Although it’s been debated before, it is certainly possible to look professional in an active job. Pants with stretch, knit tops that move with you, and supportive flats can take you far. But some days, for some jobs, it is just impossible to wear anything besides some sort of sneakers. I will be having one of those days next week in Manila–I will be on my feet at a trade show for 10 hours, with at least one hour before and after for set up and tear down. What’s a girl to do? Even my beloved Nine West ballet flats with reinforced sole and gel insert won’t cut it for that day. I have been looking into simple black sneakers to carry me through the night, and here are my favorites.

These basic sneakers by Simple are, well, simple, with a classic silhouette and minimal detailing. They have gotten high marks by reviewers, and are made from organic cotton and recycled tires. What’s not to love?

The Privo flat by Clarks is a cross between a ballet flat and an athletic shoe, which gives it support and a sleek style. And Clarks are known for all-day comfort!

And of course, there are Toms. Friends swear by these, saying that they are the most comfortable, supportive shoe they own. Combine that with the fact that they give away  a pair of shoes to a needy kid for every pair you buy, and it’s hard to turn down.

I haven’t decided which ones I’m getting yet, but I will let you know how they turn out!

Building a Business Travel Wardrobe is a new series here on Road Warriorette. The focus will be on the key pieces a woman needs to build a wardrobe that is ideal for travel. Based on the “capsule” wardrobe model, each week will feature an item that is professional, stylish, and that travels well.

You guys didn’t think I was going to forget about bags and shoes, did you?

When shopping for a business travel capsule wardrobe, some of the hardest working pieces are your shoes and purse. During travel, you will be taking your shoes off and putting them back on, walking through miles of airport concourses, and then having to look polished during your actual work. Your bag will have to hold your laptop, files, and normal purse stuff, get stuffed into overhead bins or under plane seats, and still look professional. Is it any wonder that I get the most questions about shoes and purses for travel?

What to look for with shoes:

• Comfort. I know I say this every time, but it is especially important that your shoes are comfortable. I never travel in heels, because I know that I will have to be on my feet so much. Try adding gel insoles for additional comfort. This sounds like a no-brainer, but please don’t wear shoes for the first time during travel.
• Easy to take off/put on. Make sure that you can quickly and gracefully slide your shoes off and back on for airport security. I have seen people with shoes or boots that buckle or lace up, which definitely takes longer.
• Neutral color. Colored flats are one of the great joys in my life, but I had several pairs of black shoes before I branched out.  I strongly recommend that you start with cute, comfortable shoes that coordinate with your suit first. They don’t have to be the same color–for example, if your suit is taupe, you can wear black or brown shoes. If your suit is gray, I recommend black shoes.

What to look for in a travel purse:

• Size. Make sure it will hold everything you need for work and for your flight.
• Pockets. A divided interior is very helpful, and small pockets on the inside will help corral items such as keys and cell phone that could otherwise get lost. Exterior pockets are great for holding your boarding pass.
• Comfortable straps. Too-narrow straps will hurt your shoulder, so look for straps that are at least an inch wide. I also like double straps.
• Looks. It goes without saying, make sure your purse is durable enough for travel and professional enough for the office.

Great travel shoes are available in a variety of price ranges and locations, so shop around for the right pair. Here are a few of my favorites.

These Bruno Magli flats are gorgeous, professional, and, well, pricey. But wow! Love them.

Geox is an Italian brand that designs shoes specifically for travel. These Sheila wedges are lovely, and would work with pants or a skirt.

DSW has a bazillion pairs of shoes online and in their stores. These Rocket Dogs brown suede flats look comfortable, professional, and adorable.

Travel purses are a little harder to find, but department stores and eBags are great resources. Wherever you end up buying from, make sure you know their return policies. Sometimes what looks like a great travel purse can not even last one trip. Once I had different purses break  three trips in a row!

I did a review on Lo and Sons purses last week, so you guys know how great these bags are. Perfect first business travel bag.

Ebags has tons of purses that would work well for travel, but this is the first time I’ve seen this green Samsonite laptop tote. It’s adorable, and very well priced.

