While I was watching this I was itching to disagree and was planning my comment that they could be combined with more classic wear but then you explained it fully and that a combination outfit of less formal jacket type was possible and I realised I agreed with absolutely everything you said including that they were likely to be timeless. People will wear them for comfort as well as contrast and also to mix up or combine styles these days as people are much more adventurous or daring in that respect!
@@gentlemansgazette Common projects are poor quality sneakers , you want quality buy Crown Northampton I wish Gentleman's Gazette would do some research .
@@theoneandonlykk777 Considering Preston owns and wears a pair of shell cordovan dress sneakers from Crown Northampton (check their videos) they do their research
A couple years ago I more or less accidentaly bought a pair of dress sneakers and loved how they worked in a smart casual setting. Now, I don’t think I’ll ever buy a different style of sneakers
It is, but there are purposely made for flexing wealth. I don't agree with that because, modesty and frugality are something I appreciate, but some people don't and they need products too.
Just discovered that crown Northampton will resolve your sneaker which is fantastic given the Horween/kudu/buffalo leather uppers they offer. They’re hands down the only sneaker I would ever even consider. Still not my thing but the lined version certainly does look soft and comfortable so I may try a pair some day.
Given how much of what we wear now as formal wear started off as casual, I wasn't surprised that you indicated that the dress sneaker may well be here for the long haul. But thank you for a very interesting video, as always!
I definitely thought it would be a trend, but I appreciate the explanation and conservative approach to considering it timeless. Let us hope for the best.
@@Methodsaimon I'm against sneakers too, but boots in summer? Here in Italy the desert boots (like the chealsea and other boots) only show up in the colder months. Boatshoes and loafers are summer shoes.
@@filippomonaco2303 well i live in the netherlands and i found the dessert boots too cool in the winter and decent in the summer but thats ofcourse different for everyone!
Sneakers are already kind of timeless, being invented 100 years ago at this point. What I do think will stop being "the norm" is white leather sneakers, especially the overpriced, low quality variety. I think natural color leathers and more durable sole types will eventually show up.
Look up Rose Anvil's channel, he did a whole series. Cutting open a bunch of dress sneakers to compare them.. TLDR: Goral wins, it's got leather insole, vibram outsole, resolable. etc.
Covid, career pivot, and moving to a big city really changed things for me. I used to think I would never wear dress sneakers, but they've become crucial to my walking commute to the office. First bought a pair from Cole Haan, just ordered a pair from Magnanni.
I think white minimalist trainers/sneakers look great with shorts and either a polo shirt or short sleeve shirt. They give a casual but well put together look. White trainers whether it be a Stan Smith from the 80s or a Common Projects of nowadays have always been popular. I think they're a casual classic.
You just triggered something I can remember back in the 70s having two different pairs of Stan Smith Adidas they were so comfortable and so classic so I think by bringing that up you just answer the question the white tennis shoe trainer is definitely a classic as it is already decades into the process and really has not changed! Bingo
I have a pair of Beckett Simonons white ones. For shorts or jeans they will certainly look better than standard athletic shoes most people wear and you will stand out. Personally I think boat shoes don’t look good and dress sneakers are a better choice.
Do to my old age, I wear slippers, because tying shoe laces is very difficult. Black is the color of choice, $20 a pair, and they last about three months.
@@iansoutryer3189 That's because his legs are short and chubby, and his shorts are too short. Plenty of young people wear leather sneakers in a more stylish way.
At first, I thought you might say "trend," but after only a few minutes into the video, I guessed it was the opposite. Personally, my main peeve with all sneakers is that I just hate soles that are completely flat. As a woman, I also dislike high heels. One reason I am into men's style is that the traditional men's dress shoes are a thing of beauty: the heel is there but it is never overly high.
@@gentlemansgazette I have been meaning to wear them more, but my foot size is too small for actual men's shoes. I am a fan of lace-ups more than slip-ons because it is more of a risk if there is no "room to maneuver." Also, I have been meaning to explore leather soles. So far I have been wearing rubber soles, as they are easier to come by. But it is thanks to you guys that I am exploring these options more. :)
@@hannamakela6989 if you're looking for traditional menswear-styled shoes that are small enough for you, I recommend Tomboy Toes - my feet are too small for most men's shoes as well, so I buy mine from Tomboy. Their selection is pretty limited because they're a small company, but they have classic styling and high quality.
