You’ve seen them everywhere. That chunky profile. The arrow. The hanging zip tie that some people—weirdly—still choose to leave on. I’m talking about Out of Office shoes. They aren't just sneakers anymore. They’ve basically become the uniform for people who want to look like they’ve got somewhere important to be, even if they're just grabbing a mediocre oat milk latte.
Virgil Abloh was a genius at taking something familiar and making it feel brand new. He dropped the Out of Office (OOO) silhouette in late 2020, right when the world was stuck inside. Talk about irony. He wanted to create a shoe that captured the aesthetic of the late 80s and early 90s tennis sneakers but with a high-fashion "I don't actually play sports" twist. It worked. People went feral for them.
Honestly, the name is the best part. "Out of Office." It’s a mood. It’s that feeling when you set your email auto-reply and suddenly your time belongs to you again. But beneath the marketing, there is a lot of technical stuff going on with these kicks that most people totally overlook because they’re too busy staring at the branding.
What Actually Makes an Out of Office Shoe?
Design-wise, these are a "low-top" sneaker, but they feel substantial. Heavy, even. If you’re used to those paper-thin flyknit runners, putting these on feels like stepping into a small tank. The leather is usually calfskin, which is why they cost about five times more than a pair of standard Dunks.
The most recognizable feature is the "Arrow" logo on the side. It’s bold. It points forward. It’s Off-White’s signature. But look closer at the sole. You’ve got these translucent gel inserts. Virgil called them "bubbles." They aren't just for show; they actually provide a decent bit of cushioning for a shoe that looks like it belongs on a basketball court in 1989.
The tongue is always padded. Thick. It hugs the top of your foot in a way that feels secure but also kinda bulky. It’s a specific look. You either love the "chonky" sneaker vibe or you think it looks like you’re wearing loaves of bread on your feet. There’s no middle ground here.
The Material Reality
Let’s talk quality. Most luxury sneakers are made in Italy, and the Out of Office shoes are no exception. This matters. A lot. When you pay $500 to $700 for a sneaker, you aren't just paying for the zip tie. You’re paying for the stitching consistency and the fact that the leather won't crack after three wears.
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I’ve seen people complain that they’re stiff at first. They are. It’s real leather. It needs a break-in period. If you take them straight out of the box and try to walk five miles through Soho, your heels will hate you. Give them a week. They soften up. They mold to you.
Why Everyone Gets the Sizing Wrong
This is the biggest headache with Off-White. Sizing is a nightmare if you don't know the secret. They use EU sizing, which is fine, but they tend to run large.
If you are a US 10, you might think a 43 is your go-to. Nope. You’ll probably find yourself swimming in them. Most experts—and by experts, I mean the guys at stores like Kith or Bodega who see these all day—suggest sizing down by one full size.
- Standard Foot: Go down one full size.
- Wide Foot: Stay true to size, but expect some extra room in the toe box.
- The "Vibe" Fit: Some people like them loose with the laces untied. If that's you, buy your normal size and just accept the heel slip.
It's weirdly inconsistent across different seasons, too. Some of the newer "For Walking" iterations or the "Re-Edition" drops have slight variations in the internal padding. It’s annoying. I know. But that's the price of high-fashion footwear.
How to Tell if Yours Are Fake (Because the Market is Flooded)
Because Out of Office shoes are so popular, the "reps" (replicas) are everywhere. Some are terrifyingly good. But there are tells.
First, check the zip tie. On a real pair, the plastic is matte and the text is embossed cleanly. Fakes often have a shiny, cheap-looking plastic. Second, look at the arrow. On authentic pairs, the stitching around the arrow is tight and follows the edge perfectly. If there’s a gap or the arrow looks "puffy," run away.
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The smell is a dead giveaway, too. Real luxury leather smells like... well, leather. Fake ones often smell like a chemical factory or gasoline because of the cheap glues used in mass-production factories.
