The trainers successful people are wearing this year
Because the successful gentleman should never forgo decent footwear
Words: India Gladstone
Finding the right footwear in the working world can be tough. As time goes by (and obviously depending on your industry) there seems to be less and less need for a three-piece suit and a pair of brand new brogues. It seems – shock horror – that smart casual is on the way in for the successful businessman and too smart is on the way out.
If you work in the type of industry that gives you an element of leeway when it comes to the outfits you wear, you’re missing a trick if you’re not experimenting with your style. If you don’t have to wear a suit, don’t. And if you’re not wearing a suit, there’s no need to wear your most pristine pair of brogues either. Go for something a little different and balance out your chinos and shirt with a pair of smart trainers. You’ll start to notice that all kinds of men are feeling brave enough to do this but, as with anything sartorial, smart trainers come with their own set of rules.
Just because they might appear smart on the surface doesn’t mean that they are, in fact, smart. You need to make sure that you are still respecting company policy and dressing appropriately for work, so Converse are out of the window. Look for something subtle, a black or a blue should work well, and something with a bit of a sole will work better than something flimsy (it will also last a lot longer, too). When investing, you also need to think about the longevity of your footwear and how well it will work with everything within your wardrobe: if you’re choosing something too bold or out-there, it’s unlikely that you’re going to be able to wear them everyday.
So, while it goes without saying that every gentleman should own a bespoke suit, a decent watch and the perfect overcoat, there’s something to be said for the power of dressing down. Some of the most successful men in the world are known for their ability to command a room and run a business while wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt (here’s looking at you, Steve Jobs). Follow their lead and make your mark this year with some of the coolest smart trainers out there.
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