Have you ever been to a store and felt like it was designed with you in mind? I discovered Modcloth about six months ago, and it has been my go-to clothing shop anytime I need something fun. Their quirky, vintage inspired, and indie designed clothes are fabulous and so fun. Granted, if you need to dress very conservatively, this may not be the best place for you. But if you want a punch of color or interesting accessory to brighten up your normal all-black, Modcloth is a great place to look. (I got my dress for my sister’s wedding here, and was complimented all night long.)

When perusing their website last night, I instantly fell in love with these beautiful flats. The patent blue with yellow accents is one of my favorite color combos right now, and the bow gives a ladylike touch without being over the top. I would style these with dark gray slacks or a pencil skirt, with a navy or deep purple top and my favorite long pearls.

Right now it feels like winter will. never. end. My poor sisters in Chicago have been dealing with temps in the single digits and below. The East Coast is buried in snow. Even in Texas we are having unusually cold and rainy weather. One thing that brightens my day, even when it’s this dreary, is looking at boots and bags online. (Don’t worry, the bags post is coming next week!!)

I already have black leather boots from Clarks that I love, but I have not been very successful finding brown boots. Success is mine!! These La Canadienne Felicia boots are suede, which I love because it’s different from the boots I already have. They are also very comfortable, waterproof, and walkable, with a rubber sole that gives you good traction on snowy surfaces. Dressy enough to wear to work, but tough enough to use commuting. Brown, black, and gray suede is available, and the price on Amazon starts at $132. I love them!

This past winter, I went to Chicago, Boston, Pittsburgh, and New York, and it snowed during each of these trips. If you look at some of my posts from that time, I was highly anxious about traveling in these cities that time of year. I ended up getting a pair of sweater boots to be my commuter boots, and spraying them with Scotchgard to keep out the snow. It worked out fine, but since I am again traveling to snowy climes this winter (Chicago, Virginia, New York) I wanted to get something a little more substantial. A friend recently gave me an Amazon gift card, and when I thanked her she said, “Use it toward your next pair of shoes!” I took it as a sign, and went boot shopping.

My requirements were a low heel, comfortable, cute, non-slick, and weather proof. Not too many, right? And I found just what I was looking for in the Clarks Rosabelle Boot. I ordered them a few weeks ago, but didn’t have a chance to test them out until my trip to Pensacola this week. I know, you’re laughing. I brought out the weather-proof boots, boots I bought for a Chicago winter, in Pensacola? But while we were there a huge cold front came in, dropping the temp thirty degrees in two hours and sending down a lashing rain. The boots fared great! My feet stayed warm and dry, they looked cute, and I was comfortable all day, from my 730 am breakfast appointment through six presentations, business dinner, and the post-dinner debrief. They were also very easy to get on and off at the airport. I highly recommend them!

Today I am in Chicago visiting my sisters. I needed a few small things for my trip, soyesterday I headed over to Target. As always happens, I got lost in all of the fun things. I walked in needing a new pair of yoga pants and a tank top, and walked out with those items plus a purse and TWO pairs of shoes. Fun! I wore my shoes on the plane flying up here yesterday, and they held up very well in the airport, on the plane, and walking through Chicago. Plus, they are adorable: tweed ballet flats with a ruffle. I have been jonesing for some tweed, and I finally succumbed. The other pair I got are brown suede flats, not incredibly special on the outside, but lined with super-cuddly fleece. When I finally wear them to work I will feel like I’m scamming everybody–it looks like I’m wearing work shoes, but it feels like I’m wearing slippers. Target also has a ton of other cute flats in a variety of colors, and I’m thinking about going back for some purple ones.

I love fall. Of course I love the cool and pleasant weather, and it feels oh so good after the brutal Texas summer. But sometimes I wonder if the reason I love fall so much is because I get to wear boots. Because I also love boots. I mean, I love boots. Last year, I bought multiple pairs. Partly because I spent so much time in places where it is cold and boots are required, and partly because they are so great.

There is some debate about whether boots are appropriate for the office. If you are in a super formal, suits every day office, maybe not. But for most business casual offices, a knee high boot with a knee length skirt can be perfectly appropriate, and very cute. There are other questions about wearing boots to the airport. I think as long as they are reasonably easy to take on and off you are fine.

