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Interview Shoes: The Right Styles for Men and Women

The interviews draw tips that often focus on suit colors and cuts for men and whether to wear a skirt or pants for women and the color of both. Other interview items attracts are even more important. An example of this is shoes. For both men and women, wearing the right style and type of shoes can often be the most important and most visible element of interview attire.

For men

For men there are four types of shoes that are acceptable for interviews. There are more to less formal: the black oxford shoe, the black brogue shoe, the black loafer with tassels and finally the black dress penny loafer. Each of these shoes has a different style and message. Regardless of the style of shoe worn, it must be kept in good repair, that is, not scratched or worn at the heel and highly polished.

The black leather oxford shoe. This is the classic tie shoe. It has a flat or non-perforated toe. This is the most elegant men’s shoe and is popular with investment bankers, government officials, and others who must show dependability and consistency.

The black leather brogue shoe. Often described as wingtip, it is slightly less formal than the oxford. It can be a toecap or have a decoration on the toecap in the shape of a wing, both perforated. Acceptable with suits, the brogue has been a favorite of businessmen for decades, though it fell out of favor during the “casual Friday” dress-down era of the 1990s.

The black leather loafer with tassels. The tassel loafer has been around for decades. Once classified as Ivey League or preppy, it’s now a shopping staple. It is a loafer with stitching on the toecap and a pair of leather tassels. The shoe is not as formal as the oxford or brogue, but it is acceptable with business suits in all but the most formal and traditional professions.

The penny loafer in black leather. This is not a casual loafer with the big “meat roll” and rough hand stitching around the toe. The penny dress moccasin is more refined in cut and stitching. It looks like and is a dress shoe. The least formal of the business shoe styles, it’s sleek and clean and works with suits for all but the most formal occasions.

What kind of men’s shoes to avoid for interviews? First, slip-on, thick-soled, and large-toed shoes that are popular with younger men should be avoided. Even if they say they are dress shoes, they say all the wrong things about one. Second, avoid casual shoes like weekend loafers or other very casual shoes with leather, rubber, or plastic soles. Lastly, avoid fashionable shoes. If you’re drawn to a pair of shoes that would look great on a club dance floor or at a wild party, save them for those events. Don’t wear them for an interview. Trendy is not an interview look unless you are a fashion designer or in the arts.

The right types of shoes are available in stores and online. The most popular traditional interview shoes are sold by: Church’s Shoes (English design, very traditional), Alden (American and very traditional), Allen-Edmonds, Cole-Haan, and Johnson & Murphy. Stores that sell the right types of interview shoes include: Brooks Brothers, Joseph A. Bank, and Nordstrom.

For women

While there are infinitely more women’s shoe styles available than there are men’s, the styles that are appropriate for interviews are even more limited. The rules about the condition of women’s shoes are the same as for men. Shoes must be in top condition and well maintained if not new. While all of the men’s colors included black and black, there are more possibilities for women. While black and navy are safe bets 95% of the time. Other colors are fine, but they should complement the suit or outfit and should also match the bag or purse. Avoid light colored interview shoes and never wear white shoes to an interview unless it is for a nursing position. If it’s brown, dark shades are best. Avoid suede and never wear shoes that have metallic sparkles, glitter or sequins to an interview (or for business).

The shoe styles that are appropriate for women to wear for interviews fall into four categories: classic leather heeled pumps, slingback leather style heels, classic leather Mary Jane heels, flat or ballet style shoes. leather shoe. Everything must be leather. All should be well maintained and worn with neutral colored tights or pantyhose, regardless of season or temperature (or knee length if working with pants).

The leather pump. Heel heights and shapes vary. This is the traditional shoe for women in business. Solid color.

The slingback style in leather with a heel. Again heel heights and shapes very. This shoe, while very traditional, has an adjustable strap instead of a closed back. The shoe is classic and tasteful but with a bit more style and is considered a bit dressier than the smooth leather court shoe.

The classic leather Mary Jane shoe. This is not the flat-soled canvas model or even the funky chunky-soled model that teenagers wear. It is basically a style and cut leather pump with a thin strap that ends in an adjustable buckle along the instep. Better with skirts than pants.

The flat or ballerina shoe in leather. This type of shoe if made of fine leather and with a traditional cut is classic, flattering and is worn by women of all heights. But it is favored by very tall women and, oddly enough, very short ones. It can be plain or decorated with a discreet gold or grosgrain metal bow on the toe. The casual style of ballet flats in less dressy fabric, embroidery, or leather should be saved for wearing with jeans or khakis.

What shoes are not appropriate for women to wear to interviews? Frankly, everything else unless the interview is not for business, nonprofit, or one of the professions. Anything in unnatural colors or with sparkles or anything fancy just won’t work. Flip flops are a no always. How are the sandals? Big, clunky shoes are for teens or weekenders. Loafers are for khakis and weekends. Lace-up shoes are not appropriate for women in business, unless they run an art gallery or church order. Finally, strappy shoes and very high heels should be left for the weekends and never for work. Forget what they say on “Sex and the City.”

Women’s interview shoes are available at many women’s stores, shoe stores, and department stores. The list is really too long to do justice here. Some of the more traditional sources include: Cole Haan, Talbots, Nordstrom, Lord and Taylor, and Brooks Brothers, plus some of the designers offering quality shoes in more classic styles.

Shoes speak a lot about a person. This is never more true than in an interview setting. Make sure the shoes you wear say all the right things. While they will not guarantee a job, they will not be an obstacle if the points outlined above are observed.