Joggers are elevated sweatpants, to be completely honest. But, they’ve taken the fashion world by storm and they’ve deserved the right to be talked about every minute of every day. Kanye West won’t stop wearing them everywhere he goes which means we have to talk about the best men’s shoes to wear with joggers without looking like you just rolled out of bed.
Here’s the thing – you can get away with wearing joggers pretty much everywhere, as long as you don’t refer to them as sweatpants. Sweatpants are what you wear when you’re working from home, playing video games with your buddies, or running errands while praying to God nobody sees you.
Joggers, on the other hand, are what you wear when you want to appear polished and put-together without giving off an “I tried too hard” vibe.
Sure, sweatpants and joggers (kind of) look the same. Both have that signature stretchy waistband or a drawstring closure. Both are made with super soft French terry or brushed fleece. And, both are known as loungewear staples.
But, they’re cousins rather than twins because somebody thought to make joggers socially acceptable to wear outside, to the office, to a brunch, or even a night out on the town. Not only that but joggers can be made with fabrics reminiscent of chinos rather than sweats which makes them even more appropriate for situations outside of your lounge room.
Worry not, though, because we’re bringing you everything you need to know about how to style joggers and what shoes to wear with joggers before you get out of the above-mentioned lounge room looking like you rolled out of bed. Keep on reading, why don’t you?!
How to style joggers without looking like you rolled out of bed?
When you’re wondering about the best men’s shoes to wear with joggers, you’re probably also wondering how to style joggers without looking like you rolled out of bed.
We’ve grown to draw a connection between the sweats we wore while working from home and the joggers everyone’s urging us to wear to the office – and, we’ve come to freak out every time someone dares to even think that way.
But, these easy-going, put-together trousers are much more versatile than you think. Depending on the fabric, the pattern, and the style, you can dress them up for work or dress them down for running errands or having a walk.
Details make or break your outfit when you’re wearing something as simple as joggers. Combine your favorite joggers with a simple white tee and white sneakers. Sounds pretty boring and basic, right?
Throw on a statement watch, a hoodie that matches the vibe you’re going for, and a bag that ties the whole look together – and voilà, you no longer look like you don’t have a creative bone somewhere out there.
Other than making your outfit appear cohesive with accessories, you should also keep an eye on the way your clothes are fitting.
There’s nothing that can break the outfit as much as poorly fitting or cheap-quality pieces. That’s not to say you have to break the bank to afford designer clothes, but you can make yourself appear much more expensive when you make sure everything’s fitted to your measurements.
Make friends with your tailor, don’t shy away from getting alterations, and stick to whatever works best for you – once you figure out what that could be.
How to choose the best men’s shoes to wear with joggers for a fresh fit?
What are the best men’s shoes to wear with joggers, though? Depending on the look you’re going for, your possibilities are actually endless! Whether you’re thinking of wearing them to the office or checking how you can style them for running errands, you came to the right place.
Sure, we wouldn’t suggest you wear them with dress shoes such as Oxfords or even loafers (maybe the chunky ones). But, we also wouldn’t suggest you only wear them with sneakers, trainers, and other sportier options.
White sneakers are the obvious choice, but you shouldn’t be scared to experiment with chunky sneakers, leather sneakers, or combat boots. Whatever shoes you decide to go with, you’re guaranteed to make some sort of fashion statement (maybe good, maybe bad). So, what are you waiting for?!
1. White sneakers
Everyone’s wearing white sneakers, and you shouldn’t make an exception when you’re wondering about the best men’s shoes to wear with joggers – white sneakers are your best buddies.
Our favorite fashion-forward celebrities such as Ryan Reynolds and David Beckham have been wearing them non-stop for decades, and these bad boys are never going out of style.
Now, we already talked about the fact that white sneakers might appear a little too safe. But, maybe that’s the look you’re going for considering the fact that not everyone’s dressing for the freakin’ Fashion Week.
Wear your joggers and white sneakers with pride, and don’t forget to make them more memorable with chunky knits, structured layers, and accessories. Our favorite white sneaker picks are Adidas Originals Stan Smith sneakers, Common Projects BBall sneakers, and Everlane Forever sneakers.
2. Chunky sneakers
Chunky sneakers can be white, but they can never be boring. Chunky shoes (sneakers or otherwise) are a great way to elevate your outfit without spending too much time putting different clothing pieces together.
Wear something simple on top, throw on some chunky sneakers, and you’re good to go (depending on where you’re going). Now, we wouldn’t suggest you wear the most obnoxious chunky sneakers to work. But, maybe you work somewhere that doesn’t have a strict, must-follow dress code.
