shoes. As far as I have been able to discern, there’s no such thing as a shoe that’s both good-looking and comfortable—at least not comfortable in the sense that it can hold up to walking long distances in New York.
Here is the club’s dress code:
The Club’s dress code policy is business casual. Business casual dress consists of professional and tasteful clothing you would wear in your workplace.
For men this includes blazers or sport jackets (optional), collared shirts (dress shirts, button downs, golf shirts), turtlenecks or sweaters (including cardigans), tailored trousers (dress slacks, khakis, corduroys), and loafers or lace-up shoes with socks.
For women this includes shirts (collared) or blouses with sleeves, turtlenecks, sweaters and sweater sets, skirts or tailored pants, and flats, pumps, or boots.
Inappropriate attire includes but is not limited to denim, shorts, tee shirts (sleeveless shirts, tank tops, halter tops, crop tops), sandals (beach sandals, Birkenstocks, flip flops), athletic wear of any kind (sweatshirts, rugby shirts, sweatpants, leggings, stirrup pants, jogging suits, spandex, lycra, athletic shoes or sneakers, caps), torn clothing (clothing with holes or frayed ends), clothing with offensive or profane language, and provocative or revealing clothing.
Please help keep the Club one of New York’s most distinctive and distinguished spaces by dressing appropriately.
The last time I went to this gig, I bought a white blouse for the occasion. I hate white blouses. But I found one I actually liked and wore it in and out of the place. At least I think I did. After that trip, the blouse mysteriously disappeared. I never saw it again.
Over the last couple of weeks I’ve hunted for a tolerable collared white blouse. But to no avail. I refuse to spend a lot of money for a piece of clothing that annoys me and that I will never wear. Except to walk in and out of this club.
I bought a pair of shoes I may or may not wear. They are pretty cute. But will they hold up on a street commute or will my feet be reduced to bloody stumps?
It’s the bloody stumpage that gets to me.
It’s snowing/raining today but is supposed to be nice tomorrow and Friday in the city, with temperatures in the 70s F. I’ve got the snooty outfit for the snooty dinner covered. I just need to find an outfit that both looks good and will accommodate street-walking shoes that meet the dress code.
Unless I find dress pants that go great with cowboy boots, I’m likely screwed.
Route 153 
Good luck to you and have fun. Doesn’t everything go well with cowboy boots?
What about the old Secretaries’ Trick: wearing sneakers to walk in, then pulling out the nice shoes you’ve hidden in your bag? You probably have some cute, tiny purse, don’t you. Hmm. How about a daybag that you leave in the coat check room?
And cowboy boots don’t create bloody stumpage? The idea of those pointy toes gives me the shivers.
No sneakers in the lobby! I would have to change on the street.
My cowboy boots are comfortable in the extreme. At least, the black ones are. I don’t wear the brown ones enough to be sure. But they’re both Ariat!
If they’re good and you break them in, cowboy boots are great. My father has been wearing (really expensive) boots with his (really expensive) suits to work for 25 years. So long that his legs get uncomfortable in a shoe without a heel.
Good luck finding non-stumpage shoes, though. I’ve had great luck lately myself but part of that has to do with being a size 10 and shopping at Marshalls. Heh. All the good sizes are gone.
I’m thinking of going with the cowboy boots and a skirt (Me! Tromping around in a skirt!) The accompanying shirts do not have collars, but I could cover up with a sweater.
I’m trying it all on now.
Pictures of the final decision please.
Tim’s got the camera and he’s in Portland!
I’m sure there will be photos taken at the event!
I’m with Craig – flat comfy shoes (ballet shoe type thing? if not sneakers) in your handbag.
What, what an unprofessional and untasteful bunch we are at my workplace. Especially me.
Too bad you’re not closer, or I would lend you my bogs. Rainproof boots good to -40 degrees and oh so tasteful with their lime green and pink polka dots. Technically, they meet the club’s dress code.
Oh Helen, that would be so much more exciting than black cowboy boots. And the skirt I’m wearing has polka dots, so it would totally go.
Have I mentioned that I’m wearing 4.5-inch heels to the event itself? I had to practice walking in them. Luckily, I’ll be sitting a lot.
IB — Your friend Margot has a Nokia, It’s bound to have a camera. Make her take your photo.
4.5 inch heels? Ouch!
She’ll wonder why I’m doing that. Out of character for me to ask such a thing. And believe me, not exciting. But we’ll see!
Dona, I think the heels would make me a full foot taller than you.
Who wrote this dress code? And why do shirts have to have collars, but blouses not? God knows I’m all for dressing for the occasion, but the language of this dress code makes my hackles rise!
But I’m sure, Indigo, that you will carry it all off with your usual panache.
4.5 inches??? Wow, I hope you can at least post a picture of your feet. Maybe a pre- and post-event one.
Go ahead, IB, rub it in. I’m short. 🙂
Definitely need a photo of the shoes!
that dress code is from the 50’s. but bet you’ll be hot in the heels.
also, snooty is overrated more than once a year.
I’m with them – 4.5″ heels??!? While I used to stand all day long in heels and even run around the sales floor selling books in them, those days are LONG gone. Now, after long episodes in Birks & adidas & ballet flats (that’s your answer), my toes wince at the very thought of that altitude & unbalanced pressure. Good luck, IB.
I’m back. I survived. I did not get kicked out. I have no photos. But maybe I’ll try to shoot the footwear someday for your viewing pleasure.