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Suits are an excellent piece in any man’s wardrobe but your choice of footwear might be holding you back from throwing one on more often.
So in an era where the corporate world has adopted ‘business-casual’ as the new status quo, and elusive Silicon Valley tech moguls are constantly reinventing boardroom attire, it’s time to address an elephant in the fashion room: the refined, controversial marriage of sneakers and suits.
As oxymoronic as it sounds, this duo has been spotted strutting down catwalks and high-street sidewalks, punctuating the mundane with unexpected eloquence. If you constantly find yourself forced to sprint in your two-piece Armani during rush hour, or you want to casually shake off a compliment about your Jordans at an executive meeting, you’re in the right place.
Get ready to relegate your trusty Oxfords and brogues to the weekend, as we present the 10 best sneakers to wear with a suit. Let’s lace up and venture into the hybrid world of comfort and class, without a raised eyebrow in sight.
Sneakerheads and suit aficionados, this one’s for you.
Key Takeaways
If you’re in a rush, the overall best sneakers to wear with a suit are the Oliver Cabell GATs. Oliver Cabell brings a level of quality to their products that’s hard to top for the price. German Army Trainers are a classic style with athletic roots, but the suede accents and slim profile can really elevate them when worn with classier outfits.
Our runner-up has to go to Clae Joshua. These sneakers are cheaper than most leather options but still maintain fantastic quality. They embody a humble, minimalistic design, placing them as one of the best men’s sneakers to wear with suits.
Starting out with the most well-rounded pick on this list, we have the Oliver Cabell GAT. The German Army Trainer is a sneaker with an extensive history. In the years since its debut, the GAT has grown into a classic style with its signature suede accents and gum soles.
The Oliver Cabells rank at the top of this list because my GAT sneakers are some of the most versatile shoes I own. GAT sneakers can easily pair with different types of suits, adding a level of athleticism to your look.
I think these work best with an open collar or even a nice t-shirt under your blazer. The goal of this type of suit should be a semi-casual look—a great combo if you’ll be strolling around the city, but need to catch a meeting or two in between errands.
If you want to compliment your suit with a highly distinguished sneaker brand, Oliver Cabell is a fantastic choice for you.
Material: Italian Calfskin Leather, Suede | Color(s): 3 | Sizes: 6-15
If you’re a sneaker-head and want a chunky sneaker to go with your suit, the Joshua from Clae fits this criteria. Although these sneakers are bulkier than some other options, they can still be dressed up for the right occasion.
The design cues of the Joshua are simple compared to other sneakers in this category so they won’t steal too much attention from your outfit. You want to aim for a unique silhouette with these instead of pairing them with a tapered suit, which might be an awkward combination. Throw them on with an oversized suit if you’re ready to stop by Fashion Week.
Many of the shoes from Clae are made of a cactus textile which is something I’ve never seen before on the footwear market. They also feature cork insoles that make direct contact with your feet, so the cork will not only absorb moisture but will form to the shape of your foot over time, making these sneakers more comfortable as you wear them.
Material: Vegan Cactus Textile | Color(s): 2 | Sizes: 4-13
The Tropicfeel Dune is unlike many other sneakers on the market today. These shoes excel in comfort and functionality. The breathable, water-resistant mesh upper is fit for most situations, even when the weather isn’t on your side.
These sneakers feature sprint laces, which means they can be slipped on and off easily if you’re traveling through customs at the airport. They can also be tightened in a pinch, so they won’t slip off if you’re running to catch your flight.
The Dune sneakers are also a great example of cool shoes that can be used for both formal and casual wear. I would pair these with a suit that’s free fitting around the body, perhaps made of linen.
I wouldn’t recommend wearing a tie because you’d want to go very casual with these—keep that collar open. You could also experiment with the color of your suit, perhaps going with a light green or burgundy set.
Material: Recycled Polyester Mesh | Color(s): 5 | Sizes: 6-12.5
Olukai is a brand I’ve really grown to love and I can see their products taking off in the years to come. They offer tons of footwear centered around an islander lifestyle.
