These are my favorite summer shoes. They are espadrilles made by Andre Assous, and have conformed themselves to my unique feet. If I took them off, you can see the little depressions my toes have made in the bed of the shoes. I love these little shoes. They have adorable rope soles with just enough of a heel lift to look stylish, but still feel heavenly. I can stand on my feet for 10 hours and my feet do not complain because they are snuggled gently within the pillowy wonderfulness of these shoes.
I have always had Problem Feet. About 15 years ago I had surgery to correct six hammer toes, which had made my life miserable since I was about 12 years old. I had big gnarly knuckles on my very long toes, which rubbed on all my shoes and caused blisters, callouses and all sorts of other painful and unsightly foot issues. My feet were quite unattractive and caused me a lot of discomfort. The process of correcting the hammer toes involved taking the middle joint out of those poor six toes and fusing them together into straight little sausages. Now those toes have a slightly pudgy and out of whack looking shape, but no more problems with the aforementioned afflictions. I will never have beautiful feet, but what an improvement. Six of my toes now have a faint scar, and do not bend anymore, but oh my goodness, what a blessing not to have pain in my toes from the misshapen mess my toes used to be.
Now I can wear cute shoes without incident. I am even happy enough with my feet to show my toes, which in the past, I never would have done. I can wear just about any style of shoe, and you all know how much I love my shoes.
Working at retail means I have to be on my feet for extended periods of time. Plus, since I am in Fashion Retail, I have to look Cute. No clogs or clodhoppers for me. These little black espadrilles have been my best friend this summer. Until this weekend.
Talbots is changing its sales associate dress code. We all gotta dress up more, doncha know? As of September 1, no more sandals, no more open toed shoes. No more cute comfortable espadrilles. Oh no.
I don't actually have to wear heels, but I do need to wear attractive, stylish, closed toe shoes. Ack. My toes want to be Free.
Sophie update: She is fine. A little darker than usual, but fine. We ended up not taking her to the groomer to have her fur shaved off. The last bath seemed to have done the trick and she is not leaving oily tracks anymore. A bit of oil must have gotten into one of her eyes, which was irritated for a day or so, but that has resoved itself too. Did you read Susan's post today? What is it about these fierce little dogs named Sophie?
30 responses to “New Dress Code”
Gosh. That seems a bit extreme, doesn’t it? I can see banning flipflops or clogs – but no open toes at all? It’s almost unAmerican, especially since they sell sandals!
Gosh. That seems a bit extreme, doesn’t it? I can see banning flipflops or clogs – but no open toes at all? It’s almost unAmerican, especially since they sell sandals!
Oh my gosh…how in the world do they expect you all to stand all days in those crazy heels? Are they nuts????? How is Miss Sophie?
Oh my gosh…how in the world do they expect you all to stand all days in those crazy heels? Are they nuts????? How is Miss Sophie?
Those pumps look considerably less comfy than the sandals, for sure. Boo, Talbots!
Those pumps look considerably less comfy than the sandals, for sure. Boo, Talbots!
It must be in the water, I work in a law firm and we get business casual but a lot of the stuff that we consider business casual we are no longer allowed to wear. But we keep wondering what dress code the HR manager is using because the clothes she wears are always 10 sized too small and her skirts are always about an inch away from her hiney. Oh the injustice of it all! I hate dress codes.
It must be in the water, I work in a law firm and we get business casual but a lot of the stuff that we consider business casual we are no longer allowed to wear. But we keep wondering what dress code the HR manager is using because the clothes she wears are always 10 sized too small and her skirts are always about an inch away from her hiney. Oh the injustice of it all! I hate dress codes.
Oh how I feel for you; personally, I can not stand to have my feet confined in uncomfortable shoes. For the most part, I wear nothing but hiking sandals all year long, unless it is snowy outside (I live in the Midwest). The new dress code seems “cruel and unusual”, especially considering how much time you will be spending on your feet at work.
linda
ps – I wouldn’t say you have unattractive feet – you should see mine – they are pretty homely.
pss – I hope Sophie has recovered from her ordeal.
Oh how I feel for you; personally, I can not stand to have my feet confined in uncomfortable shoes. For the most part, I wear nothing but hiking sandals all year long, unless it is snowy outside (I live in the Midwest). The new dress code seems “cruel and unusual”, especially considering how much time you will be spending on your feet at work.
linda
ps – I wouldn’t say you have unattractive feet – you should see mine – they are pretty homely.
pss – I hope Sophie has recovered from her ordeal.
Well I sure hope they aren’t going to make you stand all day in shoes like that last pair. While they are quite lovely and decidedly sexy, you’ll cause yourself even more foot problems i fear.
Well I sure hope they aren’t going to make you stand all day in shoes like that last pair. While they are quite lovely and decidedly sexy, you’ll cause yourself even more foot problems i fear.
so talbots is requiring you to go from adorable and comfortable to sexy…???
at least they are lovely looking shoes…
so talbots is requiring you to go from adorable and comfortable to sexy…???
at least they are lovely looking shoes…
OHDEARGOD YOU HAVE TO WEAR HEELS?????
