Skechers sneakers with shorts

[Lizard]

My husband's new workplace is really casual (like, flip-flops are OK), and he decided to buy a pair of nice sneakers to wear with shorts, khakis and jeans. He bought a pair of Skechers Wharfs:

http://members.cox.net/lcruver/skechers.jpg

He wore them to work today with very short white socks, a blue polo and khaki shorts. I thought he looked fine, but he just IM'ed me saying that we must have bad fashion sense, because he's being made fun of by a bunch of people. :( They're all saying those type of shoes should NEVER be worn with shorts. They look fine! I don't see why it's any different than wearing any other sneakers with shorts?

Am I wrong? Did he violate some sort of fashion rule? Please help. :D

[miller88]

Oh honey, do I feel your pain! My boyfriend of 5 months has no fashion sense, god bless him. He has a similar pair of shoes he wears with shorts and super short (barely noticeable) white socks. He also wears a plain white tee 90% of the time, but that's a whole 'nother story.

At first I was less-than-thrilled by the shoe situation because I'm fairly particular about fashion-related things. However, I've gotten used to it and am thankful he at least has amazing hair (which he pays $60 to get cut...that's clearly his priority in the looks department).

I think his coworkers are kind of rude for making fun of him. Hopefully it's just good-natured ribbing!

[Toonces]

I think shoes like that would look best with jeans. To me, that's more of a "casual shoe" than a "sneaker". When I think of sneakers, I think of something similar to a sports shoe (running, walking, basketball, etc.).

I wouldn't make fun of someone for wearing the shoes you posted w/ shorts though. It's not like he wore them with black socks or something. :)

[myshel]

I wouldn't make fun of someone for wearing the shoes you posted w/ shorts though. It's not like he wore them with black socks or something.

Or with tall, white crew socks like my DH would do.

I think those shoes would be okay with shorts if they were cargo-looking shorts or outdoorsy type shorts, rather than a pair of dressier khaki shorts.

[Aimee]

I'll preface this with the fact that I am not athletic in any way, shape or form, but those look like rock climbing shoes to me. They might work with jeans, but, with shorts, they'd be seem like they'd look a little too "hey, let's go climbing!"

Another thing is that they're suede. I think of suede as being a winter fabric, which wouldn't be appropriate with shorts.

I wouldn't make fun of someone for wearing those with shorts, but I might take a second look.

[laura]

In my husband's line of work, no one would even notice. I'm actually surprised that more than one person even noticed his footwear, but I'm baffled that they would comment, considering he is new and all.

That said, my assistant wears a similar ensemble and it isn't something I would wear (or buy for my husband), but I just reason it could be much worse and let it go. Plus my assistant is very 'outdoorsy', so I just write it off to REI. ;) I was going to say the suede thing that someone said above, though - I think that is the biggest issue for me.

[jennylou]

Eh, I think it's okay. My hubby probably would have put his paint stained shoes on.

Thankfully, he got rid of his ten year old sandals that finally cracked (never mind that the strap on the back broke, just snip them off!) and he tossed them. He'd put those on with white socks sometimes - I think it's the IT geek in him. BTW - I say that very jokingly, I love my geek. :D

[wendalah]

That outfit doesn't sound that bad to me. I'd much rather see a guy in sneakers than mandals!

[MidwesternGal]

Okay, I'd be THRILLED if my DH or my dad would pick up a pair of cool khaki cargo shorts and short socks and wear those shoes. That should say it all!

So obviously, I think it's okay!

[villanelle75]

I don't htink there bad. Certianly not worth teasing someone over! They aren't perfect, but they are okay for shorts. If he wants a comfy shoe to go with shorts, perhaps a Chuck Taylor sneaker would be good. I really like that look, though it is a bit more casual than the shoe you posted.

[TX Sweetheart]

My DH has a pair of shoes sort of similar to those and has worn them with shorts and short socks (after I made him change from the taller socks he had been wearing LOL) and he looked fine. Like Wendelah said, better those than mandels...

