Suit and trainers/sneakers

[madhat]

Well, one reason they stay away is that they're stuffy. And that they are often thought to require relatively uncomfortable shoes.

That's because people don't buy the right shoe. Any of my dress shoes are as comfortable to me as sneakers, with the benefit of not feeling like I'm walking on marshmallows. I pull the sock liner/ insole out of my running shoes, in fact.

What makes them stuffy? Because you associate them with businessmen? Could I not flip it around and say sneakers are trashy because wife beaters and thugs wear them?

If one were to attempt this, it should be a simple shoe. Your first pic is extremely incongruous. The second is better by comparison, and the last would be close if not for the big red accent. Why does it need to be synthetic or canvas? At least get a leather upper. https://us.jfitzpatrickfootwear.com/collections/sneakers
Not my style, nor do I think it flows all that well 2ith the sole, but they are closer to the spirit of a suit than a pair of patchwork NBs.

 

[Patrick R]

I'm happy to wear sneakers with my unstructured Eidos indigo dyed seersucker "suit". But any tailored garment deserves more appropriate shoes.

 

[BXpress]

I don't understand why this is even worth discussing. Hasn't that fad died somewhere in the early 2010s? Correct me if i'm wrong. It's nothing new or revolutionary nor rebellious. Why should bringing it back "save" the suit when Oxfords, Derbies and classic boots are alive and kicking atm (much more than the suit since they are more versatile being worn with jeans and chinos)?

 

[comrade]

And here's another argument: originally tweed or cord suits were the equivalent of today's athleisure. Sneakers didn't exist back then, so people wore other kinds of sporty, comfy shoes with those garments. How do we make the cord/tweed suit more modern? By going back to its origins and pairing it with today's equivalent footwear.

Not so. Sneakers or their equivalent at least go back the the late 19th or
early 20th century.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/230162272/ag-spalding-basketball-shoes-1890s-sport

 

[comrade]

William Burroughs distinguished( and eccentric) author, dressed rather formally and
and wore "Earth Shoes" and running shoes in his later years.

https://media.npr.org/assets/artsli...0a4aa048f307071f70cc86f26b1472594f-s6-c30.jpg

 

[madhat]

William Burroughs distinguished( and eccentric) author, dressed rather formally and
and wore "Earth Shoes" and running shoes in his later years.

https://media.npr.org/assets/artsli...0a4aa048f307071f70cc86f26b1472594f-s6-c30.jpg

If William Burroughs jumped off a cliff, would you jump off a cliff too?

 

[comrade]

In my callow youth I tried to emulate Burroughs. But I failed because
I did't have independent means, wasn't gay, was allergic to heroin,
lacked literary talent and my wife would have none of it. I did dress
rather formally, however

 

[JJ Katz]

Extending the wearability of suits into the future as everyday garments?

I understand your intention but I don't think that works.

If someone is genuinely concerned they will 'look stuffy' in a suit they are extremely unlikely to consider a suit an everyday garment now or in the future.

Stylistically, I think it's a case of hedging one's bet, of being ambiguous. "I'm 'dressed up' but... not really!"

Perhaps a better compromise might be to not just wear suits with oxfords, as some particularly prescriptive SFers tend to counsel.

Some of those informal suits shown above, for instance, in my opinion would go well with some loafers, including unlined ones.

 

[Camilo]

As mentioned above, it's been done (see Hollywood). Do with tshirt no tie sleek suit fabric.

 

[steveabdn]

And here's another argument: originally tweed or cord suits were the equivalent of today's athleisure. Sneakers didn't exist back then, so people wore other kinds of sporty, comfy shoes with those garments. How do we make the cord/tweed suit more modern? By going back to its origins and pairing it with today's equivalent footwear.

No we don't. The cord / tweed suit by your own admission was the equivalent to athleisure of its day. Shoes worn with it were the equivalent to Sneakers.

Today, wearing athleisure with Sneakers would be the equivalent to the historical context you referred to.

Using your same argument but swapping the upper and lower portions we should be wearing athleisure clothing with brogues??

 

[radicaldog]

Using your same argument but swapping the upper and lower portions we should be wearing athleisure clothing with brogues??

No. Wearing brogues with athleisure would make the standard option less comfortable, and that's never the direction of progress in style. Suit with sneaker, on the other hand, goes in the right direction.

 

[madhat]

No. Wearing brogues with athleisure would make the standard option less comfortable, and that's never the direction of progress in style. Suit with sneaker, on the other hand, goes in the right direction.

Depends on point of view if it's less comfortable. I'd rather be in a pair of brogues than sneakers

 

[steveabdn]

No. Wearing brogues with athleisure would make the standard option less comfortable, and that's never the direction of progress in style. Suit with sneaker, on the other hand, goes in the right direction.

Your argument really doesn't work. Athleisure is more comfortable than a cord or tweed suit, if your view of advancement is based on comfort then you'd forego the suit entirely and wear the Sneakers with more comfortable clothing.

If you just happen to think that Sneakers work with a suit then that's a perfectly fine argument

 

[OldState]

It’s horrible. When I see it all I can think of are the GQ magazines I see at my barber shop.

 

[Aquafortis]

As mentioned above, it's been done (see Hollywood). Do with tshirt no tie sleek suit fabric.

Uh, yeah, if you really want to emulate the silliness featured in this article:
https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/gallery/how-to-wear-a-suit-in-2018

While Hollywood celebs' looks have always been influential, the desperation to stand out, combined with what I would say is a lack of refinement and/or over-reliance on their stylists, leads them to parade around and be photographed in utterly hideous outfits.

Fame rarely = good taste.