How to look smart in sneakers over summer

Learning how to match sneakers with outfits for any occasion is easier than you might think. You can ensure you’ll look your best while wearing your favourite pair of sneakers by applying two fundamental sneaker styling principles.

PRINCIPLE #1: BALANCING COLOR WITH PATTERNS

How to wear sneakers in summer starts by balancing their color with your shirt’s pattern or design. We’ll be styling an outfit based on a fresh pair of sneakers to keep things simple. Sneakers can be quickly and easily paired with practically any piece of clothing in your wardrobe, and there are several summer outfits with sneakers you can put together.

Let’s start with the shoe itself, before diving into what clothes to pair with sneakers. We’re in big favor of genuine leather for its toughness and durability, and because it’s significantly more comfortable than its cotton and synthetic counterparts. For that reason, the Endeavour Chain Sneaker is a must-have summer shoe. Crafted from soft, burnished bovine leather with stitched side panel stripe detailing.

The next step is a pair of shorts. To maintain that laidback summery vibe, we suggest choosing shorts with a more relaxed fit. The Gunn 9” Short, available in a range of solid colors, is crafted in micro-textured fabric, enriched with stretch for comfort and longevity, making these bermuda shorts super breathable for those hot summer days.

Last but certainly not least is the shirt. While a Frankleigh Pass T-Shirt could certainly get the job done, we recommend taking things up a notch, like the Lake Minchin Sports Fit Shirt with it’s Hawaiian print. Or the Coromandel Sports Fit Shirt, which features a unique delave wash, lending the fabric a slightly faded look and soft feel. Even The Gunn Polo looks great with sneakers in summer.

PRINCIPLE #2: HOW TO WEAVE SNEAKERS INTO A SMART CASUAL DRESS CODE

Ask a hundred men what a smart casual dress code requires, and you’ll get a hundred different answers. But don’t let that steer you into fear because dressing smart and casual is made all the more accessible with a pair of sneakers.

First and foremost, adding a collared shirt to your outfit will instantly improve the smart portion of your look. Skip the business shirt and go for something lighter, like the supremely comfortable Seaford Sports Fit Shirt. Pre-washed for an easy-going feel, the premium linen grown in Normandy (which is renowned for being the best in the world) will continue to soften over time, and with each and every wash.

Pair versatility with a classic pair of slim-fitting chinos like the Thomas Road Chino Pant in a Camel. Woven in Italy yet utterly relaxed, these clean-lined chinos are enriched with a small amount of stretch, giving you greater movement and durability – which is great for when the temperature heats up.

If you feel like turning things up to 11/10 on the smart scale, throw on our Midnight Haldon Jacket. Possibly the most comfortable blazer you’ll ever own, the small amount of stretch brings a relaxed feel to this textured wool-cotton jacket, allowing you to remain relaxed yet classy with this go-to smart casual summer outfit with sneakers.

Finish the look with the Sussex Street Sneaker, available in five colorways. Go for Deep Sea for a monochromatic look paired with the Fanshawe Straight Jean in Denim. Or create a classic contrast with a pair of sneakers in Chalk.

And there you have it – two fundamental principles you can apply for mastering the ultimate summer outfit sneakers. By balancing color with pattern this summer, and adding sneakers to your smart casual repertoire, you’ll soon master the art of how to wear sneakers in summer. To stock up your wardrobe with more Rodd & Gunn approved summer styles, head to our blog for the latest tips.