Turn heads by pairing sleek sneakers with elevated apparel.
By Ashley Ryan
In the world of fashion, it’s not uncommon for opposing trends to coexist in complete harmony. Take, for example, the popularity of athleisure and the regard for luxurious custom clothing. But a new movement marries these two styles, pairing suits with sneakers.
“The hybrid outfit is becoming more relevant,” says Mark Pomerantz, a Newport Beach-based designer specializing in tailored menswear. “… The rules of what we wear when have evolved, certainly with a push from COVID, … and it’s created a whole new category of dress sneaker.”
For Pomerantz, who lives in the realm of elevated apparel, the inclusion of casual footwear has started to penetrate his world over the last year or so, with clients asking for suggestions that keep comfort in mind or presenting him with a collectible sneaker to design clothing around. “I feel like it used to be kind of an alternative statement and now it’s becoming an intentional statement,” he notes.
Pomerantz himself has started incorporating more comfortable shoes into his wardrobe as well, noting that his favorites are the calfskin leather Louis Junior sneakers from Christian Louboutin, which he wears roughly three days a week. “They have the cleanest, nicest aesthetic and I like the detailing of them,” he says, adding that he prefers to keep his look simple.
“The sneaker thing is so fresh—both figuratively and literally—it makes a really nice look,” he explains. “I just don’t like when it’s overthought. … Keeping it dressy and simple and monochromatic in the shoe color is the safest bet to have the freshest look and the most versatile styling.” Pomerantz recently paired tuxedo pants and a blazer with black suede sneakers for a high-end event in Arizona, creating a cool combination that still offered an elevated look overall.
Other brands he suggests if you’re seeking a clean look include Common Projects, Saint Laurent and Zegna. But he says designers like Gucci, Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton are crafting more bold shoes for sneakerheads as well. Air Jordan also remains popular, bringing a more traditional sneaker to these elevated looks with black-on-black, patent leather or colorful styles.
When deciding what to wear with your footwear, Pomerantz says it can be subjective. He recommends donning a dark suit with a black suede shoe to add some depth to your outfit, and says that sneakers pair well with dress pants, like his Patch Pocket trousers or tailored knit slacks, and a sweater or even a luxe velvet bomber jacket for an integrated look from head to toe.
“It’s just kind of a new perspective,” Pomerantz says of the trend. “It’s comfortable, it’s a little more approachable—in the same way that I’m not wearing a dress shirt or even a tie with my suits as often. … I think we’re going to continue to see more hybridized styling of luxury aesthetic meets luxe leisure aesthetic.”
Footloose and Fancy Free
These footwear options, available locally, are fashionable complements to any formal attire.