Out of these laid-back styles, the Lae’ahi Li ‘IlI Slip ons are the best sneakers to wear with a suit. While you might struggle to pronounce the name, you definitely won’t struggle to achieve the effortlessly casual look they’ll bring to your style game.
The coolest feature of these sneakers has to be the drop-in heel, which essentially allows them to convert into a pair of slip-ons. You might not want to wear them like this all day, but if you’re attending a destination wedding and need to down another drink by the tiki bar, these should fit the bill.
You can pair these sneakers with a relatively loose-fitting suit, worn casually. You could also experiment with some lighter, more vibrant colors to really embody the beachy aesthetic.
Material: Full-grain Leather | Color(s): 4 | Sizes: 7-14
The Beckett Simonon Geller Trainers are versatile sneakers for many types of work environments. The profile is clean, taking a wholecut leather approach. This places them firmly in dress sneaker territory, and they’ll certainly stand out against other leather sneakers designs. The leather is supple right out of the box and will patina over time, adding to their character.
Every piece of footwear from Beckett Simonon is made to order, which means they don’t start crafting your order until it’s placed. So while you do get the freshest materials at a lower cost, a downside is that these sneakers could take up to three months to arrive on your doorstep.
You might see this as a negative, but in the meantime, you could save up for a slim-fitting black or gray suit to throw on with them. You might even want to get it tailored for a truly streamlined silhouette, sure to garner some compliments from your coworkers.
Material: Full-grain Leather | Color(s): 5 | Sizes: 7-14
Speaking of comfort, next up we have the Wool Runners from Allbirds. This footwear brand has quickly become one of the leaders in comfort and sustainability. Most Allbirds shoes are made from either wool or mesh, which are both more forgiving on your feet than even the softest leather.
The Wool Runners are a classic Allbirds design and have grown in popularity over the years. I’m sure if you stop by Silicon Valley, you might bump into a tech CEO or two rocking a pair of Allbirds with a suit. The Wool Runners earned the title of most comfortable sneakers to wear with a suit because they honestly feel more like slippers.
For all-around comfort, you could pair these sneakers with an equally comfortable casual suit. Hell, you could even opt for a wool suit and socks to keep the theme going throughout your outfit. Be sure to throw these (or one of these Allbirds alternatives) on if you finally get the invite to do a TedTalk (or you’re hoping to in the future).
Material: ZQ Merino Wool | Color(s): 6 | Sizes: 8-14
Koio shares similarities to brands like Oliver Cabell and Common Projects, but the Capri Regenerative Sneakers offer something a little extra special. On their own, these sneakers are made from some of the best leather on the list.
However, these particular Capris also offer a regenerative component to the overall package. This means the leather is sourced from regenerative farms, which ultimately aim to lower the carbon impact.
So this qualifies as some of the best leather not only for its overt quality but also for what Koio aims to do to help the environment on a larger scale. These classic sneakers can pair with classic, well-fitted suits for most dressy occasions. You could even find a suit made of recycled materials if you really want to embrace the motto: reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Material: Italian Veg-tanned Leather | Color(s): 3 | Sizes: 7-16
The Kurt from New Republic is the best bang for your buck in this lineup. In my experience, dipping below the $80 mark is usually when quality starts to suffer the most.
I believe it’s worth the investment to opt for a single pair of high-quality shoes rather than shuffle through several cheap pairs that fall apart the second you step out the door. This is where these sneakers shine—great quality while still being affordable, around the $100 mark.
I own a pair of Kurts, and they get the job done surprisingly well. They might start out a bit stiff during the break-in period. However, once these sneakers are broken in, they are extremely reliable.
The Kurt comes in a variety of colors, and I think the suede options could even pair well with a patterned suit if you really want to stand out from the crowd. These would be a great choice for younger men on a budget, looking to wear a suit for a variety of occasions. Test the waters and see what you like before you begin investing in more expensive pieces.
Material: 100% Genuine Suede | Color(s): 8 | Sizes: 4-15
If you’re familiar with the sneaker world at all, you’ve likely heard of Common Projects. They essentially jump-started the whole minimalist sneaker craze which still continues to this day. Common Projects is a luxury brand and they do not try to hide this fact. That’s why their flagship model, the Achilles Low-Top is the best luxury option of the bunch.
