Sneakers are shoes primarily designed to be worn during sporty activities. However, with the rise of the new “athleisure” trend, or the combination between sporty garments and classic clothes, they have entered people’s closets as casual, everyday shoes.

And the fact is that sometimes sneakers truly do look really cool. On men, they often make them more dynamic and engaging and can make them even more powerful. And it’s no longer strange to see someone wear sneakers with casual suits.

It’s all a fine balancing act, which is why you should pay close attention to the sneakers you buy.

 

 

Design

The design of your sneakers is a crucial part of the shopping process. To clearly identify the design you need, you should probably think of when and how you want to wear your sneakers. If you want them for strictly sporty activities, such as running, hiking or playing football, you might want to go for a bulkier pair, with lots of “shielding” and buffer zones. This way, your feet will be protected from impact, rocks or other things that could make your feet tired or that may make you uncomfortable or cause bumps.

If you want sneakers for everyday wear, you can go for something softer, more simple. Generally, everyday-wear sneakers should be smooth in design and less complicated than sporty sneakers. This way, you can wear your sneakers with anything from jeans and chinos to shorts. Find a dressier pair of sneakers, and you can even wear them with a casual suit or a sports jacket and jeans combo.

For a safe bet, go for a pair that is neutral. Neutral colors such as beige, gray, white, black, khaki, tan, brown or dark blue go with anything and thus, you can wear them with any outfit.

Often, simple, neutral slip-on sneakers can be a companion that you can wear from day to night and from the park to a restaurant.

 

 

Fabrics

In terms of fabrics, there are three main choices you can opt for: leather, textile and synthetic.

Leather sneakers are usually very stylish or very practical. Leather is comfortable, it molds on your feet in time and is highly durable.

Textile sneakers are a great choice for everyday wear and for those who are on a limited budget. Natural textiles breathe well, which means that your feet will always be comfortable and fine. This type is not recommended if you know you’ll have to wear them in the rain, as water tends to slide through quite easily. Sometimes, textile sneakers are treated to be waterproof, but if you want to make sure you’ll get waterproof sneakers, you should in most cases opt for the leather version.

Synthetic sneakers are quite tricky. On one hand, synthetic materials are usually harmful and bad for your skin, but certain synthetic fabrics have been developed for athletic purposes and can do your feet justice. This is why it is important to check the background of the synthetic material. Plain plastic or fake leather will probably overheat you and make your feet sweaty – not to mention they won’t last long and get dirty and smelly quite fast. On the other hand, if you find some cutting-edge technology, go for it and see how it works for you.

 

You can purchase matching apparel from online retailers like Sneaker Release Tees if you want to make a statement about your sneakers.

 

Fraquoh and Franchomme

 

 

 

 

 

Further reading:

The different types of sneakers: A practical guide

How to keep your white sneakers white

P.S. We want to hear from you! What type of sneakers do you wear? How do you wear them? Do you wear sneakers with casual suits? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!