WIW: Sneakers with a dress for the office

This could also have been titled something like "Sporty for the Office".

When I saw Angie's blog post about sneakers with a skirt or dress, I wondered if there was a way this could be worn for work. Then I thought of my pinky-red Vans. I prefer the look using a sneaker without laces - a sleeker, slip on style.

So today's outfit started out with my Vans - it's fun starting an outfit with footwear, don't you think? I then chose my EF black drape front dress. The beauty of this dress is how easily it can be dressed up or down. It is unbelievably versatile. On top of the dress, I added my floral silky bomber jacket - adding a bit of sporty luxe to the outfit. Accessories are simple with my black leather handbag (I actually would have preferred my sleek black patent clutch but needed a larger bag today), silver wedding band and my purple/clear specs.

Happiness scale? Off the charts! I love how this is sporty but feminine and in my office, still very appropriate. Would love to know what you think of this outfit. As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Bomber: Smart Set
Dress: Eileen Fisher
Shoes: Vans
Handbag: Danier Leather

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This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

29 Comments

  • replied 9 years ago

    Oh, this is cute, Shannon!

  • Mona replied 9 years ago

    Ok, first Neel and now you. Both of you have totally shaken my belief about dresses and sneanks. Love this outfit, Shannon! The floral jacket and bright sneaks take a plain black dress from boring to awesome.

  • spoff replied 9 years ago

    Well Shannon, you just healed my poision eye for the sporty luxe look. It's one trend I swore up and down was not for me and there you are looking so fantastic in it .Well done :)

  • Ledonna N. replied 9 years ago

    Lovely and the bomber is um "the bomb".

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    Shannon I'm inspired! I still can't bring myself to do the dressy sneaks outfit but now that I have seen this I may just give it a try;).

    This is cool! I love how the vans have colour and they are not a true athletic shoe )I haven't quite come to that party yet). Nice styling and you look gorgeous!

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    You are the EF lookbook as far as I a concerned!

  • Aquamarine replied 9 years ago

    This totally works for me and I think it's the Vans. I have had a hard time with this look using running shoes because it reminds me too much of my work/commuter days when we all wore sneaks but then changed into real shoes at the office. But the Vans are so sleek and the color blends seamlessly with your outfit. Nice job with this trend!

  • Thistle replied 9 years ago

    Fabulous. I think you nailed the look for sneakers in the office!

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Ha!! Should have known you would nail this as well as you nail everything else you try! This is fabulous fun, Shannon. Just terrific. 

    Your closet has always been a fab one. But you have now edited and curated it  so that it's even more fab. 

    As to the EF dress, I am jealous as a sibling that I can't wear it. Love it, love the idea of it, and love the look of it. It's the perfect "everything" dress. 

  • Diana replied 9 years ago

    Wow! You look amazing.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    *clapping hands* (and yes, I really do clap my hands when I'm happy!)

    So glad you all think this works. I feel really good in this and have already had a couple of compliments about the outfit.

    I think this works for me personally because of the Vans, as you've noted. I'm pretty sure I would not enjoy the outfit as much with a true athletic sneaker or something with big laces, etc.

    Mona, spoff, Deborah - maybe you'll give the sneaks with dress a go???

    Suz - I will fully admit that this is the happiest I have been with my closet - EVER! I've edited, edited, edited and worked at finding what is right for my body and lifestyle. I have less in my closet than I have in years and rotate my items with much more frequency but I truly enjoy getting up in the morning and getting dressed. I'm sorry the EF dress didn't work for you (for once my ample curves worked in my favor!) but you can wear J Crew and I can't - so back at ya with sibling jealousy - lol!

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    Shannon, you're on fire!  This is really well done, and I'll bet your feet with end the day quite happy!

  • shedev replied 9 years ago

    You nailed it.

  • NDMom replied 9 years ago

    Just love it!  You are so classy in everything!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Oh my gosh--it's awesome! Sporty luxe defined. You nailed it, Shannon.

  • carambola replied 9 years ago

    I really, really love this. So fun and stylish and cool.

  • Astrid replied 9 years ago

    So much fun! I think it works perfectly, I can definitely see the high happiness factor.

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    YAY! I am looking for a pair of work-appropriate sneakers.... Love this!

  • unfrumped replied 9 years ago

    Pretty fascinating. I opened the post with some trepidation.

    I wonder if my eye sees the Van's, in this color and style, and also combined with your brilliant use of floral, as almost an espadrille. Definitely does not look like the lunch-hour power-walkers.

  • kkards replied 9 years ago

    PERFECT! love everything about this!

  • annagybe replied 9 years ago

    This looks great.

  • rachylou replied 9 years ago

    Hmm. Food for thought. I've been contemplating sneaks with a skirt to the office, but I haven't come up with anything yet that feels right.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Beth Ann - my feet are incredibly happy today!

    unfrumped - what an excellent observation! These shoes probably do skew towards the espadrille style paired with summer florals.

    Rachy - for me, it was definitely the shoes not looking like athletic sneakers that made this feel right. Would love to see your rendition!

    Thanks all - I'll be wearing this outfit again :)

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    Sporty Luxe Fabness, you gorgeous creature. 

    LOVE. xo

  • goldenpig replied 9 years ago

    So cute, I love it! Sporty and springy!

  • Suja replied 9 years ago

    Love that bomber with the sneakers.  Sporty luxe done well.

  • Neel replied 9 years ago

    Omg!! This is so fantabulous Shannon!! Love your sneaks with this! Glad Suja bumped it, else would have missed it!

  • Day Vies replied 9 years ago

    I like how the sneakers don't call attention to themselves but keep the eye moving around the outfit by picking up the pink in the jacket. There is something delicious about wearing comfy cute shoes in the office. It feels like a treat. 

  • Adelfa replied 9 years ago

    One of my favorites on you ever, which surprises me a lot!

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