Nothing kills ones vibe quite like that dull ache in the ball of your feet that will, a you know will reach a sharp crescendo of pain in a few hours time. It means you’ll be spending the rest of the afternoon with your shoes off under your desk, praying your boss doesn’t call you over for a meeting, or sitting out the dancing at your best mate’s wedding, or blowing your drinks budget on your next night out on a very expensive and premature taxi because the only other option is taking your shoes off and risking tetanus on the dance floor.
In short: heels can totally kill your vibe if you’re not careful. But just a few years ago they were the only option if you wanted to look ‘smart’ or ‘done’ or ‘professional,’ or some other adjectives that Kate Middleton never has to worry about. They were also the only option if you wanted to get into a flash bar/Yates’ Wine Lodge. Trainers were for the gym and high heels were for grownups.
But that’s all changed. Unless you work in a particularly corporate environment, you can probably (maybe?) get away with some smart black or white trainers in the office, fashion trainers are actually a thing, and bars with ‘no trainers’ policies have gone the way of bluetooth headsets and hair mascara. Basically trainers are an acceptable footwear option for pretty much anything (see also: Fiona Bruce wearing em on Newsnight a couple of weeks ago and Instagram head of fashion partnerships Eva Chen sporting a pair on a trip to Downing Street).
And how happy does that make us? Being able to walk, run, hop and skip our way around life without having to worry about falling over or getting our heel stuck in a grating is one of the most basically liberating feelings around. In short, trainers = happiness.
In celebration of the relaunch of the Nike Air Presto - bringing us instant happiness since 2000 - 5 amazing women tell us how wearing trainers brings them #instanthappiness
**Georgia, 26, Presenter, Journalist and DJ **
‘I’ve got about five different jobs – I’d never get everything done if I couldn’t wear trainers’
I’m a classic member of the slash generation - I have about five different jobs, so being able to run from one to another is so important. Whether I’m presenting my Beats 1 show, doing an interview or running to a meeting, being able to wear trainers is so important. Wearing trainers makes me happy, because why wouldn’t it?
Vicky, 28, News editor - The Debrief
‘I once got in trouble because I wore trainers to an event with the Prime Minister… I wasn’t sorry’
‘It’s difficult to think back to a time before I wore trainers everyday. When I first started working, or interning rather, at the age of 17/18 I would wear my smartest, shiniest, newest shoes. They were also always the most uncomfortable. I would spend so much time worrying about whether I’d fall over/get blisters and bleed all over the carpet/be uncomfortable that I couldn’t think about what I was doing. These days I have more pairs of trainers than I care to admit to – they’re my go to shoes – I know that if I’m wearing them I don’t have to worry about something as fundamental as how I’m going to get from a to b and stand up comfortably when I get there. It means I can focus on doing my job. It also means I can go on to meet my mates and even go dancing without my feet hurting after work.’
‘I’ve worn trainers in situations that perhaps you’d be surprised by on several occasions. I was recently on the BBC’s Daily Politics programme to discuss The Debrief’s campaign to Make Renting Fairwith two Mps, I wore trainers. I also wore my most trusted footwear when I was interviewing Zac Goldsmith and Sadiq Khan before the London mayoral election last month. I once got into a bit of trouble because I wore trainers to a pretty swanky event at which the Prime Minister was attending…I wasn’t sorry’
Ayishat, 27, stylist and image consultant
‘I like my clothes to retain an element of fun and trainers are the best way to do that for me.’
Trainers are a staple part of my style, so I've always worn them on the job as a lot of running around town is involved. What's great about the social acceptance of trainers for everyday wear, is how I can work it into my styling - I have clients who are not that comfortable performing or going out in traditional shoes, and now I can style trainers into outfits into outfits that are typically considered formalwear.
For me, style is about identity and imagination. I like my clothes to retain an element of fun and trainers are the best way to do that for me.
Charlie, 24, activist and founder of Nail Transphobia
‘I started wearing trainers when I realised I didn’t have to fit in with other people’s idea of what a woman should look like’
When I first started to transition I wore heels everyday because I thought that was what you had to do to be a woman. But over time I’ve realised that I don’t want to be uncomfortable for other people - because that’s the only reason I was wearing heels - to fit in with other people’s idea of what being a woman should look like. I’m proud that I can now go to a meeting at Parliament - as a woman and as a working class person - and wear trainers, and still be taken seriously. That’s so important for me.
Jess, 29, Deputy editor, The Debrief
‘Wearing trainers means the city is my oyster’
Traveling around London on the tube or busses is a total stress-inducer. People are mean, grumpy, aggressive and sweaty. Why the hell would you want to start your day off like that? I walk as much as I can. Travel is expensive and being outside is more calming, more energizing and it gives you the chance to explore places that you wouldn’t find automatically. I’m forever happening upon new bars or pubs or restaurants that I want to go back and try and tbh, you’d be surprised at how close together everything in London actually is. Wearing trainers means I have the option to walk for an hour rather than jump on the tube if I want, it means the city is my oyster and means I’m free to move about as I please.
**Share your trainer selfies with us on Instagram @thedebriefukwith the tags #instanthappiness and #niketrainerselfie and tell us why trainers make you happy **
Makeup: Lucy Pearson
Makeup assistant: Carlotta Nuti
Hair: Sky Cripps-Jackson
Styling: Polly Knight
**Like this? Then you might be interested in: **
Come To Our Debrief X Nike Event And Tell Us Why Trainers Make You Happy
Calling Bullshit On: The Rule That You Can't Wear Trainers To Work
B*ought to you in partnership with Nike *
**Visit Nike.com for more info on the Presto Ultra Flyknit Collection. **
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.