Whatever the case might be, softer, more casual joggers can work wonders with chunky sneakers and create that “I didn’t even try to look this good” energy.
Chunky sneakers are everywhere, but our favorites are Balenciaga X-Pander suspended-heel mesh trainers, Comme Des Garcons x Nike Air Max Sunder sneakers, and Nike ACG Mountain Fly low SE sneakers. Apparently, chunky sneakers are all about looking over the top.
3. Running shoes
Other than the white sneakers we mentioned beforehand, running shoes are the answer most men go with because they’re used to wearing them with sweats and workout clothes.
Of course, most men already own running shoes which means you don’t need to go shopping just to style your joggers the right way.
Now, we wouldn’t suggest you wear your running shoes to the office. But, if you’re running errands, catching lunch with your buddies, or going for a walk, nobody’s stopping you from wearing running shoes and sportier/more relaxed joggers together.
Running shoes have been trendy for the past couple of months (even years) which means you can find them everywhere. Our favorites are Adidas Orketro shoes, Asics x Brain Dead Trabuco Max sneakers, and Nike Winflo 8 shoes.
Oh and, you can go with whatever running shoes you have as long as you make sure to stick with the same/similar color palette.
4. Gym shoes
Gym shoes might not be the best men’s shoes to wear with joggers when you’re thinking of wearing them to the office or on a date.
Gym shoes are mainly targeted at people who work out, and they’re a great way to stay comfortable and supported while weightlifting, running, or doing other activities.
Joggers might not be the best choice for working out, to be completely honest. But, that’s not to say that you can’t wear them with gym shoes and look like you know what you’re doing.
And, because gym shoes are everywhere, they can be the answer to your question when you’re looking to wear something really, really sporty.
Our favorite gym shoes at the moment are On Running Cloudswift, Nike Pegasus Turbo 2, and Reebok Nano 9, but you can wear whichever ones you own.
5. Converse sneakers
Moving on from the “guy who makes working out his entire personality” type of energy, Converse sneakers might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Google searching “best men’s shoes to wear with joggers” means you’re probably searching for something polished, put-together, and comfortable. Converse sneakers are every celebrity’s favorite wardrobe must-have, and we couldn’t agree more.
Combine them with those chino-looking joggers we mentioned earlier, a button-down with rolled-up sleeves (not the one you would wear with a suit, of course), and some sunglasses. Or, wear them with something even more easy-going such as a simple tee and a leather (or even suede) jacket.
Whatever you decide to go with, make sure you choose the classic Chuck Taylors rather than some of the newer pieces they’ve been coming out with.
6. Leather sneakers
Leather sneakers are a flex, and nobody can argue with that! Whatever you’re wearing on top becomes a million times better, more fashionable, and more expensive-looking when you throw on some leather sneakers.
We would go as far as to argue that leather sneakers are the best men’s shoes to wear with joggers, hands down. Whether you wear them with other leather accessories or you make them the statement piece of your outfit, leather sneakers are guaranteed to get you a bunch of compliments (and who doesn’t love those?!)
Our favorites at the moment are Alexander McQueen Men’s Bicolor Leather Low-Top Sneakers, Vans
Classic Tumble ComfyCush Old Skool Shoes, and Grenson M.I.E. Sneaker, but we’re positive some of your favorite stores carry them, too.
7. Slip-on sneakers
Slip-on sneakers are a great addition to your wardrobe because they go with everything.
They’re easy to slip on and off (obviously), they’re lightweight and breathable, and they’re simple to style. They go with clean-cut blazers, structured suit sets, and cashmere sweaters as much as they go with denim, leather, and sweats. They deserve a spot on the “best men’s shoes to wear with joggers” list, too.
Our favorites at the moment are Vans classic checkerboard slip-on sneakers because they’re a great way to make your outfit fresh and young. But, you can also go with something more expensive and luxurious such as Row Dean suede slip-on sneakers and Acne Studios Ballow tumbled slip-on sneakers.
8. Combat boots
And, we can’t forget about colder days when sneakers aren’t enough to keep you warm.
Chunky, combat boots are the best men’s shoes to wear with joggers when you’re wondering how on Earth could you get away with wearing joggers during the winter!
Whether you’re suffering from the winter blues or trying to make your outfits edgier, we suggest you combine them with combat boots and see what happens.
Go for Dr. Martens for that classic, timeless look. Or, go for something a little more on-trend such as GmbH double-zipped boots, Rick Owens Tractor boots, or even Diemme x Y/Project YP Civetta nubuck and mesh boots.
Whatever you decide to go with, make sure to stick with the same/similar color palette to achieve that effortless, cohesive look. Good luck!
