Fashion sneakers are one of the most popular types of shoes encountered today. However, shopping for them can be a troublesome endeavor. For this reason, we’ve put together this guide in which we discuss what to look for when picking up a pair.
We’ve also presented our top casual fashion sneaker picks from Zappos as they possess an extensive online inventory backed by friendly customer service, fast shipping, and a generous return policy:
Why Fashion Sneakers?
If you’ve browsed our site at all, then you’ve likely realized that we’re big proponents of wearing formal dress shoes as much as possible. So, what’s the point of considering fashion sneakers that seemingly aim to dethrone the same styles of shoes we so often tout?
Slowly but surely, changing trends have carved a new niche in which fashion sneakers are worn with more formal attire such as trousers or even a suit. In many cases, these ensembles look great though they can be quite difficult to pull off. And while we lean towards the traditional end of the footwear spectrum, we’ll go along with anything that looks good – and there are many fashion sneakers that look great.
Additionally, fashion sneakers allow one to be more playful with their outfits, and this is another of our beliefs: you should wear whatever shoes allow you to show off your personality and taste, and if its a pair of sneakers worn with a suit, then we’re all for it.
What To Look For In Fashion Sneakers
Considering all of the different styles of sneakers out there, it’s understandable if you’re not quite sure what qualifies as a fashion sneaker. In fact, it’s probably not feasible to put together a checklist of characteristics that tie together all fashion sneakers.
Unfortunately, price is not a great delineator between what is or isn’t a fashion sneaker. Nowadays, many athletic or “hype” sneakers sell for hundreds if not thousands of dollars but they hardly fall into the fashion category. For this reason, we’ve put some guidelines together for you to reference when searching for your own pair.
Materials
One of the reasons why sneakers are so varied is because they can be made from countless different materials. However, if you’re looking for a pair of casual fashion sneakers, you’re going to want to stick to a leather upper.
The leather upper is one of the most critical elements when it comes to elevating a normal sneaker to a fashion sneaker. There are still many different types of leathers that may be used for a fashion sneaker, but the leather upper is an absolutely necessary starting point.
The Sole
It may be obvious but it’s worth formalizing – if you’re looking for a pair of fashion sneakers, they must have a rubber sole. They’d hardly qualify as sneakers if they didn’t have this vital element.
As with the leather upper, the rubber sole category is a broad one within which there are many different styles. In our list below, this will become apparent.
Comfort
Lastly, remember that your pair of casual fashion sneakers need to be comfortable! The whole point of elevating the formality of a pair of sneakers with premium materials (such as a leather upper) is to be able to wear them in more solemn settings where traditional shoe choices aren’t always the most comfortable.
If they’re uncomfortable to wear, you’ve likely picked a bad pair of fashion sneakers.
Shopping For Fashion Sneakers On Zappos
Even after filtering out sneakers that don’t fit the above requirements, you’re left with an unmanageable number of fashion sneakers to pick from. Fortunately, there are some tools on Zappos’ site that will help you narrow down the candidate pool.
Use Relevant Category & Subcategory Filters
Evidently, the folks over at Zappos know a thing or two about what shoe shoppers want because they have a dedicated filter that we can use to narrow down our search. We want to start by setting the category to “Sneakers & Athletic Shoes”. You can go to a pre-filtered page by clicking here.
However, after selecting that filter, there’s yet another Subcategory that we want to apply to further narrow down our search; this is the “Lifestyle Sneakers” subcategory. As before, you can use this link to go straight to that filtered search.
With these two filters applied, you have sequestered the entire selection of casual fashion sneakers available on Zappos. From this point, you can use the size and price filters to get a list of shoes that’ll fit both your feet and your budget.
This is largely the process we followed to put together the below list of our favorite fashion sneakers on Zappos. Continue scrolling to see why we’ve chosen the specific models below and, if they’re not to your liking, perhaps our explanation will help in your own search.
The Best Men’s Fashion Sneakers On Zappos
- Pricing: $99.95 [Buy Now On Zappos]
It’s hard to define exactly when Adidas Stan Smiths became the icon that they are in the modern-day, but the end result is more than clear: when it comes to casual fashion sneakers, there’s none like the Stan Smiths.
Available in a number of different materials, the version in white leather (synthetic) with a color-accented heel is arguably the best, or at least our favorite. The subtle design elements make the Stan Smiths agreeable with many different outfits for both men and women, while their price point makes it difficult not to pick up a couple of pairs, especially if you find them on sale.
Additionally, these Stan Smiths contain at least 20% recycled materials (Primegreen) and employ no “virgin” polyester.
- Pricing: $425 [Buy On Zappos]
The white minimalist sneaker is yet another style that has gained incredible momentum in online fashion communities over recent years. So much so that most premium shoe manufacturers now boast a similar style within their ranks.
For us, the Bolla from To Boot NY ticks all the boxes. Most notable is its use of a premium leather upper with suede accents, a leather-padded footbed, interior leather lining, and a leather heel for a fit that will mold to your foot over time.
- Pricing: $398 [Buy Now On Zappos]
The Serano in Taupe Suede from Magnanni exemplifies how a premium construction in a fashion sneaker and a bit of color can produce an outstanding result.
The Seranos are likely closer to what one expects a sneaker to look like. However, they are leagues above the tennis shoes of old. A perforated leather upper, padded collar and tongue, premium waxed laces, and smooth suede accents make for wear that’s not only comfortable but also stylish without straying too far from their casual sneaker roots. Once on your feet, though, it’ll be clear these are unlike any other sneaker you’ve sported before.
- Pricing: $478.95 [Buy On Zappos]
High-top shoes made their debut in basketball in the early 1900s. Nearly a century later, they’ve evolved so much that the traditional high-top silhouette is more often worn courtside by spectators than by the players themselves.
Nevertheless, this evolution has not been in vain. Indeed, it’s given us sleek fashion sneakers such as the Mephisto Pitt high top sneakers. The same elegant calfskin and suede elements encountered in the previous selections are still present along with contrasting rubber outsoles for maximum comfort.
- Pricing: $300 [Buy Now On Zappos]
The Allen Edmonds Strand sneakers stand in contrast to the previous high-top fashion sneakers; nevertheless, they are for a purpose.
We intended to highlight how high-top sneakers can be executed in very different ways but reach the same result: an elegant pair of sneakers elevated by premium materials and styling.
With a durable white rubber sole, these Strand Sneakers add a casual element to the otherwise dressy formality of a wingtip. In this fashion sneaker form, it also makes them an ideal partner for your favorite pair of jeans or grey-toned trousers.
Shoe Content
