Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight

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Having recently had foot surgery and been advised to retire the heels (boo!), I’ve been forced into trainers for the foreseeable. Well, I say forced but there’s so many stylish sneakers around, it’s no hardship really. Five years ago I would never have dared wear trainers to work, now every office I work in is full of Stan Smiths.
If you’ve always thought of trainers as strictly gym-only, it’s definitely worth having trying on a few pairs and having a play. They’re ideal for giving a formal look a bit of edge  – when it’s bare legs weather, I’m a big fan of the midi-dress/white trainers combo, and I think they look chic with a trouser suit too. And of course there’s nothing better to wear for running for the train. Or away from my children (JOKE! Although…)
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My new favourite brand, and the one currently shodding the trotters of all my fashion editor pals, is San Fran start-up <a href="https://www.allbirds.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Allbirds</a>. The pleasingly minimal, unisex designs in a muted colour palette are made from sustainable materials, including wool and eucalyptus tree pulp. They’re also ridiculously comfortable and machine washable. Basically they’ve got oodles of both style and substance.
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And talking of sustainability, check out <a href="https://www.net-a-porter.com/gb/en/product/1106349/veja/sdu-hexa-rubber-trimmed-mesh-and-vegan-suede-sneakers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Veja</a>. Every twentysomething actress I’ve interviewed in the last couple of years has been wearing these, thanks to their vegan and Fairtrade creds. If you’re a fan of New Balance, I think you’ll like their aesthetic. This week <a href="https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/shoes/sneakers.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=2019_03_26_veja_EU&amp;utm_content=" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&amp; Other Stories</a> has started stocking the brand so they’re finally on the high street.
My hair colourist wears only trainers because she’s on her feet all day and she’s always clad in <a href="http://eu.christianlouboutin.com/uk_en/shop/women/vieira-spikes-orlato-nappa-ab.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">fabulous Louboutin ones</a> (yes, he does make trainers).
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Her theory is that it’s better to splurge on show-stopping designer kicks rather than designer heels as the former’s cost-per-wear is so much more palatable. (I can see my husband’s eye-roll from here on reading that sentence – but who cares what he thinks.)
The big labels are focused on what Vogue calls the turbo trainer right now, ie big ol’ chunky ’90s styles such as <a href="https://www.net-a-porter.com/gb/en/product/1136605/gucci/rhyton-metallic-logo-print-leather-sneakers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">these Gucci clod-hoppers</a>.
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For £760 I would want it made very clear what label I’d bought from too though I’m not entirely convinced of their aesthetic appeal. To nail the designer trend in a more palatable way, you might prefer these less spendy, less scary <a href="https://www.net-a-porter.com/gb/en/product/1099069/isabel_marant/bulian-logo-print-suede-trimmed-leather-sneakers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Isabel Marant</a> ones.
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As a nod to the chunkier look, I’ve actually been digging out my ancient ’90s Nikes – you could ease in with these <a href="https://www.net-a-porter.com/gb/en/product/1118696" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nike Air Max</a> (£110) which you too might have worn back in the day.
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Then there’s the high street which is actually surprisingly good at trainers these days. If you’d told the Vans-clad teenage raver me that I’d one day be coveting M&amp;S kicks I would’ve laughed in your face. Nowt wrong with <a href="https://www.marksandspencer.com/lace-up-trainers/p/p60215281?image=SD_01_T02_5781_F4_X_EC_90&amp;color=NAVYMIX&amp;prevPage=plp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this simple striped pair </a>though and they’re an absolute steal at £25.
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Elsewhere there’s more to LK Bennett than ladylike courts <a href="https://www.lkbennett.com/product/SFALIVIAHAIRCALFWhiteNatural~Alivia-Leopard-Print-Lace-Up-Trainers-LEOPARD%20PRINT" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">as you can see</a> …
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and <a href="http://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-shoes-boots/trainers-plimsolls/a0409-mul/womens-white-and-rainbow-striped-trainers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">these retro Boden ones</a>, below, comes in three colourways.
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Race you to the shops!
Words <a href="https://twitter.com/Kerry_Potter">@Kerry_Potter</a>

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