Doctor Divides the Internet with the Shoes She Wears to Work. She Says It's 'About Feeling Confident' (Exclusive)
- - Doctor Divides the Internet with the Shoes She Wears to Work. She Says It's 'About Feeling Confident' (Exclusive)
Catherine SantinoDecember 28, 2025 at 11:00 AM
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Vanessa Esquer/TikTok (2)
Dr. Vanessa Esquer. -
Dr. Vanessa Esquer went viral on TikTok for wearing Christian Louboutin heels at work in a clinic, with many claiming the choice is "tone deaf"
Others defended Dr. Esquer, with some claiming that the criticism is sexist
Dr. Esquer tells PEOPLE that "fashion doesn’t take away from my professionalism or the care I provide"
Who says that doctors can't be fashionable? When Vanessa Esquer, M.D. began posting her work outfits on TikTok, she quickly found out the answer.
Dr. Esquer, who received her medical degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine in Jalisco, Mexico, is currently working in a family medicine clinic in San Diego, Calif., as she prepares for the U.S. medical licensing exams.
She shares her outfits and daily life on TikTok, and in October, she went viral when she posted a video of herself in a pair of Christian Louboutin pumps at work. "POV: your doctor walked in wearing Louboutins," she wrote over the clip, which shows her walking down the clinic hallway in a black top, green accordion skirt and stiletto heels with the brand's iconic red bottoms.
The post quickly divided the internet, with a portion of commenters labeling Dr. Esquer's choice to wear designer labels at work as "tone deaf."
"Yeah… this is going to be a no for me," one wrote. "In a time when access to even basic healthcare is a luxury wearing flashy brand names IN FRONT of patients, it’s not just tone deaf it’s downright offensive. Save it for after work."Another shared, "Don’t think this should be part of the NhS protocol !!" one wrote. "Would put me off as there would immediately be a status gap between patient and doctor !!!!"
Others are in full support of Dr. Esquer and think the criticism is uncalled for.
"I LOVE when doctors dress up! I used to boost my doctors confidence when she walked in dressed up instead of scrubs… loved it!" one user wrote."People are so dramatic," another shared. "I’m already very aware that a literal DOCTOR is making significantly more money than me at my receptionist job lmao. Her wearing fancy shoes isn’t going to point that out for me 😂 you guys need to touch grass, if I could afford them I’d be wearing them too."Some also claim that Dr. Esquer wouldn't receive negative comments about her outfits if she were a man.
"I don’t understand why people are upset. What’s the difference between this and a male doctor wearing a Rolex watch?" one viewer shared.
Dr. Esquer, who describes her style as "feminine, polished and very intentional," tells PEOPLE that at the start of her career, she wondered if wearing designer pieces was "too much" for a clinical setting.
"But I realized that expressing myself through fashion doesn’t take away from my professionalism or the care I provide," she explains. "I’ve cultivated a wardrobe with a mix of pieces, from designer items to more economical finds, because I want my style to feel accessible and relatable. For me, it’s never about labels — it’s about feeling confident and put together."
Still, Dr. Esquer says she can see where some critics are coming from.
"I completely understand the concern, especially in a world where so many people face real financial barriers to receiving health care," she says. "That inequity is something I’m passionate about addressing, and it’s a major reason I’ve chosen to work with underserved communities in San Diego.
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She continues, "But my shoes are just my personal style — nothing more, nothing less. They don’t shape my values or my dedication to my patients. I want women in medicine to feel free to express themselves confidently and without apology. For me, wearing Louboutins is a reminder that we can honor who we are while still being deeply committed to serving others."
Dr. Esquer tells PEOPLE that her patients typically respond to her outfits "in a positive, lighthearted way.""Many notice my shoes or outfits and offer a compliment or a playful comment, which naturally breaks the ice," she says. "Beyond that moment of connection, I hope it reminds them that their healthcare providers are people with their own identities and personalities."
The doctor continues, "In a system where clinicians can appear very uniform, expressing myself through fashion allows patients to see the person behind the white coat. By showing up authentically, I aim to create a warmer, more personal experience in the clinic."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
