Ask Angie & All: Pencil+Sneakers - Hit or Miss? - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie & All: Pencil+Sneakers - Hit or Miss?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Hi Angie and all,

A while ago I asked if my b/w Nike runners possibly could be worn as casual everyday shoes, not only for exercise. You, Angie, answered MAYBE, depending on how (naturally). The forum was torn on this.

Since I'm a sucker for challenges, I played with Angie's four guidelines for modern/current ways to dress in this outfit:

1: Irregular Outfit Juxtaposition
I'm pairing a quite formal black blazer+pencil skirt and a leather clutch with a sportswear inspired silk tee and the VERY casual Nike trainers. Check? or too much?

2: Unstructured Structure
Structured blazer and skirt, unstructured tee and shoes. Check?
- Which is better, semi tucked or untucked tee?

3: Does this outfit map back to my style descriptor?
Queen Playful Modern Classic. Check.

4: Does this outfit make me happy?
Well, let's say that I'm interested. Yes, I think it is a quite fun outfit, in fact, but I'm unsure if it actually works, so I haven't worn it anywhere, yet. Should I?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this outfit. What is wrong, right, good or bad? Suggestions? Most important to me: Did I create a current outfit, or was this a bad idea?

I'm waiting for the verdict of the Honorable Jury

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Dressing

34 replies

Latest reply was from Ingunn

Anonymous

Hmm.. I'm not absolutely convinced. The colours of the trainers definitely match which I think helps a lot to integrate them, but the style of them is still a little too 'gear' to me. A converse type sneaker may be a bit more refined.
Not much help am I ?

Anonymous

Truthfully, this is the standard commuter- by- foot uniform here, and I am not a fan. Perhaps this could look fresh in your locale. Here not so much.

Anonymous

Forgot to say I think I prefer the Tee tucked.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Oh, they are wildly popular here, too, but most people wear them with jeans. I'm absolutely okay with it if you disapprove - after all, this is only me testing the water.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Diane, I completely understand, and I find you very helpful

Anonymous

No, what I mean is that women here wear their office clothing with running shoes to commute, then change to their heels in the office.
Some people are OK with the look, others are not fans. I think the blog Corporette have had articles on this.
ETA: So I guess I have a poison eye for the look, however, I think you have an amazing sense of style. If you feel good in it, I would say give it a go.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Ah, get it.

missvee

Veteran

I like it quite a lot, much more than I thought I would, probably because of the fairly monochromatic colour palette. I think the top looks good tucked or untucked. I like the clutch handbag, but I think a slouchy hobo or cross body would work too.

MNsara

Veteran

I also like it more than I thought I would, but not sure WHEN it would be the outfit of choice. Like Zap said, this is what I see when I'm in bigger cities where people get to/from work with some walking involved. And they have 'real' shoes for at work.

I could see this being a fun look for a casual Friday, or at a less formal work conference, etc. I guess that pencil skirt still says 'work' to me, in spite of the sneaks.

You sure look cute in it - if that helps! So, your playful side is coming thru. And I LOVE that tee - a lot - especially faux tucked!

Peri

Veteran

I like it...since these are the only kinds of shoes I can wear on a daily basis. I always wear pants and feel bad enough about that...I would be beyond happy if this look was deemed cute. I did buy a running type skirt and hope that it is sporty enough to blend with this type of shoe on casual occasions.

But...I'm guessing from experience the majority will say no. It's been my sad experience that this kind of shoe gets the opposite of love.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wohoooo! More Ingunn experiments

I like the outfit sans the jacket best. More intentional. It needs your bomber - not a blazer. Your Cons will amp up the "iconic-retro-factor" of the outfit, which will make the look even more intentional. Try that too

Love to see you have fun with your wardrobe pretty lady.

unfrumped

Veteran

I think zap and Angie's comments are fascinating because the commuter look means that the pencil skirt/slightly corporate look + sneakers already carries a connotation that is hard to re-purpose into a quirky juxtaposition outfit of one's own making. One might just look like a harried working woman.

Hence, having to intentionally divert from that look-- bomber or some similar twist--and a shoe which is not the choice of urban commuters.

