Back in the day, men’s suits were strictly formal in nature. They represented professionalism and elegance, and the idea of wearing a suit jacket with sneakers was beyond sacrilege.

Yet, here we are in the modern day, where suits have gone through quite the evolution. From chunky sneakers to a pair of leather sneakers, there’s a right pair for formal outfits.

Starting in the 1980s with Miami Vice, men’s suits started to become more casual – with actor Don Johnson rocking a white suit with an undershirt and slip-on shoes.

The 90s continued to make suits more casual, with celebrities like Ellen Degeneres and Robert Downey Jr. regularly wearing sneakers.

While the look isn’t quite right for a high-level business meeting, you can pull off wearing sneakers with a casual suit at:

• Casual weddings
• A relaxed office get together
• Parties
• Night clubs
• Dinner parties
• Among locations…

Before you go pairing sneakers with a hand-me-down suit from your dad, you should know that not every suit works with a pair of sneakers and vice versa.

If you want to pull off the look properly, you need to know which types of suits work and which types of sneakers work.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide containing do’s and don’ts for suit pairings, as well as the 11 best sneakers for wearing with suits.

Dress Code: The Do’s & Don’ts of Suit + Sneaker Pairings

First things first, you need to know how to pair a suit with sneakers without making it look cheesy. For instance, if you choose a wide, double-breasted suit with trousers that are too long, you’ll probably look like a fool. And we don’t want that…

Pro tip: Slim-cut suits and tapered trousers with no break look the best with luxury sneakers. If you can, we recommend opting for a single-breasted suit instead of a double-breasted one. For the trousers, they should kiss the top of your shoe, NOT hang over it.

Here are some do’s and don’ts to remember when pairing a sneakers with a suit:

• Do wear a slim suit with a straight cut that has no pant break
• Do lean toward black and white sneakers over more extravagant colors (not to overpower the suit)
• Do choose low-cut sneakers over chunkier models
• Do choose suits with muted colors such as black, navy, and tan
• Don’t choose sneakers that are dirty or worn out
• Don’t wear trousers that are too baggy or cover up your shoes
• Don’t wear sneakers with overly bright colors or wild patterns

As long as you follow these guidelines, you shouldn’t have any trouble pairing a suit with a snazzy pair of sneakers.

In a hurry?

If you’re pressed for time and need to spruce up your suit, look no further than these all-time favorite shoes! Unlock a new level of sophistication with the perfect pair of sneakers.

Image	Title	Buy
	Nike Boy's Cortez Basic SL (GS) Shoe White/ Varsity Red 6.5Y	Buy Now
	adidas Originals Men's Stan Smith (End Plastic Waste) Sneaker, White/White/Green, 10.5	Buy Now
	Jordan Mens Air Jordan 1 High OG 555088 035 Shadow 2.0 - Size 10.5	Buy Now
	Prada Men's 4E3340 6DT F0967 Black Leather Sneaker US 9.5 / EU 8.5 (42,5)	Buy Now
	Cole Haan Men's Grandpro Tennis Oxford, White, 9 M US	Buy Now

1. Nike Cortez

The Nike Cortez works especially well for suits with lighter colors, such as tan or navy.
While the red, white, and blue color scheme may seem too flashy – it works surprisingly well with straight-cut suits.
To take things a step further, a matching button-up underneath your suit will make these sneakers look even better.

Nike Boy’s Cortez Basic SL (GS) Shoe White/ Varsity Red 6.5Y

• 100% Authen

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2. Adidas Stan Smith 

Got a swag beach party coming up? Then Adidas Stan Smith is the perfect sneaker to rock with a lighter-colored suit. It’s also a classic sneaker that’s been a fashion staple for decades, so it’s instantly recognizable.

One fair warning with these sneakers, make sure to keep them spotless at all times, or they won’t look good (the same applies to all-white sneakers).

adidas Originals Men’s Stan Smith (End Plastic Waste) Sneaker, White/White/Green, 10.5

• SIZE DOWN: Recommended to size down half a size as these shoes run large
• ICONIC DESIGN: Go-to lifestyle staple for streetwear enthusiasts and sport legends
• DISTINCTIVE DETAILS: Classic sneaker silhouette features world-famous shell toe for style and protection, untouched for over four decades
• The instantly recognizable shell toe is complemented by three serrated stripes, and adidas Originals accents
• QUALITY MATERIALS: Features full-grain leather for enhanced durability and comf

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3. MYRQVIST Oaxen Black Country Calf

The textured leather upper of the MYRQVIST Oaxen Black Country Calf is so luxurious you’ll swear these are dress shoes. 

Yet, they are indeed sneakers and are quite comfortable. If you’re rocking a black or gray suit, these high-end sneaks will not disappoint. ctions/sneak

In fact, other partygoers might assume you’re wearing dress shoes due to how ritzy they look.

