Black Sneakers vs White Sneakers! Comparison from a business perspective & 3 recommended men’s models each.

Black and white sneakers are often treated as similar because they are the same monotone color and are highly versatile. It is no exaggeration to say that they have the same level of usability, but they have opposite characteristics. In this article, we will compare the advantages of both from the perspective of business use.

Some brands have shifted their main products from leather shoes to sneakersWas Goldman Sachs' relaxation of the dress code the catalyst for the business use of sneakers?

Sneakers, originally a sports item, have quickly gained citizenship in the business scene in just a few years and are now a “natural part of the workplace. Sneakers are now a “natural” part of the business scene. The use of sneakers in business has become quite common in Japan as well, and it can be said that this trend started with the relaxation of the dress code by Goldman Sachs in 2019. In an internal document, the company relaxed its company-wide dress code under the premise that “casual attire is not appropriate at all times and in all interactions” and “in consideration of meeting customer expectations.” This had a major impact on the entire world, and was widely reported by Bloomberg magazine, a major U.S. economic media outlet, as an event that opened a can of worms in the conservatism of Wall Street in particular.
(Photo: Internal Goldman Sachs Group document by Bloomberg)

bloomberg.com

Since this event, the suit and sneaker style has become increasingly popular in Europe as well, and there are reports that in the Netherlands, sales of a long-established shoe manufacturer have been replaced from a focus on dress shoes to a focus on sneakers (The Guardian ). In Japan, the Sports Agency encouraged “sneaker commuting” in 2017, even before Goldman Sachs relaxed its dress code. Although this was more of a health promotion measure rather than a dress code, the timing was right, and the incorporation of sneakers into business style from a fashion point of view became widespread in Japan as well.

As Goldman Sachs’ internal documents show, sneakers are not appropriate for all business situations and should be used according to TPO. In other words, the idea that any sneaker will do, is not acceptable. In light of this, the two main candidates for easy-to-use sneakers are often roughly categorized as “black sneakers” and “white sneakers,” both of which are monotone and easy to match. The only thing they have in common is that they are monotone and versatile. Here, we will discuss the characteristics, merits and demerits of each.

While they are easy to match and easy to maintain, they also give the impression of being too stoic...Advantages and disadvantages of black sneakers

Black reduces the presence and assertiveness of your feet, and dark tones such as navy, gray and black are often chosen. Black is also easy to assimilate with slacks and suits, which are often chosen in dark tones such as navy, gray, and black. In other words, it is less difficult to match the color with bottoms. It also has the advantage of being less likely to show stains, and thus requires less daily maintenance. On the other hand, black tends to carry nuances of ” heaviness ” and ” strength ” depending on the context. In a study of uniform colors in professional sports, there was a ^finding* that foul decisions increased for teams with black uniforms, and the associations of class, authority, and rigor are likely to be strengthened. Translating this to business, this could lead to ” clumsiness ” and “fear.” If the all-black style makes the overall impression too stoic, you can choose items with white soles to reduce the stoicism.

Although they can create a light and nice casual look, the difficulty of maintenance is a bottleneck...Advantages and disadvantages of white sneakers

The main advantage of white sneakers is that they strongly convey a sense of cleanliness with their distinctive image. Also, while black sneakers can be as heavy as a leather shoe combination in the same outfit, white sneakers neutralize the heaviness of the whole body and give a light impression as if it were a casual-down coordinate. One disadvantage is that scratches caused by dirt and scuffs are easily visible, so maintenance costs are required to maintain the sense of cleanliness that is their greatest weapon. This is not a problem for men who usually take care of their shoes frequently, but if you are not good at such maintenance or do not have the time to maintain them regularly in the first place, black sneakers may be a safe choice for you.

Finally, we pick up recommended models of black and white sneakers for business use, respectively!

