Sneakers Over 40? How To Style White Sneakers 

I will definitely wear a pair of sneakers with a casual suit. I'm a former model, so I know to to style and wear it, that it looks appealing to the eye. I have been told that I know how to make trendy clothing look classic. It's all about understanding what works for you. I'm fifty nine years old, and love looking trendy but smart. I do also believe that I'm slim so it tends to look good. At times I feel the older guys want to look trendy but then they have the stomach to worry about. I don't drink nor smoke, so I'm just enjoying how good I'm looking for my age. And please understand I'm not competing with the younger guys. I look my age but just damn classy.

I'm fortunate to work within walking distance of Thursday Boots in NYC so I am able to try their models on before buying. I already own a pair of their black Premier Lows and these white/gum sneakers are next on my list. I'll be buying a pair shortly. I enjoy your content. As a 63 y.o., I'm "slightly" above 40 but I still strive to be stylish.

At 54 years old, I just bought my first pair of all white low-cut sneakers from Thursday Boots and really enjoy them. I am thankful that I found for channel some months ago and was introduced to this brand. No longer wearing running shoes and have also bought some chinos and better fitting jeans. My goal in the next couple of months is to get low-cut sneakers and boots from Thursday. Thank you for putting out good videos each week.

Agree with you on just about everything. Not a huge fan of the sneaker, or hybrid sneaker, look with a suit. Works better with jeans and a sport coat.

Good point regarding the hybrid shoe, it does look like something is off. Another brand that will always look cool and won't raise eyebrows is Converse. They have them in white leather too. And even the high tops are perfectly acceptable for older guys, because the model is timeless. You'll see older musicians and actors sporting Converse regularly.

I'm 53 and have a good mix of Alden, AE, and Red Wing boots and dress shoes but I get the most compliments from my AE Strand sneakers. Love your channel!

Totally agree with the hybrid shoe thing. As well as the sneakers-with-a-suit thing. I like those sneaks! Thanks dude!

I think older guys like us can get away with sneakers with a casual suit not a formal one. I have always liked the way Giorgio Armani looks when he wears casual navy suit with either black or white sneakers. Thank you John for all the great content you make!

I do like a plain hybrid shoe. I have one pair in brown. It works for me. I do have a pair or black and brown sneakers that i like wear. I feel the brown hybrid gives me just a bit more “upscale” casual look. Love the channel. Always keeps me thinking.

Great video John!!! The minimalist white sneaker is a staple of my wardrobe. I usually wear them with Levis 514s or a pair of chinos

Thanks so much for the review, we're glad you love your sneakers!

Great video glad you posted keep them posted keep them coming thanks

well done as usual. white, leather, minamilist sneakers are perfect for a street smart adult casual look. I don't do them with suites as I feel that looks too trendy but they look great with a pair of jeans, and a linen blazer. Note to everyone make sure they are not scuffed-up.

Love love love my Stan Smith's! Wore them for the first time as a 16 year old, and at 56 I still wear them (not with my suits though).

i love this segment... it helps me to mixed and match my white sneakers. i have sledgers and stan smith to use alternately when i want to wear a white sneakers .. Thank you..

I love my M. Gemis, they literally go with EVERYTHING.

I only wear sneakers working out and maybe an old pair for DIY now, I don't wear them any more because I lived in them as a every day wear from the day I could walk to 35 so it's fair to say I am sick of them, I just don't feel they are a thing for me now. But If I did go back to wearing sneakers, it would be a plain pair of white with little to no branding. I kinda like the "Sneaker 1 by Grenson". I have a pair of Brogues by that company, a fantastically made pair of shoes.

I'm also not a big fan from suits +sneakers. But wear different white sneakers a lot... Converse, classic Reebok, classic Nike and Adidas. I think most casual outfits are fresher with a white shoe.

I have 4 pair of various boots from Thursday, and 1 pair of white sneakers also. All very good quality for the price. The gum sole is definitely next in my lineup. As I am tired of burning through magic erasers cleaning my sneakers up in my collection.

Definitely NOT wearing sneakers with a suit. 🤨🙄

I already purchased a pair of white low-tops back in May from Thursday Boots. Talk about comfort and good price.

Great advice! I agree with everything. I was at dinner the other night and saw an older guy, maybe 70 walk in with chinos and jogging sneakers. To your point of the whole channel, not everyone gets it and knows how to look good. Thank goodness you are creating this content. The ones who know how to dress, stick out!

