None
Figuring out what to wear with your carefully curated sneaker collection can be tough, largely because when buying new drops, we rarely consider anything other than the colorway, design, and concept in question. This doesn’t happen with other shoes. Shopping for wingtips or brogues requires that you consider your suit collection, hiking boots call for practical decisions, and versatile boots are a closet staple. When you pick out new sneakers, we’ll go so far to say that this purely aesthetic choice at times veers into nostalgic, emotional, and aspirational lanes. Simply put, you’re picking your kicks because they’re dope and not because they match your jeans. But we’ve got you: read ahead for our tips on how to match your sneakers to the rest of your wardrobe (without going overboard).
Avoid Matching Your Entire Look
Thanks to an endless supply of color options and next-level customizable options for hats, watches, and sneakers, you could technically match everything you wear down the finest detail. But, that doesn’t mean you should. Pairing your white and baby blue AJs with a UNC fitted makes you look more like a team mascot than the style god you’re striving to be. Instead of simply relying on color, consider the texture and style of your sneakers for a look that’s fully complementary.
Wear the Right 'Fit
It’s too easy to ruin great kicks with the wrong pair of pants. A wide cuff means you’ll never see your feet, whereas a too-skinny style will make some silos appear overly bulky. Matching your pant and sneaker widths can help you strike the right balance. Opt for a straight leg for wide or puffy sneakers, a slim fit for narrow styles, or a tapered fit to show off your favorite kicks. If your outfit’s focal point is your sneakers, minimize the amount of fabric flapping around your ankles by pinrolling your jeans or choosing a jogger style.
Know When to Contrast
Unless you’re running a tech empire out of Silicon Valley, avoid wearing your running sneakers with anything that could be considered professional business attire. That said, feel free to contrast styles that aren’t from the same category. Technical outwear looks great with classic retro styles, while weatherproof sneakerboots are the perfect contrast to a classic topcoat. The key is to keep the colors or textures complementary. For instance, dark pants look great with lighter hued kicks.
Don’t Forget the Socks
Whether you want them to stand out or simply dissolve into your look, always consider your socks. Sneakerboots deserve a cozy, nubby knit. Stan Smiths look best with a low-cut, ankle-baring style, and skate silos are made for the crazy, eye-catching styles we’re all hoping to get as stocking stuffers this year.
Make Your Own Rules, So You Can Break Them
Thankfully, fashion rules are meant to be broken. We’re out of the dark ages (aka the early ‘00s), where wide-leg denim hid colorblocked versions of Dunks and jogging pants where something only seen in Seinfeld re-runs. While being overly matched can make you look like a cartoon, a carefully curated look of similar hues could break the mold to reveal a street style-worthy look. Always consider the shape, color, and material of your stuff before mixing and matching, but don’t let that deter you from experimenting with your look.