If you buy something through our retail links, we might earn an affiliate commission or all sales amount.

Slacks and sneakers. What’s the line between “yes” and “no”?

Slacks and sneakers. What's the line between "yes" and "no"?

Slacks and sneakers. “Stylishly out of place” or “just a mismatch”? Where is the line between the two? In this issue, we will explain the five correct patterns, introducing the outfits practiced by fashionable people and the most notable coordinates.

Whether or not the combination of slacks and sneakers is a thing

To begin with, leather shoes are the traditional style to go with slacks. To wear sneakers with slacks is considered to be a disguised coordination. In other words, sneakers with slacks are a highly difficult combination that tests one’s sense of how to remove them without feeling out of place in an otherwise orthodox outfit. It is important to understand that the more you remove the sneakers from the traditional outfit, the more likely you are to be branded as a ” no-no ” by the people around you.

↑As shown in the left side of the image, it is difficult to make a fashionable combination of slacks with a long inseam that drags and mesh sneakers that look like athletic shoes, because it gives an impression that is far removed from the elegant image of slacks. The first step to achieving an “ari” look is to remove the “nashi” elements that lead to a sense of discomfort by wearing slacks of the correct length and matching sneakers that look like leather shoes, as shown on the right.

Learn from the fashionable

How do the fashionable actually coordinate slacks and sneakers in “antsy” outfits? The author believes that the clue lies in the depth of ” self-understanding. If you have a high degree of perfection in coordination that fits your own body shape, character, and lifestyle, then you will be able to ” make the most of” your slacks and sneakers coordination. From here, we will explain the five correct patterns, picking up styling and notable coordination styles actually practiced by fashionable people.

CASE 1Mixing tailor-made slacks with street sensibility

As a good example, I would like to introduce SOTF, a select store in Florence that specializes in sneakers and streetwear collections, Jacopo Pozzati, who works with brands such as Kappa, Superga, and Woolrich as a creative consultant. His signature style is to wear a graphic T-shirt tucked into classically tailored slacks and a pair of cool sneakers on his feet. The mix of his favorite street culture and the pride of Italy, where traditional tailoring culture is deeply rooted, is exquisite.

The size balance of the slacks, with a hem width of around 25cm, worn with a half cushion length and Sperga sneakers, is also a good reference. These low-volume, low-tech sneakers do not disrupt the clean silhouette of the pants, and are recommended as the first pair of sneakers to be worn with slacks.

Click here for more details

CASE 2Pursuing a slim and beautiful silhouette typical of Italy

Next up is Junpei Nakai, director of Jabs Archivio. He has set his own brand’s popular “MASACCIO” model with the New Balance 991, which is one of New Balance’s most stylish silhouettes and is favored by many Italians. If you like Italian fashion, you may enjoy wearing such a combination of slacks and sneakers.

Incidentally, when wearing slim slacks with a hem width of about 18 cm with sneakers, the best way to achieve a balanced look is to use short ankle-length pants to keep the legs neat and clean. If the length is too long, it is recommended to adjust the balance by adjusting the hemming.

Knitwear Click here for more details
Slacks Click here for more details
sneakers Click here for more details

CASE 3Selecting sneakers that feel like leather shoes with a view to business casual wear

If you are going to wear sneakers with slacks in a business style, it is a good idea to cut down to the bare minimum the elements that look casual It is a good idea to minimize the elements that make you look casual. As shown in the image at the beginning of this article, dress shirts and slacks can be worn as usual, and sneakers with a form similar to leather shoes can be worn on the feet. The most likely candidates for sneakers with a leather shoe look are the Vertex by Perryco Sunny and theAll Star Coin Loafer by Converse.

White-soled leather shoes that are more than sneakers and less than leather shoes are also a good choice. A quality model such asLoro Piana’s Summer Walk moccasins orJohn Lobb’s Pace will give you the same comfort as sneakers while still maintaining a sense of class.

CASE 4Maintain a consistent sensibility in choosing quality

If you own suit slacks that are recognizable as high quality at first glance, the sneakers you choose for your feet should also match the appropriate model. In the snapshot above, Zegna’s Triple Stitch™ sneakers are set at the foot of suit slacks. Hats off to the highly finished styling, which even includes color matching.

It is a good idea to consider what sneakers to wear with slacks by referring to the collection looks of brands that specialize in dress wear. Dunhill, creative-directed by Simon Holloway, is one of the most popular brands among men who love dress wear. The Davis Automotive sneakers in understated suede look great on the feet of a moderately sporty jacket.

CASE 5Reflecting Japan's unique mix culture

In the Heian period (794-1185) and Meiji period (1868-1912), Japan adopted excellent learning and knowledge from overseas and applied it to the workplace, achieving unique development in the spirit of “Japanese spirit and Chinese genius. In fashion as well, Japan has a history of developing its own culture with styles imported from abroad, such as “Shibu-Kaj,” “Urahara,” and “gyaru-o. In this spirit, it is not a bad idea to try your hand at an original mixed style. For example, this styling mixes monotone, reminiscent of the Crow tribe, with the oversized sensibility of the Urahara. Wide slacks with a hem width of 26 cm or more cover most of the area of the shoes, so they match a wide range of sneakers from high-tech to low-tech without discomfort.

Knit Click here for more details
T-shirt Click here for more details
Slacks Click here for more details
sneakers Click here for more details

Article's author

Follow us !

Sign up to receive
OTOKOMAE Mail Magazine!

Subscribe by Email

Official OTOKOMAE Instagram Snapshot

Official OTOKOMAE Instagram Snapshot