Image via Complex Original
There have been boundless jokes made about how sneakerheads dress. Some match too often. Some wear awful pants. And some don't get style all together.
In the age of the Internet, it's easier to get advice on how to dress more instantaneously than ever. It starts with building a solid wardrobe, which is centered around staples that can be worn frequently. To help, we've assembled a surefire list of clothing items that every sneakerhead who deems them self well-dressed can pull off. From sweatpants to jeans to no-show socks, here are 20 Clothing Items Every Stylish Sneakerhead Should Own.
Stance socks
Buy It Now, $15
The sneakerhead sock of choice lately has been anything from Stance. They're reasonably priced, come in an infinite amount of patterns, and the brand's logo, conveniently placed around the ankle, is perfect to flash when a pant's pinrolled. Although it's easy to find Stance socks in every print or pattern under the sun, it's easier to transition a neutral color into a wardrobe. It so happens that Kith, Ronnie Fieg's sneaker boutique, did a collaboration with Stance on a pair of grey-and-white socks. At under $20, it won't break the bank to pick up a couple sets.
3Sixteen Selvedge denim
Buy It Now, $220
The only thing a sneakerhead can be more criticized for than their sneaker choice is the pants — especially the denim — they wear. Raw, or unwashed, jeans have been a staple in sneaker culture since people first discovered A.P.C. New Standards on NikeTalk. A dark jean can be worn everyday and they age more gracefully with time. Luckily for everyone, raw denim also comes in slimmer cuts, which, ironically, can evade the #NTDenim label. Pinroll a pair and it will help avoid leaving ungodly indigo stains. Over $200 can be a steep price for a single pair of pants, but the Japanese fabric that 3Sixteen constructs its jeans from ensures you'll get your money's worth.
Sneakernstuff No-Show Socks
Buy It Now, $12
The sockless look has long been popular in the sneaker scene. Showing too much of a white sock above a low-top sneaker is viewed as taboo to some, and it's easily remedied by wearing very low-cut socks. The folks over at Sneakersnstuff — Stockholm's best sneaker boutique which has since opened a location in London — have put out private label socks that are made in its home country of Sweden by Seger. According to SNS, "When we wanted to produce our first socks back In 1999, Seger was the first and only choice for us when we were looking for a manufacturer. We were looking for a sock with superior quality and that would last for a very long time. Now 13 years later we know that these socks got what it takes." And that's what you're getting with each pair.
size? sweatpants
Buy It Now, $54
Sneakers and sweatpants are a great combination, with both of them having their roots in athletics. In the past few years, sweats have slimmed down and the cuffed ankles have made them even more practical to wear with top-notch sneakers, preferably runners. The folks over in Europe have championed wearing sweats and trainers for years, and size?, arguably the UK's best sneaker store, has a basics line that features items like reasonably priced sweats. They come in slimmer fits, too, but having a traditional pair of sweatpants is the staple of anyone's wardrobe. Grab a pair of Air Maxes and the look is complete.
adidas Tiro pants
Buy It Now, $45
Tapered track pants are much easier to wear for non-athletic purposes than the wide-legged variety. When it comes to a tried and true pair, the adidas Tiro pant is truly as classic as it gets. Made for soccer training, the Tiro only will set you back $45. And they've become acceptable to wear with non-adidas footwear, too. Pair slim track pants with a button-up shirt and people will forget that you're wearing pants that are more fit for the gym than the office.
Asphaltgold 5-panel hat
Buy It Now, $39
5-panel hats and sneakerheads go hand in hand. Find one that doesn't own a Supreme Camp hat and we'll give you an award. Another undeniable element of the sneaker scene is the reflective 3M material. The folks over at Germany's Asphaltgold combined both of these ideas and came out with its own line of caps. A black-and-silver hat will go with basically any sneaker, and having a Euro-exclusive headpiece will show how much deeper in the game you are.
Nike Tech Fleece sweatpants
Buy It Now, $100
Few pants are revered as revolutionary, but it's true for Nike's Tech Fleece sweats. They don't stretch out, and they can be worn casually or for their intended, athletic purpose. People have worn their pairs for a week at a time, and they keep their shape. $100 can seem like a lot for sweatpants, but ask anyone who owns Tech Fleece, and they'll preach of its virtues. Besides that, the fit is great, the taped seams are a nice detail, and the cuff is long enough to be worn as is or cuffed once over for a cleaner look.
Uniqlo Oxford shirt
Buy It Now, $30
The key to wearing athletic clothing daily and not looking like a phys. ed teacher is mixing in pieces that are serious and of the well-dressed corporate world. One must-have item is an Oxford shirt, especially in white. These button-ups come in a variety of cuts and prices, but the ones at Uniqlo are one of the best values on the market. And they're priced at a point where it doesn't hurt to get a stain on them. The best thing about an Oxford shirt is that it can be worn with a blazer or a pair of sweatpants, and it looks just as natural.
