The question of how to wear sneakers has become a refreshingly unexpected one. Although athleisure has been big business on the runways for awhile, designers are now fixing a more nuanced lens on the trend. Using appliquéd slip-on sneakers, for example, Alessandro Michele has shifted gears at Gucci to merely hint at sporty lines, rather than following the head-to-toe athletic approach.
This less obvious stance means that you can have even more fun with your sneaker outfit ideas, increasing their lifespan from the gym right through to brunch in Sydney, dinner in Melbourne or even post-work events for nights when you’re racing out straight from the office. Looking to both the runway and the street for inspiration, the best place to start is often by mapping out your day.
Once you know what you’ve got on, you can use sneakers to employ unexpected combinations that add intrigue to familiar silhouettes. By lending a sense of masculinity to a feminine floral, for example, or deconstructing a traditional business suit, you can experiment with how to style sneakers in ways less sporty and far more original.
Consult your schedule
The easiest way to determine how to wear sneakers with a sense of irreverence is to first consider what's on the agenda. If it’s a dinner date in Fitzroy and feminine florals are your go-to, for instance, then slip-on sneakers could provide the perfect way to reinvent this look. Meanwhile, post-work events could be informed by the Lanvin SS17 menswear collection, where vintage-inspired sneakers were used to soften traditional suiting.
Perhaps laid-back sportswear is the first thing you reach for when it comes to brunch at Tamarama, but why not break this mould by contemplating how to wear trainers in more structural ways? Like incorporating a statement jacket or a striking silhouette, for example, highlighting your Marni sneakers as a point of contrast. Either way, it’s important to personalise the look so that it makes sense not just for the destination, but also for your personal style.
Build structure for brunch in Bondi
Bondi might be a haven for head-to-toe activewear, but your sneaker outfit ideas don’t need to be quite so literal. Why not steer clear of the Jane Fonda vibes and, instead, mix sport and sophistication by using sneakers to offset a structured top or little black dress - Valentino Sneakers have the perfect embellishments for the occasion. Or, pairing a flared-sleeve blouse with a pair of culottes and metallic sneakers like those by Kenzo is the perfect way to create casual elegance.
In the men’s department, consider balancing a structured bomber jacket with a sleek pair of lace-up sneakers – the result is both sharp and casual. So when building your base, it all comes down to clever proportion play. An architectural silhouette, for example, can add that unexpected sense of contrast, which makes wearing sneakers all the more creative.
Relax suiting for post-work events
Just because you’re rushing from the office to an event, it doesn’t have to mean compromising on style. Simply swapping out your work-appropriate shoes for a pair of Givenchy sneakers, for example, can instantly signal laid-back luxe. Detouring from the tie and oxfords and instead teaming a slim black suit with a pair of neutral trainers is one such fresh approach. Eschew the Jerry Seinfeld comparisons here and embrace an impeccably tailored angle.
Or look to blogger Pernille Teisbaek, another expert on how to style sneakers with maximum versatility in mind. Her all-white sneakers echo the T-shirt she wears under a military-style tuxedo while out and about in Copenhagen. The slightly flared pants perfectly offset her streamlined sneakers for a polished look that makes sense both in the office and beyond.
Personalise for dinner in Fitzroy
When considering how to wear sneakers out for dinner in Fitzroy though, it’s all about the finer details: from the base colour to the brand and level of support. Even if your ideal sneaker is a timeless black or white pair, you can always personalise through elements such as a pair of glitter socks or contrast laces. This sense of incongruity is integral to making the look your own. One such example might be to anchor a printed sundress with a more masculine style of slip-on sneakers in spartan white.
Whether it’s by subverting femininity in this way or through an unexpected flourish like the leather sneakers favoured by model Jordan Barrett, the most important thing is that your own sneakers street-style makes sense for you, both in terms of comfort and personal dress code. Either way, the key take-away here is that these accessories are no longer just for the athletics track, meaning that you can double their lifespan both on and off the field.