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?

The Adidas Sneakerinas on ASOS are £45 at the moment, the pale pink is gorgeous, I’m just not sure what I’d wear them with, but I am loving them, very flat though, so could give me a painful lower back 🙄

They do come with normal laces too, not just the ribbons

I swear by Skechers, I have three pairs that I wear on rotation depending on my outfit. Due to having to wear ankle foot orthotics (AFO's), I had to buy new shoes and all I can really wear now are trainers. I have blacks ones (old, I had for work) that I only wear occasionally if my outfit is black, pink one's and navy ones, I probably wear navy most. I used to be shoe mad and had every different style you can think of and even manage whole night out in 4-inch heels. No heels for me anymore, it's Skechers all the way.

https://www.oliverbonas.com/accessories/shoes/womens-trainers

https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shoes-trainers

I purchased a beautiful pair of lime green gola from here last year - trying not to look as I paste this....

I've never really understood how M&S get away with this New Balance rip off!

Adidas Samba's are the most comfy trainers I have

Puma Speedcats are a good shout. The ballet flats are very on trend at the moment.

These replies show how subjective taste is because I wouldn’t wear most of the suggestions if you paid me.

So what do you recommend?

Very helpful...

I've got some white leather Nike's with gum soles that go with everything and look fresh - I think they're Nike vision courts (a tennis style). I've just bought some Teva hiking trainers in the sale that fit my feet really well, very supportive. They were reduced from over £100 to about £40 in the January sale.

Onitsuka Tiger are my current favourites, but I bought them in Japan where they are half the price they are here!

Same! However I suspect many will feel the same way about my suggestion.

Here it is anyway!

World Secrets have a lovely collection.

worldsecrets.co.uk/collections/shoes-sneakers?srsltid=AfmBOorlAR9UOlAUgjU5S_0KPNsYbvkXnIcKagYxKPTzV2itcsuzutM9

I love that we’re all different and like seeing each others choices, the bit I hate is how rude some people can be about those choices!

Ive looked at Gola and found them very heavy and the soles quite stiff.

I prefer New Balance which are lighter and unlike other brands come in half sizes.

Nike Field General are my favourite. They're smart and comfortable (my feet are on the narrow side) and come in lots of colours. Mine have a gum sole and laces the same colour as the shoe so stay smarter for longer. I think that they also look nice with dresses

I like some of those, they're different to the Samba's and New Balance's that get mentioned all the time.

Geox smart white trainers

@Littletreefrog I could have written this!

Turned 40 last year, live in jeans and converse! Finally switched from hoodies after finding some nice jumpers.

Not sure I want converse again bht not sure what to get.

Also where to shop for clothes generally! Dorothy perkins I used to like. Not wanting to spend loads but want nice stuff!

This thread is funny - and goes to show why you shouldn’t ask people you don’t know about what they recommend when it comes to clothes / shoes - one person’s cool stylish trainers is another person’s worst shoes ever. Some of these I would rather go barefoot than wear!

I live in Nike AF1’s, I have 7 pairs of varying colours. Probably not stylish anymore but so freaking comfy.

Exactly this 😆

Luckily as I'm into my 40s I'm not going to wear something I don't like just because someone suggested it on the internet. So all suggestions are welcome.

Not really. It opens up options to brands/styles you haven't considered. It's not a big deal if those styles aren't your preference.

Maybe you can enlighten us with what's acceptable in your world?