3 Recommended Black Sneakers for Business Use

1 Recommended Black Sneaker for Business UseSantoni 'Double Buckle Sneakers'

Elegant, Italian-style The brand specializes in elegant leather shoes that are unmistakably Italian. The double-buckle sneaker is the brand’s standard dress sneaker. The double-buckle sneaker does not actually have a buckle, but the detailing inspired by Santoni’s iconic double-buckle formal shoes is reproduced in layers of leather. These sneakers are so dignified that they could be called quasi-leather shoes.

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Black Sneakers for Business Use 2

The triple-stitched sneaker has now become an iconic Zegna shoe. These sneakers are characterized by the three crosses placed in place of laces, which are elasticated to create a slip-on design. The minimalist design makes it easy to match with suits and jackets, and it also has a mode element that is different from ordinary sneakers, making it a good choice when you want to add a subtle fashion touch to your business style.

zegna.com

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Recommended black sneakers for business use 3On 'Cloud 6'

The flagship store in Harajuku has a long line of customers waiting to get in, and On recently made a splash with the opening of a new store in Ginza. It is one of the hottest brands in the market right now, having garnered attention for its multiple collaborations with Loewe. The “Cloud 6” also has a sporty look, but when you walk around town, you may be surprised to see people wearing them with suits and jackets as business shoes. This is especially true of businessmen in the IT industry, where dress codes are relatively relaxed. Since the “Cloud 6” is not suitable for a classic suit, it should be considered as an aggressive sneaker to be worn with a casual set-up such as an easy suit.

on

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3 White Sneakers for Business Use

White Sneakers for Business UseCOMMON PROJECTS 'Achilles'

Dressy White When it comes to sneakers, the Achilles from COMMON PROJECTS can be said to be the representative of this category, and although we at OTOKOMAE have positioned these sneakers as dress sneakers for quite some time, they are still the absolute champions in this category where various brands have entered the fray. The smart form and lean design go well with suits and jackets, and can be worn with suits of any color, from navy and gray suits to beige suits, without feeling out of place.

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White sneakers for business useAutry 'Medalist Low'

Autry sneakers have been seen more and more at Pitti Uomo recently. The model has a strong casual element, with a vintage finish on the sole, but it goes surprisingly well with suits and jackets, and can be used as a moderate addition to a suit or jacket. The American Stars and Stripes logo is also a nice accent.

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White sneakers for business use

The Adidas Stan Smith is the absolute standard for court sneakers. Although they are well recognized as a standard that goes well with suits, the form is wider and has a slightly more casual element than, for example, the Achilles from Common Projects. Of course, this is fine, but the high-grade version of the Stan Smith is of a higher quality and more suitable for matching with dress items. Named “STAN SMITH LUX,” this model is differentiated by its higher quality construction than the regular model. The upper made of natural leather looks like leather shoes, and the shoe tongue is thin and elegant. The Stan Smith has evolved to be more business-friendly.

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Check out the FAQ at the end!

Q1. Is black or white a safer choice for your first pair?A. If you're not sure, black

If you’re torn between white and black, black is a safe choice. It is easier to deal with visitors and external visitors, and less burden of maintenance such as stains.

A. A simple design made of leather is ironclad!

Leather upper, sole in the same color as the upper, minimal design such as logos, thin to medium sole thickness, and low color contrast are the basic requirements. It is correct to avoid wearing shoes with flashy colors, large logos, and chunky soles that have too many casual elements in business attire.

Q3. What is a safe bet for days when you can't foresee visitors or out-of-office visits?A. Black minimalist sneakers are the only choice

If you choose a pair of black minimalist sneakers, you’ll be fine for starters. Of course, you can always wear leather shoes, but for sneakers, black sneakers like the Santoni buckle sneakers I mentioned above will do.

Q4. What specifications should be avoided in business?A. Avoid conspicuous designs and signs of use.

Avoid too thick soles, logos with strong color schemes, strong contrast designs other than monotone, and designs with too much of a sporty feel, such as all-mesh uppers. Sneakers with tired canvas uppers, etc., which would spoil the cleanliness of the sneakers in a business setting, should also be avoided.