Somehow in the dim corners of my tiny fashion mind I think I can use this lesson....because though I am lacking a crisp style moniker, outfits that can combine either more casual footwear with tailored clothing in a way that looks intentional and smart (smart meaning practical--but with style), or more refined versions of low-heeled options--this kind of outfit is a style goal for me.

krishnidoux

Veteran

It works because sneakers are black, and rather on the flat side. And because of the sporty tee worn with the suit. Unlike
Angie, I like it with the jacket too. Very very relaxed look, still business. The clutch brings a lot to the outfit. I don't know if I did it myself, I would look as confident as you.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Love the outfit all ways you have styled it but personally, I'm afraid I still find these sneakers looking like workout wear

pil

Veteran

I think this totally works and I'm really surprised by that. I see it for weekend wear or the casual evening out, the clutch is a terrific touch.

Diana

Veteran

I agree with Zap that I see "corporate commuter" here as well. I think if you live in a big city with lots of corporate workers who take public transit, this is the impression you will make. If you don't live somewhere with public transit, it might easier to get away with it.

So I think definitely NOT with the blazer, but it is OK with the more casual top. Angie's idea of the bomber is a good one.

(As an aside, I really do not like the business wear w/ sneakers look, particularly when it's with trousers, because the trousers, if they are the right length for heels, will be too long and draggy w/ sneakers. Also, ew, pants dragging on the subway floor. Gross.)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think people's interpretations of this will depend a bit on how often they've been exposed to the business commuters in trainers look. It's been a standard look in the Northeastern US since at least the 80s. It's not so common in Canada. Or at least I haven't seen it as much around here for many years.

You look so fantastic in the shirt that you could wear anything with it and it would look great! But for me, these shoes do still read too gear-like to be intentional. I would try with the Cons.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

How interesting to read your replies! I love such small challenges, they make me stretch a little. Your analyses and comments are so valuable lessons.

FWIW: This isn't an outfit I normally would wear, and I don't feel really comfy in it. If I changed for Cons it would help instantly, and the bomber would turn this into something else, which I would wear without hesitation. I can see why "corporate commuter" isn't a look to aspire to. I am very intrigued by the first of Angie's 2013 "rules", irregular outfit juxtaposition, which I find hard to do. This was an attempt of that, but I need to study harder, I think

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

It would work better if the sneakers were flat. Running shoes tend to have a slight wedge to them which, to my eye, says "I'm commuting".

Aida

Veteran

Hmm this doesn't quite work to my eye because the sneakers really are running gear sneakers. I'd much prefer Cons, fashion wedge sneakers, or fun/fashion sneakers not made for real running. As for the outfit, I love #1 and think that's definitely worth playing around with some other sneaks. Like the idea of the bomber, too

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It's always in the details, right? And the details can be so persnickety.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I think the sporty vibe of the top goes a long way to make this work. The clutch looks too refined and the blazer takes you in the commuter-by-foot look. If those two items are replaced with different items, this will work better. For example, a more sporty bag although as you point out the juxtapositions are on trend right now -- so take that suggestion with a grain of salt. Angie's idea of the bomber is brilliant.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Not a look I can relate to - it is hard to make it look intentional imo.

Jules

Veteran

I like #1 best. Like others said, the blazer makes it look like harried commuter. Without the tuck, it just looks very relaxed to me, like it's accidental. With the tuck, it seems more intentional.

Peri

Veteran

See what I mean? Sad.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

It is not that they look so bad, but I do think the outfit would look better with another pair of shoes/sneakers. Great top and skirt though!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I must admit my first thought was Melani Griffith in 'Working Girl', so, yes, the commuter look.
I totally agree different, non gear, sneakers would make it work.
I wear sneakers a LOT in Tahoe with my jobs, and I try my best to avoid the actual gear shoes. I wear my Asics to run in, period.

Elly

Veteran

Honestly, I think the black and white sneaks look like gym shoes. A pair of the crazy colored sneaks, even in a running shoe style (so long as they tied back into the outfit) might have given more of a "purposeful and hip" vibe to the look, and slightly bolder/less sophisticated/younger accesories (a bolder or brighter purse) might have said "fun/sporty" interpretation vs. "commuter"--- I think it is very hard to pull off the "sporty sophisticate" vibe with actual gym sneakers, but with the right accessories I think it could work.

Scarlet had a pair of flat black basketball (actual athletic sneaks) high-tops that she wore with skinny jeans in a somewhat hip and edgy way that many YLFs approved of.

Scarlet

Veteran

Have to run, but I LOVE this is my gut reaction. I will come back to read through everything.

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