No matter what your take is on office dressing, sneakers can absolutely have a place in your workwear outfits, especially if you work in a creative field. In the fashion industry, sneakers can be found everywhere from the office to the street style scene at fashion week. Curious about which sneakers make the cut as office approved, I asked Who What Wear fashion editors to weigh in on the styles they'd wear to the office.
Their picks range from trendy styles, such as the retro shoes defining sneaker trends, and classic designs you can have in your closet for years and years. The common thread? Their top sneaker choices are all low-key and subtle rather than loud like some of the designs on the market. Ahead, the best sneakers for work, according to editors.
Low-Key Sneakers
"While I love my fair share of loud and chunky sneakers, I tend to gravitate toward a flat no-fuss sneaker style on work days. Think New Balance 574s or the Adidas Gazelle. They're easy to slip on and still manage to look professional when paired with blazers and trousers. If your office has stricter dress codes, I recommend sticking to neutral colorways like cream or gray." — Yusra Siddiqui, associate editor
Retro Sneakers
"I'm all about pairing suiting with retro dad sneakers—think New Balance 9060s and 530s. There's something about the chunkier feel of the shoe that just works with my trousers. Not to mention they're comfortable AF, which makes walking those few blocks to my favorite coffee shop on my lunch break actually enjoyable." — Anneliese Dominguez, branded content editor
Elevated White Sneakers
"Versatile and classic, white sneakers are the perfect pairing with tailored pieces. They're subtle yet elevated and can add the perfect casual touch to a polished outfit." — Judith Jones, senior market editor
Leather Sneakers
"Leather sneakers have been a great addition to my wardrobe for both casual and business affairs. They offer a bit more professionalism than the other styles in my collection because of their sleek and polished appearance. Working in fashion has led me to days where I will be on my feet transporting samples, attending events, and researching trends all day, so having an elevated pair of sneakers has been a game changer for my work wardrobe." — Sierra Mayhew, associate editor
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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