In trainers we trust: How to pair trainers with occasion-wear like a royal

How does a woman change the world? In a pair of comfortable trainers, that’s how. We’re only a week into November and the month has already served as a reminder of how fabulous modern Royal women are. During her Royal visit to Australia, HRH Dutchess of Sussex Meghan Markle sported a pair of classic white Veja trainers, no-doubt causing Veja’s website to crash and every store to sell out immediately. Actress-turned-Dame Emma Thompson threw out the regal dress code this week when she received her Damehood and paired her comfortable-yet-chic Stella McCartney suit with a pair of white vegan Stan Smith trainers, looking as stylish as ever.

And just yesterday while on her Royal duties in Rome, Princess Mary of Denmark made her presence known in an ultra chic pair of Nike Vapormax, damning any royal dress protocol to the wind and looking effortlessly stylish and comfortable in the process. Princess Mary paired her pair of Vapormax Explorers with Mark Kenly Domino Tan custom-made white summer dress and an off-white belt by MaxMara to accessorise. This is the new pain-free precedent we’re totally getting on-board with it.

Nike VaporMax explorer light, €194 at offspring.co.uk

As a mother first and royal second, Princess Mary’s daily aesthetic fuses feminine, powerful work-wear with a kind of regal polish that’s admirable. Intertwining street-wear with occasion-wear is challenging at the best of times, but she looks effortlessly confident and, importantly, comfortable (I wonder does her dress have pockets, too? That would be the icing on the cake). Chanel was right, give a girl the right shoes and she can take over the world, just not in a pair of uncomfortable stilettos. In praise comfortable footwear: Here are five elegant and modern pairs of trainers to try (just in time for party-season, too).

Belted satin maxi dress, €89 at stories.com, Nike sportswearAir Force 1 ’07 SE, €105 at nakedcph.com

Satin Ovoid midi dress, €89 at topshop.com, oversized sneaker, €395 at alexandermcqueen.com

Contrasting geometric print dress, €49.95 at zara.com, Flashtrek embellished logo-embossed metallic leather and mesh sneakers by Gucci, €1,200 at net-a-porter.com

Polkadot dress with fringing, €229 at uterque.com, run stretch-on trainers, €775 at miumiu.com

Julia pink star embroidery dress, €396.45 at rixo.co.uk, Reebok Instapump Fury reflective leather sneakers by Vetements, €823 at net-a-porter.com