PROOF Dec 2018 | Page 33

33 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