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Original poster

DH saying black suit + sneakers is not smart enough

221 replies

GilmoreGirl84 · 20/04/2023 21:53

I went to a business breakfast wearing a black suit (jacket + trousers), paired with a burgundy shirt underneath and a pair of box fresh New Balance 327, white and burgundy. I had to travel by car and by train to get there and walk 20 minutes in the City, so I went for smart casual. DH is saying the sneakers look odd but I am pretty sure it is acceptable these days to wear them ironically under a suit? For reference, I work in the charity sector but it was a business event.

OP posts:
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zurala · 20/04/2023 21:56

I had to look the trainers up and they look very sporty rather than smart. They'd look ok in the gym but I would give them side-eye at a business event, and I love a chunky white trainer with wide legged trousers.

Crikeyalmighty · 20/04/2023 21:56

Sounds good to me- women frequently pair a swishy summer dress with trainers these days - especially in more casual or creative type of industries

RJnomore1 · 20/04/2023 21:57

Absolutely fine.

FrenchandSaunders · 20/04/2023 21:57

Sounds lovely.

CrackerAndPudding · 20/04/2023 21:57

This is common business wear in my office so wouldn't raise any eyebrows from me

Original poster
GilmoreGirl84 · 20/04/2023 22:06

zurala · 20/04/2023 21:56

I had to look the trainers up and they look very sporty rather than smart. They'd look ok in the gym but I would give them side-eye at a business event, and I love a chunky white trainer with wide legged trousers.

I know what to mean, they are chunkier than most, but I wouldn't say they are gym shoes!

OP posts:
TokyoSushi · 20/04/2023 22:07

Lovely, defo not gym shoes, my favourite trainers!

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 20/04/2023 22:08

Unless you can regularly rely on him for good fashion critique, I'm not sure you should give any weight to his thoughts on this

NatashaDancing · 20/04/2023 22:09

GilmoreGirl84 · 20/04/2023 22:06

I know what to mean, they are chunkier than most, but I wouldn't say they are gym shoes!

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They look like gym shoes to me. Depends on the business and the type of event. I wouldn't want an employee turning up to see clients wearing them.

Original poster
GilmoreGirl84 · 20/04/2023 22:19

Really interesting to see such different opinions here. I guess it's a slightly controversial topic then!

OP posts:
Fairislefandango · 20/04/2023 22:19

How do you wear them 'ironically'? Confused Why would you want a work outfit to look ironic?! How can an outfit even look ironic?

WeWereInParis · 20/04/2023 22:21

They look like gym shoes to me. Depends on the business and the type of event. I wouldn't want an employee turning up to see clients wearing them.

I agree with this for me/my work. But I assume you know the type of environment you were going to much better than your DH does, and clearly (from responses here) there are places it would be appropriate so I don't think you need to worry about your DH's opinion on it.

Original poster
GilmoreGirl84 · 20/04/2023 22:21

Fairislefandango · 20/04/2023 22:19

How do you wear them 'ironically'? Confused Why would you want a work outfit to look ironic?! How can an outfit even look ironic?

The right accessory can make a stuffy outfit a bit more fun and casual. That's what I was going for.

OP posts:
drpet49 · 20/04/2023 22:24

NatashaDancing · 20/04/2023 22:09

They look like gym shoes to me. Depends on the business and the type of event. I wouldn't want an employee turning up to see clients wearing them.

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I agree

Summerfun54321 · 20/04/2023 22:25

Trainers might look ok if they were smart lace up trainers not new balance. A suit with new balance trainers sounds really odd sorry. There are plenty of smart comfortable trainers out there that don't look like you're going to burst into a jog any minute.

readbooksdrinktea · 20/04/2023 22:26

NatashaDancing · 20/04/2023 22:09

They look like gym shoes to me. Depends on the business and the type of event. I wouldn't want an employee turning up to see clients wearing them.

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Agree with this.

zurala · 20/04/2023 22:34

GilmoreGirl84 · 20/04/2023 22:06

I know what to mean, they are chunkier than most, but I wouldn't say they are gym shoes!

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They are the epitome of gym shoes! The turned up sole at the toe, the shape of the forefoot, it all screams jogging to me. Definitely not smart, I wouldn't even wear them casually, only to the gym.

carriedout · 20/04/2023 22:37

Absolutely fine, especially so as you are charity sector.

Sure you wouldn't wear them in a city corporate for a client meeting - but you don't work in a city corporate.

Your DH is wrong.

Original poster
GilmoreGirl84 · 20/04/2023 22:37

zurala · 20/04/2023 22:34

They are the epitome of gym shoes! The turned up sole at the toe, the shape of the forefoot, it all screams jogging to me. Definitely not smart, I wouldn't even wear them casually, only to the gym.

Show quote history

The materials are leather/suede so not really great for sport. I would run in them in the street, if I am late for a bus, but not in a field/in the rain/sweating at the gym.

OP posts:
carriedout · 20/04/2023 22:39

I wear Asics to work all the time. They really are sports shoes. They are fine in my workplace, trainers are common.

TBH, when people ask 'what are you looking for in a job' my internal answer is 'to be able to wear trainers'.

Precipice · 20/04/2023 22:42

I don't think trainers suit with a suit.

Christmascracker0 · 20/04/2023 22:43

I really like them and wouldn’t say they are gym trainers. Everyone is wearing them smart/casual just now!

gogohmm · 20/04/2023 22:43

I personally would never wear trainers if in business attire, for me they casual or sports wear so I agree with your husband. Nothing beats a polished shoe

Pissingoncarwheels · 20/04/2023 22:47

I’d be thinking you wore them for walking there but that you had actually forgotten your shoes if I had a business meeting with you.

legalalien · 20/04/2023 22:48

I was a city lawyer in the 90s and 00s and used to wear shoes like this with suits all the time interspersed with uncomfortable 2-3 inch heels. People understood that it was largely because I was pulling all nighters/ didn't give a toss about my footwear - frankly all they cared about was that I was doing my job well (let's not mention the day that I dressed in the dark, wore two non-matching black shoes all day and didn't notice until 2am the next morning when I figured out the reason for my slight limp). Do your job to the best of your ability and if people care about your footwear, that's down to them, not you. Quite fancy a pair of those shoes, would they look silly on someone over the age of 50?