<p>Dress sneakers take the riskiness out of wearing sneakers to elevated events. They pack in all the <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/g36384400/best-mens-leather-sneakers/” target=”_blank”>ease, comfort, and versatility</a> of a regular sneaker, but they’re designed to look <em>better</em>, whether through slim, minimalist designs, <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/g27091351/best-suede-chelsea-boots/” target=”_blank”>suede</a> or leather uppers, neutral colors, or all of the above. Our 7 favorite dress sneakers on the market, listed below, bring together the best of both worlds: they’re not too casual, but not too stiff and formal, either. They look great with selvedge <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a64187138/what-to-wear-with-denim-jacket/” target=”_blank”>denim</a>, cargo pants, and <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/g46595035/best-pleated-trousers-for-men/” target=”_blank”>suit trousers</a> alike. Wear them for work, wear them for play—step into the shoes of an elevated version of yourself.</p>” data-next-head/>
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Celeb-Favorite Dress Sneakers
Greats Royale 2.0 Sneakers
The Royale is truly a sneaker for style kings. Prime example: Ryan Reynolds—a favorite around these parts—paired the white version of Greats’ stalwart sneaker with tailored navy trousers and a long-sleeved polo. This tan colorway is even dressier and will go nicely with something similar to Reynolds’s fit or with a beige or brown suit.
| Colors | 14 |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 7-22 |
| Materials | Leather, Rubber |
Sleekest Dress Sneakers
Common Projects Achilles 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 anything, especially a suit. Among a sea of competitors, it’s a shoe that has achieved covetable status, and it just so happens to be one of our top picks.
| Colors | Navy, Black, White, Light Gray, Light Brown |
|---|---|
| Sizes | EU 39-EU 47 |
| Materials | Leather, Rubber |
Comfiest Dress Sneakers
Rothy’s 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. A bonus? This style is currently on sale, so add them to your cart ASAP. Trust us.
| Colors | 14 |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 7-16 |
| Materials | Textiles, Mesh, Rubber |
Best Minimalist Dress Sneakers
Vince Fulton Leather Sneakers
Another top contender on the minimal front is a low black leather sneaker. These are great with suits, chinos, trousers, and whatever else you might be wearing to the office (or to after-work drinks).
| Colors | Black |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 7-13 |
| Materials | Leather, Rubber |
Best Boot-Like Dress Sneakers
Thursday Boots High Top Sneakers
If you’re comfortable in dress boots, these brown leather high-tops feel pretty much the same but have a bit of a sportier appeal. They’re buttery soft and have a shock-absorbent performance footbed and a dual-density rubber outsole for added comfort and traction, so you can feel as good as you look.
| Colors | 10 |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 6-16 |
| Materials | Leather, Rubber |
Best Textured Dress Sneakers
Maison Margiela Replica Sneakers
Maison Margiela’s designer-footwear legacy remains 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 offered in numerous colorways and treatments, ranging from meticulous paint splatters to iridescent metallic leather and intricate basket-weave materials. It’s safe to say we’re a little (okay, a lot) obsessed with this design.
| Colors | Black |
|---|---|
| Sizes | EU 40-EU 45 |
| Materials | Leather, Rubber |
best sleek dress sneakers
M. Gemi 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, with leather-and-rubber construction, so you don’t have to think twice about wearing them. Plus, we love how this option comes in multiple different chic colorways.
| Colors | Black, White, Gray, Tan |
|---|---|
| Sizes | EU 40-EU 47 |
| Materials | Leather, Rubber |
| Top Review | “Needed a clean white pair to wear through trip to Europe and it’s truly like walking on a cloud. Wonderful craftsmanship and comfort. Other brands we tried paled in comparison.” |
Shop More of Our Editors’ Favorite Shoes
Tips for Choosing
When selecting the ideal dress sneaker, consider two key factors.
Material: The best material for men’s dress sneakers often depends on the balance between style, durability, and comfort. Some common materials to consider are:
Leather: A classic choice for dress sneakers, leather provides a polished and sophisticated look. It’s durable and tends to mold to your feet over time, offering extra comfort. Full-grain leather is the highest quality on the market.
Suede: While still maintaining a dressy appearance, suede offers a softer, more casual look than leather. However, it requires more care to avoid stains and water damage.
Canvas: Suitable for more casual dress sneakers, canvas is lightweight and breathable but less formal and durable than leather or suede.
Occasion: When choosing dress sneakers, one of the primary considerations is where you’ll be wearing them. Shoes for daily office wear differ from those meant for casual outings like trips to the bar or park. So if you’re shopping for the former, we suggest going with a leather or suede style that is both comfortable and classic. But if you want a pair that will look good while you’re funneling down some G&Ts, then seek out one of the low-top or canvas options. And always remember, some sneakers are more versatile than others, making them easier to dress up or down. If you want maximum versatility, opt for a subtle, understated design.
How We Chose
When compiling this list of the best dress sneakers, our experts knew that our guide needed to feature options that were comfortable, breathable, and, of course, stylish as hell.
We considered factors like material and fit, versatility, sizing, and even arch support. We also recruited our talented colleagues to shape this guide and considered user reviews, Internet forums, and people just like you.
How to Style
If you’ve found a pair you love but don’t know how to wear them, our experts have your back. Here are some of the most common and chicest ways to rock your new shoes.
With Suits:
Tailored fit: Pair dress sneakers with a well-fitted suit. Ensure the suit trousers have a slim, tapered look for a 10/10 in form and function.
Color coordination: Choose sneakers that flatter the suit color. Neutral tones like black, white, or shades of brown work well with most styles.
Minimalist design: Opt for clean, minimalist sneakers without excessive detailing. That way, they’ll complement the rest of your attire without overwhelming it.
With Chinos:
Combine dress sneakers with chinos for a smart casual look. Roll up the hem slightly to showcase the shoes—they’re your new investment, so be proud to show them off!
With Jeans:
Select slim or straight-cut jeans to avoid bulkiness around the sneakers. This will draw the eye to the detailing on the sneakers instead of the bagginess of the pants.
With Shorts:
Stick to tailored, knee-length shorts for a refined vibe that still says, “I’m down to see where this night takes me.”
With Dress Pants:
Cropped or tapered dress pants will enhance the streamlined look with dress sneakers.
With Casual Tops:
Pair with a button-down shirt or a lightweight sweater for an effortless fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean my dress sneakers?
It really depends on the material. For leather styles, brush away the dirt, then let the shoes dry or spot-clean them using a cloth. For suede, you can use a brush with gentle bristles to remove dirt, scuff marks, and water spots, and you can also use a foaming cleaner for a more effective wash. But no matter what you do, always, and I mean always, look at the cleaning instructions that came with the sneakers. This can be the make-or-break between a nice shiny pair of shoes and feeling sorry that you just ruined your new kicks.
What if my dress sneakers don’t have good arch support?
While we tried to only include options with great arch support on this list, sometimes certain shoes require just a little more. (If you have flat feet, you know this feeling all too well.) Fulton, a brand that specializes in making you feel good from head to toe, has some great inserts that you can add for more stability.
Why You Can Trust Esquire
We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s roundups is carefully chosen by our fashion and e-commerce teams.
When it comes to dress sneakers, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tried, tested, and loved, along with options that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse. We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these dress sneakers are the ones that are simply the best.
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