The click-clacking of high heels is music to my ears. Heels are the cherry on top of a perfectly curated outfit. Heels signify confidence and power.

So you can understand why the squeaking of gym shoes in my office irks me like no other.

The term “business casual” has taken on a whole new meaning ever since the COVID-19 pandemic further normalized a hybrid work environment; people spend half the time in the office and half the time at home. With this, the line between what is appropriate and what is inappropriate to wear for work has become blurred. You would think in this scenario, everyone would be on the side of caution when it comes to work attire, but you would be wrong.

This past summer, I was working at a commercial real estate firm. For my first day, I slipped on my black patent leather pumps; they’re the ultimate confidence booster. Imagine my surprise when I went to meet with my boss and he was dressed like he had just played a round of golf.

Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t expecting the guy to be in heels like me, but I was expecting at least a dress shirt. After that encounter, I analyzed everyone in the office’s outfit, especially their shoes. And shockingly, everyone was casual: jeans, golf polos, sneakers, the list goes on.

I know that professionalism isn’t just about what you’re wearing. It is about the way you carry yourself and how you do your job. But at times, it can be hard to view people as professional when you’re wearing shoes and clothes that could also be worn at the gym.

My favorite phrase is “if you look good, you feel good”. It perfectly encapsulates the idea that your outfit can affect your overall confidence and performance. So, going into my first ever “big girl job,” I figured everyone would emanate peak professionalism, especially in their attire. But it was so casual that I felt out of place in my heels; it made me wonder when people started accepting that business casual meant workout clothes and golf shirts.

My frustration with a lack of professional attire doesn’t just stand with my office, but everywhere. You are now an outcast if you wear heels or dress shoes to a school dance; everyone just wears gym shoes. It has even become normalized to show up to school in pajamas.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand that heels are uncomfortable, but it isn’t just about the shoe; it’s about professionalism, or the lack thereof. A person’s first impression of you is the way you look. As much as I hate to say it, it’s the truth, and for the most part, people do tend to understand that dressing well for a first impression is important.

On the first day of school or a new job, of course, you are going to wear a cute outfit that you feel confident in. But why aren’t you carrying that mentality every day?

Obviously, school is different because it isn’t that professional; even I am guilty of wearing sweats. However, in an office, or at a fancy dinner or dance, people must start to understand the importance of a well-chosen outfit.
Maybe my black patent leather pumps were a little too formal for my first day of work, but my point still stands: a good day starts with a good outfit, and that should be recognized by everyone. People need to start thinking about what they would think of themselves if they saw them walking in public.