‘Formal sneakers’ sounds like an oxymoron. Just like an ‘accurate horoscope’ or a ‘decent Nickelback song’. But when something’s specifically made for comfort, we will find a way to make it work anytime, anywhere. We are only human! But that doesn’t mean we would just wing it.

Let’s break it down, shall we?

Imagine a man in a suit, well-groomed, walking down the street with a cup of coffee in one hand and a briefcase in the other. Formal!

Now sneakers. It’s a young man’s footwear that screams casual and millennial, someone who doesn’t give a lot of emphasis to his attire, not beyond what goes with what.

Correct?

But then what’s ‘formal sneakers’?

With the rise of millennial managers and also millennials becoming the face of well known magazines, they’re bringing with them, a new style era.

Don a pair of sneakers with a suit twenty years back, you would definitely be judged by everyone around and be labelled a fashion victim. But now, it’s different.

What has led to this change? What has made people get accustomed to choosing comfort andstyle, rather than compromising one for the other?

The introduction of these:

Shoes which have sneaker-like comfort, but with a look informal appropriate for even something as uber-serious as a board meeting! These are more like a pair of sneakers for someone who’s always on the move but also would love to take time off for a long stroll.

All you need to keep in mind is that these sneakers still need to look formal enough for some of the events that you might go to.

Let’s think of situations and types of sneakers now.

Canvas sneakers to, let’s say, a formal meeting – no! Incorporating the trend with a darker shade of Leather sneakers to a formalmeeting – yes!

Sure, getting with this trend can be rewarding, but only if one knows how to pair them appropriately to the type of event, and also the type of attire that they don.

How to get a formal look with sneakers? Here are some secrets:

• Get perfect fit clothing to go with the sneakers. Baggy or ill-fit pants never, and we mean NEVER, go well with sneakers.

• Not just your pants but if you wish to wear a blazer, make sure it fits well. Remember, a slimmer and sleeker look goes perfectly with ‘formal’ sneakers.

• Wearing sneakers for a meeting and scared they’ll look informal? Do not worry, just wear a basic or a plain sneaker.

• Always make sure that if you are going with a bolder look for the outfit, wear a basic sneaker and vice versa.

• Also, if you want to incorporate the trend subtly, black sneakers can always help.

So, there you go. But do you think appropriate and well fitting attire is enough to look formal with sneakers?

No. Neatly groomed beard and well-dressed hair add up to the “formal” look of your shoes too! Make sure you’ve checked all the boxes the next time you plan to rock one of these “formal sneakers”. And if we can all do it right, we might just be able to call them that without the double quotes.

And if someone still does not understand the new trend of pairing sneakers with let’s say, a suit, make them read this article to understand that they are missing out on a bold and daring fashion trend.