I've got a pair of Idrese white sneakers and they're great! 2 years old, worn 2/3 times per week and they're still going strong. They look worn in but still good
I ended up having to wear trainers when I started swordfencing. They totally throw me off balance - having no heel is a bizzare feeling to me. I'm a fussy traditionalist who prefers trainers stay where they were intended: athletics. Any time you could wear a trainer, a classic shoe will automatically look better, in my opinion. With that said, one of my friends is really into Vans, and I actually have a good deal of respect for their customization. I care more about individualism than tradition, and I think that sort of thing is pretty cool, though definitely not for me.
I'd say the classic shoe will always look more classy but not everyone wants that or at least not all the time. A pocket square and tie will also look more classy but again not everyone will want that. Smart casual is a big thing and how a lot of people want to look, hence the rise of the dress sneaker. Respect to you for staying at the top end though. I rarely wear dress sneakers myself (have one white pair) but when I do it's usually in warmer months and with a cotton jacket and either denim or chino trousers
Honestly this is the best GG video yet. Kyle, you keep getting better and better! I thought this was going to be about the plague of Franken-shoes so I was pleasantly surprised. I do love the simplicity of a plain, all-white sneakers. I recently traded up to Beckett Simonon myself!
I'm a big fan of leather Vans loafers. I get a lot of compliments on them and when they ask where they can get a pair nobody can ever belive they are actually just Vans.
I would agree in saying it falls under the same category as boat shoes, or albert slippers. More so boat shoes, and maybe even loafers. A very casual shoe, ment for comfort that you wear at home. It can also be worn at very casual occasions such as summer barbecues, while in chinos and a polo
It doesn't take extra effort to throw on a pair of dress shoes. But there's a clear difference in how i would perceive a person if they put on dress shoes vs sneakers.
I definitely think that white leather sneakers are a staple, especially for young men who like to wear business casual. I wear them all the time with broken suits and white t-shirts. At the end of the day, people should wear what they like and feel comfortable in, no matter what others say!
People should dress how they feel comfortable, yes. I'm deeply passionate about classic/vintage menswear, but I certainly don't believe in some sort of mandate that makes everyone dress formally. I'm quite content to be different and not care what everyone else thinks. There's always going to be a small part of me that cringes at trainers with a tailored jacket, but I'm sure small parts of a few other people cringe when they see me wearing opera pumps with a cravat and odd jacket, like I am now. Dressing for your personality, in my opinion, is far more important than upholding standards of dress, be it old rules or fashion trends.
@@iansoutryer3189 Who are you to decide what looks good? Personally, I think most of what I see on this channel doesn't look particularly good. It's all subjective, and I can guarantee you that there are folks who look down on your choice of attire.
I wear Vans sneakers with a simple design pretty often, and compared to what most people around me wear, they're considered formal. They go really well with the dark jeans and charcoal leather jacket I usually wear.
Straight up, those white sneakers look ridiculous on you in shorts. You need to wear those with pants. With shorts, you need something more casual and probably about 1" higher top, from the ground.
I own 2 pairs of them, one in beige and a white sole and one in blue with white sole. They're great for summer when you can't wear boots or shoes, but also you kinda can't wear sandals or alpargatas/espadrilles lol, and I hate boat shoes. But wearing jeans with oxblood penny loafers is not a bad look either, especially if you have a belt in the same color. I also love no show socks like the ones you see in the video for summer.
I assumed you'd go the Trend route, and am pleasantly surprised to be wrong. A clean sneaker will always be the best choice for a more mature guy. It doesn't have to be about 'would I wear them with a suit'.
I used to view “ dress sneakers “ as fine with suit or dress slacks and a sport coat blazer. Now it’s seems it’s seems it’s an older crowd trying to look younger. I’m 63 and it’s a fine line of relevance and just looking old. They are great with casual wear. I own 3 pairs. Currently not my footwear of choice when looking professional at work ( surgeon ) or other events.
I think dress sneakers have their limits and wearing them with a very well tailored suit is ridiculous personally I'm still going to want to wear a good pair of brown or black hard sole dress shoes and look professional not like I'm something I'm not like a little boy in his church suit
Classical classical gentleman's outfit. Buckskin loincloth! Handcrafted too. I like to couple it with my ebenholz walking stick for that more refined look. Coupled with my torc made out of bronze i definitely think it has a very refined and classical visual to it.
