William Morris Sneakers - okay or frumpy?

[HyancinthsAndTulips]

I bought a pair of William Morris print sneakers from Next (yeah, I know...urgh) and really like them (they also make my big feet look smaller) but wondering if they're a bit on the frumpy side? It shouldn't matter, but I'm mid-thirties and just starting out in a fairly 'young' industry, so would like to avoid looking too staid. I've added a picture of the type of outfit I would wear them with.

Finding summer shoes is such a nightmare for me - I have wide size 8/9 feet which I prefer to keep hidden as they aren't exactly my most attractive feature. Really hate white sneakers (they also make my feet look huge) and can't get on with most sandals (they all rub and do nothing for me). I like vintage look Converse, some loafers, espadrilles and ballet flats, but most of my shoes are dark colours and never look quite right with summery clothes. I also don't like bright colours or anything too 'loud' and live in neutrals and muted colours. I used to to find so many nice shoes in my early 20s but now seem to return just about everything I order....not sure where it all went wrong for me. 😩

Not sure why the picture quality is this bad, link to shoes with better pics here: https://www.next.co.uk/style/st134959/a59335#a59335

I really like them although they would call for a very natural/muted outfit.

I think they're fine, and yes, quite summery. I can imagine an art teacher wearing them. Such a variety of people wear trainers these days, not just those who are into whatever's at the vanguard of trainer fashion.

Love the top in your other image.

Thank you, Reinventinganna and SecondhandMuck! I agree that the shoes call for a natural / muted outfit. I pretty much always wear solid colours and mostly cream, navy, blush, muted greens and beige in summer, so no clashing neons or busy patterns. The top in the other picture is from Sézane.

My shoe size is the same as yours and I know that feeling when you find a pair that make your feet look smaller. They are lovely enjoy.

I am an artist who is heavily influenced by WM and the Art&Crafts movement. It is something of a perennial design, which never comes in or goes out of fashion. William Morris interiors don't bend to the typical symptoms of age, either, whether the wallpaper went up in 1979 or 2022.

Since H&M began slapping the designs on to clothing, then your regular urbanite might confuse WM with a 'current trend', but it really isn't. My home and mind are perpetually dreaming in Morris tendrils and twisting leaves - it's a classic, enjoy!

The 'art teacher' trope is overused on MN, unlike in real life.
Not sure why it is often used to diminish or ridicule other women, and as an artist I have never once experienced any of my tutors, male or female, through school to post grad, dressed in the stereotypical manner in which non-artist users of MN imply.

At this point I think people are making shit up, and showing their lack of culture /class in general. Nothing wrong with that, but it certainly comes across as more 'dated' and repressed than average. Let us all live in terror of appearing to live the life of a free thinking bohemian!

I’m not wild about them but it’s not really my style and that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear them. I look at that outfit and I see tan clogs so maybe that would be a consideration in addition to the trainers? Lotta do some nice ones which are not as pricey as Hasbeens.

PS. My friend bought me some Liberty print Vans that I was WTF about - because I’m not remotely floral in my style and she’s normally great at present buying ( and they were not cheap) but I’m still working out how I could wear them and still feel like me. They’re a little similar.

Christ.

I said I could see an art teacher wearing them as I know several art teachers and this is the kind of thing some of them would wear. (After seeing the OP's posts I even sent the link for them to one friend). Why would this comment be seen as diminishing or ridiculing anyone?? 'Art teacher discovered to be William Morris fan' shocker!

Honestly so bloody bored to my bones of some people on this board desperately searching for something to be offended by. I suggest you try and find a more fulfilling hobby.

They're fabulous! I'm off to buy a pair right now

I like them and would wear them. I'm nearly 60 though so you might not think that a good thing Op!

I don't know what you mean by "frumpy"?

Anyway, I think they're nice and if you like them, wear them!

My shoe size is the same as yours and I know that feeling when you find a pair that make your feet look smaller. They are lovely enjoy.

Yes, it's such a rare thing to happen with anything lighter coloured or summery for me, so I'm very happy to read most people think they're okay!

I am an artist who is heavily influenced by WM and the Art&Crafts movement. It is something of a perennial design, which never comes in or goes out of fashion. William Morris interiors don't bend to the typical symptoms of age, either, whether the wallpaper went up in 1979 or 2022.

Absolutely agree with you, William Morris interiors are a classic and will never go out of style, just beautiful! I would love to see some of your work, but totally understand if you'd rather not share on MN.

I look at that outfit and I see tan clogs so maybe that would be a consideration in addition to the trainers? Lotta do some nice ones which are not as pricey as Hasbeens.

I can totally see where you're coming from, but sadly those shoes would look utterly horrendous on me. Great if you have nice, slightly daintier feet but terrible on my chunky hoofs. I also refuse to wear anything with a heel these days. Just too uncomfortable for longer walks and I already feel quite tall enough at 5'10".

I don't know what you mean by "frumpy"?

I realise it's a shitty misogynistic word. I suppose I mean dressing too old for my age? I'm currently in the middle of a career change but was a lawyer (in a different country before anyone pulls me up on my less than perfect English) before that which came with a fairly conservative dress coat that probably needs to be updated a little bit for my new job. I think I'm fine in winter with a lot of fairly minimalist COS and Toast type stuff, but have always struggled with summer clothes and shoes in particular.

I like them and would wear them. I'm nearly 60 though so you might not think that a good thing Op!

I think style is fairly independent of age, in fact I think my mother (who is in her 70s) is one of the best dressed people I know....wish I had her natural elegance!

Dress code, not coat, obviously. 🙄

Frumpy is used such a lot on here and I do find it a bit depressing. You've already said it's shitty and misogynistic, so I'll just address your other point and agree with pp that anything with a William Morris design is fairly ageless.
I'd just say that they'll look nice and summery so enjoy them!

I LOVE them and wish I could justify another pair of trainers 🤔 ...

I love a bit of William Morris print

I work in interiors OP, and fell in love with several Morris & Co print dresses at Next last year. I actually had one lady ask if we had the wallpaper in it when I wore it to work!

Morris is timeless, they're lovely.

Love them.

I love them. I love most things William Morris, so am biased. My issue would be the amount of white as I would trash them in a week. You probably live a less mud based lifestyle than me.

Why did you say urgh about Next?

I think they’re hideously frumpy.