Shoes are one of the hardest-working accessories in our wardrobe—particularly in a corporate environment. They need to complement our professional style while standing up to the demands of a full working day.
As a corporate lawyer who has spent the majority of her life inside an office, Mariko Kuo has learned more than a thing or two about how to dress for work in a way that feels polished while still leaving room for personality. And shoes are an often overlooked component that can make quite the difference to any look.
Mariko's style tends to be quite clean and paired back citing Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy as one of her biggest style inspirations, which is she loves to add wow shoes to her looks. When navigating a busy London commute she switches to flats, but when she changes into heels, her shoes need to work just as hard as she does. Below, Mariko shares her five top tips when choosing your summer work shoes.
5 Summer Work Shoe Tips I Swear By
1. Invest in Shoes from Shoe Brands
There’s a reason why shoe brands are shoe brands. They understand proportion, comfort, craftsmanship, and most importantly, what makes a shoe look elegant, sophisticated and polished.
Over the years, I’ve found that the pairs that consistently deliver on both style and comfort come from brands that specialise in shoes. Think Manolo Blahnik, Roger Vivier, Jimmy Choo and Gianvito Rossi. Time and time again, these are the shoes that never let me down. Unsurprisingly, many of the styles I'm coveting this summer come from these iconic footwear houses.
2. Open Toes can Work, but Keep it Peep-Toe
Open-toe shoes can absolutely have a place in the office, but I prefer to keep them refined with a peep-toe silhouette. As tempting as Greek sandals, slides and flip-flops may be, we must remind ourselves that we are going to the office, not the beach.
Instead, showing just a hint of skin feels far more polished than exposing the entire foot and helps maintain a professional, sophisticated appearance. Peep-toe mules are particularly effective for summer workwear, offering both elegance and practicality.
Saint Laurent’s Babylone, Gianvito Rossi’s Dorotea or Jude’s Date mules are perfect examples. They strike the right balance between relaxed and refined, making them an ideal partner for a midi skirt, pencil skirt or tailored trousers.
3. Slingbacks are Your Best Friend
If I had to choose one shoe style for the office during the summer months, it would be the slingback. As temperatures rise, a little extra breathing room for your feet makes all the difference. Slingbacks offer the polish and impact of a classic court shoe whilst being eminently more practical. The ability to slip them on and off easily throughout the day, especially under our desks, is something our feet will thank us for when we make it home.
One of my all-time favourites is Roger Vivier's Belle Vivier slingback. With its signature architectural buckle and elegant patent leather finish, it's a timeless style that effortlessly elevates any workwear look.
4. Look to Loafers for Long Commutes and High Step Count Days
Yes, I wear flats too. For all the glamour of heels, the reality of the London commute means flats are often the smartest choice. I do keep a few pairs of heels at the office to change into, but there are plenty of days when I simply wear flats for the whole day.
My go-to flats are a classic loafer. They make a confident statement, look effortlessly chic with tailoring and offer all-day comfort. Tod’s loafers are amongst the best I’ve found, thanks to their beautifully soft Italian leather and impeccable craftsmanship. I’ve genuinely never had a blister from them.
5. Embrace Colour and Pattern
If there’s ever a season to experiment with colour and pattern, it’s summer. Perhaps it's the sunshine or simply the collective boost in mood that comes with longer days, but summer feels like the perfect opportunity to have a little more fun with office dressing. Whilst many workplaces still favour a neutral palette, footwear offers an easy and sophisticated way to introduce colour without overwhelming an outfit.
Red is one of the standout shades this season, and shoes are a great way to incorporate the trend. I particularly love Manolo Blahnik’s red-and-white polka dot courts or any of their iconic Maysale mules with their pilgrim buckles in an array of patterns and colours. They add personality and visual interest, whilst ensuring they are elegant enough for the office. I tend to pair statement shoes like these with a neutral outfit. Demure on top, party on the bottom.
