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.

Oh I might need to order those!

If wearing jeans or trainers I’d stick with classic Stan Smiths in white. A true staple and should go with most jeans/trousers. Pay a bit more and go for the softer leather ones.

I wouldn’t have thought a t shirt, even under a blazer, would have been acceptable for a corporate senior manager, so if that is I’m sure no one will mind you wearing trainers

I think the point about them being clean is key. I spray mine with a protector, and use a microfibre cloth to clean the bits of the soles you can see (I do walk in though, and so if you drive it’s probably not an issue)

Not trainers but Torhill from Clarks are very comfy.

https://www.clarks.com/en-gb/torhill-moss/26179360-p

Sketchers d'lites. They do all black ones. M&m and sports direct are your best locations.

Please look into barefoot/minimalist shoes! Try Happy Little Soles for a range of brands, or Xero shoes UK, or vivobarefoot. Our feet are not meant to have the toes squished towards a point and this causes the bunions as well as knee and hip issues.

Russel and Bromley park ups. But they have an internal heel so look at the flat version. Bonus no laces.

I wear a pair of white leather Tommy Hilfiger ones with trousers for work (wide/cropped/cigarette), bit like this https://uk.tommy.com/leather-metallic-logo-cupsole-trainers-fw0fw091050gy

I really like the Ralph Lauren ones that the line judges and umpires wear at Wimbledon. They're on my wish list.

I think anything too casual and sport trainer like doesn't look right.

Out of work I wear Puma Suede (in a variety of colours), could never get on with Adidas.

https://solebliss.com/collections/all

https://callashoes.co.uk/

These are brands made for bunions and have a huge range of styles.

I think nowadays trainers can be OK in the workplace but if necessary you can take a change in with you for client meetings

I love the Kurt Geiger and carvela trainers. They can look smart ish with a touch of sparkle/metallic.
Buy either direct or from the Shoeaholics website which is their ‘outlet’ online store.

I bought some Torhill and they are comfortable but very wide on me. I should have sent them back tbh. I have to wear very thick socks with them.

Black leather trainers are virtually invisible with trousers. They really won’t stick out like a sore thumb.

I do think that children’s school shoes will always look like children’s school shoes though, in the style posted below.

And wedge trainers have always been monstrous imho - like pigs’ trotters.

And speaking of black leather, Paul Smith usually has some, which are very neat and smart. I managed to get some in a sale and they’re lovely.

Sans Matin are my go to for work

Our female CEO (household name company) wears t-shirts under blazers and trainers.

Try rocket dog. Black high tops. Soft and wide fitting.

I tend to work in corporate client facing environments and trainers with the sorts of outfits described by OP are totally the norm. The men version is usually chinos/dark jeans and open shirt.

I always have a pair of silver and a pair of gold supergra and wear them with everything.

I have these which are quite smart

https://www.skechers.co.uk/skechers-slip-ins-summits---classy-night/150128_DKNV.html

Get lots of positive comments.

The Skechers are really not smart. They might be comfortable, but they’re not smart imo.

Our school secretary is an ex Canary Wharf EA. Her go to outfit is cropped blazer, wide legged trousers and this trainers (or similar)

Good earrings, good hair and she always looks professional.

https://mintvelvet.com/products/ellie-gold-platform-trainer

Not trainers at all but Viviaia are the most insanely comfortable shoes I have ever had. I was very very sceptical because they are all over instagram etc but they are so so good.

@LucyLoo1972 which model/ type do you wear? Are they supportive? They look like they would have no support being material so would just let your feet spread wide and look very wide and unflattering. How do they look?

well - I have tiny feet and they are not wide at all, they are fairly narrow. I month ave bunions so cant comment on that btu comfort is very important in my shoes.

but ive had quite a few styles and everyone has been comfortable. I have felt Mary-janes, a couple of other flat styles, Chelsea boots and some winter boots. I havent tried the trainers though but am tempted but only when they go on sale as they are very expensive.

what's EA stand for?