So, with those questions out of the way, let’s go boot shopping!! As with most of my shoes, I get shorter heels or flat boots because I can’t wear heels. Obviously if you can handle higher heels, the sky is the limit! Honestly, it makes me happy just to look at these…..

This Bare Traps ankle boot is one of the pairs I bought last year. I love them! I wore them all over Chicago for my sister’s bachelorette party, and they were very comfy. I love the style, the heel gives good support, and the sole grips icy sidewalks well.

The Van Eli Talla boot has a comfortable heel, with a classic silhouette. The interesting texture at the top keep it from feeling stale. Gorgeous!

If you’re looking for a classic riding boot, the Matisse Buckingham boots fits the bill. Flat for comfort, easy to slip on and off, and will go with a variety of outfits and colors.

While looking for sweaters for last week’s sweater post, I got distracted by some of the great fall flats on the Banana Republic site. They are super cute, cozy looking, and comfortable for travel. The red ones would go well with black or gray slacks, and many colors of tops such as black, white, gray, red, or blue. The charcoal flats are incredibly versatile, and could go with just about anything. I would love to see them with black slacks and a plum or teal colored top. The only problem with these flats is that they are not really weather-proofed, so you probably shouldn’t wear them in the rain or snow. Other than that, put them on and enjoy the feeling of cozy and adorable feet!

I recently received this question from a reader:

Now that fall is coming, and cooler temperatures with it, I am ready to pull out my boots. I have several pairs of knee high boots, and since they are comfortable would like to wear them while traveling. Is this a good idea?

Hmmmmm. This is a great question! I, too, am ready to wear my boots. (Of course, the cooler temps have not yet visited us here in Texas.) On the one hand, it makes sense to wear them while traveling because if you packed them, they would take up a lot of room in your suitcase. They are also warm, incredibly cute, and when it’s snowing outside may be the only option. On the other hand, they are not super easy to get on and off and so could hold up the security line.

If (and this is a big “if”!) you are very adept at taking them off, and they don’t require a lot of lacing or buckles, I say go for it. It may help to practice taking them off while standing, so that you are prepared to do it quickly and easily. Just make sure that you pick them up, along with all of your other stuff, after the security line and take them to the bench to put back on. You don’t want to make people wait while you balance on one foot trying to zip up!

Today’s guest post is from Nicky Warner, a young professional who believes in working hard and looking good. She loves writing and blogging, and always has something to say about the latest workwear and fashion trends. Follow Nicky on Twitter @Dressed4Success.

Whether I’m on a business trip or heading to my favourite holiday destination, I love the fun and convenience of air travel; I doubt the novelty of flying will wear off for me anytime soon. I do however have one gripe, and that is the issue of choosing travel shoes.

Sore, stiff feet make the jet-setting experience decidedly less glamorous, and when it comes to travel shoes I often find myself tempted to lace up a sturdy pair of womens safety shoes or Terra footwear boots and leave it at that. Looking into advice on travel shoes however, I’ve picked up some useful tips that will help me make smart choices:

• Flex that Foot. Travel shoes should be lightweight and flexible, allowing you to move your feet freely. This will help prevent cramps and swelling during the flight. I recommend a pair with adjustable straps. Stylish, athletic-style options like the Mephisto Allrounder are a great example of travel shoes that look chic while allowing for maximum comfort.
• Keep your Cool. If you’re feeling hot and bothered in your travel shoes, cooling gel insoles can work wonders. Compression stockings from the local chemist will also aid circulation and reduce swelling.
• Strictly Business. If you’re headed directly to a board meeting and simply have to wear formal shoes, choose something with a low heel and good arch support. Alternatively, wear your comfortable travel shoes and keep the formal pair close at hand in a stylish travel shoe bag.
• Keep Moving. Do regular foot and ankle stretches, especially on longer flights. Take a walk up the aisle if you can, but if you have to remain in your seat, you’ll be thankful you chose good quality travel shoes.

Investing in a good pair of good-looking, versatile travel shoes means you can put your best foot forward the minute you land. Wishing you all happy travels – and happy feet!