SUITS AND SNEAKERS: MIXING BUSINESS AND CASUAL TO CREATE A TIMELY AND COMFORTABLE IN-OFFICE LOOK

My earliest memory of career women is from the 80s when many with long mass transit commutes would wear sneakers to and from the office. It was an awful look because the outfits these women wore were built around the heels they teetered around in from 9-5 and not the comfy sneakers they changed into. For their commutes, these women would slip out of their heels slide big socks over their pantyhose, and put on their clunkiest, whitest sneakers. In male-dominated industries, the idea of women wearing sneakers all day was unfathomable. Not only were dress codes more buttoned up, but women had to fight over whatever scraps they could get their hands on. None of these women would shake the status quo by daring to be comfortable. It only took four decades for things to change. Finally.

We work primarily with professional women in leadership roles and while we’ve been selecting sneakers for women’s work wardrobes for a few years, this season is the first year where the majority of shoe styles we’re choosing for them are sneakers. We still select flats and loafers, with a few sturdy block heels, but never before has it been as critical that the clothing we pick for our clients be workable with sneakers. Even clients like Ms. Chic and Mrs. Refined, two clients who have been long featured on this blog and are both known for their extensive pump collections and chic sheath dresses are adding sneakers to their work wardrobes, and our client, Ms. Astounding, shared photos in our Facebook Group from a recent law conference where she stylishly wore sneakers every day of the conference due recent surgeries. At the conference, she met the general counsel from a major company—also wearing sneakers—who said it was her mission to free women from painful shoes.

SUITS AND SNEAKERS: MIXING BUSINESS AND CASUAL TO CREATE A TIMELY AND COMFORTABLE IN-OFFICE LOOK

In today’s post, I want to speak about wearing suits and sneakers and plan to do upcoming posts about wearing sneakers with workwear separates. I am starting with suits and sneakers because I love the look that is created when the two opposed types of looks are combined. I call it dichotomy dressing which combines two unalike things in an outfit. There are plenty of ways to do this, which I wrote about in an old post here. In the case of wearing suits and sneakers, what is being combined is something business-like in nature with something known to be very casual and what’s created is a middle ground or that perfect sweet spot that captures what is going on in workplace fashion. The sneakers bring casualness to the suit while the suit elevates the casualness of the sneakers.

Given how casual the workplace has become, it does seem a little weird that suits are back stronger than ever, however, at the same time, it also makes sense— figuring out what to wear takes mental bandwidth, something most women can’t spare, so if a woman can slip into a suit, grab a top, and fly out the door, it makes her life so much easier. Plus, by pairing these modern suits with sneakers, she’s comfortable and has created a more casual appearance in what would normally be considered a formal business look.

SUITS AND SNEAKERS LOOKS

Here are five suits and sneakers looks I have put together to give you some ideas. And don’t forget to shop for more sneakers at the end of this post.

OUTFIT #1

This first suit (link to blazer and link to pants) from Argent comes in this stunning stone blue shade that I saw in person this past weekend. Ahead of its time, Argent has been producing colorful, modern suits for years now. Also being a woman-centric company, their suits feature interior jacket pockets and sleeves that stay when you push them up.

The first color I thought to pair with this suit was burgundy to create a rich color combination. To this suit, I added a burgundy featherweight crew neck sweater from Theory, a burgundy belt from J.Crew Factory, and a beaded necklace from Chan Luu that picks up the colors in this look, and then some. Lastly, the sneakers. Did you know that Quince makes shoes now? I added this versatile white pair.

OUTFIT #2

If you’re feeling the plaid trend this fall, I styled this Veronica Beard (link to blazer and link to pants) with a pair of very cool Office of Angela Scott sneakers. I added my favorite Bashina shirt from BOSS which has a fake placket at the front and invisible side zips to ensure that the shirt stays tucked and there is no gaping at the bust. I accessorized the look with a double-link collar necklace from Open Edit and amber-colored drop earrings from Sézane.

OUTFIT #3

Sneakers add a pop of interest to this otherwise basic suited look. I styled this J.Crew suit (link to blazer and link to pants) with a pair of sneakers from Dolce Vita. I had no idea what a cult following this brand had until I passed their store last Saturday and it was packed. With the suit, I paired this striped button-up shirt from Alex Mill and accessorized the outfit with a black belt from Aritzia, a silver tab necklace from Monica Vinader, and drop hoops from Ana Luisa.

OUTFIT #4

I have lost count of how many clients own this suit (link to blazer and link to pants) from MM. Lafleur. It’s packable, machine washable, the pants have an easy and comfortable elastic, and the pieces work well as separates. It’s definitely a lighter fabric so not the best for the coldest winter days but it stands up well in all other climates and temperatures. I styled the suit with a pair of sneakers from Vince with a hunter-green detail, a grey short-sleeve sweater from Massimo Dutti, and a silver pendant from Ettika.

OUTFIT #5

This last suit from Theory (link to blazer and link to pants) comes in their versatile admiral crepe. The color is a nice departure from their usual neutral base of colors and the pants are pull-on. If you’re looking for a completely monochromatic look, Theory also offers this color in a a few different tops. I saw this suit on a client and if you can wear Theory’s classic pieces, this is a style you can dress up or down with sneakers.

Styling it for business casual I added this white work tee from MM. Lafleur and these Nike Cortez sneakers in navy textile fabric. I have these sneakers in the Piccante color (sadly, the stock is super limited) and they are amazing. My suggestion would be to size up because they run small. I finished this outfit with lapis huggie hoop earrings from Nordstrom.

SHOP FOR SNEAKERS FOR WORK

Ready to build your collection of sneakers for work? Check out these additional styles.