Making sneakers work for the office

Making sneakers work for the office

How do I make sneakers work for the office?

Not too long ago, running shoes did not constitute proper corporate attire.

However, these days, wearing sneakers is increasingly acceptable in offices, helped along by sports footwear brands such as New Balance and Nike churning out fashionable styles each season.

Comfortable and practical, sneakers give an unexpected edge to outfits. If you're afraid of looking too "done", a pair of sneakers instantly dresses down an outfit.

A spokesman for speciality sneaker store Leftfoot, that has boutiques at The Cathay and Orchard Cineleisure, encourages experimenting with sneakers, but advises to "always keep them clean when going for meetings".

Here are ways to avoid flouting the dress code, while retaining fashionable soles.

- Bulky shoes tend to look clumsy, so stick to slim-fit shoes. These are easier to match with tailored outfits.

- Worried about looking too casual? Put on a blazer for instant polish. Even in a pair of jeans and T-shirt, you will look like an off-duty model.

- Match the colour of your sneakers to your outfit for a visually pleasing look. If your outfit is in one solid colour, wear sneakers in a contrasting colour for impact.

- Textures are a great way to add detail to your outfit without shouting for attention.

- Pick sneakers with embossed leather detailing or in materials like pony-hair.

- When in doubt, stick to all-black or white sneakers, as they are fail-proof options.


This article was first published on October 15, 2015.
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