Shoes and sneakers
Matching sneakers to your outfit: a beginner's guide
By sneakersInn team · Updated
Match sneakers to an outfit in three steps: match the formality (sleek sneakers with smart clothes, chunky ones with casual), balance the shape (slim trousers with slim sneakers, wide trousers with bigger ones), then choose a colour that repeats something in the outfit or stays neutral. Get those three right and almost any sneaker works.
| Step | Question | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Formality | How smart is the outfit? | Chinos and shirt: leather low-top. Tee and cargos: runner. |
| 2. Shape | How wide are the trousers? | Slim jeans: slim sneaker. Wide trousers: chunkier sneaker. |
| 3. Colour | What colour repeats or stays neutral? | Navy outfit: white or navy sneaker. |
Step 1: How do I match formality?
Sneakers range from smart to sporty:
- Smartest: plain leather or suede low-tops.
- Middle: canvas low-tops, slim retro runners.
- Most casual: chunky runners, high-tops, bright colours.
Pair smart sneakers with chinos, tailored trousers and shirts; casual sneakers with tees, joggers and cargos. See sneakers for the office.
Step 2: How do I balance the shape?
Slim shapes with slim shapes, volume with volume. Chunky sneakers with skinny jeans look top-heavy at the feet; slim sneakers with very wide trousers disappear. See how to style chunky sneakers.
Step 3: How do I choose a colour?
Two simple methods:
- Neutral: white, black, grey or cream sneakers with anything.
- Repeat: pick a colour from the sneaker and repeat it once in the outfit, such as a navy panel with a navy shirt.
See best sneaker colours for matching everything.
Five starter combinations
| Outfit | Sneaker |
|---|---|
| White tee, dark jeans | White leather low-top |
| Oxford shirt, navy chinos | White or navy suede low-top |
| Black tee, black cargos, olive overshirt | Black chunky sneaker |
| Polo, chino shorts | Off-white low-top |
| Quarter-zip, track pants | Grey retro runner |
What about socks?
No-show socks with shorts and cropped trousers, plain crew socks with high-tops and joggers. See what socks to wear.
Questions
Should my sneakers match my top?
They don't have to. Neutral sneakers go with any top; a matching colour is a bonus, not a rule.
Can I match sneakers to my cap or bag?
Yes, it's an easy way to tie an outfit together.
Which sneakers should I own first?
See the 5 sneakers every man needs in his rotation, and browse our shop. Our sneakers are high-quality replicas of popular designs, labelled as such.