Are white trainers now FORMAL wear? Etiquette experts say once-derided sneakers are now being worn at work and ‘smart casual’ events because of catwalk and celebrity trend
- Everyone from celebrities to royals are wearing white trainers for all occasions
- Once considered the most informal type of footwear, they are seen everywhere
- The Duchess of Cambridge donned a pair for this week’s King’s Cup regatta
- Home Secretary Priti Patel opted for a gold-soled version for her Brexit meeting
- Dame Emma Thompson wore a pair to receive honour at Buckingham Palace
- But etiquette experts gently warn they might not be welcome at every event
White trainers have made it out of the gyms, away from the heels of ‘chavs’ – and hot-footed it right over to occasions where normally the wearer would have been barred from entering, much to the surprise of etiquette experts.
In fact, everyone from celebrities to royals are sporting the once frowned-upon footwear at high fashion catwalks, red carpets and sporting events, as well as work meetings, weddings and even to receive honours at Buckingham Palace.
The Duchess of Cambridge was all at sea wearing white Superga 2750 trainers at this week’s King’s Cup regatta, teaming them with a nautical-inspired a stripy top and navy blue trousers.
All white for me: Kate Middleton wore trainers at The King’s Cup Race in Cowes, this week
She was previously on-trend at the Chelsea Flower Show in May, where she wore the £49.99 trainers with a white blouse and culottes.
Meanwhile, Kate’s sister-in-law, the Duchess of Sussex, is a known fan of sustainable trainer brand, Veja, and was spotted wearing a pair while of her royal tour of Australia with Prince Harry last October.
Lady Helen Taylor also looked chic yet casual after picking out a green floral dress paired with white trainers for this year’s Wimbledon.
And model Emily Ratajkowski blazed a new trail for white trainers after teaming hers with a pinstriped dress for New York Fashion Week.
The Duchess of Cambridge was on trend in May at the Chelsea Flower Show in May, where she teamed Superga 2750 white £49.99 trainers with a white blouse and culottes
Lady Helen Taylor paired a green floral dress with white trainers at this year’s Wimbledon
Meghan Markle, who rarely wears flats, was spotted in her trendy white Veja trainers while on the royal tour of Australia in October
Emily Ratajkowski was at New York Fashion Week wearing a pinstriped dress and trainers
Even Downing Street has embraced the new trend. Home Secretary Priti Patel discarded her stilettos for thick-soled gold flats for her Brexit meeting with Port of Dover officials last week.
Yet, despite a growing presence of the more informal footwear, there were still a few eyebrows raised when actress Emma Thompson teamed a suit with white trainers to receive her Damehood from the Duke of Cambridge in November.
In her defence, the bemused 60-year-old star clarified they were ‘posh trainers’ and indeed Stella McCartney’s Stan Smith vegan style sneakers are not a cheap option at £235 a pair.
‘They were posh!’: Emma Thompson laughed off the backlash about her outfit choice to receive her damehood at Buckingham Palace, after choosing a suit and white trainers
With celebrities everywhere deeming the informal footwear ‘all-white’, etiquette experts gently warn they might not actually be welcome at every occasion.
Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Rupert Wesson, academy director at Debrett’s, said: ‘White trainers may be perfectly suitable for someone who works in the fashion industry, but they may not be so welcomed at a law firm.’
Home Secretary Priti Patel discarded her stilettos for thick-soled gold flats for her Brexit meeting with Port of Dover officials last week
Meanwhile etiquette expert William Hanson said: ‘It is fine to wear white trainers for ‘smartish’ occasions, such as the Duchess of Cambridge’s decision to wear an immaculate pair at the Chelsea Flower Show.
‘But it was terrible of Emma Thompson to wear them to Buckingham Palace’.
Hanson added that he was in fact ‘mortified’ by her decision.