OF GUYS AND SNEAKERS.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about shoes and posted images of only female shoes—well, because I was mainly talking to the ladies.

Anyhoo, my gentleman friends were not amused and quickly took me to task, urging me to share tips for guys when buying shoes.

As I pondered how to put that together without repeating what I discussed in my last blog, "The Girl with 1,000 Pairs of Shoes," I decided to focus on sneaker basics.

Yes, I have the latest 411, as an avid sneaker collector myself (I 🧡 shoes!), and that’s a fact...

Sneakers have snuck into the fashion game in a huge way over the past 2 to 3 years. We see them popping up on international runways across all dress styles, from casual to contemporary. So, one needs to own a decent pair of sneakers to get their fashion game on - easy!

Sneakers and suits - these men bring the A-game on

There are three main categories that sneakers fall into, the low-top, mid-top, and high-top.

I’m going to review each of them, so you are familiar when you come across them.

The low tops

This is probably the most basic type of sneaker that you see the most on a day to day. The most popular version of low tops in Africa are the Skate shoes - these are usually light weight and made of canvas or leather for the trendier variations.

Men's skater sneakers

Skate sneakers usually have a very thick sole which makes them more durable. And because they have fashion appeal, they have wormed their way into almost everyones wardrobe, with some key enthusiasts owning more than 10 pairs of this low-top variation.

Popular skate sneaker brands world wide are Vans and Converse. The Converse brand was highly popularised by the South Africa ‘pantsula’ trend which is a tradition and dance form that carries a unique fashion vibe usually donned by township youth.

Runners are another variation of low tops and as their name suggests, these are sneakers created by sports brands such as Nike and Adidas traditionally for running. They are usually lightweight and slim, making them perfect for summer and very comfortable. I love the versatility of the use for runners - you can rock them to run, or to set off casual looks - and I find men who add these to their smasual looks finish it off well.

The trick with procuring a versatile piece of footwear such as runners is to buy colours that work with almost everything, so your basic black and white is a must. Try neon for a trendy variation and to give your denim looks a pop of color.

Neon Green - sure showstopper!

Mid-Tops

Mid-tops are the next best thing to low-tops - and most come with a thick sole like skate sneakers.

Brands that have made this style popular are Nike and Jordan. The thing with wearing mid-tops and wearing them well is that you need to have the right legs for them, trust me they are not for everyone!

To pull this look off - wear your mid tops with tapered pants. This ensures the style is shown off well and that your feet breathe. Mid-tops can be worn with a complete casual outfit, or paired well with a tapers pair of chinos, white shirt and blazer.

I’m personally a sucker for white Nike mid-tops, the whole idea obviously being to keep them clean.

Men's black gator mid-tops with cropped jeans.

High-Tops

Now, if you are a fan of high-tops then you’re most likely very comfortable with your sneaker game. High-tops were traditionally rather bulky and a bit heavier on the feet which made them less of a favourite for most people. But lately, some sports brands have started introducing them with a slim knitted sock, making them very comfortable for sporting activities and even as streetwear.

Due to their bulk, you won’t see high-tops on a regular, but rather more on the sports fields and courts.

Popular brands pushing men’s high tops are Balenciaga, Prada, Underarmour and just about most sports and fashion brands out there.

There you have the 411 on sneaker types out there, and do remember the most important things to consider when making your next sneaker purchase:

- Buy a pair/s that suit your current wardrobe - unless you are all about complete wardrobe updating, you definitely want your sneakers to blend in with your current wardrobe. So do keep your current styles and colours in mind as you make your purchase.

- Wear your sneakers to the right occasions - I will over emphasise this point - I think we have seen enough local red carpet fails.

- Keep em clean - sounds simple - but I have to pen this down, dirty sneakers are a no-no. That rugged, not trying too hard look is old school.

Do send in your comments - I would definitely like to hear from you and look forward to you sharing topics you would like me to cover in future posts.