With the end of winter upon us, it will soon be time to hang up those winter boots. I love wearing my winter boots to and from the office. They are so comfortable, and they’re dressy enough to wear with my office clothes. Usually, for me, the end of winter means a switch from my super comfortable boots to less comfortable ballet flats. However, this year, two more choices are piling up on the shelves: loafers and Oxfords.
I vaguely remember loafers being in fashion for women when I was about 12 years old, but since then, they have mainly been reserved for prepsters and hipsters. Now that they are back in the mainstream of women’s wear, I say why not? Some styles almost come off as a more supportive-style ballet flat anyway, like these ones by Michael Kors ($98 [Ed. Note: No longer available], shopnordstrom.com).
I want to like Oxfords, like these ones by Jeffrey Campbell ($111.89 [Ed. Note: No longer available], shopnordstrom.com), because they are probably the most comfortable women’s shoes that are in fashion at the moment. But to me, they just look like bowling shoes, and they have already been featured on The Man Repeller, so I think I am in good company here.
In true lawyer fashion, I reserve my right to change my opinion on this one. Like the concept of yoga pants outside the gym once did, this trend might grow on me! After all, I do love the high heeled takes on the style, like these by Betsey Johnson ($101.71 [Ed. Note: No longer available], shopnordstrom.com), but the heel defeats the original purpose we were looking for here.
Ballet flats are a very cute choice of footwear to get you to and from the office, but usually less comfortable than the shoes featured above. The reason is usually that they slip off easily and therefore must be purchased in too small a size, which also puts pressure on the heel. This problem can be tackled with straps, like in this pair by Marc Jacobs ($465 [Ed. Note: No longer available], polyvore.com), or with a soft leather heel held on by elastic, 
like this pair (widely rumored to make the most comfortable ballet flats available) by Lanvin ($475 [Ed. Note: No longer available], polyvore.com).
What is your take? Will you venture into the more comfortable world of loafers or Oxfords to get you to the office or stick with your ballet flats for Spring 2011?
Donna Wilson is a Toronto-based commercial litigator at Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP. Her style and beauty column appears every second Wednesday.