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Introduction
Sometimes what appears to be the simplest of sartorial looks can end up being a full on nightmare. The road to perfecting double denim is treacherous – littered with the bodies of many stylish cowboys who have gone before – and will leave you with more than a few embarrassing photo’s along the way. Trust me, I’ve been there. The art of finding the right pocket square to compliment your tie will leave most guys screaming at walls and others a blubbering mess. Yup, again, I’ve been there. The same can be said for the simplest one of them all – wearing trainers with a suit.
You would be surprised how easy it is to get wrong. If your suit is ill-fitting or your trainers too, umm, trainer-y, then you’ve crossed the line from style hero to the guy who is walking to work during a transit strike. Glossy magazines and celebrities like Justin Timberlake and David Tennant have us believing that all there is to it is pulling on any old pair of sneaks and heading out the door. But they’re wrong. There a few guidelines that must be observed at all times.
The Suit
Let’s start with the biggest problem first – the suit. By now I would hope that you are all familiar with how to buy a suit that fits you, and when/where to get it tailored. If not, then check out the two articles I did on them and then report back, because this is the easiest way to kill the outfit. No matter how good your feet look, a suit that resembles a tent will never do you justice.
Secondly, keep things as clean and simple as you can. If this is your first venture into suits and trainers territory then don’t start reaching for your olive green window pane check number just yet. Most pattern based suits will look at odds next to the shoes, especially anything pinstriped due to their extremely formal and business connotations. The same can also be said for any suit in an unusual colour such as burgundy, green or purple. The reason for this is because a bold colour or pattern on a suit should be the focal point rather than having to compete with the fact you’re wearing trainers as well. Try and stick to the traditional suit colours of black, navy, grey or khaki and you will be onto a winner.
Lastly, lose the office wear. This is not a look for the office so forget about what tie you’re going to wear and just skip it all together. The same goes for your belt. The same does not apply to your pocket square.
The Shoes
Then there are the trainers. If I’m honest, the same sort of rules apply. Keeping things simple in the shoe department will make the transition from smart to casual that much easier.
Forget about your bright multi-coloured puma’s, knackered running K-swiss and absolutely anything that has the words ‘mesh’ or ‘extra spring’ in them. However, lights that flash when you walk and hi-tops are still up for debate. Stick with the classics like Adidas Stan Smith’s, Converse or Vans and keep them in the traditional colours of black or white to achieve the most success.
However, don’t be afraid to add a few bits of character. I’ve recently swapped the laces on my Stan Smiths for a red pair that adds a great pop of colour to the look. You can even buy a pair of Converse in a complimenting colour to your suit such as red or blue. Just remember that these things should be slight touches to the overall look, the fact you’re wearing trainers with a suit and wearing it well will be more than enough.
- Adidas Originals Samba Trainers
- Vans Era California Leather
- Marc Jacobs Mens Parker Nappa Leather Trainer
- Common Projects Original Achilles Leather Low Top Sneakers
- Adidas Originals Nizza Lo Cl Leather Trainers
- Vans Classic Slip-on Plimsolls
- Polo Ralph Lauren Hanford White Trainers
- Adidas Consortium Matchplay Tr White Vapour
- Converse Jack Purcell Leather Sneakers
Trainers + Suit Lookbook
GQ – Wearing Trainers With A Suit
Check out this great video from GQ for a round up of the main points I just covered:
Conclusion
So, there you have it, how to wear trainers with a suit and make it work. If you think there are any key points I’ve missed or other ideas you have on the look, let me know in the comments section below.
Matt Allinson
Men's Fashion Basics - Part 66 - The 21st Century 3-Piece Suit
Men's Fashion Basics - Part 64 - The Summer Shirt Upgrade
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Always thought it looked a good idea but never could work out how to get it right.
I think I’ve seen too many bankers walking to work in the chunky trousers and suits.
Key is definitely the slim / skinny trouser, flared or boot cut black trousers look awful.
I like the idea of no belt, never thought of that. Simple idea but definitely works. I wear white plimsolls a lot so going to try them.
One question (and this may be more for a purely suit article).
Top buttons on a shirt. Should it be button undone or two. Does it depend on the shirt or is there a rule. Because with just one undone it can still look schoolboy-esque.