These sneakers use undeniably high-quality materials and are constructed with integrity, which should be no surprise for the price. They’re likely more expensive than some of the dress shoes in your closet, but when you buy a pair of Common Projects, you’re making a statement.
The black Achilles sneakers would pair really well with a full black suit if you want to summon your inner John Wick. You could also go with a black suit and white shirt, perhaps adding some gold accessories to compliment the gold numbers embossed on the side. These would be a great option for a night out on the town, hopping between bars and the club.
Material: Full-grain Italian Leather | Color(s): 1 | Sizes: 5-14
I own three pairs of Thursday Boots Premier Low Top Sneakers, and they are some of my favorite options for the spring and summer seasons. These leather sneakers are relatively affordable but are still crafted from high-quality materials.
The premier low tops won this category because I feel they capture many of the qualities people search for in a white sneaker. The design is admittedly simple, but that’s the point of these sneakers. They aren’t meant to reinvent the wheel but instead perfect it.
Additionally, Thursday Boots sells four “Legacy” options, which means they offer a total of five white leather sneakers for you to choose from. They’re clean enough for a preppy look, and could also be worn in plenty of dressy settings.
I’d likely pair them with a navy suit and perhaps a light-colored dress shirt. You could wear the shirt collar open or throw on a tie to bring the whole outfit together. Keep it simple, just like the sneakers.
Material: White Italian Nappa Leather | Color(s): 21 | Sizes: 6-16
What to Look for in the Best Sneakers to Wear with a Suit
Material
When searching for the best sneakers to wear with a suit, the material is always an important factor in the decision-making process.
Many leather sneakers are featured here because they’re typically higher quality and are considered to be “classier.” That doesn’t mean you must go with a leather sneaker when wearing a suit. It’s possible to match a pair of non-leather sneakers with this type of outfit, it just takes some thought, and it depends on the occasion.
Whether you’re searching for a leather option or not, it’s always good to pay attention to the material and how it’s sourced. I also recommend $80 as the minimum you’d want to spend on any type of shoe if you plan to dress it up.
Profile
The profile or silhouette of the sneaker also plays a huge factor in your ability to wear it with a suit. Most people want a sleek, minimalistic design that doesn’t draw too much attention from the overall outfit.
This is why many leather sneakers on the market share a similar design aesthetic. Slimmer profiles tend to work better than chunky, bold sneakers. Again, there are ways to pull off a chunky sneaker with a suit, it depends on the factors at play for you.
Type of Suit
Lastly, the type of suit you wear is obviously tied to the sneakers you choose. If you’re wearing a designer suit, it might be best to go with dress shoes over sneakers. But if you’re aiming for that semi-casual athletic look, this is where sneakers can benefit your outfit.
The specific design of your suit and even the colors can affect what you pair with it. Hell, even the type of socks you wear can have an impact on the sneakers you choose. So assess what suit you plan to wear and the type of events you’ll be attending, then determine how your sneakers will fit into that equation.
Final Verdict
In short, the Oliver Cabell GATs are my top pick as the best sneakers to wear with a suit if you’re ready to hop on this trend.
All of the sneakers from Oliver Cabell use high-quality Italian leather and are built by hand during each step of the manufacturing process. The German Army Trainer styling can add a pop of texture to your outfit and is sure to keep you on your feet no matter the situation.
FAQ
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It’s widely accepted that leather sneakers are the best type of sneakers to wear with suits because of their slim, minimalist silhouette. However, there are plenty of other materials and styles you can pull off with a suit.
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Absolutely. There are always suggestions, but at the end of the day, it really depends on what you want to do. You can wear whatever you want, however you want, as long as you do so with confidence. New trends arise because of those who go against the grain and try new things.
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Ryan is a writer, filmmaker, and all around content creator. Over the years, he has written screenplays, short stories, and nonfiction informational pieces. Ryan is currently working to build up his YouTube channel (@ryan-jamison) via creative video essays that combine his love of filmmaking and writing. He also *occasionally* posts some photography on his Instagram (@ryanjamison99). When away from the keyboard, Ryan loves running, hiking, reading, and he’s also a total boot nerd.
