American here.
Besides one job, I’ve only worked in business-casual jobs. Saw a Dragon’s Den pitch for socks that are black above the ankle with colorful patterns only visible when shoes are off. They said it’s so corporate workers can dress smart and (rebelliously) show their individuality when the shoes are off.
Do shoes come off often at work? I understand in Japan where changing shoes is common, but in the UK? They considered expanding to underwear as well, but that seems to me even less visible/relevant.
Thank you.
12 comments
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When my feet are under my desk, my shoes are generally off. Occasionally I’ll move around the office shoeless.
I believe it’s really meant to mean that they look all grown up and professional at work but the person knows they have fun socks inside their shoes.
I would only expect a man to have his shoes off if he has a problem with either the shoes or his foot.
If the business has a workshop/machine shop/manufacturing area then you would have to wear safety shoes in this area.
Only time I’ve seen people take their shoes off at work is when they are changing into their safety shoes, which look a lot more attractive on a man wearing a suit than a woman wearing a dress.
I’ve certainly seen variations of shoes off, and slippers on, in the office!
Work in software. Have seen men without shoes at urinals.
Personally I wear shoes continuously at work. Even wear them to wfh so I feel in work mode.
#AmericanHere
Scot here.
I like steak bakes, that is all.
Socks are the last bastion of personality for people in the shiny suit brigade. I’ve never heard of anyone being judged for showing some individuality through their sock choices. This semi black sock idea is total nonsense – did the idea get picked up?
Sounds to me like when they say “when shoes are off” what they mean is “in the privacy of your own home”. After all, the whole point of making the socks black on top is so you don’t look like you’re not taking the job seriously by wearing coloured socks with a shirt/black trousers combo. If you’re specifically buying socks to hide the colour you’re not then going to take your shoes off and reveal the colour.
Used to commute by motorcycle. When I did that, I’d take my boots off at work because wearing motorcycle boots in an office all day is super uncomfortable. My socks, however, had colourful patterns *all the way to the ankle!* No corporate dress code can confine me.
Shoes are off means when they’re at home not at work. Also socks are one of the few ways to show individuality in a suited and booted workplace so I wouldn’t expect the socks to do well.