How to Style Fashion Sneakers - YouLookFab Forum

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How to Style Fashion Sneakers

Chris987

Veteran

I’ve been all over the map about black fashion sneakers. Wanted them, then didn’t, then did again. I feel like the 5 year old kid who can’t decide what flavor to order at the ice cream stand and is having a long fuss about it. I saw these beauties at NAS, as a top pic, and when Angie said the black ones looked like Chanel they grabbed my attention.

I think my quandry has to do with being unsure of how to style them. I’m going to take another stab at it and would love your feedback. I’m talking about traditional tie sneakers of the Stan Smith or Addidas type style, not slip-ons or high tops. I’m also thinking this formula applies regardless of the contrast level of the outfit or the color of the sneaker.

to make a fashion sneaker look modern feminine (or something like that)

Wear them with modern pant or skirt silhouettes. E.G slim cropped jeans with released hems.
Have all of the shoe visible and no visible socks.. (nude
hose are ok)
pants should be no longer than grazing the top of where the
sneaker hits around the ankle; showing more ankle is even better, depending on the silhouette of the pants

...and to make a fashion sneaker look more classic or menswear-ish

Wear them with more traditional silouetts like straighteg
jeans
Have the pantleg cover the top part of the sneaker so the ankle is not visible except maybe when you sit
Have visible socks

Ecco 'Soft 7' Sneaker

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Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from DonnaF

The Cat

Veteran

They are very nice. And it seems (from the suggestions you have stated above) that you know how to style them. I am not quite sure what you want from the forum regarding this.

Chris987

Veteran

The Cat, I'm asking if I've got the styling rules defined correctly, some validation I guess. I haven't put the rules into practice yet, but I think I've got the idea now. I take it from your comment that you think I do have the styling rules defined properly thanks.

carter

I think you've got it right. I also think your "rules" may apply to some other higher vamp shoes.

rachylou

Veteran

You know what's interesting... I think because they are quilted, I wouldn't wear them with a dress, esp a breezy summer dress. That would feel like seasonal confusion to me. Not that this isn't possible, I can just see a lot of my dresses and some skirts where I don't feel it would work. And also various knit tops.

They also have a tailored feel. So I think I would tend not to wear them with a truly boho look. A downtown look with boho elements yes. A full out going to Coachella boho, no.

The Cat

Veteran

Well, personally, I had not heard about these "rules" before now. And I thought we were now in an era where we could choose to ignore several rules.

If it is important to you and others to look (what others may characterize as) "modern feminine" or "classic or menswear-ish", these rules may be helpful. Be aware, however, that some socks are very feminine.

I would feel free to wear these sporty elegant sneakers in whatever way I liked.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, you can wear whatever type of look you want. But to achieve any given specific type, you have to have / do certain things. You don't get a relaxed RATE look, for example, by wearing starched button ups, French cuffs, polished oxfords, and a three-piece suit.

Chris987

Veteran

The Cat thse "rules" are my own personal way of trying to define how to stye this type of sneaker. When I wear sneakers "the way I feel I want to" I don't like the outcome so I'm tring to figure out why and push myself in a different direction. It's about experimentation and evolution, but only for me.

Rachylou I think you are right, these are more tailored than boho and not very summery.

The Cat

Veteran

Chris987, ok, I understand. Sometimes, it can be helpful to make rules for oneself.

Rachylou, I agree that these shoes are not very summery. I, too, would probably not wear them with lightweight dresses and skirts. (However, others may be able to do it and look great.) But I imagine they will look gorgeous when styled with items of wool, tweed, velvet, corduroy or other textured fabrics with a fall feel.

jill58

Veteran

I would probably avoid nude hose with sneakers but others may disagree. I avoid nude hose in general -- just my personal preference.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Interesting thoughts! I am not sure that I ever "push myself" to wear things a different way? Although having said that, I remember I did exactly that to wear sneakers with no socks and cropped jeans, with my white lacy ones. I think it looked good. Usually I wear socks and long pants, your "menswear way". See pics.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

These days - with just about ANYTHING.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like these a lot and am considering them. But I already have a silver pair and a white pair so maybe that would be overkill.

The reason I like these is quilting and contrast. I would tend to wear with cropped jeans or pants or maybe a tube skirt. I would not wear visible socks. I would choose these when I was wearing a dark top or high contrast top or topper, for visual balance (because my hair is overall light and I'm personally not high contrast but enjoy wearing contrast. ). I'd wear with red, black and white, baby and white.

Anonymous

I like runners like this (black, quilted or non) with cropped white jeans. Black top, earrings, and maybe a pale blue denim jacket = an instant , easy outfit.

Easy and still summery enough, in my humble opinion I have a new mid-grey pair with with white soles that I am wearing with a striped shirt dress; they are dressier though, with a pointed toe. For someone who declared "enough already" with the runners earlier this year, I cannot seem to stop acquiring. Hey, if something works, go for it.

lozz_oz

Veteran

I'm with Angie on this - you can wear them with just about anything! I think you need to showcase the quilted detail of the sneaker - do keep the pants skinny or slimish + expose the ankle. I wear no show socks.
I needed a period of getting used to wearing mine with a skirt or dress (at first it felt very foreign) - now it just feels normal!
Looking forward to some WIW photos!

Anonymous

For a menswear look, I think it's better to wear a dressy shoe, as a rule (that can be broken).

I see Jenni wearing hers with long pants, but those particular sneakers are daintier.

Love Lisa p's suggestion of white cropped pants.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Hi Chris--just my .02 about what worked for me last year. Most of my outfits have a classic vibe and are neither very girly nor masculine.

I wore my Converse Jack Purcells all winter (Seattle) with cropped and ankle length skinnies and rolled/cropped boyfriend jeans--white, dark gray, and blue washes. I'd wear them with full length straight-legged jeans, too, if I owned any To my mind, a black blazer was an easy topper. Or a pull-over sweater either half-tucked or untucked. I wore only no-show socks with mine. When it turned to late spring/summer, I started reaching for the white sneakers. I hope that black will appeal more again come fall/winter. I think there is a "stumpifying" effect with a cropped pant + a higher vamp shoe--it's something I should watch out for as I'm 5'4" and not as slim as I'd like--but I guess I rated most of the combinations JFE or better.

Since last winter, I've purchased a black t-shirt dress that I think would work with the shoes, and I'd top that with an open cardi, if necessary. I think a soft sweater or scarf would be more than enough to soften-up an outfit and give it a feminine edge (should you desire that).

Converse Jack Purcell Jack Ox

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Deborah

Veteran

Also agree with Angie. Sneaks seem to be worn with everything and anything My personal preference is for there to be some ankle skin showing between your pants and the sneaks but that's me.

Chris987

Veteran

Wow, such a wealth of great advice!! Time for me to dive in and start wearing them. Will make a point of doing some WIWs.

Christina F.

Veteran

I have the same shoes in metallic, and I've worn them sockless with cropped pants so far. That's how I like to wear any shoes when I can, though!

I've been thinking I can make them work with a skirt or a dress, though. I was thinking of trying a patterned swing dress to start with.

by Christina F.

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Ecco 'Soft 7' Sneaker

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DonnaF

Veteran

I would wear them with this dress in warmer weather and the same dress with a white shirt and crops underneath in cooler weather.

Halogen Flounce Back Shift Dress

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