Here’s how to master the sneaker and suit look
Pairing sneakers with a suit is one of the hottest menswear trends of the past few seasons and judging from the latest looks from Andrew Garfield, Timothée Chalamet, David Beckham, and John Boyega it’s not going anywhere soon.
While sneakers can instantly make your suit more accessible and casual, not all sneaker styles are suitable for the style upgrade. So which sneakers look good with a suit? These 6 style tips will help guide you in finding the perfect sneakers to go with a suit.
- First, pick your suit, then the shoe, not the other way around. Your sneakers should compliment your suit and keep it as the main focus.
- Make sure the color matches your suit. If you’re not comfortable with bright colours, stick to neutrals like gray, beige, black or navy. Slowly as you get comfortable with the trend, you can switch it up and add some pops of colour! A good place to start is to stay within the color family – for example, if you’re wearing a red suit, go with a bordeaux or maroon colored sneaker!
-18%
Puma
Speedcat OG Formstrip sneakers - unisex - Rubber/Calf Suede/Fabric/Fabric - 10.5 - Red
$100.00
$122.00
FARFETCH
Valentino Garavani
Upvillage Sneaker - Gray Orange
$526.92
Italist
Ferragamo
Cube Leather Sneaker Red
$218.99
Rue La La
Valentino Garavani
Valentino Slip-On Sneaker - Red
$424.73
Italist
Vans
Classic Sneaker - Red
$108.45
Italist
Puma
Speedcat OG Sneaker - Red
$190.48
Italist
Veja
Greaqueag Sneaker - Burgundy Red
$181.03
Italist
3. The style of the suit is very important if you’re going to decide to throw in a pair of sneakers. Avoid going with pants that are too skinny, as this will ruin your proportions. The go-to tailored look at the moment is to have the hem of the pants cover the upper part of shoe or even having a more oversized/baggy look.
4. When in doubt, go with white sneakers. They are a classic for a reason, they go with almost every look and instantly make you look polished and put together. A classic white sneaker will always give a crisp and clean look to your outfit. It’s also pretty effortless from your end!
Veja
Volley Sneaker - White
$220.64
Italist
-19%
Nike
Mens Air Diamond Varsity Turf Baseball Shoes in White | FN7454-102
$60.97
$75.00
Nike
Veja
Volley Sneaker - White
$175.05
Italist
Veja
Volley Sneaker - White
$125.10
Italist
5. As far as the silhouette goes – don’t be afraid to experiment. High top or low-top sneakers can both work. And while you’re at it, why not elevate your look even more and go for a platform sneaker? 6. Lastly, let’s talk about material. You can’t go wrong with a classic canvas shoe, but if it’s feeling too casual you can always opt for leather. White leather can be a nice contrast to a dark suit, however a black leather sneaker with a lighter suit can feel “heavy” and can weigh down your look. But pairing a black or dark leather sneaker with a dark suit can look ultra sleek and sophisticated.
Veja
Volley Sneaker - White
$220.64
Italist
New Balance
Mesh and Suede Sneaker - Gray
$255.85
Italist
Veja
Volley Sneaker - White
$175.05
Italist
Veja
Campo Sneaker - White
$179.39
Italist
If you’re still unsure about what style or brand to go with, here are some tried and true sneakers that always look good with a suit.
- Adidas Sambas
- Autry Reelwind
- Cole Haan Crosscourt Traveler
- Veja Campo
- Axel Arigato Dice Lo
When in doubt, go with a minimalistic sneaker that is polished and will compliment your look and not distract. Check out some our favorites below!
New Balance
Mesh and Suede Sneaker - Gray
$255.85
Italist
New Balance
Sneaker - Gray
$268.01
Italist
New Balance
Abzorb 2000 Sneaker - Gray
$223.50
Italist
New Balance
Mesh & Suede Low-Profile Sneaker - Green
$197.10
Italist
New Balance
Abzorb 2000 Sneakers - Gray
$223.50
Italist
New Balance
Mesh with Contrasting Side Stripe Sneaker - Black
$198.58
Italist
New Balance
Mesh Nylon-Rubber Sneaker - Brown
$238.24
Italist
New Balance
Gator Run Sneakers - Green
$124.88
Italist
Original text: Zeinab Saidoun
Updated text: Rebekah Ortquist