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How much time do you spend commuting to and from your office?
With the craziness of Manila traffic, you probably average at an hour or two, maybe more if you live in the outskirts of the Metro. Sure, there’s the option of taking a car, may that be your own, a friend’s or a Grab car, but it’s definitely not the most cost-effective solution. Not everyone can afford to spend 250 pesos each way every day. So we take public transportation, even if it means more walking, lining up, and riding various modes of transport. You do what you have to do.
There are little things you can do to make your daily commute bearable, such as carrying a fan, having a water bottle, listening to your music, etc. But perhaps the one most important thing you can do that will dial down the crankiness on the way to the office is the right kind of shoes.
We all have different preferences of footwear—some are actually pretty comfortable (or at least have gotten used to) wearing heels to and from work, while others can’t walk in anything taller than two inches. Whether you’re a heel girl all the way or they type to wear flat shoes for every occasion, we’ve got some tips to share to keep your feet happy on your daily commute.
Change into Your Work Shoes at the Office
What’s the simplest way of keeping your trotters comfy when walking to the MRT? Obviously, it’s by carrying your work shoes in your bag so you can switch into them once you’re at your desk. The only thing about this is that you might have to carry an extra canvas bag, or bring a bag big enough to stuff your heels into. Of course, there are foldable flats that take up very little room in a tote, but some might not enjoy the thought of carrying shoes in the same bag as their everyday items like makeup and such.
Explore Your Options of Flat Shoes
When it comes to flat footwear that’s both office and commute friendly, people immediately think of ballet flats. The reality is that there are a bunch of other shoes out there that can cater to both, such as penny loafers, Mary Jane shoes, and various heights of boots. There are even some sandals and slides that you could get away with, if your office is more laid back in their work attire.
Invest in Work-Friendly Sneakers
Does your office do Casual Friday’s? Is the workplace dress code more on the smart casual side? Either way, you should really look into buying elevated sneakers, namely leather ones in black, white, or any neutral color that will match the rest of your workwear. Plus, it saves you from changing footwear before and after office hours, leaving your feet cushioned all day.
Kicks like these Leather Sneakers from Universal are classic and can be paired with dresses, separates, and even pantsuits.

If you want to explore beyond the minimalist black or white leather sneakers, feel free to go for metallic designs, such these Casual Sneakers from Qing Shui. The key is to find shoes that are too fancy for the gym and understated but sleek enough to match your office capsule wardrobe.

Something that you should keep in mind when wearing these sneakers to the office is to not wear them other casual items, especially if your office is more on the dressier side. Thus, in order to dress up sneakers, don’t wear them with jeans or a plain tee.
Consider Low Wedges and Chunky Heels
While ballet flats feel amazing after a long day in four-inch heels, they’re not exactly healthy for your feet and pretty bad for your posture. Besides, nobody wants flat feet. If you prefer not to carry an extra pair of shoes in your heavy tote and are also not a huge fan of wearing sneakers in the office, opt for two- or three-inch heels, specifically wedges and block heels. They keep your feet slightly arched without having to put all your weight on your toes, and they offer more stability than skinnier heels.
Ready to shop for more commuter friendly shoes? Check out Lazada for the latest deals on women’s footwear!


Sheena is the lead fashion writer here at Pretty Me Philippines and has contributed articles for numerous lifestyle blogs and online publications. Other than keeping up with the latest trends, she loves baking and home DIY projects.