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. Millennia.