A Roundup of Mule Flats for Work

Exploring a new-to-me option for office shoes – mule flats for work! Rounding up the ones I currently have my eye on for spring and summer.

Earlier this month, I shared how I’m in the process of refreshing my work wardrobe. My new job and its remote/in-person hybrid model tips more toward business casual than business and after a nearly 2-year hiatus on workwear purchases, my closet needs a boost.

Beyond blazers and dresses, my accessories collection could also use a revamp – specifically my purses and shoes. I faithfully carried my navy blue Longchamp tote to work nearly every day for 10 years. Since I had to put my bag through a security scanner to get to my office, it didn’t make any sense to me to have a light-colored work purse that would immediately show wear-and-tear from the scanner. Now that the wonderful world of handbags has been opened to me, I do want to add a high-quality, possibly light-colored bag (I know, crazy) to my collection. But I don’t have a plan of which bag just yet so that’s on hold.

However, when it comes to shoes, I know very much know which pairs I’d like to add to my arsenal – mule flats.

Mule flats, loafer slides, whatever the preferred name is, weren’t really an option for me in my old job. Plenty of women on the Hill wore them but personally, the backless aspect gave me pause. I felt like I was mostly at my desk but when I needed to leave to go someplace, it had to be fast and a sprint to get there. I just (maybe rightfully, maybe incorrectly) envisioned myself slipping down the stairs of Russell and falling head over heels.

But now the world of mules has been opened and as warm weather starts arriving, I’m excited to have this option open to me.

I do have a pair of raffia mules from Target but those were solely for weekends. They were from several years ago and no longer available but this $44 raffia mule looks identical.