Five sneakers (+1) to help you ease those back-to-the-office blues
The last 17 months have admittedly not been my most fashionable. I traded my business casual slacks, dress shirts, and dress shoes for Lululemon pants and sneakers. As back-to-the-office approaches, I’ve been thinking about what I’m going to be wearing when I finally return to the office on a regular basis. It turns out, I’m not the only one. I know many women who did not miss wearing heels during COVID-19 and are looking for more comfortable, casual options. If we’ve learned anything over the last 17 months, it’s that good work can be done regardless of where we are working or what we’re wearing. In the spirit of that, here’s five sneakers that will help you ease back into the office while looking fresh, comfortable, and not compromising your professional credibility.
- Nike Air Force 1 ($90 and up): the Air Force 1 is a staple among rappers, athletes, and sneakerheads. Simple, classic, and affordable. They also come in many colors and materials, so you can find one that works for you.
2. Adidas Superstars ($85 and up): like the aforementioned AF1, the Superstar is simple and classic. You can find them in many different colors and materials. I was fortunate enough to pick up a pair of the above Adidas X Prada Superstars, so you can bet I’ll be rocking these at the office.
3. New Balance 992 or 57/40 ($100 and up): New Balance has released some incredible sneakers over the last 18 months but sticking with the theme of sneakers that are good for the office, I’ve gone with the 992 and 57/40. The 992 is better known as the Steve Jobs sneaker. Legend has it that the man himself gave input on the design. The 57/40 represents a fresh take on the classic 574 silhouette. Both models are available in several colors and despite being a bit understated, real sneakerheads will recognize your impeccable taste.
4. Yeezy Boost 350 ($220 and up): Hear me out on this. The Yeezy Boost, while a bit unorthodox, is insanely comfortable (thanks to Ultraboost foam) and come in many colors, many of them which will work in an office environment. They’re eye catching in a way that doesn’t scream “look at me” and will most certainly be a good ice breaker for those awkward rejoining society moments. One word of caution: many 350 models are very hard to get, so you may have to turn to the resale market if there’s a specific color you want. Did I mention how comfortable they are?
5. Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Low ($55 and up): you may have noticed but there’s a new Vice President and she’s been known to rock Chuck Taylors. While Chucks are never going to deliver on comfort, they make up for it with a classic silhouette with many color options. You can even go upscale and grab some of the recent collaborations with Fragment and Moncler. Hey, if it’s good enough for the VP, it’s good enough for your office.
Bonus: Christian Louboutin Vieira 2 Flat ($895): looking for something a bit more fancy with metal spikes? Of course you are. These have all the flare of Louboutin heels or dress shoes (yes, the red soles are there) but in a more casual form. What better way to show your co-workers that you’re serious about getting down to business than to be rocking actual metal spikes on your sneakers?