I can see a younger man; under 35 wearing "dress" sole type shoe 👞 sneaker with suits, at work but I would not go to some events or functions wearing that footwear. Weddings, courts ⚖️, funerals ⚰️🪦⚱️.
I have slowly moved into the realm of dress sneakers. At first I considered them an abomination. I play tennis, cycle, and basketball and for all my adult life wore athletic shoes specific to each task. Casual and business casual to me still meant dress shoes and sneakers were for shorts or jeans at best. Seeing them in more and more settings made me curious enough to try. I would not go full dress sneaker at first, but instead a pair of Allen Edmonds trainers in both high and low tops, brown leather. My thinking was that I definitely did not want to confuse the look, if I had on a sneaker (trainer) I wanted it to be obviously such. Knowing that I would NEVER combine a suit with sneakers, I was admittedly intrigued with the idea of raising the ante to include a blazer and polo shirt. This required a raising of the shoe level and I went with a pair of shoes that tried to combine an oxford wingtip look with a sneaker. The materials included mesh nylon making a more casual look. Not bad and it elevated things beyond a "sneaker" look. Then, one of the premier high top white dress sneakers went on a tremendous sale and I took the opportunity to explore further. Now I had three choices of dress sneaker to choose from with three distinct levels of dressing up or down in this style and that works for me. I have since added just one more to allow me to go with jeans (dark denim or light), chinos and khakis, and even a linen look with blazers or sport coats and look the way and level I want with ease. The dress sneaker has now become an addition to my wardrobe and extended my casual look while looking relaxed, stylish and with great lines. The mixture especially breaking the look of a formal suit feels like a casual suit, without going with the magazine look of a formal suit with sneakers, I agree with you there. In closing, I am not at all surprised you give it the timeless nomenclature because of its widespread acceptance and popularity and the casualing of menswear to this effect in general.
Thanks for sharing this video. I have a couple pairs of dressy sneakers that are perfect for the office I work in which is part of a manufacturing/assembly plant. I agree that dress sneakers are timeless. I enjoy the minimalist offerings of Puma, Tommy Hilfiger, and Nike that I have found readily while discount shopping
I think the 'dress sneaker' or some variant there of will be around for a while due to comfort and relaxed silhouette. I still think something like an Adidas stan Smith could still be worn instead of it's expensive common project cousin.
I think they will become "timeless". They are the sneakers I always wanted growing up. Every pair of sneakers I cherished growing up were similar in design, although sometimes marred by a brand logo. I will say however that even so called "timeless" menswear pieces morph over time, so future gentleman's Gazettes may tell the tale of how the Derby dress shoe evolved. Or sneakers, and dress shoes that couldn't be repaired may become an abomination that future Gazettes will mock and ridicule our time for adopting.
Triple black or triple dark brown (like the one crown north hampton sent you - though I'd prefer a darker sole) dress sneakers looks good even for a business formal attire. Yes, business formal and not just business casual. I wish you tried these colors with a business suit.
I love dress sneakers. I've bought a few in the last year or so, and definitely think they are here to stay. In any case it comes down to comfort for me.
There has always been a distinction between formal and casual. Needless to say, formal means formal and casual means casual - even today. It's just that the culture has become more casual all around. Also, the average man doesn't often find himself in a situation where contemporary culture expects him to dress formal. In many ways it's all up in the air these days because standards have been gradually eroded, jettisoned so as to better reflect a social order more democratized, free and individualized. Rules of dress are either hotly disputed or not even given thought, and expectations vary greatly from individual to individual, institution to institution. So, in a way, you can wear what you like and, if you carry yourself well and project yourself adequately, not be looked down upon. You could dress formal for every activity if you want, if that's how you want to project yourself to others. People will perceive you according to their values and expectations, just like they always have.
Nothing wrong with dressing formal especially for events but there’s times like going for a walk around the block, running errands in the weekend or doing your yard work where you wouldn’t want to be wearing a suit or other formal clothing.
I fully expected y'all to say sneakers would be a trend. I was glad to hear you say they could potentially be timeless. I really like my white Common Projects and how they seem to bring my less formal wear up a notch.
ahahahaha that peasant stamp cracked me up 🤣😂🤣 sneakers are fine as long as you don't wear them with a suit (at least not in formal settings, what people do in their private time I won't judge because its more important that people feel good than to follow any dress rules), but sometimes we have to go shopping or do other errands or just sight seeing or walking where comfort becomes more important than looks and that is a perfect opportunity to wear sneakers. That said I find chukka boots even more comfortable than sneakers.
