Trainers - leopard print or chocolate suede?

[TwentyTwoLizards]

Help me MNetters. I am early 40s and finding my own style again after years of running after small children. Fashion has changed in the last 10 or 15 years (where has the time gone) and I’m feeling a bit lost. What do you think of these trainers to go with wide leg trousers? I liked the idea of the leopard print but wasnt convinced when I tried them on. Are they good or just naff? I don’t usually wear leopard print but love it on others. Should I play it safe with the chocolate suede trainers or no?

I do frequent long haul travel for work so they seemed like quite comfy options.

Option 1 - Leopard Print https://www.johnlewis.com/carvela-veneto-leopard-print-trainers-multi/p115479724?size=5

Option 2 - Chocolate suede
https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/product/carvela-daze-suede-trainers_R04660722/#colour=DARK%20BROWN

I am your age op and just emerging from the little kid era. And a divorce but anyhoo.

I am trying to find my style again too. All the rules have changed haven't they 🙈

One thing I have been doing is just wandering around when I get chance (lunch break etc) and looking around me at what other people are wearing and what they are selling in shops, without actually aiming to buy anything there and then. that might seem like ridiculous advice, but I've been watching Mr Tumble and sitting in baby group for about a century and it's not exactly Paris fashion week.

Leopard trainers just scream ‘I’m a middle aged woman but look at my fun footwear!’ I agree.
If you look at what women wear, your choices reflect the footwear choices of women much older than you, @TwentyTwoLizards .

If you are going to wear brown suede trainers, why not get some shoes that aren't trainers.

I’m 43 and love leopard/ animal prints. It’s very much love it or hate it in my opinion. I think you could find nicer trainers though. Adidas SL72 are my go to. I have silver and leopard ones that are semi smart and pink and beige ones that I wear most days. Very comfortable too

Neither, the brown are boring and look like black trainers, leopard print are trying too hard.

I never feel like I can afford new shoes but I always want the fun jazzy ones like these leopard print trainers, and now I feel personally attacked 😂

@floopyboop That’s style and beauty for you.

If you dare to even think about leopard print you will be called tacky, a barmaid (Bet Lynch) and the same as someone wearing a wolf motif fleece! Take a look at the leopard print thread that’s running right now! Even a Gucci scarf or the Etro one I posted with a giraffe on it was accused of being like a wolf head fleece!

So. The trainers. Soft brown suede is totally now. Goes with all the neutrals and is easy to wear. There’s plenty to choose from! Then there’s leopard print. They go with black, brown or neutrals. A splash of leopard is very 2026 winter and many upmarket fashion houses have leopard print. Browse through Net-a-Porter. So I’d go with your personality but for me, I’d do brown trainers and leopard print scarf.

Leopard print. Try new look for shoes they have amazing shoes at the moment

Not keen. Is carvela a bit of a granny brand?

Buy Leopard Print Lace-Up Trainers 8 | Trainers | Tu
Leopard Print Shoes | Leopard Print Trainers & Heels | New Look UK
Women's Trainers at M&S

What has age got to do with it?

I have friends in their 70s looking great in all kinds of trainers.

These are popular

adidas SL 72 OG Shoes - Brown

although I prefer these

Double post, sorry

The adidas spezial leopard ones are really nice.

Previous post was meant to link to

adidas Originals | Japan Shoes | Flannels

...

I have the leopard print ones…find them very tight.

I like the leopard ones but the laces are hideous!! Would change them definitely!

Leopard all the way.

I agree. I don't especially like either, but the leopard ones are actually better. The chocolate ones look drab - the Hoff ones posted below are much nicer.

Nice. Like "Curvissa" are a fat brand.

You're charming aren't you?

@MeetMeOnTheCorner , I think that wolf fleeces are great, in an ironic way of course.
Leopard print isn't.

Oh come on, all brands have their demographic and one with the word ‘curve’ in the name is by definition going to be aimed at larger sizes. That isn’t a negative any more than being aimed at an older audience is (unless you choose to make it one…) but if OP wants to look a bit more current that type of brand isn’t the best choice.

edited for typos

Neither. Leopard print is really tacky and the brown suede ones are really boring. Also suede is a terrible choice for winter weather,

Adidas Breaknet Sleek have a leopard print version which is fab that I've had my eye on for ages 😀

Here's the ones I mentioned...

I have similar to these, the ponyskin leopard Sambas, and I love them - but Bet Lynch is an icon to me and I'm firmly in the "leopard print is a neutral" camp! I'm fine to be seen as tacky and whatever else the chat was on that anti-animal-print thread.

Someone up thread has linked SL72s which I have in a chocolate brown/burgundy colourway with pale yellow stripes. I really like those and have worn them absolutely loads, but do find that the toe-box is very narrow in case that's relevant to anyone browsing.