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Original poster

I've never worn a dress and a pair of trainers

126 replies

tobee · 09/05/2023 23:37

I can't be the only one?

Maybe it's my age (55)?
Maybe it's because I don't wear dresses massively often and prefer to wear sandals or other shoes.

It's weird because the way people talk about dresses and trainers (white or otherwise) on here (and topped off with a denim jacket) you'd have thought people wore this combo for decades, nay centuries. I'm sure it's been less then a decade?

Maybe I just go around with my eyes shut?

Anyway, what other things have you never worn that seem to be a Mumsnet staple? Skinny jeans maybe? Or a beauty thing?

OP posts:
XBealtaine · 10/05/2023 07:39

Ballet pumps are back? It's only 15 years since they were still everywhere. Back already. I used to feel like I was going to fall over backwards in ballet pumps. Just tooooo flat.

SquashPenguin · 10/05/2023 07:45

XBealtaine · 10/05/2023 07:39

Ballet pumps are back? It's only 15 years since they were still everywhere. Back already. I used to feel like I was going to fall over backwards in ballet pumps. Just tooooo flat.

Ballet pumps were horrible before and they’ll be horrible now. I can’t fathom how they’re even comfortable 😆

LadyOfTheCanyon · 10/05/2023 08:29

I read the thread title and thought 'that's a bit niche for an AMA' Grin

Bathintheshed · 10/05/2023 08:34

I've worn dresses with white plimsolls since I was a child in the early 90s. Still do now. Proper trainers look silly with dresses on me as I have size 8 feet but I think trainers and dresses look great on other people. I do wear sandals sometimes but walking long distances, plimsolls are more practical.

Aslanplustwo · 10/05/2023 08:35

sausage767 · 10/05/2023 00:29

I’ve never worn a dress and trainers either. It’s also not a thing in Australia. Despite retailers and media trying to make it happen, I just don’t see it often in real life. I wear dresses often, but with sandals in summer or boots in winter. And trainers with jeans only.

That's interesting to read. I'm in NZ and dresses and trainers are definitely a thing here. I wear dresses with sandals, boots, and trainers.

Aslanplustwo · 10/05/2023 08:39

Oh, and in the spirit of the thread, I don't wear floral dresses - I like them on others, but not on me, I prefer plain colours - and I've never worn skinny jeans!

PuppyMonkey · 10/05/2023 08:44

I’m 56 and I think I look really stupid in a dress with big old trainers - however, Converse and a dress looks fine on me imho. Don’t know what that’s all about.

LadyEloise1 · 10/05/2023 08:46

If you're short and dumpy trainers and a dress just don't look good. I know only too well. If I wee tall and lean it's a look I'd love to wear.

PuttingDownRoots · 10/05/2023 08:47

Dress and trainers was the practical choice when I lived in a Mediterranean country... sandals were no good for everyday life due to the stones and thorns plus not good for driving (not allowed open toe shoes).

Last Christmas some younger women (early 20s) trued wearing trainers with their evening dresses for a black tie event. Fashion maybe... but completely against dress code (except with prior permission due to injury etc) which has been made even more clear on future instructions. Not sure was more scandalous... men removing jackets before a certain point or women wearing trainers! 😂

mastertomsmum · 10/05/2023 08:57

annielou55 · 10/05/2023 01:58

I must be very unfashionable as I only started wearing dresses with trainers and a cropped denim jacket last summer 🤷🏻‍♀️. I quite like the look so will be wearing again this summer …….but would wear with sandals (low heels) for “dressy”.

I can’t get on with skinny jeans and wear straight or slim leg. Usually get them in M&S or Next as am 5 ft 9, with 33 inch inside leg ( have a short body). Black skinny jeans make me look like Russell Brand.

Love a jumpsuit but they inevitably look 3/4 length or ankle grazer at best on me, even the tall range.

Haven’t worn heels since around mid 90s as don’t like towering over people.

annielou55 we sound similar. I’m 5ft 9 and find wearing heels makes me feel too tall. I own several maxi dresses and one jumpsuit and the all look midaxi length on me. I also have long arms and jackets/blazers make me look like an escapee from a Dickens novel.

Bootcut jeans era was a nightmare, flappy ankle hell and - frankly - if they are just not very flary flares and felt like a non fashion to me.

Gettingbysomehow · 10/05/2023 08:59

I ever will wear a dress and trainers. I think they look extremely ugly together.

sausage767 · 10/05/2023 09:02

Neurodiversitydoctor · 10/05/2023 05:29

Is this a climate thing ? There are few days in an English Summer where sandals are a practical option.

Show quote history

It just doesn’t look stylish or flattering? Plenty of women here wear trainers, I do, just not with dresses.

