Wide leg trousers with trainers - office appropriate?

[QuentinQuarantino]

Clean, naice trainers. Not the manky asics you shuffle out to the bins in at bedtime.

Is it an office appropriate look?

This kind of thing but probably no jacket on an everyday basis. Love the look with a neat fitting Breton, white cotton shirt or fine knit, tucked in.

Am (hopefully 👏🤞) starting a new role (NHS) and just can't do formal office wear/heels. Dress code is not strict, just don't want to push it too far with the trainers.

If inappropriate, what other shoes would be good with this type of trouser?

Can anyone link to wide leg trousers?

This thread is illuminating for what it's like outside of my buildin. It's been ages, more than a decade, since my work has had a dress code or rules, and trainers have been the go to for most people, across all ages.

@RomaineCalm

The picture that you posted is a really great look - I like it a lot.

The caveat for me is that it doesn't take very much for it to suddenly not look right... scruffy trainers, a floral jersey top not tucked in, trousers that are just on the wrong side of 'comfy', baggy cardigan instead of a jacket and suddenly it's not the same smart-casual office wear.

This!

To wear trainers and carry it off, they need to be box fresh and everything else needs to be smart and neat. The issue occurs when a colleague rocks up in their manky Nikes and wails, "well 'fanny' wears trainers, why can't I?" ... how do you say, "because she looks stylish and you look like a scruff!"

I really like the look. Unfortunately it wouldn't fly in my office - I think we're one of the last large corporates that still has a formal dress code - but maybe that'll change when we start moving back to the office and people work more flexibly for the long term. But given that even chinos have been outlawed there's no way I'd get away with trainers unless we have an official dress code change.

Re ballet flats - I haven't owned a pair for years. They do look very dated. For work I wear brogues, chunky loafers or (don't shoot me) heels - I have a couple of pairs of patent LK Bennett ones in black and navy that I like with cigarette trousers - or ankle boots. For going out I'm more likely to wear smart trainers these days.

“Not in my city”

you must live somewhere super cool then @XiCi

Back on planet earth ballet flats are, whilst not cutting edge fashion, still massively popular in formal offices where “boots/trainers/sandals” are not permitted.

I work as a manager in an FE college and that is exactly what I wear to work - trainers are leather and plain

you must live somewhere super cool then@XiCi

Yep

Well, I haven't set foot in a formal office for years so that probably explains why I don't see ballet flats any more, we're casual at work. You definitely don't see them out and about as much as you used to.

These are mine

www.marksandspencer.com/high-waist-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60274484?color=BLACK

I work in the NHS, non-clinical role, and this would be totally fine in my office! I really like it.

That is for @thethoughtfox

I wear trainers all the time at work, inc with dresses. I'm fairly senior though so to be honest could turn up in gym kit and nobody would say anything! But I don't think anyone would care if any of the admin staff wore trainers.

Total yes from me. I worked in the NHS for years - senior role - and would totally wear this look for work.

Amber Rudd wearing them to Downing St

Not sure whether you’ll want the endorsement or not though!

@PegasusReturns

“Not in my city”

you must live somewhere super cool then @XiCi

Back on planet earth ballet flats are, whilst not cutting edge fashion, still massively popular in formal offices where “boots/trainers/sandals” are not permitted.

There are workplaces that ban boots?

@ilovecherries

How can a pair of clean, flat, lace up, comfortable shoes that are safe to walk in be ‘unprofessional’. You would look completely appropriate and smart., plus it’s a fresh, current look.

That's what I think. Places that want you to wear court shoes or anything else that isn't healthy for your feet can do one. Why should women get bunions and shortened calf muscles etc for an antiquated dress code.

Thank you, Calm. That whole M&S look is nice.

That’s my standard work outfit. I wear the M&S trousers with a range of tops but agree it needs to be quite sleek to work.

Ok the subject of ballet flats I do see a lot of people especially young trendy girls in the city wearing them still with opaques and dark tights

I'm a band 7 admin manager and I wouldnt and nor would I permit my staff to wear trainers.
I know my trust workwear policy also does not allow trainers, maybe check yours ?

Yes! If they say no, tell them you have foot problems.

I was just about to put a really nice pair of Next wide leg trousers into a charity bag. Because of this thread I have changed my mind

I would and do. But if you're not sure, how about something like this as a compromise.

www.marksandspencer.com/flatform-loafers/p/clp60274903?color=BURGUNDY

I think it looks fine. Google “brogue trainers” for a sort of hybrid shoe, eg

www.modainpelle.com/shoes-c1/flat-and-ballerina-shoes-c46/fillie-white-leather-p6383

I don't get the white trainers with smart clothing look.

The wide legged trousers are great though.

@iamjustlurking

I'm a band 7 admin manager and I wouldnt and nor would I permit my staff to wear trainers. I know my trust workwear policy also does not allow trainers, maybe check yours ?

I was an associate director in the NHS. I’d have happily worn dressy trainers to work and if you told your staff they couldn’t, we’d have had a conversation about it. With the obvious sensible rules about professionalism and modesty, I really object to telling people how they can dress at work. Fortunately, nobody I’ve ever managed has given me cause to object to what they wear.