Nice vid. I agree with hybrid dress shoes and sneakers with a suit. Looks weird at any age. At 46, I am still a sneakerhead. Instead of the OG brighter colorways, I think you would really love the Air Jordan 3 Desert Elephant. Quality leather, sail midsole. It's a gentleman's Jordan. Perfect with my lambskin leather jacket. Same goes for my Air Jordan 1 Hand Crafted. A gentleman's Fall shoe. You would do great with matching the various colors and the patched white stitching gives it a quilt hand made vibe. My other Summer go to is the white leather Reebok Classic with gum sole. Being a Bulls fan as a kid, my Chicago EMB Dunk lows get so many compliments. The pop of color from the chile red, white, sail, black, has more of a pulse than some of the neutral options. A classic colorway, and it brings me back when I played in my Chicago 1s as a young boy. My Polaroid Dunks get tons of compliments too, tons of bright color, and nostalgic. They come with 7 laces, so it's fun changing it up. I use Hefe Luxx Classic insoles that have Adidas Boost-like tech to provide comfort in these legendary silhouettes. The Classic line is a little thinner. Their Ultra Comfort line is for work boots, much thicker.

Hey John. I am 62 now and I easily pull off a suite wearing all white sneakers and get many compliments. You never too old🤣🤣

Thanks John.

Olukai makes a great line of leather sneakers. I have several pairs and they are awesome.

It's funny you mention the Thursday boot company. I live close to work and walk home for lunch. I was wearing sneakers for the walk but decided to get some Thursday boots instead to dress it up a bit. they are definitely not as comfortable with sneakers but for a short walk

Great video John... Awhile ago....I started with 1 pair of Thursday's... I'm up to 3.... Boots are next! #legend

I'm 44 and just bought an all white pair of Thursday low tops and love them! Will look at the gum soles too.

I have some Thursday boots that i wear when I photograph wedding in the Fall in New England....I am going to get some of those sneakers for next Spring ( and Winter weddings in FL)

Legend. I agree with you on sneakers and suits. Looks great on the younger guys. I have a pair of all white I just don’t wear much. Too many other options. Great video and thanks for the opportunity to comment.

I have the Cole Hann Grand Pro in brown/orange, blue & black that I routinely wear w/ LuLu ABC classic slacks & polo style shirt. My Allen Edmonds (8 pairs) don’t get a lot of play any more unless i need to throw on a suit or sport-coat.

Good stuff as always!

I recently bought the Toffee low sneakers, I'm totally lost on what to wear with them. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thx

Great video John - I totally get what you were saying on that pair of shoes. I bought a pair of brown Paul Evan minimal sneakers. I struggle when to wear them bc what you were saying - they are almost to dressy to be sneakers, and vice versa

I'm 25 and about to sub to this channel, this is dope and Def needed

Hey John. Agree with you Re: leather sneakers with a suit. I know some people like the look, and that’s absolutely cool. They just don’t feel or look right on me. Also, just bought a pair of dark blue Thursday sneakers and they look fantastic!

I'm from London and I've worn white Stan Smith's with certain formal attire for the past 20 years. It's never been a question of it being age appropriate.

I was thinking about the Nike Air Force 1... *Thursday Boot is a great company - I'm saving up for that

Hi John, is it OK to wear black sneakers, I mean completely black, with dark denim or dark navy chinos if you’re above 40? Does that look odd in a casual setting like a drinks evening at a bar with friends? Thanks

I enjoy my white Common Projects with some of my suits. I am 50. Tons of compliments.

On point! Not only for guys over 40.

Nice video John 👍🏻

please, im 55 and still rock my sneaker.

I have just bought a pair of Giovanni Lorenzo's black with a white sole and they are pretty plain and minimalistic but look awesome with casual pants or jeans.....being 56 I am pretty conscious of how I am perceived so definately prefer the more dressy sneakers

I am almost 50 and use some of my suits with minimalistic one color sneakers. All the time receive many compliments.

Hello john .l totally agree with you Idon t like sneakers with a suit

Thanks for your video. I'm looking at getting black leather sneakers with the white sole. Not sure if I should go with or without laces. The shoe I like comes in both styles. What are your thoughts?

I love your shirt!

I totally agree with your "no sneakers with suits." It always reminds me of the student body president who has to open an assembly on the same day he has gym class.

Common projects are cool. Clean and lean. The kind you wear with chinos

Hi John yes totally agree leave it to the younger chaps 😊but I like all the other tips . All the best Christopher Barker

i scored two pair of (one brown leather, one blue canvas) minimalist sneakers a few months ago from banana republic on sale for about $30 each (normally over $128). just bought a white pair from sperry that is arriving today for $24 (normally $98). some good sales out there so you don't have to break the bank to look good and step up your "mature game". my only issue is what to do with 90 or so pairs of nikes, addidas, etc that i collected during my sneakerhead days. lol.