They have the potential to become timeless, because yes they are trending, but they have that timeless inspiration from the timeless classic sneakers, such as a converse mentioned in this video. I have a tan pair that I’ve actually taken to Disney, a place I would not consider taking my “night out” shoes. So it’s great that these dress sneakers can offer the option for versatile activity.
Exactly, the "dress" sneaker is really a relaxed-smart-casual variation on the general sneaker concept. There have been leather sneakers forever and most were rather plain-looking (what they now call minimalist) until gaudy coloring/patterning began escalating since c. 1980 because makers wanted their brand visible on the feet of athletes on TV. A pair of old school *low-top* Converse Chucks only had branding on the *back* of the heel... heck, if you are really going all the way full casual rather than "smart casual", there's times and places a pair of those is just swell FWIW. To me, a low top plain non-technical sneaker is what is a timeless design. What you do to elevate (or ruin) it is up to those making the design and marketing decisions. And good call on creating a category "those that only make you sweat financially". I mean, really...
I just discovered recently the dress (all white) sneakers similar to common projects shoes is one of the best shoes to be worn in office with polo 👕 shirt and any types of pants. A jacket 🧥 or casual suit or coat 🧥 can also be used during meetings and events!
Allen Edmonds carries a number of sneakers and in particular they have sneaker versions of their classic Randolph Loafer and Park Ave Oxford. At first glance the white soles give them the clear sneaker look. However choose the optional black sole and a person will be very hard pressed to distinguish them visually from their dress counterparts. The soles of their sneakers are stitched on and replaceable. The dots have been connected and lines fully blurred from white sneaker up through full dress shoes !
I think the problem is all about the color. When it is white, it definitely attracts attention, but as it is a sneaker, it leads to formality conflict and looks strange. The same would be true in the ages when boots were formal and oxfords were informal, and someone was trying to wear informal oxfords with the color white. So I definitely think that as dress sneakers develop, they are likely to appear more subdued so that they become appropriate to combine with suits.
Thanks for helping me learn how to dress timelessly, even on a sparse budget! I am 72 yrs and recently retired, and some mornings I watch “The Price is Right.” Today, Drew Carey wore a classy single-breasted tweed suit in a light grey. The suit looked great on him, except….and he does this frequently, he wore athletic shoes (sneakers) with the nice suit. They looked expensive, although they had different colored panels and were not dress sneakers. To boot, it looked like he was wearing no socks! I would be love to see him in a pair of English tan brogues or even wingtips, since he is hosting a TV show with a budget of many thousands of dollars! Have you watched Drew and TV, and do you have an opinion of his footwear choices? Let me know, if you have time! Tell Preston he looks really swank in slim-cut trousers, like the tan ones in this video, paired with a classic sweater. Thanks again, and count on me as a loyal fan! 👞
I usually call them minimal leather sneakers. I agree that they will become timeless due to their minimal appearance and lack of loud branding on them. They are fine addition to anyone’s wardrobe for casual to smart casual outfits.
Have worn dress sneekers/trainers many times and have had many types. But never, ever worn worn a suit as they look odd and very out of the ordinary, but Nikes have been good for me, plus also got a pair of Soviets awhile ago. (The shoe make, not the USSR) their stylish, cool and comfortable.
I love dress sneakers (smart trainers in the UK) Oliver Sweeney are my favourite pair then a make by Geox. White for summer and fall, Black for winter.
In reference to the point on whether the sneaker fits business casual, it does vary by the employer quite a bit. I worked in 2 different business casual offices, and one business attire office (suit and tie required, with casual friday). One of the business casual offices did not allow sneakers. The other did, but they had to be dress sneaker level ("no athletic shoes or shoes of an extraoridinary display is the way I think they put it in the dresscode"). The casual friday for the business attire office allowed all sneakers, as well as down to jeans and tee-shirt oddly enough.
BTW, growing up in LA during the 70s we never called them sneakers. We called them tennis shoes. And we simply called Converse sneakers Converse. Same with Van sneakers. We just called them Vans. You use the Converse as a jumping off point as the forerunner to the dress sneaker, but a more appropriate sneaker would be the classic Stan Smith K-Swiss tennis shoe. I believe they still make it. It was very popular in the 70s.
