10 Style Tips That Every Sneakerhead Should Know

It's almost 2015, and we're in a new era of the sneakerhead. No, we're not referring to a new technology that's coming out next year or something that happened at a recent sneaker release. We're talking about how someone who has an affinity for sneakers puts themselves together. Sneakers and clothes have long had a strong connection, but they're becoming more and more connected.

With the influx of clothing brands and fashion designers that are given sneaker collaborations, you'd think that sneakerheads would become well-versed in the world of the runway. But if that seems intimidating, there are also basic cues that the average person who just picked up a clean pair of Air Max 90s, and doesn't want to look like a total schlub, can pick up on. Rather than brushing up on months of men's style magazines and trying to figure it our yourself, we've put together a handful of simple but effective bits of advice to follow. Here are 10 Style Tips That Every Sneakerhead Should Know.

For those spending a lot of dough on their sneakers, it only makes sense to have a wardrobe that’s on the same level. This doesn’t mean there’s a need to have a closet full of the most expensive pieces. It just goes without saying that there’s no point in spending $500 on sneakers if your jeans, shirt, and jacket make you look like a slob. All the effort put into your footwear will be erased if the clothes on your back detract from the attention your recently released sneakers grab. Being fresh isn’t just about what’s on your feet. It’s a complete package.

There are two sneakerhead worlds: One you see everyday in real life and another one that solely exists on Instagram and the Internet. The latter is the one where everyone wears joggers, Tech Fleece sweats, and pinrolled jeans everyday with their Huaraches or Gel Lyte Vs. This is a look that we cosign, but it’s not a style that’s acceptable for all facets of our daily lives. Sneaker culture has its roots in athletics, but it’s not always OK to look like you came from a track meet for all social situations. And, in fact, some of these aesthetics have negative connotations in countries across Europe that associate them with hooligan behavior. Besides that, though, it’s not always appropriate to wear sweats. Just opt for the jeans.

It can take years for someone to find a signature style that sticks. It’s a lot more simple to find a sneaker, or at least a specific type of sneaker, that you like. Once you have this revelation, the rest of your personal style comes together. You’ll learn what clothes mesh well with a certain silhouette — whether it be an Air Max 1, Air Jordan 1, or New Balance 576 — and everything else will start to click. It won’t be as difficult to buy pants, and once that’s knocked out, all there is to worry about is a shirt and a jacket. But it all starts from the feet up.

Sneaker boutiques not only have great in-house clothing lines, but many of them also carry noteworthy brands, too. Shops such as Bodega, Kith, and Concepts all gained their reputations for the sneakers on the wall and the collaborations they've done, but their clothing selections are equally as strong. And they're not the only stores who offer apparel. Although the primary focus of visiting the local sneaker boutique is to pick up a fresh pair, don't be afraid to skip on a release and buy yourself a jacket, pair of joggers, or whatever else is on the racks. Often, the clothing brands carried at sneaker boutiques tend to work well with a sneaker-heavy look, so they're definitely work checking out. The same can be said when visiting J.Crew or Club Monaco to pick up one of their New Balance or Saucony collaborations. Take a look at the oxford shirts and chinos. You might find something you like.

The reason a lot of us got into sneakers, either than a love for Michael Jordan or other nostalgic athletes, is to stunt on the world. To have everyone notice what's on our feet. That makes sneakers one of the biggest and most noticeable statement pieces that we all wear. The thing is that you can't have on too many pieces that are making themselves forcibly known. Don't wear Volt Air Force 1s with a Hawaiian shirt and printed pants. It's just too much. If you're going to wear loud sneakers, tone down the rest of your outfit. Or if you decide to put on a next-level garment, it might be better to reach for an all-white or all-black pair of sneakers. It's all about balance.

People who love sneakers, more times than not, don't like to wear dress shoes, or at least all the time. That's why they're sneakerheads. This has led to sneakers getting shuffled into dressier looks. It's now OK to wear sneakers with a suit — that is if you have the right pair on foot. No one wants to look like the kid who decided to wear a pair of basketball sneakers to prom. But, if played right, a pair of Common Projects or a low-profile running sneaker such as the adidas Pure Boost or even the Air Jordan 1 can all be paired with trousers or even slipped into the office rotation at jobs without strict dress codes. The goal is to not look like the finance bro who walked to work in his running sneakers before changing into a pair a of hardbottoms. This can be achieved by grabbing a sneaker that's easy on the eyes, isn't too busy, and can be come part of an ensemble. Don't worry, people will notice the footwork, but for all the right reasons.

If there's one cardinal sin that sneakerheads are known for, it's feeling the need to match their sneakers to their T-shirt, to their hat, and to any other accessory that they're wearing. Brands have caught a whiff of this, and they now cater hook-up apparel that's sold in conjunction with nearly every sneaker release. Every now and then one of the pieces might look cool, but, for the most part, they should be ignored. It's not 2004 anymore, and it's not cool to wear an Elephant-Print hat with a pair of "Black Cement" Air Jordan IIIs. Neither is it OK to wear a shirt with nine colors that matches your sneakers with nine colors. It looks forced, and style should be a fluid, comfortable thing. Strictly adhering your wardrobe to the colorway of your sneakers is no fun, and it will ultimately make you stick out in the worst way.

Over the past year or so, #ntdenim, or the crisis of wearing bad jeans with great sneakers, has become a shaming hashtag. Sneakerheads across social media are afraid of wearing their best pairs with denim that might sit on them a little too gratuitously. This could all be solved by wearing the correct pants with the right sneakers. Some silhouettes are big and bulky and can be worn with a more straight-leg pair of jeans, while other runners are so narrow that any non-slim denim will swallow them alive. There's also the choice of wearing joggers and tapered sweats, which both show off any sneaker more cleanly and look good with almost any silhouette. But there's also pinrolling jeans, the act of tidying up the cuff and opening of a pair of denim. This should only be reserved to runners or low-cut classics such as the Stan Smith.

Regardless of what sneakers you're wearing, though, there's always a proper pair of pants to wear with them. And they'll only accentuate the footwear of choice.

Sneakers come in all flavors and shades. Unless you only wear all-white, all-black, or all-red sneakers, there's a high probability your sneaker rack has every color of the rainbow on it. This can make it difficult to dress in the morning or it can make it rather simple. The solution to having a rotation of multi-colored sneakers is to sport a neutral-colored outfit. It allows for sneakers of any colorway to be laced up on a regular basis. It's easy to wear black and put on green, blue, or grey runners. Or you can just wear white button-up shirts, jeans, and any sneaker you desire. Don't worry about color-coordinating your outfit. It will make your life less complex if the only decision you need to make in the a.m. is what's going on your feet.

There's been a recent upswing in the popularity of socks among sneakerheads, and it makes complete sense. If people care about what they put on their feet, they'll also want something that garners even more attention in the same region. This has led to people wearing bright, printed socks that mimic sneaker designs or have actual images put on them. Don't go overboard, though. Socks are the crucial part of the wardrobe, one that often gets overlooked, that can be the linchpin of what a person is wearing. The best advice is to keep it simple, but there are socks with prints, different textures, or the plain-old white or black varieties that look great with sneakers. Just choose wisely, the wrong choice might throw off how stellar your kicks look.