I guess this is a good time to confess I look at some of the suggested outfits and pieces of clothing posted here, and they’re not things I’d ever wear. I think of myself as pretty well dressed but now I’m worried I get judged negatively when I’m visiting the UK. I have a big trip planned next year, including a posh family wedding and associated events. I’m seriously concerned about my wardrobe planning now.

lljkk · 10/05/2023 09:04

I'm mid 50s & have worn dresses with trainers. But like decades ago. It wasn't fashionable then, ha !! I love this new trend becoming fine in the office, this is marvelous. I hate stupid footwear choices. Dress+trainers was very popular in big cities, office workers on outdoor lunch breaks, 1980s onwards, but you had to change shoes back in office.

Ballet pumps are godsends in over-hot offices.

I never owned/wore a "waterfall cardigan". Nor anything Boden. Denim jackets are too stiff and maxi-dresses are totally impractical to ever appeal. I have a handbag I use about twice a year.

Apparently I have / passed on perfect eyebrows to DD. She often thanks me for them (!)

mastertomsmum · 10/05/2023 09:10

I’d never worn dress and trainers until last autumn. Although as a teenager lace up canvas pumps and dresses were a thing that was quite a similar groove and I did do that a bit.

In September, I broke a toe and after the initial weird sandal thing supplied by the small injuries clinic, I could only wear soft trainer like footwear for around 2 months. Didn’t have any white footwear in this style, just a pale grey and a black with sparkles pair. The latter looked fab with a smart jumpsuit and as if I was making a statement that wasn’t based purely on comfort. So, they will be coming out again this summer. I’ve even bought a beige pair with all this in mind.

Back to original question, what wouldn’t I wear that’s a fashion trend?? I’ve always steered clear of cropped tops and leggings with shorter tops apart from when I was early 20s. Anything cropped is hard to pull off if it’s not designed for long limbs.

katemulberrybush · 10/05/2023 09:12

Me neither

I don't like trainers without socks. I just think, stinky feet

It just doesn't look right on me either

Mariposista · 10/05/2023 09:17

I am early 30s OP and I hate this look with a passion.

Kittensat36 · 10/05/2023 09:17

No, I really don't like the combination - some trainers are so big and clumpy that they make the wearer look like a toy figure that needs big feet to keep it upright. And if they're not box-fresh white, they look scruffy.

I'd rather have that than the dress/bovver boot combo though. From the knee up, all feminine, from the knee down, could give someone a kicking.

Skinny jeans in my size is a contradiction in terms

SoupDragon · 10/05/2023 09:21

I often wear skirts with trainers and I'm same age. I don't often wear dresses.

I think they're no more "odd" than most female footwear and far more comfortable and practical! It only looks "odd" if you aren't used to seeing it.

BettySundaes · 10/05/2023 09:23

I hate that look its so dull and shows lack of imagination in putting an outfit together. I don't suit long dresses being short, hate floral, denim jackets are stiff and uncomfortable and trainers are fugly and should only be worn for sports.

Hippyhippybake · 10/05/2023 09:23

I would only ever do this if I was on holiday and had to do a lot of walking around a city. I think it looks great on young women but frumpy and mumsy on me. We are so lucky now to have a big choice of comfortable shoes, particularly chunky sandals and flat forms which to my mind look SO much better with a dress than trainers.

SoupDragon · 10/05/2023 09:24

katemulberrybush · 10/05/2023 09:12

Me neither

I don't like trainers without socks. I just think, stinky feet

It just doesn't look right on me either

Surely most people are wearing low cut trainer socks?

SoupDragon · 10/05/2023 09:27

shows lack of imagination in putting an outfit together

Yeah, because picking a pair of sandals needs SO much creativity and imagination 😂😂

LillianGish · 10/05/2023 09:32

I'm a similar age to you OP and it took me a while to come round to trainers with dresses, but what a revelation! Not the same ones I'd wear for the gym or sports, certainly nothing multi-coloured, but something colour-co-ordinated or white. Now even my 86-year-old mum is wearing them - as she says, they are actually the perfect footwear at her age to keep her active and steady on her feet (much more practical than the frumpy old court shoes her mum used to wear at a similar age). They are actual the ultimate in comfy shoes! I'm just delighted that as I've reached the age where comfy shoes are becoming a necessity, they are actually in fashion.

hennybeans · 10/05/2023 09:32

I only wear dresses or skirts, don’t own any jeans or trousers. But I never wear them with trainers. In fact, I don’t own any trainers either. I have big feet and all you would notice are huge white trainers if I wore them with a dress. Boots or sandals just look so much better.

Floisme · 10/05/2023 09:33

I don't wear dresses at all at the moment and I don't wear trainers. But ages ago I used to wear flowery dresses with Dr Martens and around 10 years ago I was wearing tube skirts with plimsols. So I get why people like the combination although I did get bored of seeing it everywhere last summer.

Don't wear heels. Didn't wear them before they went out of fashion and won't wear them if they come back but I don't really care if other people do.

I've worn every style of jeans - not scared of any jeans apart from the uber low waisted ones.

I've not painted my nails since I was about 16. I don't wear much make up - not interested.

Not interested in bags either although fighty handbag threads are an occasional guilty pleasure Blush