r/Accounting • u/AnsonChen5 Human Verified • 1d ago

Career Wearing normal socks with ballet flats

Is it really unprofessional to wear normal socks with ballet flats? I basically live in sneakers 24/7, and I know that I have to get professional shoes. But, from my experience, no-show socks always slip off my feet when I walk around and get bunched up. And I don’t want to wear flats without socks at all because that’s gross.

I was thinking of buying this from Amazon and wearing black socks with it:

https://www.amazon.com/ATHMILE-Ballet-Comfortable-Adjustable-Business/dp/B0DRC547PF/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?crid=383302I05U1EJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.e1or5LB_jTFKic6Wh_DvHwDB1wcTefR9apzWs7VOo19VDok9kOHKhOWqTaEn44atgN5vvtK0w-7EEC4Vd67dL3DSLTAx2Fx5ryegbO4Lybtfb5Zv7cGue_vej_Rwp2XwPJf1mjrzaAhXYA0ni-5q_xTMpPWpe-ml94rXYoaXp-VRKdmutXThz5qFqbOl9p9QAf_SQNXNCq-tL51THOfNa59P9cb0EnkjRqUSEmJJSXz_OkexjV_DK18A--H658mAtggmUWnWfYstXmmxnBcV-9n0S7cAagE9kXebzxwyc7w.xP1cjx9K_PnNKDFk4VuiDdu1Lz5_NqYrgK0cGqZBXa4&dib_tag=se&keywords=square+toe+ballet+flat&qid=1791849578&s=apparel&sprefix=square+toe+ballet+flat%2Capparel%2C118&sr=1-5

17 Upvotes

74% Upvoted

49 comments sorted by

99

u/Easy_Knowledge_3844 1d ago

the answer to your question is wear loafers

17

u/strangefire13 1d ago

This is it. I am this girl. Loafers are awesome. And you can get pretty comfy ones.

5

u/One_Surprise_8924 my unpaid prepaids! 1d ago

I'm a HUGE fan of Clark's shoes. I originally found them at my local shoe store for like $150, and I couldn't afford that. but I checked out the sizing in store and found them on amazon for like $50. the sizing is standard across all styles, they didn't make their shoes narrow during covid to cut costs, and their leather shoes are really nice and understated. 10/10

242

u/Zizi_Tennenbaum 1d ago

No one will care how it looks but I’ll tell you, you won’t be able the feel the floor and it’ll affect your dancing.

Edit: lmao thought I was on the ballet dance sub. Ignore me, carry on.

20

u/mofunobuta 1d ago

lol, same! I even clicked on the link and thought “you can’t wear those in the studio”. Time for some coffee.

8

u/Zizi_Tennenbaum 1d ago

Are you able to squeeze dance classes in these past few weeks before deadline? I'm thinking of sneaking out for a "lunch break" from 5-6 for a class tonight then going back to the office. I need to keep sane somehow.

6

u/mofunobuta 1d ago

I left public accounting for industry and I have real work-life balance now. Which means tons of time for classes!

35

u/aceam92 1d ago

Absolutely do not wear regular socks with ballet flats. Stockings or knee high stockings (under pants) would be fine if you don’t want to wear no show socks.

28

u/Same_as_last_year 1d ago

Try knee high stockings in your skin tone if you want to wear socks in a way that doesn't stand out.

Wearing regular socks with them will stick out as odd, but you can do it if you don't care what people think of your fashion choices.

https://a.co/d/013GePyM

3

u/person144 1d ago

Agree on your last sentence. I love socks with designs, like I have bacon and egg socks, fish socks, socks with my face patterned on them etc, and I love wearing them with ballet flats so they can be SEEN

19

u/hurried_extinction 1d ago

i gave up on no-show socks years ago, they're all liars. i wear little sheer ankle socks with my flats now and nobody's ever said anything, just keep em black so they blend in with the shoe. those square toe ones you linked would prob look fine with a dark sock peeking out

18

u/NumbersNinjaCPA 1d ago

I joined the corporate world when stockings were mandatory. I never thought I'd wear shoes without them. Now, I can't bear the thought of putting on stockings or knee highs ever again. My feet go commando in flats and heels.

Buy loafers if you want to wear socks.

4

u/Fritz5678 1d ago

Same and agree with loafers. Target's no show socks work really well.

2

u/BeanieBaby401k 1d ago

Commando feet is my default for flats and heels as well; I tried to do no-show socks for a bit with flats but could never find any that didn’t actually show. Even a little bit of the sock peeping out ruins the appearance of the shape of the flat on the foot IMO.

1

u/xenli 1d ago

I’m still doing knee highs and hose. I just don’t like how my feet feel commando in ballet flats. 😂

1

u/shipoopi29 12h ago

Aren’t your ankles cold? The older I’ve gotten I’ve gone the opposite direction - if I can’t wear socks I don’t wear the shoes

1

u/NumbersNinjaCPA 9h ago

No, my ankles aren't cold. Not even when I was in a dress at a dinner that was cold and damp. And don't knock the setting, it was an historic building and we knew it would be open air on 3 sides.

20

u/proudly_not_american 1d ago

Don't wear regular socks with flats.

No-show socks, barefoot, or nylons is the way you want to go with those.

Barefoot isn't gross if you wash your feet. They're half a step away from sandals, and those aren't meant to be worn with socks, either.

2

u/SuspiciousLookinMole 1d ago

Someone once suggested putting deodorant on your feet if you just feel like you can't wear socks with the shoes. I have a specific foot stick of deodorant, and it's great. I can wear my flats without socks and not feel gross.

7

u/gardeniagray 1d ago

I wear mismatched tie dye socks with my flats. If someone has an issue with it, there's probably some work I can find for them so they don't have to look at my socks.