The Cultural Weight of the Zip Tie
Should you take it off? This is the eternal debate.
Virgil Abloh actually intended for the zip ties to be removed. He even posted a video once showing how to "cut the tie." But the market decided otherwise. Now, leaving it on is a status symbol. It says, "I know what this is."
Personally? I think it’s a bit much. It clanks against the floor. It catches on your jeans. But hey, fashion is about expression. If you want a piece of red or marble-patterned plastic dangling from your foot, you do you. Just know that if you lose it, the resale value of the shoe drops by like 20%. People are weird.
Styling the OOO: It’s Harder Than It Looks
You can't just throw these on with any old thing. Because they’re chunky, they don't play well with skinny jeans. It makes you look like a golf club. Top-heavy.
The best way to wear Out of Office shoes is with "relaxed" or "straight-leg" trousers. You need a leg opening that can sit over the top of the shoe without getting bunched up. Think baggy cargos or some heavy-duty Dickies.
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- The Streetwear Look: Oversized hoodie, wide-leg nylon pants, and the "White/Black" OOO colorway.
- The "Business" Casual: A cropped wool trouser, a tucked-in white tee, and an unbuttoned oxford shirt. Use the "White/Blue" or "White/Green" pair for a pop of color.
- Summer Vibe: Mesh shorts and high socks. This is a bold move because the shoes are heavy, but it works if you’ve got the confidence.
What People Get Wrong About the "Out of Office"
The biggest misconception is that these are just "expensive Nikes." They aren't. Nike's business model is about mass production and technical sport performance. Off-White is about "The 3% Approach."
Virgil had this philosophy that you only need to change a classic design by 3% to make it something entirely new. The OOO is a 3% shift from the vintage sneakers of the 80s. It’s an art project you can wear.
Another mistake? Thinking they’re fragile. They aren't. These things are built like bricks. I’ve seen people wear them in the rain, through mud, at festivals—they hold up. In fact, they look better when they’re a little beat up. A pristine, sparkling white luxury sneaker looks a bit "new money." A scuffed-up one looks like you actually live your life.
The Resale Value and Future of the Model
Since Virgil Abloh passed away in 2021, the brand has been in a transition period. Ib Kamara is doing great things as the Art and Image Director, but the OOO remains the "anchor" product. It’s the cash cow.
Will they go out of style? Probably not for a long time. They’ve entered that territory of "Modern Classics" alongside the Alexander McQueen Oversized Sneaker or the Balenciaga Triple S. They represent a specific era of fashion where the line between the skate park and the runway completely vanished.
If you're looking at them as an investment, stick to the OG colorways. White/Black, White/Blue, and the all-white versions hold their value best. The wilder colors—like the neon pinks or the glitter versions—tend to tank on the secondary market.
Actionable Steps for Your First Pair
If you’re ready to pull the trigger on some Out of Office shoes, don’t just click "buy" on the first site you see.
- Check the reputable boutiques: Sites like SSENSE, Farfetch, and MyTheresa often have sales. You can sometimes snag a pair for 30% off if you wait for the end-of-season clearances.
- Verify the sizing: Go to a physical store if you can. Try them on. If you can't, use a site like "Size-Advice" or check Reddit threads in r/OffWhite for the specific year’s fit.
- Decide on the zip tie early: If you’re going to keep it, make sure it’s secured properly. If you’re taking it off, keep it in the box. Don't throw it away. You’ll regret it if you ever want to sell them later.
- Get a protector spray: Since most are white leather, use a high-quality repellent like Jason Markk or Crep Protect before your first wear. It makes cleaning scuffs way easier.
At the end of the day, these shoes are about a specific kind of freedom. They’re a reminder that even when you’re working, you can have that "out of office" mindset. They’re expensive, they’re a bit loud, and they’re definitely polarizing. But that’s exactly why they’ve defined a decade of footwear. They aren't trying to be for everyone. They’re for the people who get it.