What trainers can be considered smart, work appropriate - if any?

[CoastOfXmasPast]

I work in a corporate environment, senior manager, Customers visit office. My usual formula on days without external meetings are dark jeans and a blazer, with a cami or t shirt underneath. Sometimes, I mix it up with a blouse, or a dress, or a skirt and jumper, keeping some items smart, and some casual to not overdo it and look out of touch with more relaxed office wear now.

I have always worn heels and mostly wear kitten heels, but my bunion is a killer and I am struggling to find shoes that fit a dainty ankle and allow room at the front. All the bunion friendly shoes look frumpy and I do not like loafers. Ballerina squeeze my toes too painfully. This leaves me with trainers and my Adidas Speziale are so, so comfortable. But I am not sure if they are work appropriate? Any other recommendations would be much appreciate. I am a petite size 8 if that makes a difference.

I got some addidas gazelles a couple of months ago for work and they're working well and not too bulky

Black leather trainers!
I have black leather converse that I love completely black sole and all.

Black Sketchers. They are really comfortable and some of them are really pretty. I’m so glad that trainers have become more common in the workplace.

I think the secret is dark colours and to ensure that the side of the sole is the same colour (or a similar colour lighter shade) as the upper - avoid a blinding white stripe at all costs as that is very noticebly "trainer". If they are all dark or not very 'trainer' in style then often people won't notice, especially if you are wearing trousers.

!!! I went to Google for Russell & Bromley for some examples for you and found out they have gone bust! & were bought by next. I'm very shocked as it seemed such a stable longstanding highstreet brand.

This type of thing was what I meant

https://www.gaborshoes.co.uk/search/womens-c1/shoes-c2/fantastic-womens-casual-sports-trainers

These in the chocolate suede
https://www.gaborshoes.co.uk/womens-c1/trainers-c5/lulea-ladies-trainers-p55869#attribute%5B1%5D=42015

If you have a big budget, some high end designers have ones that would fit the bill on places like Net a Porter but they are expensive.

I wear my chocolate brown adidas spezials and navy blue ones to work. With wide leg trousers and a blouse or midimaxi skirts and slightly cropped cashmere jumpers.

I have black leather Fitflop Rally (or is it Ralley?) with a white sole. I don’t like entirely black leather trainers because they look like little boys’ school shoes.

I wear black vans. They're all black, very comfortable and not immediately obvious

Thank you, all

Fitflop Rally all black

M&S doing some lovely taupe suede trainers £56 I think .
They are going with me to a posh workplace tomorrow 😉

I wear my Adidas chestnut brown Campus 00s at work sometimes but I wear them under wide leg trousers.

This is how I wear my Fitflops. I tend to go with shoes or DMs if wearing a dress or skirt.

I’ve got into Geox shoes. My feet, ankles everything was aching and much better now.

@Bestfootforward11 I was looking at them too. Any particular model?

I like the spherical range as they give a lot of support and the soles are thick. got the trainers first and recently got the boots in the sale. Worth trying some on and seeing if might work. I tend to wear wide leg trousers a lot for work and I think the trainers look smart when the rest of the outfit is styled up if you know what I mean. Good luck!

www.geox.com/en-GB/waterproof_trainers-dark_sand-light_gold-spherica_4x4_abx_woman-D3626D0227BC5P2L.html

www.geox.com/en-GB/chelsea_boots-black-spherica_ec1_woman-D16QRC00043C9999.html

I think if you go for neat trainers, not chunky, and neutrals rather than brights, e.g. brown, black, navy, white, cream, they look fine. Also need to be clean. I think classic black converse can be dressed up or down and go with everything.

I have a few pairs from Moda en Pelle. Really soft leather and super comfy. I have black, leopard and pewter pairs but they have a great range of colours and styles.

If you are petite have you ever tried children's school shoes? I am size 3/3.5 and often buy children's shoes. They're designed to be comfortable and you can still get feminine classy styles. I've got a pair of these for example from Clarks and got compliments for them

(I know you asked for trainers but if you're used to kitten heels and just want a comfy option, this is what I go for!)

I will 2nd Geox. I have a couple of Geox pairs I wear to work. Also find Carvela good for work. Some can be a bit chunky, but there are always a few pairs in their range that are work appropriate.

I've also found Geox and Carvela good if you need to be on our feet all day.

I think Spezials are fine if you dress them up.

our office has got fairly casual these days but it still pained me to buy work trainers! I went for Clarks because they're leather and unbranded so feel a bit smarter than sporty brands.
Womens Hollyhock Walk Off White Leather Trainers, Lace Up Trainers | Clarks UK
camper might also be an option Casual for Women - Autumn / Winter| Camper® United Kingdom

This is where Camper Pelotas might be good.

Also there are non-frumpy bunion friendly shoes - I love these from Embassy.

https://embassylondon.co.uk/products/bliss-black

Grenson do some lovely shoes as well - really well made leather which softens & ages beautifully.

I assuming, because you’re asking if they can be work appropriate, that no one else in your office wears trainers of any kind?

I think trainers can be work appropriate, and I wear them to work, but obviously different offices have different policies and norms. So if literally no one else wears trainers, could you switch to some other flat shoe, like a loafer?

https://amzn.eu/d/01sneErq

I've got three pairs of Puma Carina.
The all black suede look more shoe than trainer but still comfy.