Trainers and the middle aged man

I don't know who Adam Cheung thinks he is, except that he's the latest fashion expert to bully men-of-a-certain age out of wearing trainers. Here's one of his "style mistakes that make you look older":

#3: Actual dad shoes

The dad shoe hype is very real, but even though they're called dad shoes, they're probably not meant to be worn by actual dads. A footwear fad that began to gain steam in 2017, sportswear companies like Asics and New Balance have quickly become some of the biggest names in the business thanks to their retro sneakers that are inspired by old school running shoes from the ‘80s.

But the thing about old school running shoes from the ‘80s is that, well, they're old school. Having a pair on your feet will, no doubt, add a few years on you. Instead, go for some chunky Derbys or Oxfords. If you really have to wear trainers, consider a pair of very simple tennis shoes.

Cheung, who claims to "specialise in sneakers" wants all us oldies to avoid trainers, unless it's a dull "minimal white" Sam Smith or similar.

It's ridiculous to claim that trainers make you look older... you'll look your age, whatever.

Trainers have been the default comfortable, casual footwear since the 1970s. Everybody born since the mid fifties -- everybody under 70, in other words -- came of age in a world where trainers were normal casual wear. We've been wearing them for decades, and so have most other men our age.

In the 1980s, a fifty year old wearing trainers might have seemed odd, an affectation, an attempt to dress below their age. The dad in That 70s Show, or Frank Costanza, wouldn't wear trainers. It felt a bit off in the 80s when the Stones started wearing them. But now a forty, fifty or sixty year old man wearing trainers is just... normal. It's not a sign of somebody insecure about their age. But choosing to stop wearing them because some GQ scribbler thinks you're too old -- that's really insecure.

Now... you can find plenty of photos of older men looking bad in trainers. But you can also find photos of older men looking sensational in trainers. And I will challenge you to find a photo of an older man looking bad in trainers who'd look that much better if they swapped the trainers for some chunky Derbys or Oxfords and kept everything else the same. The trainers are rarely the problem.

Like everything though, you can mess up trainers, and it's probably easier to mess them up the older you are. Here's a few things you can do wrong:

1. Underthink it. You need a pair so you buy the first pair that will do, that's comfortable, low price, unpretentious, and perhaps what other men who don't care about style wear. So you get Skechers, or a Nike Monarch, or really anything. The trainers of the man who's given up.
2. Overthink it. Another way to get it wrong is to buy a trainer that is very cool in theory, gets lots of recommendations, but isn't right for you. A trainer that could only exist since you turned 30 is on dangerous ground. Those ones with individual toes. Those really thin soles. Approach with caution. Unless you have Robert Downey Jr's chutzpah, they're not going to work.

There's also a real risk that you'll follow the dadcore trend and get something that simultaneously looks like you're trying desperately to be cool and like you've given up.

Instead, buy trainers to that you like the look of, like the feel of, and that support your outfits. Sambas, Gazelles, many New Balances, and Reeboks look and feel great -- and they carry a message too, people recognise them, they're fun to wear.

Look out for older men who are wearing trainers and looking sharp, start to notice the trends and models. You'll soon have a shopping list as long as your arm -- and a world of fun footwear to enjoy before you shuffle off to your zimmer frame.

Older guy looking sensational in trainers.

Icon. Would you replace those trainers with chunky Derbys or Oxfords?

Older man George Lucas with and without trainers. Does the change really help?