Smartish trainers for 40 something year old

[Littletreefrog]

I'm in my 40s and have never really been bothered about clothes etc. As long as they are practical they will do. But I want to start dressing more stylishly. I have started with a pair of Boden girlfriend jeans to replace my many pairs of skinny jeans. Wide legged jeans looked awful on me. But the only footwear I have is some very battered converse and my running trainers. I would like some smart trainers to go with the jeans. I have an upcoming spa weekend in Harrogate and would like to feel nice and smart but comfy. Any ideas?

Thanks! I assume that was in response to me where I did say that I also need help also finding trainers. I'm only 40's but already have arthritic knees from being a former dancer and athlete. Note to self- no zips till I'm 90 😆

I have a pair of red Gazelles and a pair of khaki/beige Spezials. Got me out of my Converse rut - though I do love my white leather platform Converse. Trainers are much comfier for walking all day.

Absolutely no to zips or anything from Clarks. The Allbirds might be fine when you're young but they look a bit orthopoedic to me. Mind you, what do I know? I'm 62 in three weeks!

@omggggggg I imagine elastic laces that look like normal ones and a shoe horn would be better. Though many people I know have given in to Skechers slide ins. I'll be at least 95 before I go there!

Would you ever try Ted Baker or River island trainers? Some of them are really lovely, as well as being comfortable 💕
@Littletreefrog

Adidas SL72s. So comfortable & lots of colours to choose from. I have several pairs. My faves…
https://www.adidas.co.uk/sl-72-og-shoes/JI0189.html

Just bought these, really nice! Could walk forever in them.

I have these. They are amazingly comfortable - more so (for me anyway with my wide flat feet) than campus or spezial.

agree. Loafers. There is no such thing as smartish trainers

I wear Puma Suede (I have multiple colours). Adidas didn't work on my feet and New Balance gave me plantar fasciitis.

I have also have a pair of black suede trainers from Superdry, white leather Tommy Hilfiger (wear when the weather gets nicer) , and several pairs of converse (i wear in the summer).

My gym trainers are always Nike and rarely get worn anywhere but the gym/tennis court.

I bought some suede moccasin style shoes for times when I don't want to wear trainers (ie to work) as I live on ballet flats for work. Loafers remind me of school shoes too much and I really don't want the to be reminded of the trauma of school.

I like Esska trainers. They come in a few different colourways and are super comfy.

I think skechers uno stand on air are quite smart and extremely comfortable. I've got some in red, but I'm going to get some black ones for work

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100% moved into these M&S dupes and unashamed 😂

SO bloody comfortable I’m thinking of committing the ultimate middle aged sin of buying all the colours 😂😂

www.marksandspencer.com/leather-side-detail-trainers/p/clp60681650?color=BLACKMIX#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r1c2%7Cprodflag_plp_ts_QP_40

My feet always object to M&S shoes. I've never found a comfy pair in any style, they are always weirdly stiff and never mould to my feet.

I don't like trainers but I love these and have them in, black, brown and leopard. They look great on and are much nicer than the usual trainers. Im 63.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rieker-Womens-N6352-Chelsea-Beige/dp/B09NC44B84/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?crid=1I0133YCOKD2L&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VQYuFMCik8IRTiurNaxfLELvNaDXZ3fjYa8W2oggS4LAsx_qbtrc5jnR3RJmR19gIEF9dQapKlj0uGrURwJbPS04N3WDkfZkteiPYFJ3DvtKO1K60ieHNxh9F-YYiasefO9UJKc-TNK0kL3w01ucafBwTVgAu1MdXrVS2gIN50coeJE4EfNOrEs2IKGnMKDGuhc3wuU7rl8PoMwq8wuNfLHjcu9OVOK7qPGxPv5e_i_diPvujRGkS7Yc_IDdHv8rznlE01qsEsk_4OMqjNvS0Fq1OGZoSiqfcYCNfL5Bjg8.rAZbRpwkST_nGzYpkbWlkl45bOozZ_ZGohSbRRtrwq0&dib_tag=se&keywords=rieker%2Bboots&qid=1768244353&sprefix=reiker%2Bboots%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-6&th=1&psc=1

I love sketchers, comfy and stylish for any age

New balance 327 for me

I have these in about 5 different colours 🤣

Sketchers do look comfy but stylish for any age they are not.

My teens would rather go barefoot and I’m in my 40s and wouldn’t wear them either and the vast majority of my friends would be exactly the same.

Russell & Bromley have some smarter trainers and many are in the sale... i've got a couple of pairs for work!

M&S had some nice looking ones when I was in the other day too!

Agree Esska are lovely - I have had so many positive comments about mine and they are so comfortable

My sons wears a really good pair of Skechers to uni, bloody decent quality and waterproof he is 20 and stylish he isn’t a follower, same with me we set the trend I don’t give a shit what’s cool but I find some Skechers shoes I’ve owned to be the best, I used to buy Nike and adidas but they look shit the see day and quality doesn’t seem as good as it used to be

I have these too, got them recently and am already tempted to get another pair.

I have both courts (grey/black) and campus (tan/black) and they're fabulous. The campus are quite chunky and remind me of my teenage years so I feel quite hip in them.
The courts are lighter on the foot and just look so 'neat'.

I agree with Hoff trainers which are not as ubiquitous as Gazelles and, in my opinion, are more comfortable