A woman got in trouble in the office for wearing Adidas Sambas, resulting in her having to drop by Walmart for a new pair of shoes. Was her outfit really that unprofessional?
In a video with 1.1 million views, Houston local Nae (@jonaeieshia) explained how she found herself in a bind. In the video, she shows off the new shoes that she had to buy—and her old sneakers, which weren’t “professional” for the office. She says her job told her her shoes were “too casual.”
Nae continues that the year is 2025 and so “everyone needs to evolve.” She shows off her Adidas Sambas again, calling them “cute.”
“I’m irritated,” she said in her video. “It’s giving [that I should] go ahead and put that two weeks’ notice in.”
She continues that corporations should just let people “be themselves.” The TikToker wraps up her video as she pays for her new $14 flats.
Can you wear sneakers to an office job?
Generally, it depends on the office. For some offices, it’s incredibly unprofessional to wear sneakers with a business casual outfit. For others, it depends on the type of sneaker. If the sneakers are too bold or “out there,” it’s generally advisable that they stay in the closet.
For most office jobs, it’s generally safer to ask whether a shoe would fit their business’s identity. Some offices normalize graphic tees and a button-up with Chinos. Others expect business casual to be a nice pair of loafers with a button-down and khakis. The expectations vary. Clarification can help in the long run to ensure that shoes aren’t bought after a shift in a rush.
In particular, corporate jobs generally don’t expect their employees to wear sneakers, especially light colored track shoes like Adidas Sambas. Sambas are great, but not necessarily minimalistic for a corporate environment. They’re generally more sporty and less sleek. Some blogs recommend Adidas shoes such as the Adidas’ Gazelle 85, but also advise looking for smart leather shoes to go with polos and other attire.
@jonaeieshia bro i look a mess !!! #corporatelife ♬ original sound – nae
Adidas Sambas for the workplace: a big no on TikTok
A majority of commenters flamed Nae for bringing her Sambas to the workplace.
One replied, saying, “Why is it only this generation that can’t seem to grasp professionalism,” implying that Gen-Z struggles to fit office rules and expectations.
“Sneakers are never ok for corporate jobs,” one commenter wrote. “Hope that helps.”
Another advised, “Girl, just put the flats on. It’s not that serious. Now if they said something about your hair or something…then yes. Sometimes we can’t always do what we wanna do. Enjoy your day.”
The Mary Sue has reached out to @jonaeieshia via TikTok direct message for comment.
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