Totally agree: sneakers are ok with most of pants, but not with a suit. Hybrid shoe I want to buy one pair. It's a little bit like dress sneakers, no?

I personally want a dressy enough sneaker to be fashionable and comfortable to wear to church, a funeral, or a gathering of businessmen. I'm done with shoes. It's partially "I don't care" and "I do care a little bit". I'm 70 and I want style and comfort all in one. Possible? PS the new balance sneaker is comfortable as can be, it's the people around me that are "judging" and I can feel it :) I've been thru the "who cares" stage. I now care a little bit, enough to ask this question :)

I just discovered your videos and are finding them very helpful! Was wondering if you were aware of any companies that do custom sneakers and shoes? I have one foot wider then the other, and I am tired of suffering with standard shoes and sneakers. Thanks!

im 56, and still maintain a great bod. 5-11 180 6 percent body fat. so I can and do wear suits with sneakers. got about 14 different pairs . thursdays boot, marc nolan, carlos santana, are a few places I cop sneakers from to complement the look.

Hi John Loved the video on white sneakers, one thought when you put the sneaker on you used your finger. Would it be an idea to feature a shoe horn? As an older guy with a bad back I found a shoe horn a great accessory and maybe you could do a video on a shoe horn?

for casual wear, not shorts but pants the second shoe was pretty cool

LEGEND Hell, ya, white sneakers over 40! #Legend

Handsome shirt

I'm 64 y/o's old and I have worn white sneakers recently. I live in Florida now (transplant from Temecula CA), and wear light colored & White sneakers with shorts and short sleeve button downs. Maybe it's the Florida vibe here, but they work for me. I keep it classy, but clean. I don't try to compete with the younger guys.

Minimal sneakers are great at our age, but I wouldn't wear them with a suit or dress slacks (unless it becomes necessary for some reason). I think they're great with shorts, jeans, tech pants, or chinos. I tend to avoid white sneakers, because I'm constantly running into wet/muddy or dry/dusty situations … and white sneakers are so hard to keep pristine. I would wear the dress shoe / sneaker hybrids. Particularly since the sneaker portion looks like it was taken from a dad sneaker. Sadly, the Thursday Boots premier low-top sneakers came out several months too late. I was in the market for a pair of minimal gray leather sneakers, and I checked their selection at that time. I had to settle for a pair of Sperry nubuck minimal sneakers.

Gumsole tennis shoes are great

They are a good looking sneaker with the gum rubber.

Definitely good pointers.. now I'm definitely getting a pair of gum sole white sneakers... White sneakers with a suit is definitely a no no for me... And I definitely agree with wearing no show socks with these, with shorts, jeans or sneakers.

As usual your top class presentation made me reconsider some very fixed views. But they were from the last century. LOL. Phil.

What type and colour of belt would be worn with white leather sneakers?

Gr8 content. Fashion Sneakers with a sports coat/blazer sure ...Sneakers with a suit, maybe no I like my hybrid shoe, i have a dark sole tho.

Great video John! I’d never wear sneakers with a suit. The only time it remotely looks good to wear sneakers with a suit is when high school guys go to prom in a tuxedo and Jordan 11s.

can you make a video about gray / grey sneakers?

Hey John. Another great video. Was great to hear I'm not the only one who thinks the sneakers &: suit look doesn't work for them. What is your take on a navy blue or black suit & brown dress shoes? I personally don't like it myself.

John, how about converse sneakers, is it fit to a guy in 60s?.

On the Thursday sneakers? Do they fit true to size?

I know the video is about sneakers, but I really like your shirt. Where did you get it?

I agree on both the dress sneakers and wearing sneakers with a suit…personally I will leave wearing sneakers to the young guys, at 53 I’d feel silly trying this…the dress sneakers just look odd to me. I recently purchased my first pair of white sneakers and have enjoyed wearing them with jeans, chinos and shorts…before I would have thought nothing of wearing running shoes with those same jeans and shorts, not realizing how badly I was dating myself…

I wore my all white kswiss in the rain last Friday & they look much cleaner now 🤷