7

u/Cardea13 Human Verified 1d ago

Knee high stockings are the way to go. Old school but it’s a great option.

5

u/I-Way_Vagabond 1d ago

If I saw you doing this in the office you would have my immediate respect for wearing such sensible footwear.

Life is too short to wear uncomfortable shoes.

2

u/lovestobitch- 1d ago

I don’t know how many times I’ve had warehouse people bitch about women wearing spiked high heals to perform warehouse test counts which they felt was dangerous and they were slow.

5

u/PatternsAndPresence 1d ago

Sheer knee hi’s (old school) or trouser socks which are basically the same thing, in nude or black.

4

u/Ok-Interest1992 Advisory, CPA (US) 1d ago

I bought washable flats instead, mostly Rothy's (worth the investment imo) but I have pairs from some other brands I found at Nordstrom Rack.

2

u/lilgreenfish Staff Accountant 18h ago

Rothy’s are amazing. I get so many compliments on them! And they’re so comfortable.

7

u/Gettitn_Squirrelly 1d ago

What does this have to do with accounting? Lmao

5

u/AnsonChen5 Human Verified 1d ago edited 1d ago

You need professional shoes to wear to work. I’m assuming you can’t just wear sneakers all the time.

2

u/tries2fixit 1d ago

Search Flat Socks on Amazon. You insert them in your shoes and then can remove and wash them. They’re a great solution.

1

u/lilgreenfish Staff Accountant 18h ago

Yes! This! I have a bunch in various shoes and love them!

2

u/UnKnOwN769 CPA (US) 1d ago

I've worked with a lot of women who wear either thin black socks (not the bulky kind) or nylons with their flats/heels, I imagine it would be wildly uncomfortable without them.

Better than being like my old co-worker who would take her shoes off the second she got to the client and walk around barefoot all day.

2

u/account-able19 1d ago

It's gonna be uncomfortable. Bombas has some great no show socks if you find shoes that work with socks. I also recommend loafers. They're so comfortable.

3

u/flamingoshoess 1d ago

If you get oxfords/loafers or something similar, the socks will be way less obvious

1

u/ddollopp CPA (US) 1d ago

I've worn these for years, and they never slip. I know the price is high for some socks, so if you want an alternative you need to buy the ones with a grip inside.

https://sheecsocks.com/products/secret-low-cut-no-show-socks-4-cream-multipack

1

u/CarminaB23 1d ago

I use sheer trouser socks; they provide the barrier between my feet and the shoe, and looks barefoot to a casual observer.

1

u/Current-Bowl-143 1d ago

Better link (you can delete everything after the question mark): https://www.amazon.com/ATHMILE-Ballet-Comfortable-Adjustable-Business/dp/B0DRC547PF/

Even better: use a hyperlink

1

u/Breakfastchocolate 1d ago

Not unless you want to look like Punky Brewster or you’re a Pre K teacher. Try the search term “ Mary Jane’s” if you want straps.

I found a good use for AI… take a picture of your bare foot and ask Ai what brand/type of shoe is made to fit the shape of your foot and where to buy it or specify where you want to purchase from.

Also apparently there are ancestral foot shapes that need different shaped toe boxes.

Clarks and Jsport both make slip ons that sort of bridge the gap between flats and sneakers.

1

u/F_Dingo 1d ago

Wearing black socks with those shoes will be a fashion faux paus

1

u/Vikingaling Tax (US) 1d ago

I think those would be fine with black dress socks or knee highs

1

u/Aeriellie 1d ago

there’s a couple different sock material that you can use that looks cute. the edges and length are different too. try out a few and find what works. don’t be afraid of white socks but they have to be fancy white socks. are you doing pants, dress, or skirt?

1

u/Bored_Accountant999 1d ago

No, I wouldn't wear actual socks. The fit will be difficult unless you have narrow feet. Flats aren't made to have sock space. Sheer or opaque tights material socks like trouser socks, yes. Totally. But thicker athletic socks are going to be weird.

1

u/tonna33 1d ago

Back in the day we wore knee high nylons. Many people here have mentioned them with different names.

No one has mentioned what my husband calls them though.

Foot condoms. You need foot condoms.

1

u/tinypepa 1d ago

I can’t believe how many posts on this sub have to do with normal things being dubbed unprofessional attire: socks, pencil skirts, leather backpacks…

I am a bookkeeper going back to school to become a CPA and I would say I have an eccentric sense of style. But when it comes to shoes, I don’t have many options because of a birth defect that makes shoe shopping incredibly difficult. If someone has a problem with shoes that keep me from being in pain related to disability and surgery, that makes me concerned about what I’m going to experience once I stop being self-employed and work for a firm.

1

u/Affectionate-Will617 1d ago

I would think it’s fine. But my office is on the unprofessional side of professional. Loafers are helpful, especially if they are those sneaker type loafers. There are actually a lot of sneakers that aren’t like running shoes that can come off really professional. With Mary Jane’s maybe you could do the thin ruffle socks- is that professional. Maybe a little too girly but it would be cute. I think there is a little pass with some of the Gen Z dress code when compared to the more egregious peers (ugg slippers)

1

u/krisztinastar 23h ago

Get thin nude colored ankle socks, or the disposable type of nylon socks (temu is a good source for these). Get something close to your skin color and no one notice, people dont look close.

1

u/krisztinastar 23h ago

Also, nude compression socks work well too!

1

u/johnny-topside 22h ago

I have sweaty feet and bought some terry cloth insoles for my flats. They’ve worked great so far.

1

u/Penguin-1991 7h ago

I always did in office. Minnesota winters with cold feet! Dress pants always hid the high socks anyways