Trainer-esque shoe that is not a trainer?!

[ScotttCheggg]

Please could anyone recommend a trainer-shape shoe (I’m thinking pumps rather than athletic) that I can wear to work?! Trainers themselves are strictly forbidden (it’s a school, but I’m in the office, not student-facing), but I do not suit ballet pumps or pointy flats at all. I have loafers, which are fine for winter, but as Spring / Summer approaches I’m after something a bit less formal.

I used to have some Kurt Geiger shoes that had a trainer platform, and a fabric upper but they were so uncomfortable 🤦‍♀️

I have a lovely pair from timberland which would really suit the brief, but I bought them from an outlet and I can’t find them online. These hush puppies are quite similar https://www.hushpuppies.co.uk/products/tillie-shoe-tan-nubuck?currency=GBP&variant=40022799351923&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=6e8ee44dc047&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5v2wBhBrEiwAXDDoJfXdyFuYDvF0ko-HoXzybRp5bwOGEHpBqsZNDMCph-3RddFuMdzQMxoCZvUQAvD_BwE

I really like my pair of Clarks 'Un Rio'. Mine are black leather and are super comfortable and good quality.. I got them at a Clarks outlet. There are different styles and colours.

Mine are like this but without the zip.
https://www.clarksoutlet.co.uk/un-rio-zip/26168018-p

Air and grace

I wore these to school - really comfy, great with dresses, trousers. And stayed clean despite being white.

I wear all black chunky trainers. I don't like white/light trainers at all.

For example:

https://www.schuh.co.uk/kids/youth-new-balance-327-black-trainers/2745017060/ (i'm sure you can get similar in adult sizes if your feet are bigger)

https://www.next.co.uk/style/ST246442/D00617#D00617

https://www.schuh.co.uk/womens/superga-2790-cotw-platform-black-trainers/1971417070/

I use Hickies laces with them to make them into slip on, but this does also make them a bit less trainer like.

I have a pair of Clark’s Un Rio like the ones above. €70 from their Amazon site. They’re soft leather and cushioned inside and the zip means you’re not adjusting the laces every time.

I’m trusting them to be my only pair for a week’s holiday and if they pass the test I’ll get a summer colour.

Exactly that - school policies often state no trainers, no DMs, no open toe sandals. Ours says you must wear a blazer to meet parents. I don't understand why you can't compute this, it's a uniform policy.

Because generally these policies apply to children, not adults who generally have agency over what they wear, other than in “uniformed” professions such as medics, emergency services etc, or public facing roles, none of which apply to the OP’s role. I never understand why adults tolerate this crap, Which generally comes about as an exercise in feeding another adult’s ego and has no basis in sense

How do they define a trainer? Some of these very much fall into trainer category for me ( although smart trainers definitely trainers)

Maybe the OP thinks she'll get away with discreet plain ones but not the garish versions with overt branding?

Yes this she is really just looking for discreet trainers for work.

They are nice - where are they from? I have Vejas which are apparently no longer trendy (like I care).

You can’t understand a workplace having a dress code?

Clarks Nalle Lace are a bit like the one pp linked, they are so comfortable but only marginally like a trainer.
https://www.clarks.com/en-gb/nalle-lace/26171986-p

Have a look at Moda in Pelle

Ffs🙄

They're Clarks "Sharon Noel" currently £44 on Amazon (which is about £25 less than I paid for them in a Clarks shop 😠).

Moda in Pelle have various trainers that don't look like trainers
I think the Berty would work with wide leg trousers

https://www.modainpelle.com/new-in-c58/new-trainers-c178?gadsource=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiYOxBhC5ARIsAIvdH51OoRwvoOOe5sQh0BonopmKzIgqSbFhN8aN6wnhmaV7n8bDb5u2L0aAhOpEALwwwcB

What about suede loafers? Suede makes them look not wintery. I have something similar to these:

Geox® SPHERICA EC1: Women's navy Suede Loafers | Geox®

I'm currently wearing these, I thought they were Clarks but they're scholl

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144665079520

Something like these maybe:

https://www.toms.com/uk/women/shoes/womens-tan-suede-platform-rope-sole-espadrille-toms-shoe-carolina/10020711.html

They come in lots of colours and fabric as well as suede.

Or these with a different sole:

https://www.asos.com/toms/toms-alpargata-fenix-slip-on-trainers-in-bright-pink/prd/205565202

https://www.heydude.uk

Dude shoes are my go-to "pretending to not wear trainers" shoe. They're soooo comfortable!

I also work in a school (medical/welfare so need something practical).

I’ve got Sketchers sandals and shoes but they’re probably a bit too ballet pump adjacent.

I love my Rocketdogs…they are so much more comfy than Converse and inexpensive enough to have a couple of options. Don’t know if any of these black one would work for you?

Nice ones from Sorel

SOREL (sorelfootwear.co.uk)

Because school heads are often exceptionally weird people who don't distinguish between pupils and staff (and indeed parents) and treat everyone as if they are an idiot who needs to be micro-managed. Most of them wouldn't last two minutes in a senior position in a normal workplace. I have friends and relations who are teachers and the stories they tell of how their leadership teams treat them are barely believable. But they all have seem to have an utterly misplaced sense of loyalty that stops them from just walking out and finding a job somewhere that respects them.