I like this channels views on men's wear despite I disagree with some quite too much categorical statement on what it looks good an what not. For me the so called "Frankenshooes" look very smart as well as been comfortable, to me they are a good choice in many everyday situation like for example if you are travelling (airports, busses, etc) and you would like to look well but also been comfortable and able to move quickly if you are in a hurry for example. I also find the combination of sneakers and some more casual suits (not the more classical styles) to be quite appealing as they have a more relaxed appearance as well as been comfortable. This style is very suitable in many situation like going out with friends in a relaxed environment, visiting the family for a informal meal and other different situations.
I guessed you would go with trendy. But I felt that we were on the ground floor of a stylish choice. Just as you described with the former boots transition for the sake of functionality.
I’ve grown to like quality minimalist sneakers such as the ones showcased here. I think the trick is to keep them simple, a darker non-contrast sole might help. Nathans outfit at the end was giving off some serious dad vibes
Do laces matter? I have a new pair of dress sneakers (black with white soles) and had the choice of two styles. One with laces all the way down to my toes, like your white sneaker example, or one with only 3 eyelets worth of laces. They are otherwise identical. I purchased the 3 eyelet version and now I’m thinking I got it wrong. I think the full laces say “this is a sneaker”, and the less laces say, “this is a dress shoe”. I’m hesitant to wear these with shorts for that reason. They almost don’t look casual enough. Am I over thinking it? Is the white sole enough to send the “I am a sneaker” message? Btw, I used to be exclusively a boat shoe guy and I’m trying to move away from them, but they are very versatile with trousers and shorts.
Great Video as always! May you please do a review of the G.H. Bass Weejuns that Preston has, would love to see how they have turned out, and whether or not I should purchase them.
The reason most dress sneakers don't look good with a suit is because of the white sole. A shoe is supposed to ground the outfit, a shoe with a dark color will make your outfit look uniform. A lighter shoe will have a more casual language. If the sole is lighter than the shoe it will also have a more casual language. You will rarely see black oxfords with brown soles, and if you do it will be a brogue shoe (more casual). The white dress shoes that people used to wear ALWAYS had brown soles so it would still ground the outfit properly. A brown sneaker with a black/brown sole, or a black sneaker with a black sole are the only ones that will create a uniform look with a suit. In place of loafers they are great, if you are daring you can wear then in place of monkstraps or chelsea boots. But never in place of oxfords or derby's.
I thought you were going to go with trend. Me too. However, Preston’s were nice, maybe I would consider owning them… but then they might just be phased out in the end.
I think they ll get more formalized, but could not replace more classic shoe tipes like oxfords, simply due to culture being built around them (wheter pop culture or actual formal even culture), while we are still presented with them as ellegant and safe choice for most event, considering how much more comfortable they got over the years, they will most likely not disappear, just might eventually share the position of accepted formal wear together with dress trainers.
I agree with just about all of what you said, except that they cannot be with with a suit. It just takes the right type of suit to pull it off. Take a look at Kiton's last few SS collections, as they are an example of how to do it right! 👍
Thank you for putting "dress sneakers" (I prefer leather sneakers to be on the safe side) in the casual category where they belong. Sneakers in general just don't work with a suit and they never will. It's amazing how well dress sneakers work with a polo shirt, chino pants or shorts, jeans, and a flannel button up shirt. Wouldn't pair them with an oxford shirt though.
I agree with your overall assessment of the dress sneaker, but not certain specifics. I wouldn't categorically say that a dress sneaker shouldn't be worn with a suit. It would depend on the suit and the specific dress sneaker. For example, a linen suit or a seersucker suit would work great great with the correct dress sneaker. Or, even a light or brightly colored suit would work very well. Again, you'd have to select the correct dress sneaker. I also don't agree that you should never dress down a suit. In today's more casual world (as you said), dressing down a suit is a great option. Though, again, it needs to be the right suit for the right situation. I wouldn't recommend dressing down a double breasted or a pinstripe suit. Also, the material and construction of the suit would play a big role. Lastly, I have never cared for either wingtip or cap toe shoes. Too conservative and limiting because they are not versatile enough for me. My more recent interest in expanding my wardrobe has been researching some Goodyear welted boots in both casual and dress version varieties.
Nice Job Nathan! But I definitely say trend. Nothing "Classic" about them, to my eye. I fear that in 30 years the vast majority of people will be just wearing pajama's and slippers.
