Remember when pairing trainers with your work clothes was the domain of incredibly sensible, trend-deflecting commuters? It is a sartorial faux pas no longer. The style world’s addiction to anti-fashion has been no more obvious than in its appreciation for the humble sneaker. However, don’t relegate the most practical footwear ever invented to weekend and off-duty moments. You can totally sport your kicks to the office tomorrow.
In fact, work is the ideal environment to sample this easy nod to the sport luxe trend. Turns out trainers and tailoring are a match made in heaven. Karl Lagerfeld decided that to be well-heeled meant something more casual, when he incorporated tweed sneakers into all 65 sharp looks of the Chanel SS14 couture show. With high-fashion embracing an athletic finish, there is little reason why your nine-to-five wardrobe should not get on track. Susie Lau, the voice behind blog Style Bubble, says trainers are part of the 'shouldn’t work but does' mentality. '(They) represent to me the rise of 21st century contrasting mix and match in fashion,' she said. 'High and low. Expensive and cheap. Couture and sportswear. Casual and dressy.' Reset your assumption that trainers with a smart frock equals Lily Allen in a prom dress and Reeboks circa 2007.
If you want to pull off the look for the office without offending your colleagues, it is all about making an effort from the ankle upwards. Slim-fit tailored trousers, leather miniskirts and shift dresses all now ooze a greater dose of cool when the accompanying shoe is lace-up and springy. Leandra Medine of Man Repeller says of her New Balance trainers: 'They cannot and will not be worn with athletic clothes.' Of sneaker queen Julia Sarr-Jamois, Medine adds: 'I want to be comfortable and stylish, a fortuitous empty promise that comes true wherever (Sarr-Jamois) lays her Swoosh-clad foot.' Follow Sarr-Jamois’ lead and opt for bare legs and a printed skirt, or slouchy silk trousers and an I-know-full-well-I’m-wearing-trainers-to-a-glitzy-party expression. To master the trend for work it won’t quite cut it to just throw on some Levis. Going the whole hog will not only reinvent the more formal side of your closet, but will pack you serious style punch. Google Cara Delevigne in the current DKNY ad for some androgynous inspiration.
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This does not exactly mean you can now scrimp on your work shoes. Under no circumstances be spotted by your boss in scuffed converse or those sweaty kicks you take to the gym. For true fash-pack credentials your trainers need a stylish spin, and colour and brand are as important as ever. Choose trainers to reflect your personality. Neon and shiny for the adventurous, or classic black and white if you like it subtle. British Vogue’s Laura Weir calls them 'personality trainers' and reveals that Persil white is the trick to office appropriate. 'Shelve your hang-ups about trainers - they don't look sloppy, that's why we're going for white rather than gig-going battered,' she said. 'Just replace your shoes with a pair of sneakers.' If you are still worried about revitalising Missy Elliot’s heyday, then look to Mary Katrantzou’s collaboration with Adidas, or Ricardo Tisci’s version of Nike’s Air Force 1 high-tops. If Anna Dello Russo can forgo sky-high stilettos then so can you.
Aside from the style kudos that the most normcore of footwear has gained, thanks to Saint Laurent, Givenchy and Celine, there isn’t a shoe out there more suited to work. Who really wants to be hobbling around in heels on a desperate Pret refuel or clambering late up the escalator? Sneaker-lover Cara has said: 'I hate high heels more than anything'. We couldn’t agree more, Miss Delevingne. Call it comfy couture or just plain common sense, trainers actually say I-take-my-job-more-seriously-than-you. Stroll smugly into work tomorrow in sneakers, and look like you mean business.
**Here's Some Simple Trainer x Workwear Tips To Follow: **
- It's all about balance. If you have trainers on make sure you balance your look with either tailored trousers or a shirt/blazer.
- No scuffs or mud. Work trainers must not be scuffed nor muddy (from walking the dog), nor smelly for that matter.
- Use 'em. Use your trainers to tone down a look that would otherwise be too dressy for the office. Sequin tops + trainers = winning work look.
- B&W. Still nervous? Start slow with simple all white or all black trainers so not to draw attention.
- Own them. Go on, stride in to the office tomorrow confident (and comfy) in your trainers.
Mary Katrantzou X Adidas Originals Shoes, £125, Adidas Superstar Shoes, £65, Nike Flyknit Lunar2 Shoes, £135, Saint Laurent SL06 Shoes, £355, New Balance 1500v1 Shoes, £80, Nike Air Force 1 Shoes, £110
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Pictures: @charliemay @manrepeller @susiebubble
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.