WHAT is it about women and shoes?

Apologies for the sexual stereotyping, but for me its a cliché which rings true.

Take our office, for example. The men fall into two camps – sensible (read, boring) Clarks clumpers, or cheap, pointy, thin-soled nonsense which create blisters and fall apart on the first wear.

On the other hand, the women in the office strike the balance perfectly.

In a job where you’re often on your feet or stamping the streets (before writing this, for example, I was looking for horses in a field in Little Lever) you need practicality – but not at the expense of style.

Journalism’s not a career which often calls for stilettos, and dainty dolly shoes can be too delicate – this is where loafers, heeled boots and brogues come into their own.

But High Street shoes can be notoriously rubbish quality, so where to turn for a decent price?

For the first time in a long time recently, I took a trip to TK Maxx.

I didn’t have particularly fond memories – I remembered a place where bargains could be had, but for the price of hours of frustrated rummaging in an environment akin to a jumble sale.

Sadly that aspect hadn’t changed – but the stock, and in particular the shoes, most definitely had.

There was far more choice than I’d envisioned and I was l in raptures over the Vans and Nikes before remembering I’d come for work shoes and hurrying to the till with two pairs of patent Carvela loafers at heavily discounted prices.

Another thing to mention is that TK Maxx’s online shopping is now on point, something I definitely don’t remember from my noughties shopping days.

I’m particularly taken by Jasper James’ petrol fringe loafers, £39.99, and plan to purchase them from the sofa on Friday night, G&T in hand.