[KK812]

My DH has those shoes in black. He wears them anytime he wears cargo shorts and a tshirt with super short black athletic socks(they blend in with the shoes). I think it looks nice-I actually bought them for him because he used to wear his leather short boot-like sketchers with his shorts. :p

[Niobe]

I really like those shoes. I think they'd look fine with longer length khaki cargo shorts, but not pressed khaki knee length shorts. They're more jeans type shoes then "business casual" type, you know?

[Sophia]

I think that's an ok outfit. I certainly couldn't see anyone teasing him, especially if flip-flops are considered ok for work. :confused:

[jbenny75]

I love that style of shoes and I tried to get DH to buy them for work. He wouldn't because he said he'd be made fun of. He works with mostly older guys who are way out of style, so that's why they'd make fun of him.

I don't think it's a bad outfit. I think the teasing should be taken with a grain of salt- I mean, what are the people who are making fun of him wearing? Maybe they're older and just don't get things that are of a newer style.

[kari]

I love that style of shoes and I tried to get DH to buy them for work. He wouldn't because he said he'd be made fun of. He works with mostly older guys who are way out of style, so that's why they'd make fun of him.

I don't think it's a bad outfit. I think the teasing should be taken with a grain of salt- I mean, what are the people who are making fun of him wearing? Maybe they're older and just don't get things that are of a newer style.

This was my question as well.

[IrishEyes]

My husband has a pair of shoes similar to those ('euro sneakers'), and he wears them only in the winter with pants or jeans. He considers them more a shoe like a loafer, not a sneaker. I don't think I've ever seen someone wear those with shorts, so I'd have to see it to decide if it was a good match or not.

[Lizard]

Holy cow, what a response! Yes, he is wearing them with cargo shorts, NOT any type of dressy shorts. They're brushed leather, I think, and to me they look like your average sneaker, only brown. :) The picture does make them look more like climbing shoes, but they don't look quite that way in person.

As far as what they other people are wearing... I will have to ask him. He also works in IT, so I'd be surprised if they were dressed any better. :D

The shoes are really nice - I already told DH I want a pair of my own for fall.

[myshel]

As far as what they other people are wearing... I will have to ask him. He also works in IT, so I'd be surprised if they were dressed any better.

DH works as a software engineer for a large company. I've always tried to get him to "dress for success," by wearing nicer clothes as he has a tendency to wear things after they're a bit worn out. DH kept telling me not worry about it as he works with people who don't really care.

One day, when we were picking up DS from the company daycare, we ran into the guy DH works most closely with. This guy had on tight stonewashed jeans circa 1985, grass stained tennis shoes, and a faded black Motley Crue t-shirt. Oh yeah... his hair was uncombed too. I asked DH if the guy wore that to work, and he said," Yep. It's guys like him or older guys with pocket protectors with clothes from 1979." I quit worrying about DH after that.

[wendalah]

This guy had on tight stonewashed jeans circa 1985, grass stained tennis shoes, and a faded black Motley Crue t-shirt. Oh yeah... his hair was uncombed too. I asked DH if the guy wore that to work, and he said," Yep. It's guys like him or older guys with pocket protectors with clothes from 1979."

LOL, I was going to say--most of the IT guys I know (and I say this affectionately) are not exactly known for caring much about fashion sense. Most of them are too busy working around the clock! Although at my office we do have a few super-young ones who work a fairly cool emo look. But that only works if you are 23. :)

[laura]

My husband is a software engineer, too. His current company is hipper than his last, but previously he was almost overdressed in jeans and a nice Tshirt (both items from Banana Republic, generally), so I have given up even caring what he wears. Though for the most part he makes good choices on his own, and I do buy or assist in buying about 90% of this clothing anyway. :p Lately he has been wearing shorts and a Tshirt and flip flops to work anyway.

He has, however, been "made fun of" for being well put together (for his line of work), so maybe that is the issue for your husband?

[silvergrey]

This thread made me smile b/c what Lizard described is basically my husband's "uniform." He wears those style shoes and cargos all. the. time. Having recently gotten him out of horrible jean shorts and basketball shoes :rolleyes:, I'm pretty happy with the new look.