Why is everyone staring at your feet? Dress sneakers for men are stylish now, right?
Right, but you may still have some questions.
Are these the wrong kind of sneakers?
Am I styling them wrong?
Can I really wear them with a suit?
Why didn't I do more research?
Fear not, gentlemen. If you're thinking of taking the dress sneaker plunge, I've got the info you need.
Dress sneakers for men are outrageously popular right now, and with good reason. Who wouldn't want to mix the comfort and casual charm of sneakers with the power and distinction of dress shoes?
The trouble is, they're a very new phenomenon, so most men don't know the rules.
Today we're going to talk about what makes a sneaker a dress sneaker so you won't pick the WRONG sneaks. Then I'll give you clear tips and specific outfit ideas so you'll know how to pair them with a suit or smart-casual attire.
#1. What Are Dress Sneakers For Men?
Sneakers are shoes with no heel and a pliable rubber sole. You'll notice that definition tells you zero about what the upper looks like.
DRESS sneakers are sneakers you can wear with a suit or other smart clothes. The upper looks a bit like a dress shoe. (The sole probably doesn't have wheels or flashing lights, either.)
There are clear rules for classic dress shoe formality. You just need to know the hierarchy. But what about dress sneakers? How can you avoid looking like a suited-up jogger?
#2. Rules For Dress Sneakers For Men
The smarter the outfit or occasion, the plainer, simpler, and more fitted the sneakers should be. The dressiest sneakers are:
- Minimalist – with a monochrome or subtle two-tone upper and minimal branding
- Low top (showing the ankle) rather than high top (covering the ankle)
- Sleek and fitted – with a similar silhouette to a dress shoe
- Leather or suede (more rarely, canvas or synthetic). The finest dress sneakers are made with top-quality dress shoe leathers.
#3. Dress Sneakers With A Suit
Wearing sneakers with a suit doesn't just call for the right sneakers. It also calls for the right suit.
Go for a slim cut suit. The more neatly tailored it is, the better it’ll look with sneakers. This shows that your look is an intentional statement and that you didn't just forget to put your oxfords on.
A trouser with a break is too formal and conservative to pair with sneakers. A better option is to crop the suit's trousers so the cuffs fall just above the shoe's tongue. (Wear those sneakers to the tailor to show him where you want the trousers altered.)
Picking up a color in the sneaker looks good but keep it subtle. For example, a gray sneaker with a blue sole or laces looks better with a navy suit than a blue sneaker does.
Men's Dress Sneakers + Suit: Outfit Ideas
Weekend Look
If you were wearing regular dress shoes on the weekend, you'd most likely be wearing loafers or double monks. So treat your dress sneakers the same way: wear them sockless or with no-show socks.
You CAN dress the suit down with a t-shirt underneath, but an untucked mandarin collar shirt does the job with more panache. Again, think ‘intentional statement'.
Evening Look
Your sneakers are your main accessory here. Let them do the talking and keep the rest of your outfit simple but sharp. Try a crisp white dress shirt (no tie: a white shirt with a tie is better suited to a job interview than a party) and a pocket square with a hint of pattern or color.
#4. How To Match Sneaker Colors With Suits
The rules of matching dress shoes with suits apply here, but there are more colors to play with. White is the most popular but black, burgundy, or gray is more versatile for a first dress sneaker.
- White sneakers = light gray, tan, or navy suit
- Black sneakers = black, charcoal, light gray, or navy suit
- Burgundy sneakers = brown, light gray, charcoal, or navy suit
- Gray sneakers = light gray, charcoal, or navy suit
- Navy sneakers = light gray or tan suit
- Brown sneakers = brown, light gray, or navy suit
You CAN get dress sneakers in brighter colors but you risk clashing or looking childish. A bold texture in a neutral color will ‘pop' just as effectively.
#5. Smart Casual Outfit With Sneakers
Pair a sports jacket with either a polo shirt, a graphic knit or roll neck, or a shirt with a slim or knit tie. Try echoing a color or texture from your sneakers, e.g. a pale blue cashmere sweater paired with navy suede sneakers.
For trousers, go for a slim fit and try dark blue jeans, earth-toned chinos or pale gray dress slacks. If you want to show off your sneakers, roll your trousers instead of cuffing or stacking them.
Heavy and dark overcoats are too wintry for sneakers. Try a camel jacket or light trenchcoat instead.
In conclusion, there are plenty of ways to style dress sneakers effectively as long as you follow this formula:
Plain + Simple + Fitted = Dressy
Remember that your sneakers are your main accessory with this look. Keep the rest of your outfit subtle and stark, but sharp enough to look intentional.
More on rules wearing dress sneakers.
