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It's New Year's Eve and people are going to dress up tonight. Blazers are going to be put, shirts are going to be buttoned up, ties are going to be knotted, and sneakers are going to be worn, too. It's going to take a certain level of expertise to pull off this look, though. For everyone looking to dress up their favorite pair of sneakers, there are a few things that needed to be learned first.
What models are OK to wear at which events? Which events don't allow sneakers at all? And what's the best way to make sure you don't look like a complete fool? To find out, here's A Guide to Dressing Up Sneakers.
Learn the dress code for the event or occasion.
Not all dressing up situations are the same. There are black tie events, weddings, going to work, or putting something on to hit the town for the evening. And all of them call for wearing different things. The same can be said for what sneakers to wear, if any are acceptable at all. If you're going to go the sneaker route, though, it's important to assess the formality of the situation. It might be rude to show up to a traditional wedding in a pair of white, low-top sneakers with a navy suit, but it can be OK to put on a pair of tennis shoes when partaking in casual Friday in the office. Considering the setting is the first thing that should be thought of when deciding if you're going to wear sneakers or not. It's always good to err on the side of caution. But if you decide that sneakers will fly at where you're going, then go for it.
Patent leather doesn't always mean a sneaker is dressy.
Some dress shoes come in patent leather, and they're preferably worn with tuxedos. This has given people the logic that patent leather sneakers can easily be switched into the most formal of situations, and this is completely wrong. For all the kids who want to wear Jordan XIs with their ill-fitting tuxes to prom, think about getting some tailored clothing that's, well, tailored first. And that's not even accounting for the countless other Air Max 95s, Air Jordan XIXs, or whatever other sneakers come with shiny materials. Just because a sneaker was in a "tuxedo" pack doesn't mean that it should be worn with a tuxedo.
Figure out the outfit first.
The most important part of getting dressed up or going to a formal event is the clothing—the way it fits and looks. Are you going to wear a blazer and trousers or a suit? Or are you just going to wear a button-up shirt, sweater, and chinos? All three of these ensembles are considered “dressier” attire, but they all call for different footwear selections. If the suit, pants, or jacket don’t fit right, the sneakers aren’t going to save the outfit. It’s true that women might look at a man’s shoe choice first, but the entire ensemble, amongst other things, is what will keep her attention. Once you figure out what you’ll be wearing, it will be much easier to pare down the sneaker options for the evening or whatever the day has in store.
Keep it simple.
The reason a lot of sneakers-and-suits combos don’t work is that the footwear is too aggressive and doesn’t mesh with the tailored clothing. A pair of LeBron XIs should never be worn with a three-piece suit, and that goes for all of the other technical basketball sneakers on the market. It just looks awkward, and it doesn’t flow well. With that said, those who are trying to dress up their sneakers should opt for something simple. Models such as Vans Slip-Ons, Common Projects Achilles, adidas Stan Smiths and even New Balance’s suede runners work OK with suits or trousers. They have lines that are natural and easy on the eyes, and the uppers aren’t that much different from the hardbottom shoes that are typically associated with menswear. The less modern the shoes look, the better, and people won't ask if you're leaving the gym before going to work.
Focus on quality, but the sneakers don't have to be "expensive."
There’s a common misconception that it’s only acceptable to swap out hard bottom shoes for luxury sneakers when dressing up. While there’s nothing wrong with wearing a high-end pair, there’s nothing inherently wrong with lacing up something that only cost a $100 or less. Stan Smiths are a standby for anyone who wants to feel a little more comfortable when dressed to the nines, and the premium version that dropped this year is a good stand-in for other brands that charge more than $400. That’s because they’re just a well-made sneaker that can be worn with anything, suits included.
Learn which silhouettes go best with which clothes.
Nike Tennis Classics can be worn with any suit. Air Jordan 1s can be worn with trousers if done right. Air Max 1s can be put together with slim-cut chinos and a blazer. But it's not as good to wear the Air Max 1s with a tuxedo or trying to put together Jordan Vs with trousers. That's because certain silhouettes are easier to dress up than others, and some work better with particular clothing options.
For example: try wearing something simple and dark-colored or black with a tuxedo. If going with a traditional suit, it's OK to take a risk and wear a pair of Flyknits, but the adidas Matchplay might be a better choice. And retro runners can be dressed up, but are better reserved for more casual situations: going on a date or stunting at Fashion Week in a pair of Huaraches.
Once you figure out the basics of what style of sneakers are best to wear with certain dressed-up outfits, it's easier to substitute other models with a similar look. Then from there, the options are nearly limitless.
Once you've figured out how to successfully dress up sneakers, break the rules.
There aren't any formal "rules" when dressing up sneakers, but there's stuff that works and stuff that doesn't. Once someone figures out the parameters for sliding sneakers into a more-formal setting, it's OK to toss caution to the wind and break the rules. Take a look at someone like Jason Sudeikis. He pulls off Air Jordans at red carpet events without looking foolish. This is a very advanced move, and it's better left to the experts. But once you become skilled in making sneakers look acceptable with the fanciest of garb, by all means, go for it.
If you look like a hypebeast, rethink the outfit.
Simple and plain, if your finished product looks outrageous, it’s time to start over. Or, at the least, realize that you have to wear, real grown-man shoes for once. Which isn’t that bad every so often.
