Traditionally, trainers would definitely be considered casual. They carry associations with comfort and casual wear, or with sportswear.
Nowadays though, trainers have an increasingly acceptable presence in smart casual dress codes. In office environments or even weddings, a pair of smart trainers as part of the right outfit can be an excellent, stylish choice.
In this guide we'll cover whether trainers are smart casual, and how to incorporate them into several types of smart casual dress codes for both women and men.
Here's what we'll cover:
- Are trainers smart casual?
- Can you wear trainers for a smart casual dress code?
- How to style trainers for smart casual
Are trainers smart casual?
The short answer is yes, they can be. Of course it depends on the style of trainer and what you pair them with: a very sporty trainer will be harder to incorporate into a smart casual outfit than the leather or suede trainers you might find in our smart casual range, for instance. But as a whole, trainers can definitely be worn in a smart casual context.
To understand how trainers can be smart casual, it's helpful to understand what smart casual is. Here are some key aspects of the style:
- A balance of formal and informal: striking the right balance is tricky, but well worth it. Polished pieces like blazers with relaxed items like trainers or jeans creates a compelling overall aesthetic.
- Well-fitted clothing: tailored, well-fitting clothing is a hallmark of the style, even with relaxed items like jeans.
- Neutral, muted colours: tones like navy, grey, beige, black, and white work well with smart casual, with bold and bright colours used very sparingly.
- Simplicity: clean, minimalist designs and understated elegance are at the heart of the style, with flashy details and ornamentation taking a backseat.
- High-quality shoes: shoes play a significant role in smart casual. The right pair can elevate the entire outfit while maintaining comfort.
Can you wear trainers for a smart casual dress code?
Not only can you wear trainers with smart casual, they're actively encouraged. It all comes down to understanding the style and choosing a pair that works with the outfit as a whole.
Taking the criteria of smart casual outlined above, it's easy to see how certain types of trainers most likely won't work well with the style. Bold, colourful trainers for example, or overtly athletic styles. This is fine though: these styles are built for a different purpose, and there's no reason to cut them from your wardrobe entirely.
Learning which types of trainers do work well for smart casual comes with time and understanding. Here are some things to keep in mind when asking whether a particular pair of trainers would work well with the style:
- The material: leather and suede are preferred for smart casual as they bring a more refined aesthetic than fabric or mesh.
- The colour: neutral tones and subdued colours work better than bold, bright ones.
- The design: minimalist designs are favourited, with as few bold logos and standout design features as possible.
Check our our Women's leather trainers and Men's leather trainers collections to put together your next smart casual outfit.
And if you're wondering why someone would wear trainers in a smart casual context instead of other more traditional styles like loafers, brogues, or ankle boots, the answer is simple: personal preference. When you boil it all down, this is the most important thing to keep in mind when choosing which shoes to wear with an outfit.
How to style trainers for smart casual
In this section, we'll give tips on styling trainers for specific smart casual contexts. The key consideration is making sure your overall look remains polished and refined.
How to style trainers for a smart casual work dress code
The goal with smart trainers for work is to achieve a professional look while embracing the comfort of trainers.
Leather or suede trainers with a midi dress, tailored chinos, or other slim-fit trousers is a good starting point. Combine this with a button-down shirt or polo shirt, and you've riffed on a traditional outfit with a modern twist. And if you need to dress things up a bit "perhaps for a formal meeting" adding a blazer or blouse is an easy way to do so.
How to style trainers for a smart casual wedding
The goal with trainers for a smart casual wedding is to respect the gravity of the occasion.
White leather trainers with well-fitted trousers and a blazer creates an elegant, streamlined silhouette. Paired with a neutral-coloured, collared shirt completes the look while keeping things relaxed and stylish.
A chic midi dress with a structured jacket also works well with white trainers to give a formal edge to an overall smart casual outfit. Make sure the dress complements rather than clashes with the trainers to achieve consistency within the outfit.
How to style smart casual trainers for women
There are plenty of smart casual settings where women might wear trainers. Here's some inspiration for three of the most popular:
- Work: combine leather trainers with cropped tailored trousers and a fitted blazer, with neutral tones throughout.
- Casual: pair a favourite dress with smart, neutral trainers that complement its style rather than clashing with it.
- Brunch: smart trainers and skinny jeans with a tucked in blouse is a perfect balance between comfort and style for casual events.
Take a look at our women's smart trainers collection to find your perfect pair.
How to style smart casual trainers for men
Smart casual works in plenty of contexts for men, but here's some quick tips for three common situations:
- Office: white leather trainers with slim-fit trousers and a collared shirt - simple, and a classic for a reason.
- Dinner: trainers with chinos and a crew neck sweater, works especially well with a muted colour palette.
- Date: black leather trainers with dark jeans and a blazer creates a compelling profile and leans towards the smart side of things, without being too smart.
Take a look at our men's smart trainers collection to find the right pair for you.
Make the smart choice when choosing your smart casual trainers
The evolution of trainers from a fairly narrow category of sportswear or leisurewear to a broad category that includes numerous options for smart casual settings is something we're very grateful for. Finding the right pair of smart trainers can bring so much elegance and refinement to a smart casual, and we're lucky to have so many options available to us. We hope this guide has been useful in building an understanding of the smart casual style, and in deciding which trainers might work best with the outfits you've got planned.
If you want to find the perfect pair of smart trainers for you, check out our extensive range of smart trainers for women and men. Here you'll find a wide selection of trainers that meet the criteria outlined above, and which will function well in myriad smart casual outfits. Like always, if you have any questions about trainers just get in touch with our team - we'll be happy to help.