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But the advent of sneakers in the office does
not mean fashion anarchy. While sneakers may
encourage a more relaxed atmosphere, you are
still at work and, more likely than not, there will
still be some rules. Wearing sneakers to work
should be tasteful. You can’t just throw on your
beat up, grass-stained runners with your work
outfit and call it a day. Your sneakers need to be
a well thought out, cohesive part of your look,
not like you are on your way to gym class.
While surely fashion forward, could wearing
sneakers to work also be beneficial? They could,
if no one else is doing it! The “red sneaker effect”,
(an actual documented study by bonafide Harvard
professors) surmises that intentionally standing
out from the crowd could convey positive
messages about your status, confidence and
power. The Harvard psychologists Silvia Bellezza,
Francesca Gino, and Anat Keinan described this
effect in a journal article. They explained that if
you unintentionally violate the normal codes
and etiquette established by society, this
will result in negative inferences and
attributions, (for example, if you turn
up to a cocktail party in jeans and
a T-shirt by accident, people
will think you are dumb).
Sneakers have
made their way
into the work
place...
However, when you are deliberately going
against the perceived norm, (think about industry
leaders like Mark Zuckerburg who attends
conferences and events in sneakers) persons
believe that you have a higher status and are
more competent. While we aren’t advocating that
you light the company dress code manual on fire
and turn up to work in neon green footwear, the
research does suggest that going against the grain
on purpose can be beneficial to your status quo.
So not only do sneakers have a rich history,
rife with scandal and intrigue, they are also
breaking the glass ceiling of workplace footwear!
Although wearing sneakers to the office is on the
up and up, the “wear your kicks to work” trend
does not have a lot of early adopters, outside of
more creative industries (JPMorgan Chase is an
anomaly). So how do you branch off as the first
in your office to sport sneakers, possibly boost
your status quo (without getting fired) and add
to the sneaker’s ever evolving legacy? The key is
simplicity! Stay away from bulky footgear and
get something a little sleeker and classier. The
goal is not to make a loud, boisterous statement,
but to seamlessly make sneakers a part of your
outfit. The safest way to do this is to choose
slim footwear in neutral or more muted tones
(not that you can’t throw on those fire engine
red kicks from time to time, as well!). So if you
want to rock your sneakers at work, and get away
with it, focus on being subtle, simple and sleek!
Men’s Sneaks
Adidas Men’s
Originals
Hamburg
Nike Air
Men’s Pegasus
Racer
Air Jordan 1
Men’s Retro
High Sneaker
Puma Men’s
Vedano slip-ons
Puma
Men’s Suede
Classics
THE SENSES ISSUE
Jack Purcell
Men’s Converse