You're right, the second shoe in the video is confusing and one I would never buy. The white/light color sole doesn't go at all with the dark leathery bulk of the shoe. It's a mismatch of material colors. The only setting that might work for that shoe would be a luxury evening dock party with yachtsmen. However, the reverse of that works much better as seen displayed with the first shoe from, Thursday. While still somewhat odd, they were able to blend the contrast between the sole and bulk of the shoe to a degree by using a colored heel piece at the top-back of the shoe. The heel pieces are available in colors of the same intensity or depth of shade as the sole. For anyone interested, scuff marks on the sides of all-white sneakers can easily be removed using a paper towel or terry cotton cloth and a mixture of 1-part Simple Green and 2-parts water. I use that mixture in a spray bottle because works great for a lot of things, like removing marks on painted walls. As well, using a terry cotton cloth, that mixture is perfect for cleaning up the greasy debris your mechanic's shirt sleeve left on your car's door panel (both fabric or vinyl types) and for greasy handprints on the steering wheel and shifter in your car.

Ya know, how you feel about square toe shoes is how I feel about sneakers. LOL!

The Best

are white sneakers mostly an American thing? I don’t see many white sneakers in Canada, except on nurses.

I"m 70 and I have the Tan and the White Casual no branding dress sneakers. (BTW: like the blue dress shirt.

I love the minimalist white sneaker. They look great with tons of different outfits but I would not wear them with workout clothes and definitely not with a suit. I’m not a fan of wearing any type of sneaker with a suit. Shoes are a must with a suit.

White is so stark. I generally avoid it on casual outfits except as an outer layer. For sneakers I prefer black.

I purchased a of Thursday sneakers and had to return them due to the uncomfortable rubbing at inner heel.

Great video John! I have a pair of white/gum sole sneakers and struggle w/how to pair them with outfits. You gave me some good ideas!

Brother!!! How is everyone!!!! I personally like the idea of casual with sneakers as long as they convine with the rest of the outfit , how ever after my knee surgery I was strongly recommended to compensate the cushion of my meniscus with some ultra comfortable and well supported shoes and those sneakers stay out of that category for sure , it don't matter what brand and how expensive they are, for me are rarely to be able to use , same with moccasins, if I use them for over 3 hrs , I'll be paying the price the next 2 days , and yes I am heavy for those who wonder.... Lol , I'm in the process of loosing weight , I'm not fat just thick but working my way to be 200 pnds cut ,blasting the gym and extremely controlled diet, but even like this I get a lot of attention, thankX to 40OVERFASHION!!!!! ThankX John!

Disagree with the hybrid, I would wear a pair of those with chinos in the office and think they really work well. I bought a couple of pairs of Thursdays trainers, actually after watching one of your previous videos. I found the sizing really strange, followed their instructions but fit is not good, I find them so uncomfortable I don’t actually wear them, which is unfortunate as they look great.

I wore white Koio sneakers with a royal blue suit to my daughters wedding. The compliments i received were endless

Great video with some awesome advice. I've been away from the channel a while because I lost my daughter about a month ago and I just couldn't get back into my regular routine and I probably never will. It's been an awful thing but I'm trying for her to push on. I appreciate the video and will keep an eye out for the next. Thank you

What is the best shampoo for gray hair thanks

I agree, there are a lot of better options than sneakers to wear with your suit.

The hybrid shoe or the Frankenshoe!

Just wear the old school, black & white (PF Flyers) type!

Thursday the value brand

Stay Classy Gentlemen, leave the white sneaker and suit combo to the young dudes. Love the sneaker, jeans, and a sports jacket as a more casual/youthful look for us guys. Most of all though with any footwear, take the time to keep them clean and polished…..it says a lot about the person wearing them.

Great video John! As a 64 year old guy I still love my all white leather Jack Purcells. Great with chinos or jeans.

Great company

Hi John, after much thought, I would say that if I wear to go for a white dress sneaker, I would step into an all-white, not white with a gum sole as the latter doesn't accentuate the aura or personality of a white sneaker. If you are concerned about maintaining your all-white sneaker during rainy season or muddy areas or crowded places, don't wear it as there are or there should be other shoes in your shoe rack for the purpose. I would think twice wearing it if I wear to board or deboard a metro train from a overly crowded metro station.

Great video John. I have two pairs of sneakers I have New Balance running shoes that I only wear if I'm doing something athletic and a pair of Hermès all white tennis shoes. No logos. Understated and tasteful. And you're right the gum Soles are much more practical especially in Northern climates or if you're in a lot of rain. I think wearing a sport coat or a suit with tennis shoes is like an oxymoron. It is not professional and anybody watching your videos is not a little hipster. So I would say dude not cool. As my sister used to say to me act your age not your shoe size LOL