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13 Shoes Every Up-and-Coming Career Woman Must Own

The must-have shoes that are sleek, sophisticated, and show you're not afraid to take risks
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Riding Boots
Fall is my favorite season for many reasons, but one of the major ones is the chance to break out boots again. Comfy, stylish and versatile, riding boots can be worn with anything from pencil-slim trousers to wrap dresses. Depending on your work environment or the rest of your outfit, heeled boots or over-the-knee boots can appear too risqué, so choose flat riding boots to err on the side of caution. Pictured are MICHAEL Michael Kors Rhea Flat Suede Fringe Boots, $285.

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Heeled Sandals
When the warmer months hit, sandals are an obvious choice, but it's important to keep your sandals structured for work. (No flip-flops. Ever.) Metallic details and a T-strap design keep these Kate Spade Dress Sandals, $98, dressy and professional.

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Statement-Making Shoes
As important as basics are, every woman needs a pair of look-at-me shoes she's absolutely in love with. Whether it's a bold, bright color or a whimsical print, choose structured silhouettes to keep your shoes "boardroom" rather than "nightclub."

Pictured: Loeffler Randall Poppi Dress Pumps, $350 and Sigerson Morrison Maltee Booties, $495

Similar: Chinese Laundry Area Pumps, $140 and Charles by Charles David Vera Pointy Toe Bootie, $169.

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Oxfords & Loafers
Sneak some more flats into your wardrobe with a "borrowed from the boys" pair of Oxfords or smoking slippers. If you work in a conservative work environment, save these for casual Friday and pair them with dark, tailored denim. Pictured are Esquivel Davis Wingtip Oxfords, $600 and J.Crew Georgia Suede Tassel Loafers, $168.

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Dressed Up Sneakers
The aforementioned casual Fridays are tricky territory when it comes to dressing for the workplace. You want to look casual, but not sloppy. Luckily, sneakers are having a moment in the fashion world, and there are plenty of dressed-up versions to choose from. Look for leather pairs like these Lanvin Metallic Textured Leather Sneakers, $595 (pictured) or these Gap Snakeskin Textured Slip-On Sneakers, $50.

You've heard it a dozen times -- dress for the job you want, not the job you have. As a career woman, it's important to have a wardrobe you feel confident and powerful in. But at the same time, you don't want to throw every element of your personal style in the trash for uniform style. To strike the perfect balance, we've compiled a list of the 13 shoes every career woman should have. These shoes complement every outfit in your work wardrobe, are professional and sophisticated, and still leave room for your own style interpretation. Do you need some basic pumps for work -- yes. But who says they can't be snakeskin pumps?
BY HAYLEY MASON | SEP 25, 2014 | SHARES
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