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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:
Thread gallery
14
2ndGenerationHomeEducator · 21/04/2023 07:46

Trainers don't go with a suit. The pictures posters have posted with a suit have not convinced me either.
Trainers, jeans and a blouse I imagine would be fine. Unless suits are expected....

NatashaDancing · 21/04/2023 07:46

Aarg don't know where 1980s came from.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/04/2023 07:47

Yes, fuck off with the ageism.

Gcsunnyside23 · 21/04/2023 07:48

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!

Show quote history

My work colleague wore the same trainers yesterday, actually similar outfit also, at a work conference we were at and they looked good. It the style now so I'd say you're fine

Dibbydoos · 21/04/2023 07:49

There are loads of other comfy shoes you could have paired with a suit. Those trainers wouldn't have been my choice, I'm afraid.

romdowa · 21/04/2023 07:52

Suits and trainers are all in now. I see it all over insta. It started in mens fashion but its definitely spreading to womens now

Original poster
GilmoreGirl84 · 21/04/2023 07:54

Wow, fascinated at all these answers! Clearly a contentious topic Grin

Re suit: it was more of a black fitted jacket with black skinny cropped trousers. Not pinstripe suit.

The colour of the shirt underneath the jacket matched the burgundy of the trainers.

Box fresh: yes the shoes had only been worn twice, so they were gleaming white without any stains

OP posts:
iolaus · 21/04/2023 07:54

My daughter wears a suit to work and often wears trainers with it when she leaves the house (because she has a walk combined with public transport), she then changes into her work shoes when she gets there (she refuses to wear heels regardless but has her 'professional smart' shoes)

OldHouseLover · 21/04/2023 07:59

I'm still amused at some of the responses.

Age doesn't come into it for me, I'm in my 50s & don't live in London & as i said this sort of outfit is totally standard for me in my line of work & I would look ridiculous going to work in a pencil skirt suit with heels. So it's horses for courses really.

I think anyone working in architecture, art, culture, advertising, publishing, fashion, media, journalism etc will all see this look on a daily basis.

I'm also surprised at the poster saying this wouldn't be allowed in her specific office but her 19 Yr old civil service daughter wear it, yet the poster would apparently assume the op had forgotten to change her shoes if she saw her ? Why would you assume that when you know it's acceptable in offices other than yours?

Watfrordmummy · 21/04/2023 08:06

Definitely not gym trainers, but maybe that's because I have them.

The world thankfully moved on when we are not judged on our professionalism based on what we wear, what our hair colour is or whether we have tattoos- or maybe that's just the world I work in.

Purplecatshopaholic · 21/04/2023 08:07

Sounds like a great outfit op, eye much a norm these days (in many industries anyway, mine included). I do think those particular trainers are more trainer-like than some more casual styles but still defo fine to wear. I am sure you rocked it. Ignore your DH!

Chesneyhawkes1 · 21/04/2023 08:12

How are people saying these are running trainers?

They aren't. I run every day and I wouldn't run 400m in them. Totally unsuitable. Would look ridiculous at the gym too!

I go to London every day for work and see lots of suits and trainers. Seems to be what most are wearing these days.

Not me - I'm in uniform - but still with trainers ;)

bibbidybobbidyboo · 21/04/2023 08:16

I work in a creative agency in central London and on any given day in our office you'll see at least half a dozen people wearing NB 327s. They're bang on trend and for creative or charity sector, definitely work appropriate

Spudlet · 21/04/2023 08:19

I used to work in the charity sector, this would have been fine as a look even then (although not in the stuffy old charity I worked for, sadly).

Spudlet · 21/04/2023 08:20

And they’re not at all running shoes - I wear actual running shoes to work sometimes these days and believe me, they do not look like that!

JessieJoJames · 21/04/2023 08:23

I don't think there is anything ironic about it - people have literally been doing it for ages. I don't think it is super inappropriate for every day work but I wouldn't have worn it for an event - I guess only you know if it was a super smart event or a more casual one.

Mustardandchickensandwiches · 21/04/2023 08:25

Honestly in 2023 business wear should be obsolete.

Clean and tidy should be all that matters.

Prettypaisleyslippers · 21/04/2023 08:27

I’m in corporate not charity and wouldn’t dream of wearer trainers to work but if your sector suits that type of look go for it.

Fuerza · 21/04/2023 08:27

A lot of people mix a suit with runners, but it only works sometimes. If the person is rail thin and tall and the industry they work in is kind of artsy and fashionee it looks ok, but if you're in your 40s, 50s and work in insurance or finance, and your figure is more normal than to be honest, it does look like you're trying a fashion look that doesn't work.

I have tried it, but I wore coloured leather trainers and it looks a bit more like shoes.

Phos · 21/04/2023 08:32

Wouldn't bat an eyelid myself. It's becoming increasingly more common to wear more casual clothes to work. In my company, we have a policy that you can dress appropriately for your day. So client facing or external meeting, you might be expected to wear a suit but wear one to the office and people would ask what you were all dressed up for. Depends on the company culture I suppose. Even before we altered our code and had to wear business dress Monday - Thursday, a lot of people would wear trainers on the commute and change once in the office, particularly in London. Sometimes I'd forget and be wandering around in trainers half the day. No one noticed, or if they did, they didn't care.

beeskipa · 21/04/2023 08:36

Sounds good to me. I don't know anyone in my industry who still does full suit and heels now anyway, even for more formal stuff. My go-to is a dress and Docs, so I'm probably the wrong person to ask..!

SybilWrites · 21/04/2023 08:39

I'm in the same sector and have mostly swapped all of my meeting shoes for trainers.. It's not ironic, it's comfortable and high heels are definitely obsolete now.

I do have loafers too, but prefer trainers with a suit.

LolaSmiles · 21/04/2023 08:40

I wouldn't bat an eye lid if it's a more casual end of suit, but would of it was a proper corporate suit because it would look odd to me.

It's not a look that I would choose for me, but I'd hope by now people had got past thinking that everyone should dress the same as them.

Cherryblossoms85 · 21/04/2023 08:41

I work in the city. My boss keeps saying he wants these "white shoes" gone. He has some sort of visceral hatred of all trainers. But it's the city, not the charity sector ...

pizzaHeart · 21/04/2023 08:45

I’m with your DH - trainers don’t go with a suit usually, especially these particular trainers which are very gym shoes. And they are white ( I know with burgundy, but they are white) they won’t go with a black suit.