When we think about dressing for work, trainers aren’t usually the obvious choice of footwear. If you work in an office environment, smart lace-up shoes and elegant heels are usually part of the dress code. However, with many workplaces embracing a more casual approach in recent years, you’d be surprised at how easily trainers can fit into a workwear wardrobe, whether smart or casual.
How do you know if your trainers are appropriate for a professional environment? It’s all down to the style of the trainers. While they were once reserved for sports and casual wear, women’s trainers have since had a smart makeover, making them a must-have for every fashionista’s wardrobe. This shift means anyone can easily reduce the style gap between their workwear and footwear.
If you’re considering taking the plunge and introducing a comfortable pair of trainers to your workwear rotation, read our guide to find out all the do’s and don’ts when wearing trainers to work.
What colour trainers can I wear to work?
The colour and style of your trainers should be a key consideration if you’re thinking of wearing your favourite pair to work. While some workplaces may be comfortable with their staff expressing themselves through clothing and footwear, others prefer to stick to a smarter dress code.
Try thinking about which styles and shades might complement key pieces from your workwear rotation. If you have a variety of styles and colours in your professional wardrobe, opt for neutral and muted trainers, as these are the most adaptable for days at your desk and those spent in meetings. Smart trainers in plain white, black or navy are popular workwear staples, but if you want to introduce more colour into your outfit, stick to pastels to help them blend in and complement your clothing.
Types of trainers you can wear to work
The sportier-looking the trainers, the more difficult it will be to blend them into your workwear look. Instead, we recommend paying close attention to the material and shape of the trainers. Leather and suede look sophisticated enough to complement your workwear while remaining casual, and trainers designed with a chunky heel or a rounded toe will help you transition from sport to style staple.
How to style smart casual trainers for work
Getting the perfect balance between smart and casual is a fine art. As a rule, we recommend that if you’re wearing trainers, these count as casual, so make sure to style the rest of your look on the smarter side. In a work environment, casual trainers usually pair best with structured clothing, achieving an excellent balance between laid-back and professional.
Split your outfit into key components and ensure you’re achieving a balance between smart and casual. As you build your outfit, you should aim to contrast your trainers with smarter-looking pieces, such as tailored trousers, structured shirts or simple t-shirts for a more dressed-down look.
How to wear smart trainers for work
Those who opt for a smarter pair of trainers can afford to go a little more casual with their clothing, as their footwear is guaranteed to dress up any outfit. A simple styling option for the office is a midi dress paired with heels, which can look quite formal, but trainers will bring a more casual look to this workwear staple. If you prefer trousers to dresses, there are plenty of styling options to choose from – tapered and cigarette trousers will both complement smart trainers perfectly. Even a smart pair of jeans could serve you well, but make sure that the jeans are within your workplace dress code and either in black or white – blue denim jeans often appear more casual and can tip the balance of your smart-casual outfit in the wrong direction.
If you’re wearing your trainers with smart trousers, you can create a stylish contrast by wearing a more casual top, providing that it still has an element of structure or formal style. For jeans, we recommend you choose a smarter option, such as a satin shirt or workwear blouse, to dress up your ensemble. For formal meetings, consider your choice of jacket. Keeping balance in mind, if you’ve chosen a casual pair of trainers with smart trousers and a casual top, complete the look with a smarter jacket for a put-together look. Or, if you’ve gone for smart trousers and a smart top, choosing a loose-fitting cardigan will ensure that your trainers aren’t the only casual piece in your look.
Smart trainers for ladies at Gabor Shoes
Here at Gabor Shoes, we offer a wide range of women’s trainers that make the perfect choice for your workwear look. Not only do we offer a selection of styles and shades that lend themselves to the smart-casual look, but our trainers are also designed for long-lasting comfort and support.
Whether on your feet or at your desk for most of your workday, a pair of trainers will keep you feeling comfortable and stylish throughout the working week. Make a statement in your workplace while embracing sophisticated smart-casual style with women’s trainers from Gabor Shoes.