Sneakers in the Office

Do you have an office job? Do you wear sneakers to work? In my 30 years of working, I've never worn or seen sneakers at the office, but I did stop working in an office environment for 4-5 years and recently realized it's what people are doing these days.

In recent years, corporate culture has undergone a major shift and a surprising element leading this change is footwear. No longer confined to the realm of casual weekends or sports, sneakers have made their way into corporate offices worldwide, breaking the traditional dress code that once mandated polished dress shoes or heels. Today, sneakers in the office are not just a trend, they’ve become the norm.

How did we go from strictly dress shirts, heels and business attire to sneakers at work regularly? Well in the mid 1990's, 'casual Fridays' were introduced. Starting out switching to Polos and loafers for men and more casual womens wear and closed toe flats, this trend quickly turned into casual tops and jeans. With the sneakers at first being high end polished sneakers, has now turned into regular sneakers and converse type shoes.

In the traditional corporate world, dress codes were about uniformity, looking the same and having little to no self expression. In today's corporate world, sneakers signal a shift towards individuality and self expression.

Sneakers have also come a long way from being used just for exercise and sports to high end, creative pieces of versatile footwear, making their way to fashion shows and boutiques.

Another reason for the shift in casual comfort is the hybrid and remote work structures. Between working at home and going into the office, it's now a requirement to be comfortable. Longer hours at work and health conscious society also call for comfortable shoes to run around, take walk breaks during work hours and not have the hassle of changing your shoes.

In an era when burnout and employee well being are top concerns, companies are becoming more aware of the mental and physical toll of rigid office attire. Allowing employees to wear sneakers is a subtle but powerful statement that companies care about their workers comfort and health.

Sneakers are also a powerful tool for promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Loosening the formal dress code, companies create a more welcoming environment for people from different cultures, backgrounds, and socioeconomic statuses. Traditional workwear, often expensive and uncomfortable, can be a barrier for many employees, but sneakers, ranging from affordable models to luxury versions, allow people from all walks of life to dress in a way that feels true to themselves.

Sneakers can help eliminate certain gendered expectations about office attire. While both men and women can wear dress shoes, sneakers offer a much more flexible choice, breaking down the traditional gender divide in office fashion.

As the line between work and play continues to blur, it seems likely that sneakers will only continue to gain ground in corporate offices. We’re already seeing more companies embrace casual dress codes year round, and the recent rise of athleisure suggests that the demand for comfortable, stylish shoes will only increase.

But will sneakers ever fully replace dress shoes in more traditional industries like finance or law? It’s possible. As younger generations move up the corporate ladder, the more flexible approach to office attire is expected to continue. In fact, some companies, such as Salesforce and Zappos, have already made sneakers a staple of their office culture.

I don't know if I'm fully invested in this trend yet. I feel it's harder to dress when you try to incorporate sneakers because it doesn't always look professional. I also find it can be more costly as nice sneakers are very expensive as oppose to a cute kitten heel or mule. This ARTICLE from Who What Wear, gives some suggestions on how to put clothing together with sneakers for a chic look.

What do you all think? Love the trend or is it too casual for the office?

Happy Sneaker Wearing!

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