Good article!
the rule for buttons on suits depends on how many they have. With two button suits, the top button is the anchor so should always be buttoned. The bottom button is purely decorational so can be worn underdone and look fine. For a three button suit the rule is – top button sometimes, middle button always, bottom button never. hope this helps.
Great advice Matt, although I think Bashmore meant shirt buttons not the actual suit.
For me I just play with what feels natural and generally it just depends on the shirt. Sometimes I can get away with 2 buttons open easily, but then other times it ‘feels’ a little too low for my liking.
If you really want to casual a look like this down though I would aim for two buttons open when you can – again it will depend on shirt.
Awesome cheers guys!
not a fan, dont really think the opposites of a trainer and a suit can go, no matter how tailored or fitted the suit is or how good the trainers are
and secondly where exactly would you wear this combination?
I tend to wear this combination when I’m heading out drinks down the pub with my mates. Simple pair of white common project sneakers and a plain v-neck t-shirt with the suit.
I don’t really get this, suit and sneakers are like Tom and Jerry, they just don’t get along with each other. Probably I’m just not “open-minded”, but duh, it looks plain wrong. If you want to implement sneakers into an outfit, wear them with denim and such, not a suit.
Well said!
Suit with trainers is an oxymoron
It’s wrong, wrong,wrong!!! It’s like shirt, tie and tracky bottoms.
So basically put your suit on, ditch the socks and chuck on a pair of £10 plimsolls.
I dunno… I mean, I think George Lamb pulled it off a few summers ago but now the whole sockless thing and matching casual shoes with trousers just seems a bit ridiculous, in hindsight.
it’s interesting to see everyone’s opinion on this particular article, keep them coming guys! It’s nice to see that there are so many suit purists out there too. I think a few of you may still be thinking of the kind of trainers that you do wear to the gym with tracksuits when I say ‘trainers with a suit’ whereas the trainers in the product picks, especially the common project ones, are an extremely formal styled trainer, perfect for a suit.
Wow! Another thought provoking article which I find really challenging; like the unstructured jacket I’m really unconvinced by trainers with a suit.
I get the principle and have often worn chino’s with a blazer, a t-shrt or casual shirt and trainers / loafers (somthing that is not a smart leather shoe) but this article seems to go further and into teritory I’d like to try out.
I think the problem for me with this is none of the look book pictures on the top or middle row really look that good… (top middle looks like the trousers have been put through a hot wash and god alone knows what top right is all about). The bottom three are fine but the first two are not strictly a suit and trainers combo as the jacket and trousers are not cut from the same cloth. the third seems to against rule one which is going for a suit in a more traditional colour.
I’m more than a little confused.
This is a very thought provoking article, I just had to comment on this. When I saw the title of the article I just thought “No way! You never wear trainers with a suit!”
Checking out the pictures, I still think it looks wrong with a full suit, especially when you think about where you would actually wear it. However for the summer, a blazer and chino combination might actually work with them. As the writer points out, only a certain style of trainer will work. I still wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing this combination, but it’s given me a lot of food for thought.
I think the suit and trainers look can definitely work. I’ve never braved it myself though. I’ve always felt it’s difficult to do without looking like Ellen Degeneres hah
who makes the suit in the last picture of the lookbook?
nice article…really think you can wear trainers with a suit, it’s just another way, not to a wedding or whatever but wearing a suit and letting the trainers ensure you’re not looking overdressed is a pretty swell look imo.
This gets a no from me. However smart a trainer is, it’s still a trainer and serves a very different purpose to formal wear. Nobody should think pairing them is a good thing.
If your going to wear extremely formal style sneakers, why not just wear formal shoes instead? Doesnt really make sense.
And if you’re going for a smart casual look why not just wear brogues instead of formal trainers?
A nice well thought out argument. But this article should just read NO. If you really want to tone down and don’t want to look too formal, then try a suede brogue in varying colours such as navy. Save the shame of wearing trainers with that nice tailored suit you have.
I’ve recently been going through the whole series and had already commented on the wrongness of white trainers and suit. It’s good to know I’m not alone.
PS: Matt, anyone who reads this already knows that when you say trainers you never mean the ones that people actually wear to the gym ;)