OHDEARGOD YOU HAVE TO WEAR HEELS?????
Watch out for Ozzie. He may enjoy eating your loved espadrilles. I had to wear heals for a job I had and to my surprise it was not to bad. Good luck with the dress code. You might be surprised on how good you feel looking great everyday.
Watch out for Ozzie. He may enjoy eating your loved espadrilles. I had to wear heals for a job I had and to my surprise it was not to bad. Good luck with the dress code. You might be surprised on how good you feel looking great everyday.
Oh, I am a shoe person… My hubby jokes that my name should be Imelda! (get it?)
Those are such cute open toed shoes… Comfort is #1, but style is 1.5!
I recently discovered a soak for feet… sounds yucky, but it works! 1 parts water to 1 part white vinager. Soak for at least 30 min. then wash with some good smelling soap. At this point you could give yourself a pedicure too. Feet feel great!
Oh, I am a shoe person… My hubby jokes that my name should be Imelda! (get it?)
Those are such cute open toed shoes… Comfort is #1, but style is 1.5!
I recently discovered a soak for feet… sounds yucky, but it works! 1 parts water to 1 part white vinager. Soak for at least 30 min. then wash with some good smelling soap. At this point you could give yourself a pedicure too. Feet feel great!
Time to find a new job! LOL!
Time to find a new job! LOL!
Oh, I have a “Sophinator” too! We call her Sophie Mae Stinkerpot. She has eaten two quilts, countless sheets, blankets and pillows, and a few other things. She is a puppy mill survivor and we love her with all our hearts. She got into a fight with her sister this morning (sound familiar?) and is in boot camp again! Right now she’s laying next to me looking like a little beagle angel. Here’s to all our Sophies!!!
Oh, I have a “Sophinator” too! We call her Sophie Mae Stinkerpot. She has eaten two quilts, countless sheets, blankets and pillows, and a few other things. She is a puppy mill survivor and we love her with all our hearts. She got into a fight with her sister this morning (sound familiar?) and is in boot camp again! Right now she’s laying next to me looking like a little beagle angel. Here’s to all our Sophies!!!
Then just be happy that you don’t work where I do! No sandals, open-toe shoes, slides, mules or open-back shoes. No tennis shoes, gym shoes or super-high heels. No sleeveless dresses or tops, and blouses should have a finished bottom edge and be hip-length or above. Anything that looks like a man’s shirttail must be tucked in. Blouses/shirts can be solid, a subtle stripe or plaid, or a very low-key print but not flashy, busy or overly noticeable. Nothing denim above or below the waist. Pants are acceptable so long as they are hemmed and don’t have holes. Skirts should be knee-length or longer, and pantyhose are preferred. (In the summer, if you have a longer skirt, nobody is likely to be too upset so long as you still look “dressed”.) No visible tattoos ~ thank goodness all of my ink is covered up. (Just kidding… no ink for moi.) Jewelry must be tasteful, understated and not too excessive. Hair should be “well-groomed”… (probably the reason most of us wear pants).
Although considering the amount of time I spend on the floor of the stockroom pulling stock from the back of the bottom shelf, and the mopping, emptying of trash, cleaning of the stovetop, and doing dishes, it’s probably a good thing that I don’t have to worry about looking too pretty. 🙂
Then just be happy that you don’t work where I do! No sandals, open-toe shoes, slides, mules or open-back shoes. No tennis shoes, gym shoes or super-high heels. No sleeveless dresses or tops, and blouses should have a finished bottom edge and be hip-length or above. Anything that looks like a man’s shirttail must be tucked in. Blouses/shirts can be solid, a subtle stripe or plaid, or a very low-key print but not flashy, busy or overly noticeable. Nothing denim above or below the waist. Pants are acceptable so long as they are hemmed and don’t have holes. Skirts should be knee-length or longer, and pantyhose are preferred. (In the summer, if you have a longer skirt, nobody is likely to be too upset so long as you still look “dressed”.) No visible tattoos ~ thank goodness all of my ink is covered up. (Just kidding… no ink for moi.) Jewelry must be tasteful, understated and not too excessive. Hair should be “well-groomed”… (probably the reason most of us wear pants).
Although considering the amount of time I spend on the floor of the stockroom pulling stock from the back of the bottom shelf, and the mopping, emptying of trash, cleaning of the stovetop, and doing dishes, it’s probably a good thing that I don’t have to worry about looking too pretty. 🙂
So glad to hear Sophie didn’t have to be shaved and is doing ok…and pumps…YUCK!
So glad to hear Sophie didn’t have to be shaved and is doing ok…and pumps…YUCK!
When a job bans open shoes, you see more of us walking around barefoot. I am tired of people treating toes like private parts.
When a job bans open shoes, you see more of us walking around barefoot. I am tired of people treating toes like private parts.