Stone Island jacket
Buy It Now, $585
In the world of high-end outerwear that also has street appeal, there are few brands with a stronger presence than Stone Island. First gaining its popularity amongst soccer hooligans, more commonly referred to as "casuals," the Italian outerwear company has gone on to do collaborations with adidas and, more recently, Supreme. Recognized by its trademark arm patch, Stone Island jackets offer three things: strong style, serious performance, and a huge price tag. Few items on this are true investment pieces, but a Stone Island jacket is one of them.
U.S. soccer jersey
Buy It Now, $90
T-shirts are a necessary part of every person's wardrobe, but sometimes it's nice to wear a garment that feels more substantial. The soccer jersey is the perfect example of this. Jerseys tend to come in and out of style every few years, but the soccer jersey is a little different. Although they can be viewed as a trend right now, they're easier to wear in regular settings than football and basketball jerseys for obvious reasons. It could be an endless debate on which one to pick up, but it's simple to settle on a U.S. jersey, and the latest ones come in white and black. Wear it with any sneaker you own.
J.Crew denim shirt
Buy It Now, $138
Denim goes far beyond wearing jeans. A denim shirt is as essential as a pair of raw jeans, and just as easy to wear. Disregard taboos about wearing the Canadian tuxedo and grab a heavyweight and quality jean shirt. It can be worn with an undershirt, much like a button-up, or as an overshirt. The simplicity of wearing this garment allows picking out a pair of sneakers much easier in the morning. Here's a hint: indigo goes with everything and rarely has to be washed.
Supreme x Hanes white T-shirts
Buy It Now, $28 (pack of three)
At the base of most outfits is a solid white T-shirt. Very few feelings are better than breaking out a fresh one, but it's also hard to find white Ts that set themselves apart from the rest of the pack. Luckily, Supreme and Hanes have been working together for a few seasons, and their three pack of tees feature subtle branding and, at under $30, are a reasonable option for once it gets warm out.
A.P.C. x Eastpak backpack
Buy It Now, $75
Backpacks aren't just for school kids, and living in a city requires carrying things around wherever you may go — even if it's just a spare pair of sneakers. A.P.C. has been the kind of minimalist details, and it's collab with Eastpak is no different. The two brands worked together on the "Classic" Eastpak backpack, but it features vegetable-tanned leather. The more this bag is lugged around, the better it's going to get.
Timex Weekender watch
Buy It Now, $44
Unless you've got the money to buy a serious watch, don't settle for a cheap imitation. It's better to go for a Timex that can be interchanged with a plethora of straps than the cheap, stainless steel, faux-gold variety. At under $50, a Weekender watch is a no-brainer. It also shows the world that you're not trying too hard but want to complete your look with just the right accessory.
Concepts T-shirt
Buy It Now, $36
Graphic T-shirts used to run sneaker culture, and they still have a special place with those who fancy particular footwear. These days, though, it's better to wear a plain tee from your favorite sneaker boutique than an all-over-print design that's way too loud. Take Concepts for example, the shop excels in its sneaker collaborations, but also has something toned-down that you can wear from its in-house line.
WTAPS beanie
Buy It Now, $75
When it gets colder, it's time to retire the 5-panel hat and go for something warmer, like a beanie. Although we could just go and get a nondescript wool hat and call it a day, the patch logo on a chunky WTAPS beanie is a classy addition. Remember that a beanie is best when the color blends with everything else in your outfit.
Patta hooded sweatshirt
Buy It Now, $107
People wear sweatshirts because they're comfortable. They're the perfect layering piece and they can be found everywhere. Grey is the preferred color to go with when it comes to sweatshirts, and ones with logos across the chest are never a bad move. Patta has been building up its clothing line for the past few years, and this hoodie is a prime display of what it's doing right. It shows that you love sneakers without being done-up in a corny print that directly references the latest pair of retros.
Palace x adidas track jacket
Buy It Now, $136
Wearing a matching track suit has been a strong style in Europe for years, but in the U.S., it's still a look that's reminiscent of the '90s. A way to combat this stereotyping is by breaking up the track suit and wearing the pieces individually. To that point, European brands are still doing sportswear the best and it's no different with the collaboration between skate brand Palace and adidas. They dropped their second clothing collection, and although it doesn't feature any sneakers, the black-and-white track jacket is a special take on '90s silhouettes that look proper in today's climate.
Carhartt WIP jacket
Buy It Now, $598
Heavy cotton jackets get broken in over time, and they're best when purchased from real workwear brands like Carhartt. Not everyone prefers the looser-fitting cuts that these labels carry, and Carhartt WIP, the American brand's more fashion-forward European offshoot, has been a savior for those dealing with this crisis of conscience. The brand has recently taken on collaborations with a few sneaker boutiques and is stocked at even more. The combination of sportswear and workwear, seen on this rugged jacket, is something that sneakerheads can relate to. It's athleticism mixed with quality, and that's at the core of almost every shoe that we obsess over.
Kith Bleecker shorts
Buy It Now, $84
Readily known for its Mercer Pants, its take on the "jogger," Kith has now ventured off into other clothing items, including shorts. While shorts can be risky territory for some, going with a sweat pair is easier than jorts, cargos, or the too-short variety. Kith's Bleecker shorts feature the same details as their long-legged brothers, but are better to wear once the weather heats up.