The Sunday Telegraph Sunday 11 August 2019 *** 9
How to wear trainers ... for everything but sports
Trendy white
trainers take
step towards
formal wear
By Jessica Carpani and Alex Shipman
THEY were the footwear of choice of
football fans and the groups of teenag-
ers dismissed, perhaps unkindly, as
“chavs”.
But it now appears that white train-
ers have become socially acceptable
after being reinvented as office attire,
with the once-derided footwear gain-
ing the seal of approval from Debrett’s
to wear on “smart casual” occasions.
The Duchess of Cambridge, Dame
Emma Thompson, Lady Helen Taylor
and Priti Patel, the new Home Secre-
tary, have been spotted wearing them
at recent formal events.
Etiquette experts say the appear-
ance of white trainers at “high fashion
catwalks” has influenced people to
wear them in the workplace and more
formal occasions.
Rupert Wesson, academy director at
Debrett’s, the etiquette expert, said:
“White trainers are very much on trend
at the moment as seen on many high
fashion catwalks” and that this “natu-
rally filters through to everyday life”.
He added: “As a rule of thumb, white
trainers would be more appropriate for
‘smart casual’ occasions. The context
of the business and the suggested
workplace dress code would de-
termine whether white trainers
would be suitable.
“White trainers may be per-
fectly suitable for someone who
works in the fashion industry,
but they may not be so wel-
comed at a law firm.”
Figures from major re-
tailers show a sharp rise
in sales.
John Lewis has “sig-
nificantly increased” the
number on sale since last
year, with trainers now
comprising 25 per cent of
their women’s shoe range
compared with 14 per
cent last year.
The retailer said sales
of its own-brand train-
ers were up 48 per cent
this year, and its own-
brand white womens-
wear trainers were up
500 per cent.
Diane Knight, part-
ner and women’s shoe
buyer at John Lewis,
said: “This year has
been the year of the
white trainer, with
customers opting for the clas-
sic, timeless style.”
Superga, the shoe brand
known for its plimsolls, have
seen a 26 per cent rise in
sales. It described its own
£55 classic white 2750 as
“consistently our best seller
at both retail and wholesale”.
The Duchess of Cambridge wore the
2750 trainers at the Chelsea Flower
Show in May and at the King’s Cup re-
gatta in Cowes, on the Isle of Wight,
last week.
The Duchess of Sussex is known to
be a fan of Veja, the sustainable trainer
brand. The footwear company praised
the Duchess and actress Emma Watson
for “raising awareness on our project”.
Dame Emma drew comments after
wearing a £235 Stella McCartney x Adi-
das Stan Smith sneakers to receive her
damehood from the Duke of Cambridge
in November.
Melinda Gates, co-chairman of the
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, ap-
plauded British women for having the“strength” to wear trainers to work.
She said: “I had several meetings to-
day where the women came in trainers,
and I was like, ‘Why am I not strong
enough to do that? I should do that
more.’”
Ms Patel also bucked the trend
of black stilettos by wearing a
pair of thick-soled gold flats at a
meeting last week with Port of
Dover officials for Brexit talks.
However, William Han-
son, an etiquette experts,
urges people to “remem-
ber the sense of occa-
sion”.
He said: “It is fine to
wear white trainers for
‘smartish’ occasions,
such as the Duchess of
Cambridge’s decision to
wear an immaculate pair at
the Chelsea Flower show.
“Members of the Royal
family wearing them at
Cowes week is also fine
because you need com-
fortable shoes with grip.
But it was terrible of
Emma Thompson to
wear them to Bucking-
ham Palace. I was
mortified that she
chose to do that.”
He added that min-
isters could wear
white trainers if they are “visiting a
sports centre”, but if they’re tackling
a serious issue, such as knife crime,
immigration or Brexit it “sends the
message that they don’t really care”.Editorial Comment: Page 19KELVIN BRUCE; PA; JULIAN SIMMONDS FOR THE TELEGRAPH; REXNews
After decades of
sporting trusty
running trainers
on the commute,
then switching
to a pair of chic
mid-heeled
pumps discreetly
at work or before
dinner, women
(and their
bunions) will
breathe a sigh of
relief that
trainers are
finally being
accepted as a
smart/casual
option.
It’s been a
long time
coming: the
non-athletic
trainer market,
particularly
designer
iterations, is
growing
faster than
that of
handbags.
At a time
when pairing
a three-inch
stiletto with a
trouser suit for
the office feels
dated, a slick
white trainer
adds an edgy,
youthful feel.
It’s worth
noting, though,
that sadly your
gym trainers still
aren’t worthy of
9am-9pm wear.
The smart/
casual trainer is
a different breed
of shoe
altogether.
Typically
they’re in
neutral shades,
boast a minimaldesign and a
sleek shape,
acting as a
modern and
fresh alternative
to the ballet
pump or
kitten-heeled
slingback – and,
crucially, to be
worn with the
exact same
outfits.
By day, look to
the Duchess of
Cambridge, who
favoursSuperga’s
plimsoll styles
(from £55).
The canvas
material means
they’re best
suited todaywear,
similarly with
Converse and
Veja’s popular
styles. For the
office and more
formal settings,
the shape and
material need
more
consideration,
as does your
outfit.
A high-lowmix is needed, so
avoid denim and
instead look to
velvet, silk and
satin for balance.
For those keen
on a designer
upgrade, Gucci’s
leather Ace
styles (from
£310) are
consistently the
most searched-
for style,
according to
fashion search
engine Lyst- though
Common
Projects and
Primury also
offer easy-to-
wear all-white
options.
On the high
street, Massimo
Dutti and Boden
have an array of
understated
options that
come in at the
£100 mark, with
the minimal
design making
them look more
expensive than
the price tag
would suggest.
It’d be wise to
invest in some
white shoe
polish to keep
yours looking
pristine.
God forbid
anyone think
you’d been
wearing them
for actual
sports.
Krissy Turner
£
The price of a pair of Superga 2750
plimsolls, as worn by the Duchess of
Cambridge to the Chelsea Flower ShowA high lowh for style,
according to
fashion search
engine Lyst- though
Common
Projects and
Primury also
offer easy-to-
wear all-white
options.
On the high
street, Massim
Dutti and Bod
have an array
understated
options that
come in at the
£100 mark, wi
the minimal
design making
them lookmo
expensive than
theprice tag
would suggest
It’d be wise
invest in some
white shoe
polish to keep
yours looking
pristine.
God forbid
anyone think
you’d been
wearing them
for actual
sports.
Krissy Turn
ualae
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eels
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el.
h
ugh,
your
rs still
thy of
wear.
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breedyades,
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News
sFrom left: Jameela Jamil; Lady Helen
Taylor; the Duchess of Cambridge; Emma
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