High-heeled shoes are mostly known as high heels or heels and they are a type of shoe that’s the heel is tall or raised and it resulted in the wearer’s foot being significantly higher off the ground than the wearer’s toes. Wearing high heels has become a very common fashion nowadays. It is completely ok to wear a 4-inch heel in business settings or office meetings as long as it’s not against the dress codes.
Key Takeaways
- If you want to wear 4-inch heels in business settings then you have to consider quite a few things like culture, age, your position, etc.
- If other women wear heels then you can also wear heels
- Wearing high heels at an older age is a sign of trying to look younger, and more attractive, and denying the age
- Your position in the company also plays a vital role in whether you should wear the heels or not
What To Consider Before Wearing 4 Inch Heels
There are quite a few things you should consider before wearing 4-inch heels. They are –
1. Cultural
2. Industry
3. Age
4. Your Position in the Company
1. Cultural
In most countries, cultural setup defines dress codes. Therefore, before wearing high heels you have to consider the culture of that particular country or region as well as the dress code of the office or the place where you are attending the meeting.
2. Industry
Different industry or sector has different dress code. Therefore, look around your office and see how other ladies are dressed. If other women are also wearing high heels, then you can wear heels without any hesitation.
3. Age
Age also matters when it comes to wearing high heels. If you are young then high heels would be more appropriate. On the other hand, if you are older then high heels might be seen as inappropriate. Wearing high heels at an older age is a sign of trying to look younger, more attractive, and denying the age while knowing that everyone knows your age.
4. Your Position In The Company
Your position in the company also plays a vital role in whether you should wear the heels or not. For example, if you are on a secretary level then people will receive you as cheap when wearing high heels. On the other hand, if you are on the level of Vice President, CEO, etc. then you might be perceived as more successful and stronger when wearing heels.
The Dos And Don’ts Of Heels In The Office
1. Boots
Do – Ankle Boots
You can wear this type of boot in the winter season when it’s cold outside. In a business-professional setting, you can wear ankle boots with pants. The ankle boot and skirt won’t go along because it’s a casual look and it can’t go with the office dress code.
Don’t — Anything That Stretches To Or Over the Knee
If your workplace is not super casual then if you are thinking about wearing heels then stay away from thigh-high boots. You can wear ankle boots only if your dress code is business casual.
2. Pumps
Do – Keep The Height Around Two To Three Inches
If you are planning to wear pumps then make sure you keep the height around two to three inches. Usually, the heel height matters in business professional workplaces therefore try to use your best judgment to find the right heel height.
Do – Experiment With Patterns
You can experiment with the patterns and find the best pattern that matches your dress code. For business or office dress codes, black and white is the appropriate pattern. You can’t wear bright colors like yellow or neon pink because they can’t go with a formal outfit.
Do – Wear Chunky Heels
You can wear chunky heels because they are comfortable and easy to walk in!
Do – Try Heels With A Bit Of Embellishment On Them
You can wear heels that have a small tassel or a buckle on them.
Don’t – Wear Shoes With A Platform
Don’t wear heels that have a platform because they are not appropriate with a formal outfit.
Don’t – Wear Anything With Any Sparkle On It
Make sure your heels don’t have any sequins or rhinestones. For formal meetings don’t wear high heels that have spike embellishment. It means if your heel has some additional design element then it should be subtle and doesn’t make you think of Halloween or horror movies.
Don’t – Wear Bright Colors
Usually, Beige/brown, black, grey, and navy are safe colors for heels in the office. If you want to wear heels of other colors then make sure the color matches your work/office environment.
3. Open Toe Heels
Do – Wear Peep Toe Shoes
For a formal outfit, you should wear peep-toe shoes. There is nothing wrong with a little peep-toe as long as there are not so many toes.
Don’t – Wear Strappy Shoes
If your office dress code is not casual then don’t wear strappy shoes. The two-strap is considered as casual therefore you should not wear it for formal meetings.
FAQs About Is 4 Inch Heels Okay In A Business Settings Or Meetings In Office
How Tall Should Business Heels Be?
The answer to this question depends on your business, office, or workplace environment. If the workplace is too conservative then you should wear low heels shoes. On the other hand, if you work in a fashion-forward and creative industry then you can wear appropriate high heels.
How Long Can You Wear 4-inch Heels?
The answer to this question depends on your experience and physical endurance. So, as long as your ankles are ok you can wear 4-inch heels.
Are 4-inch Heels Too High?
Yes, heels that are 4-inch or higher are considered too high for the office environment. This is because 4-inches is a little too high for running around the office and if your wear the heel for a long time then it can cause some discomfort to your ankles.
When Can You Wear 4-inch Heels?
Usually, the 4-inch heels are appropriate for the party or casual meetings. If you are new to heels then you should practice one or two days before wearing them for the party because 4-inch heels are very high and it requires practice to wear them!
Is A 3-inch Heel Too High?
No, 3-inch heels are not too high. In fact, 3-inch heels fall into the mid-height range. Usually, the average heel height is around 3 inches. Moreover, according to many fashion experts, 3-inch is the most classic heel height. The high heels are 4-inch or above.
References:
https://corporette.com/poll-are-very-high-heels-inappropriate-for-work/
https://fairygodboss.com/articles/can-heels-help-you-get-ahead-four-reasons-why-i-think-they-can
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/starting-new-job/guide-to-business-attire
Last Updated on November 12, 2022 by Magalie D.
Magalie D. is a Diploma holder in Public Administration & Management from McGill University of Canada. She shares management tips here in MGTBlog when she has nothing to do and gets some free time after working in a multinational company at Toronto.
