The Best Sneakers for Low-Key Dressing Up

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The best part about fashion right now is that you can do pretty much anything you please. Pair things that don't go together. Wear clogs and socks and cargo pants. There are no rules.

Wearing sneakers with a suit is pretty tame in terms of doing whatever you want. In fact, even though it's not off the table, it feels a little, well...expected these days. That doesn't mean it can't be risky, depending on your environment and the dress code expectations. It's a whole lot different to wear a pair of low-top sneakers with a tuxedo at a black tie wedding than, say, a pair of leather sneakers to the office. But dress sneakers with some gonzo trousers and a freaky cardigan to bring the whole vibe back down to earth? Now that could be interesting. And no matter your vibe, all instances of dressing up sneakers are welcome here.

Now, while there are no rules here in this lawless land, there are some guidelines you can follow if you're feeling uncertain. If dressing up sneakers is new for you, keep it simple. Stay to a neutral color (whites, blacks, browns) and keep the silhouette minimal. A nice suede or leather low-top is a smart choice. If you're ready to edge out a bit, play with the structure, color, or texture makeup.

These 15 sneakers are not gym shoes. They are not meant to be beat up. They are not wild and crazy, or bold and clunky either. They are clean, cool, and a hell of a lot more comfortable than a dress shoe. Employ them in whatever way you see fit.

Royale 2.0 Sneakers

The Royale is truly a sneaker for style kings. Prime example: Ryan Reynolds, a favorite among these parts, wore a the white version of Greats's stalwart sneaker with tailored navy trousers and a long-sleeve polo. This tan colorway is even dressier, and will pair nicely with something similar to Reynolds's fit, or with a beige or brown suit.

Original Achilles Leather Sneakers

Common Projects is patient zero for the current minimal-luxury-sneakers craze. The Achilles has become a holy grail for fervent fashion folk. Its cross-cultural appeal predated the muddled idea of throwing everything together, And it looks good with just about everything, especially a suit. Amongst a sea of competitors, it's a shoe has achieved that covetable status.

Edge Mono Sneakers

Made from Italian napa leather, Good Man Brand's low-tops most certainly have edge, and are not only good, but great. What’s more, three percent of the proceeds from each purchase will be donated to the Why Not You Foundation, an NGO that empowers and prepares kids to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Fulton Leather Sneakers

Also great on the minimal front: a black leather low-top. These are great with suits but also with chinos, trousers, and whatever else you might be wearing to the office.

V-12 Sneakers

There's no shortage of white sneakers today—and that's great, cause they go with just about everything. But if you want something that feels distinct, but doesn't veer off the edge, take a look at Veja's V-12. The sneaker is just a little chunkier, with old-school paneling and careful branding details—like that "V" logo—that don't scream for attention, but don't fade into the background either.

B27 Low-Top Sneakers

There's a fine line between sneakers with logos looking gauche and looking cool, and Dior is decidedly on the side of coolness. With an oblique logo panel and smooth gray and white calfskin leather, these are sleek yet modern—perfect for pairing with dress pants or jeans alike.

Eden Scritto Leather Sneakers

Berluti takes luxury to new heights with this simple yet stunning off-white sneaker, designed with the brand's iconic Scritto motif. With a minimalist look that's easy to dress up, it's as simple as pulling on your favorite pleated pants and a good pair of dress socks to make these work.

Palestra Uomo Sneakers

Sometimes, subtly is key. M. Gemi's refined leather sneakers carry the same understated dignity and grace as, say, a pair of loafers, or a really nicely tailored blazer. These are sleek and simple, and with a leather and rubber construction, they're a shoe you don't have to think twice about wearing.

High Top

If you are comfortable in the realm of dress boots, these brown leather high-tops feel much the same but with a bit sportier of an appeal.

Pacer Sneakers

To Boot's dress sneaker is a great option for those just dipping a gentle toe into the world of sneakers with suits. The minimal silhouette, high-quality suede, and easy gray color make it feel like a choice rather than a mismatch.

Primo High-Top Sneakers

Koio makes a completely minimalist sneaker, and it does it well. Though primarily known for its neutral-hued low-tops, it also has a full range of silhouettes, styles, and colors—all of which stay streamlined. The shoes are made in Italy, and the company was founded by Germans who are based in New York City. As a result, you're really getting the best perspectives (and access) possible.

Replica Sneakers

Maison Margiela's designer footwear legacy has remained relatively untouched. Its most prominent product is an upscale reinterpretation of a standard-issue German army trainer sneaker, done up in black leather with suede accents and a gum sole. It's also been reinterpreted in numerous colorways and treatments, ranging from meticulous paint splatters to iridescent metallic leather and intricate basket-weave materials.

RS01 Sneaker

Rothy's sneakers are dress up-able thanks to their simple shape and black upper. They deliver, first and foremost, on comfort. The stretchy knit upper won't rough up your feet, even after hours of wear. Wear them to a dressier outdoor event or a day-long conference.

Jermain Leather Slip-On Sneaker

Polo's sharply made leather sneakers are elevated and they look it. Wear these if you’re looking for a footwear upgrade that keeps your whole outfit sleek and streamlined. The brown leather is an easy transition if you’re accustomed to only dressing up with dress shoes, too.

Low 1

We welcome a lose interpretation of "dress" sneaker and instead prefer to take a streamlined sneaker and make it dressy. A clean pair of Oliver Cabell's all-over gray sneakers are understated and cool with a suit.

Tips For Choosing

When it comes to finding the right dress sneaker, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is where you're going to be wearing this shoe—picking out something for daily wear to the office isn't the same as finding a style that's just a little bit chicer than your classic sneaker to wear to, say, the bar or the park. Some of these options are easier to dress up and down than others, so if you want a versatile style, going for a subtle, understated pick will serve you well.

Another thing: comfort. With any style of footwear, comfort is key. Most styles on this list are constructed from leather, which will break in over time. There are options that call for socks and options that don't, so consider your preference before buying.

Why You Can Trust Esquire

We’re not about writing how great things are if they aren’t actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups are carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to something like a dress sneaker, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting sneakers that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with sneakers that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse.

Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two feet are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

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