I never wear high-heels to work, firstly because my I never wear high-heels anyway because ankles are weak and my feet are bad, and secondly, because my job can get quite physical, and I don't think I could manage dead-lifting a 50lb box of documents over my head in stilettos, or climbing up a ladder to reach down a 4' long roll of commercial blueprints.
I wear oxfords or lumberjack boots for daily wear.
Meister--I am so glad I don't work at your workplace. What a bizarre and outdated dresscode. The men should have to try that for a week. I bet they'd change that clause of the dress code immediately! I actually quit a job partially because I kept getting in trouble for wearing my lumberjack boots to the office. If my feet can't be comfortable, I can't work, and get hellaciously bitchy.