How to dress like a grown up with Shane Watson: You CAN look office smart in trainers
- Shane Watson shares advice for wearing trainers to the office and looking smart
- Recommends avoiding girly details and canvas, and keeping a pair for best
- UK-based fashion expert uses trainers to inject ‘current edge’ to her wardrobe
What created the most buzz on the Milan catwalks? The Gucci collaboration with Adidas — specifically a pair of two-tone purple Gazelle trainers that shot to the top of the fashion set’s hit list.
Trainers of all sorts — plain or pretty, with clashing laces or chunky soles — are big news in fashion now because any woman of any age can wear them, because they’re the easiest way to buy into a brand, and because the right pair can make your look. Whether you’re a Nike, or a Veja, or an Adidas fan, we all use trainers to inject current edge in our wardrobes.
There are thousands of trainer brands in every price bracket, so here’s a few tips on how to pick the right pairs for you (and, yes, you now need more than one).
Shane Watson shares advice on wearing trainers to the office and still looking smart. Pictured: Reese Witherspoon
THE ONES THAT ARE AUTOMATICALLY COOL AND OFFICE-FRIENDLY
Trainers work for work so long as they’re not fabric or canvas, and they’re white, or colour-blocked — namely those New Balance suede ones that come in a collage of colours like mustard, burgundy and teal. You’ll see them on women of all ages (spot them by the big sideways N) who know this is the short cut to looking up-to-the-minute.
A clash with your outfit doesn’t matter, although if wearing a pattern, keep trainers plain. Try New Balance MS327 (£74.99 office.co.uk).
THE PRETTY ONES
For a few years — probably since Meghan Markle first wore them — the smart, good looking and just-feminine-enough trainer to wear is Veja (£120, veja-store.com). The secret is to stick with white with the V in navy, black or beige. It’s a sustainable brand, too.
The UK-based stylist recommends avoiding girly details and canvas, and keeping a pair for best. Pictured: Duchess of Cambridge
THE INSTANT ‘SCRUB UP YOUR LOOK’ ONES
No BIG secret this one: they are white, of course. Neat, not too nursey, not too tech. You don’t want them so plain you look like a dental assistant, but you don’t want them covered in fancy trims either; black, navy or grey details look best.
Try Whistles’ Raife trainers with grey suede detailing (£139, whistles.com) or All Saints old school leather trainers (£139, allsaints.com) which really will go with everything. What also looks cool is a combination of off-white and beige, maybe in a New Balance or a Veja style.
If you’re interested in the plain white ones the fashion girls covet, they’re Celine’s higher-cut sneakers with a Velcro tab in optic white (£590, celine.com). If you’re wearing them for smart, you’ll need a pair to keep back for best.
THE ONES THAT ADD A COLOUR POP
Ifyou’re balking at a bright green sweater but want to give your wardrobe an instant colour boost, here’s your answer. Get a pair in two-tone yellow suede (£130, bimbaylola.com). The ones I’ve been wearing to brighten up clothes for years, are plain suede Adidas gazelles in whatever colour takes your mood. Get ahead of the Gucci girls now in a pair in collegiate burgundy (£70, adidas.co.uk).
TRAINERS: THE 2022 RULES
- Keep soles white or brown
- Avoid girlie details
- Keep one pair for best
- Avoid canvas
THE ONES IF YOU’RE AFTER SOME ELEVATION
If you’re looking for extra lift, stonking soles are very much in. Try Nike’s low platform (£84.95, nike.com) or Boden’s white leather flatform (£90, boden.co.uk).
THE ‘DON’T WRITE ME OFF’ TRAINER
We’ve all relied on a great pair of shoes to carry the day and now those shoes might be trainers. A few weeks back, Mary Beard the historian was photographed wearing a nondescript sweater and trousers and Gucci trainers that frankly made us think of her in a different light.
You don’t have to go the Gucci route (you’d need just short of £700), just find yourself a trainer with bang up to the minute cred or character. Try D. A.T.E. (date-sneakers. com) if you like a bit of bling.
WHAT YOU DON’T WANT
Textile uppers are just not as smart. Steer clear of those octopus sucker soles, visible air units (the clear bubbles inset into trainer soles) or too much multicoloured mesh. Pick a trainer that looks neat on your foot, and don’t bother with black.
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