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 🤦‍♀️

https://www.allbirds.co.uk/products/womens-tree-breezers?awc=18738_1655001830_a3181a88b50cd8b1890d853c35efaff4&utm_campaign=78888&utm_content=Sub%20Networks&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=AWIN

I have two pairs of these and love them, not sure how they would look with wide leg trousers though

I bought similar to these style last year which feel as comfy as trainers. Did loads of walking in them too. Worth looking around.

Court room attire! It’s a thing.

This! It's absolutely spot on

Thank you for not wilfully misunderstanding the point I was making!

some of these suggestions are just awful 🤢

"No trainers" would be standard dress code in lots of jobs.

Current fashion is more accepting of trainers in more settings, but traditionally they're casual or sportswear and so not suited to office-type attire.

As said by a previous poster- Moda in pelle. They are so ridiculously comfy. I have too many pairs because they are guaranteed to be comfortable and do not look like slippers but are always so nice to wear.

Golden Goose, Veja, Superga, Air & Grace

I am a teacher in a strictly "no trainers" school- I wear the la reroute ones in white https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350155398.aspx?dim1=1&dim2=5&cod=Google-PPC-Shopping-21004047118-&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiYOxBhC5ARIsAIvdH52GS_FddUPSmcToeuWc945zLidP5Le1eOa2RxZhWfLmUKYe80n4-jcaAtp7EALw_wcB

Really comfy and look good with wide leg trousers and dresses

Some places do trainers that have the look of deck shoes - so comfy and they go really well with everything

I work in a school and walk at least 3 to 4 miles a day .. mainly chasing reluctant students ..
I wear trainers - because I'm an adult and I'm not one of the kids .
I do look smart - blazer , trousers / skirt then plain white Nike Blazers which have abit of a platform sole that gives height .
I'm sure it's probably not part of the staff dress code but as they are so desperate for people nobody will ever say anything!

https://www.ilsejacobsen.com/products/tulip3373-flats-slip-in-black

Unbelievably comfortable

https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/rally-leather-slip-on-skate-trainers-p-FC7#001

i have these but mine are all black

Camper peu cami or peu rambla shoes. They're called trainers but they look more like a casual shoe. They have their own website and zalando and amazon sometimes have them cheaper.

https://www.camper.com/en_GB/women/shoes/peu/camper-peu_touring-K201517-006

www.zalando.co.uk/women/camper/

Schools have always been a bit slow to modernise.

I think there’s a certain amount of leeway if you have this kind of role.

I’m student welfare/first aid and there is no way I’d have gotten away with the shoes I wear now in my previous admin based school job —that might have been the school though—!

I love my Fairfax & Favor boat/deck shoes as a comfy and still respectable alternative to trainers on a dress down Friday.

Mine are the plain navy from a previous season - used lots of Liquiproof and they’re pretty indestructible now.

In schools it also applies yo teachers, for example DH has to wear 'business dress' no jeans or trainers, no denim jackets etc. Other staff may have similar guidance.

Platform trainers without laces are fab with long wide legged trousers. They’re smarter as no laces to get dirty. Russell and Bromley have v expensive ones but Next do dupes in lots of colours.
https://www.next.co.uk/style/ST690640/621777?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADm_5UWFRjRIlT6g6aK_zZju6exWx&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8pKxBhD_ARIsAPrG45lifNS9RQ8MNmE38ZUUlgXphsyD1lH2ZmVRWMs805h7RX85XhLKo6gaAjaZEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#621777

Was just coming on to post this I get away with these from next in a no trainer workplace

I work in school and our dress code is smart but it has got more casual. Definitely no denim. I do wear smart trainers but didn’t use to. Head teacher is very old school smart- think stilettos and 10 denier tights! I think you can wear casual clothes smartly and smart clothes scruffily. In school I think it’s about maintaining a standard as the pupils have to .

Ironically it's not business dress anymore!

Have a look at Hotter shoes - they are so comfy, come in different widths if that’s a thing that would be useful for you, and have lots of different styles of smart slip on and lace up shoes that are not pumps, that all have really comfortable soles.

There are also some Mary Jane styles that I know several people who have had them over the years that they swear by - and are great if you don’t get on with slip on pumps but want something similar as the strap keeps your foot in securely.

The other thing they do that I have had many pairs of over the years are some ankle boots that look like ordinary ankle boots but that are gortex, which means that your feet stay nice and dry regardless of how wet it is and that would normally be soaked if you were wearing normal leather or suede boots. Plus they are breathable so don’t get too sweaty. Probably more wintery than summery but a really useful boot to have (especially this year when it seems to have rained so much!) - and currently on sale :). The other gortex boots they have (and that you see in other shops) tend to be hiking boots so not as useful for wearing to work!

Hotter smartish gortex ankle boots

Have a look at Fairfax and favor Richmond trainers they are very smart and I’ve worn mine at theme parks once protected they are indestructible