DH saying black suit + sneakers is not smart enough

[GilmoreGirl84]

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 I think this outfit would have looked awesome I often wear trainers (including NBs) with suits of blazers. It's called fashion people look it up. Gone are the days of tight pencil skirts an uncomfortable stilettos, comfort for the win!

Box fresh. Ugh

327s are most definitely not gym trainers. I've seen plenty of women wearing them or similar with well cut trouser suits in a corporate environment. Move with the times!

I work in comms in Canary Wharf - your outfit sounds like modern standard smart. I wouldn’t worry - anyone judging your ability or professionalism based on your bloody footwear might have their priorities wrong 😂

I think it would have looked totally ok for a business breakfast for the charity sector. I’m not in the charity sector and would just wear regular corporate myself but so does everyone else in my finance industry!

Depends on your business sector. I’m in ftse 100 and would never dream of wearing trainers. But my sector is engineering. Charity sector might be ok. Why do it though, older managers will view you as scruffy.

I see it around all the time, people would wear it in my field, and I think it looks much more modern than a suit with formal shoes like courts or brogues etc. I think the all-over smart looks very conservative and quite dated (realise in some sectors it’s still very much the norm though!)

This is going to entirely depend on your industry. In most creative industries no one would turn a hair. In my industry it would very odd indeed!

Are these the ones? I don’t think they look like gym trainers, the materials are wrong. Your outfit sounds fine to me.

Fair enough if it’s not to everyone’s taste but wow at the sniffy “inappropriate for clients” replies. Do people not realise how much appropriate attire varies across different businesses?

err - thanks for the slightly patronising response - certainly wasn’t
in my own office and wasn’t a one off or even confined to one country or one deal. In my experience if you’re
doing a complicated job well in a corporate environment what matters is the quality of your work, at least once you’ve been there long enough to establish yourself - but I agree with the poster who said that in a private client situation in particular there is an element of looking the part to give clients confidence / out of respect for them.

I think I might get me a pair of 327s as my last trusty pair of NB trainers has worn out.

I have never work high heels but have also never worn a gym shoe to a business event. I wear dress shoes with business outfits. I am all for comfort but you can get very comfortable dress shoes. I would find it odd to see someone in business clothes with a very casual shoe. Same as if they wore Birkenstocks with their suit or gym leggings with a suit jacket. Maybe it is a new fashion trend to mix casual / fitness clothes with business but it hasn’t hit my company yet!

I agree with your partner.
the vision I have seeing someone dressed head to toe in professional attire then clunky, basic trainers is a very strange one.

Your outfit sounds exactly like the sort of thing my DD2 would wear to work. She works in the creative industry in London and smart clothes with trainers is what everyone seems to wear.

Oh dear. I'm starting a new job on Monday and I was going to wear trainers (white real leather) with a suit. I've been told smart casual which seems to include everything. I always feel that combinations count for something though, so a smart white T shirt looks OK with a suit, yet not with leggings (too casual). Leggings could look OK with a blouse or tunic top but not so much with a jumper. Chinos and t-shirt OK with a jacket, but not with a jumpet etc so a good smart:to casual ratio.
Because of the nature of my work I can't wear heels or slip ons.
Now l'm unsure! Are they OK with a navy suit-from Next - wide legs trousers, standard blazer type jacket, white longsleved jersey blouse.

Heavens forbid if you have a tattoo, more than one piecing (ears only) or coloured hair or an undercut!

Maybe it's an Alanis Morissette ironic!

Just curious, but what are your thoughts on trainers with a dress?
Can I ask your (approx) age. I'm wondering if that influences your view.
I'd never wear a zip up fleece.....with anything....ever!

I work for a charity, and we have a no trainers or denim rule. It's a very, very traditional organisation. So it wouldn't be okay where I work, but we don't have to wear heels, either.

Trainers are understandable as you have a walk involved in your journey

I think I'd probably choose something less sporty looking

I'd wear trainers on the way there and back but not at the actual meet. Just looks slapdash to me. Id change into smart low heeled shoes. I don't get the concept of an 'ironic' work outfit, what's the purpose of that?

Yes - we can wear jeans, trainers etc to work. When meeting clients though, mostly through teams, we make an effort and smarten up.

Clients are there in their business wear so they expect same of us.

There was actually a complaint this week that 2 people attended a meeting under dressed.

If OPs DH thoight it was inappropriate, its likely some others at the business event thought the same.

I think it actually depends on the suit. An overall fashion vibe with a great suit, in terms of fit and fabric with the rest of the outfit also being in keeping with the look you were going for and it probably looked great. Personally Id also say it would have to be baggy or wide leg with the cuff hanging over the shoe but others may differ.
A suit in cheap fabric that didn't fit very well, with the kind of shirt that is made like a school uniform shirt, then IMO it probably didn't look great.

They are literally the most popular trainer brand and model right now. I think it will have looked very on trend OP!

I'm on the train to the office now - corporate office in London. I'm wearing a cream coloured t short under a black trouser suit and cream leather trainers. I'm meeting clients today so I have a pair of black suede loafers in my bag otherwise I'd be wearing the trainers all day. Perfectly fine in my office.
Your outfit sounds fine to me but only you know whether it was suitable based on the other people there.

I think it's fine and common business wear. No one wears heels any more. It's not the 1980s.