4. Nike Jordan 1s Retro High OG Shadow 2.0

Travis Scott made this colorway famous, and Michael Jordan himself wore these with a suit on the red carpet. 

If that’s not enough evidence that these kicks are the perfect choice for a suit, we don’t know what is!

The muted tones will make any straight-cut black suit look amazing, and you’ll enjoy superior comfort and flexibility while wearing them.

Jordan Mens Air Jordan 1 High OG 555088 035 Shadow 2.0 – Size 10.5

• The Air Jordan 1 High “Shadow 2.0” is a May 2021 release that is inspired by an original colorway of Michael Jordan’s first signature shoe
• As one could imagine, the “Shadow 2 0” is indeed influenced by the original “Shadow” makeup of the Air Jordan 1 from 1985
• The updated look draws favorably from the first edition “Shadow,” though there are some distinct differences between the two models
• On the “Shadow 2.0,” black leather appears on the mid-panel and on the perforated toe.The first “Shadow” featured grey leather on the toebox
• The first “Shadow” featured grey leather on the toe

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5. Prada Men’s Leather Sneaker 

Another selection that works flawlessly with darker suits, this sneaker from Prada features a fine leather upper that’s sure to turn heads.

It also bears the Prada name across the sides, which conveys luxury, sophistication, and high quality.

Prada Men’s 4E3340 6DT F0967 Black Leather Sneaker US 7 / EU 6 (40)

• Leather sole
• 5 Stars rating
• Athletic Prada Sneaker

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Use LoopKing Laces to Take Your Suit-Sneaker Game to the Next Level

After all, nothing will look worse than rocking a lavish suit with top-tier sneaks only to ruin the look with worn-out-frayed laces.

At LoopKing, our high-quality shoelaces feature fine leather, high-grade cotton, pure velvet, and other premium materials. They also contain embossed gold tips for extra visual flair and protection from frayed ends, so don’t wait to try them out today.

6. Axel Arigato Clean 90 

When it comes to pairing suits with sneakers, you can’t beat a shoe that has a rubber outsole and an all-over smooth leather finish.

Whether you plan on rocking a dark or light-colored suit, the Axel Arigato Clean 90 will have your back either way – as it’s available in both black and white leather.

These kicks are also very comfortable, so feel free to hit the dance floor.

7. Oliver Cabell Low 1 

These low-top sneakers have the perfect silhouette for suits, and the leather composition adds further visual appeal.

Another perk is that when paired with the right trouser that kisses the top of the shoe, these kicks will show just a sliver of your ankle, which is a refined look.

8. Common Projects Original Achilles Full-Grain Leather

These sneakers are among the most versatile on the planet. You can wear them with literally anything, from formal suits to jeans and even shorts.

Like the Oliver Cabell’s, they also have a sleek silhouette that’s picture-perfect for pairing with suits, and the black leather adds sophistication.

Dark, slim-cut suits with a short break work best with the Original Achilles, so bear that in mind.

9. Valentino One Stud 

The Valentino One Stud is a ritzy sneaker with a rubber outsole, stud detailing, and a gorgeous silhouette. 

In white, these sneakers can pair with suits of any color, including light, dark, and everything in between.

Once again, make sure that you keep these kicks clean to maintain their maximum appeal.

10. Prada’s American Cup Sneakers 

Prada’s American Cup sneakers in black can easily pass for dress shoes, which is why they make our list.

They also have a stand-out silhouette that’s sure to attract attention and garner compliments.

Darker suits are the name of the game here, such as black, dark gray, or charcoal.

11. Cole Haan Grandpro Tennis Fashion Sneaker 

Last but not least, we have the Grandpro Tennis Fashion Sneaker from Cole Haan. It features a rubber sole and 100% hand-stained leather.

This sneak bridges the gap between formal and casual with its refined yet laid-back look.

Suit-wise, you can pair these sneakers with lighter-colored suits with trousers that have no break.

Cole Haan Men’s Grandpro Tennis Oxford, White, 9 M US

• Leather upper;Burnished, hand-stained leather.
• Blown rubber bottom
• Grand o.s technol

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Pairing a Suit with Sneakers & Need Upgraded Laces?

Men’s suits have come a long way in the fashion world, and pairing a suit with sneakers is a true testament to that.

What once would cause audible gasps from partygoers, suits with sneakers are now a smart, sexy, and refined casual look that anyone can pull off with the right ingredients.

The sneakers on this list are ideal for pairing with slim-cut suits, but you can’t forget about the shoelaces, either.

At LoopKing Laces, we have an extensive selection of fine leather, high-grade cotton, flat-waxed, and pure velvet shoelaces that will pair perfectly with your suit sneakers, so don’t wait to try them out now.