The global sneaker market is predicted to reach $126 billion by 2026. With the industry valued so high, it’s clear that these days, sneakers are for more than just the gym.
From leisure sportswear to high fashion catwalks to everyday style, sneakers have secured a permanent place in our wardrobes. But how exactly do you pair these sporty shoes with your own personal style?
Keep reading for some fashion advice on how to style sneakers and bring your outfits to the next level.
Choose Your Style of Sneakers
There are tons of different styles and types of sneakers on the market, so before you build a whole outfit, it’s important to figure out which ones work for you. From canvas high-tops to suede platforms, you’re sure to find something you like. But when you buy new sneakers, each of those could bring a whole new vibe to your closet.
Let’s break down the different categories of sneakers you might want to have on hand.
The Statement Sneaker
These are the sneakers that draw people’s eyes. These are the sorts of shoes that become the centerpiece of your outfit and say something about your personality. They’re often colorful, have a platform on the sole, or have some sort of crazy pattern.
The Nike Air Max 270 sneaker is a good example. This shoe combines a retro aesthetic with the newest sneaker design technology, producing an eye-catching but supremely comfortable footwear option.
The Closest Staple
One of the best fashion tips is to keep your closet stocked at all times with reliable staples. Sneakers are no exception. The staple sneaker is the daily go-to, the one you can throw on any time. This is the pair you’ll wear the most often.
These are usually a neutral shoe, but you should be able to style them up or down, depending on the situation. Look for shoes that are just one color, like white or tan, when looking to buy sneakers for everyday wear.
The Activewear Sneaker
When you think about getting new sneakers, this might be the style that first comes to mind. These are the shoes that most closely resemble what we traditionally think of as sneakers: sporty and comfortable.
But don’t be fooled. With our style tips, these can still be fashionable. They can help add a retro or vintage vibe to your outfit, and, in a lot of cases, you can wear them for exercise, too.
How to Style Sneakers
While some advice will differ between different types and styles of sneakers, there are a few pieces of fashion advice that you can almost always live by.
First, always try to show skin between the bottom of whatever you’re wearing (jeans, pants, a dress, or skirt) and the tops of your sneakers. This will help break up your outfit in an appealing way.
Second, try to avoid showing your socks. It’s usually a good rule of thumb to wear no-show socks, but there are some exceptions. In younger age brackets, wearing higher socks can be on-trend.
Third, when you have to buy sneakers, buy the ones you love. The more you love your new sneakers, the more likely you are to wear them. Otherwise, they might end up collecting dust in the back of your closet.
Now, for some more specific tips.
Styling the Statement Sneaker
Since these sneakers have such a big presence on their own, it’s a good idea to keep the rest of your outfit fairly simple. Opt for staple pieces that are mostly solid colors. Whatever you wear, the sneaker should remain the focal point.
Because your outfit on the whole stays pretty simple when you go for a statement sneaker, these sneakers tend to pair better with a more casual style.
Styling the Staple Sneaker
It’s hard to go wrong with the staple sneaker, and in most cases, you can throw it on with almost anything. Because they tend to be neutral in color, they should go with most of the clothes you already have in your closet.
These sneakers can help pull an outfit together and give it a more casual look. If you want to dress down a skirt or a nice pair of pants, these are the shoes you can turn to. Given that they’re also comfortable (or should be), they’re an easy choice to complete your outfit any day of the week.
Styling the Activewear Sneaker
The most obvious fashion advice, in this case, is that your sporty sneakers go well with your athleisure and other athletic wear. And that’s true, but it’s not all they can do. You can also pair these sneakers with more formal clothing, like business casual wear, and bring the whole outfit down to a put-together but more casual level.
If your sneakers are on the chunkier side, opt for slightly shorter pants that hit around your ankle. This will help show off the sneakers without the outfit becoming too busy with too much going on.
Get Ready to Style Sneakers On Your Own
With these fashion tips, you’re ready to get out there and style sneakers for your own wardrobe. Remember that the most important fashion tip of all is to wear the clothes and shoes that you love. At the end of the day, you should feel good in your outfits.
If you liked this post, check out some of our other Fashion and Beauty articles to keep upgrading your style!
