When the weather starts to warm up in London, my wardrobe predominantly consists of two things: dresses and trainers.
For me, the two together are an easy way to look fun and feminine, while being able to walk around the capital without getting any blisters. I can even get away with this look for work, so it’s a real win-win.
But the trend has taken a few hits of late, with Anna Murphy, the fashion director for The Times, proclaiming the floral midi dress and white trainer combo is ‘a bit old hat’ in a piece on what not to wear this summer.
While Lisa Armstrong, the head of fashion for The Telegraph, recently advised a reader that dresses and trainers were ‘stale now’.
I rolled my eyes at these articles, but then the issue hit a little closer to home.
Just a few hours after reading these, my in-laws proceeded to question the trend after spotting a news presenter on television rocking trainers with a dress. Her outfit baffled them and they thought the trainers ‘ruined’ the look.
I was wearing a dress and trainers at the time and took the comment rather personally.
Now, I don’t think every dress works well with trainers, (I’m not about to go all 2006 Lily Allen and rock a prom dress with Nikes), but when you pick the right shoe and strike the right balance, it’s chic and comfortable.
In need of some reassurance, I asked the people of the internet what they made of the combo – and if the response was anything to go by, I needn’t have worried.
Millennials might have been willing to relinquish their skinny jeans, but they aren’t willing to go down without a fight when it comes to their footwear.
Comedian Vix Leyton replied on X (formerly Twitter): ‘You will pull my fancy little girl trainers from my cold, dead feet.’ A woman after my own heart!
Radio presenter @talk_susan felt similarly, as she said: ‘Today I’m wearing a long pencil skirt with a side split and trainers. Everyone has been saying how “summery smart” I look. Even if no-one likes my style, idgaf. I wear what I wear for me, not them.’
While Sarah Bowerman wrote: ‘Comfort should always be stylish because it enables you to enjoy life to the full and improves mood’.
And public speaker Lisa Manyard-Atem thought the idea of trying to do away with trainers and dresses was ‘absolute nonsense’, adding: ‘I wear dresses with trainers all of the time.’
But it wasn’t just about being comfy. Others pointed out there were much bigger issues surrounding the fashion trend that also needed to be taken into consideration.
Dr Sarah Murphy reminded people to think more about others, as she proclaimed: ‘For some disabled people who may rely on trainers, saying it’s “stale” is pretty ableist fashion.’
As @newgreenheart urged us all to take less notice of trends to avoid fast fashion and ‘waste’.
They posted: ‘Just do you. We need to shift away from microtrends and trends more generally and instead celebrate the clothes and shoes that we already love to wear. Far too much clothing goes to waste which isn’t helped when things become “outdated”.’
However, there were a few people who were ready for the trainers and dress combo to be over, with a user named @whatisay1 admitting: ‘I wish people would give up on it, it’s so tacky. Give me heels with a dress or skirt and I’m loving it.’
And Debbie Carlson prompted people to look for other comfy shoe options that aren’t just trainers, saying: ‘The idea that dress shoes or other clothing is uncomfortable comes from not finding shoes or clothes that fit properly. Few shoe stores have people properly trained on fit. Same with clothes.’
Personal stylist Charlotte Broadbent agrees that there are plenty of other shoes out there we could be pairing our dresses with.
She told Metro.co.uk that a number of her clients (aged 35 to 60) have shifted away from dresses and trainers towards co-ords and relaxing suits with Mary Janes, sliders, or loafers as flat footwear options.
‘Honestly I think the bright floral dress and white trainer is on its way out,’ she admits, but fashion consultant Elizabeth Stiles is on the fence about the whole thing.
‘I’d argue that the silhouette of a slim-fitting floral dress with flat white sneakers like Veja is a bit tired and outdated now,’ she said.
Thankfully there was a big BUT coming….
While she may not like that particular look, the fashion pro isn’t opposed to the trend itself — she just thinks it could do with a little bit of an update.
‘A flowy maxi with classic trainers is a timeless combo,’ she tells Metro. ‘It’s all about keeping it fresh with new silhouette and shoe choices.
‘A more voluminous dress with coloured trainers or chunky trainers looks much more modern (especially paired with a shorter waistcoat layer or some white socks).
‘Since lockdown, there’s been a huge shift towards relaxed dressing and that’s not going to change anytime soon (because it’s so comfy!) It offers a rebellion against super high heels and a way to express both femininity and comfort.
‘But at the end of the day, fashion is about expressing yourself. Wear the dress and trainers if it makes you feel confident and happy!’
So you see, even the experts can’t agree on whether it’s ‘in’ or ‘out’. But one thing is for certain; millennials don’t seem to care either way. Clearly comfort is unkillable.
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