Welcome to Planet Sneaker, where the dress sneaker sits at the head table. The world of men’s sneakers is populated with many sneaker species, so let’s bust it down to a category that will bring some serious updating to your closet. This list will finally get you ready to step your kicks game up. Check out your buyer’s guide to the best men’s dress sneakers and get a leg up on looking good in both formal and casual situations.
We’re posting the Polo — an O.G. brand, if there was one — because it’s very solid, dependable and great looking. The Polo Ralph Lauren Men’s Vaughn Fashion Sneaker is one of just a handful of men’s dress sneakers from the company.
Originally, the featured shoe was partially leather, but it’s sometimes too tough to find on Amazon, so we’re referring now to the canvas. Not only for availability, but because the Vaughn is offered in 25 different colors, so you’ve got lots of versatility here. The shoe we’re showing is 70 percent viscose, 30 percent wool. It’s got a padded collar, leather laces and the logo is embossed on the tongue and the side.
Not only do these Lacoste Men’s Alisos 20s say “dress sneaker,” they practically hoist a French flag. Very European looking and elegant and there are several details to point out here.
First, it’s the five color tones in varying materials. The bulk of the upper is textured leather in one shade, and then it’s got the suede overlays: in this case, brown on the toe cap, tan on the heel cap and lace guard and, finally, the solo stripe in black. Another great color touch is the shoe’s collar, which is a beautiful caramel (and lightly padded). For logo-hounds, three points of interest here: the leather tongue and leather back heel are both stamped with “Lacoste” and, of course, the iconic alligator logo conspicuously (but not too big) rides the side.
If you are a lover of Lacoste’s entries in the men’s dress sneakers category, take a look on Amazon at the Lacoste Mocara in tonal, smooth black. If you’re sticking with the Alisos, you have two color options besides the off-white: black (green stripe) – my personal pick – and dark blue (red stripe), but the dark blue is only available sporadically.
These dress sneakers for men are a low-profile, soft, and supple leather from Hugo Boss. It’s designed with echoes of actual tennis shoes in mind (they look like Adidas’ Rod Lavers) but they are definitely in the corner of fashion. The upper is leather and the lining of the shoe is leather as well. The insole is “lightly cushioned,” according to Boss. The midsole is a contrasting gray while the outsole is a gum-colored rubber. and the outsole is a contrasting white. The Hugo Boss/Boss logo is somewhat discreetly positioned on the side of the shoe in a single stripe formed by the tonal stitching. Boss also makes a “low profile mix materials” sneaker, which starts at a bit lower price point.
If you’re looking for something that’s not too flashy but still has a classic look to it, check out the Tommy Hilfiger McKenzie5’s. These sneakers have a gray canvas fabric base with an off-white sole and brown leather trim. The gray laces help to give it a classic look that’s great with both shorts and your upscale pair of jeans.
We’re starting with white because it’s the most popular color for men’s sneakers and because, frankly, it goes with anything. The Allen Edmonds Men’s Classic Sneaker features a low tennis shoe profile. The all-leather upper is perforated, as is the all leather lining, which means it keeps drier and delivers more comfort.
This Edmonds harkens to perhaps the most iconic tennis shoe of all, the Stan Smith by Adidas, seen here in one of its many iterations on Amazon. While the Stan Smith is enormously popular, the Allen Edmonds Men’s Classic Sneaker has the edge because of its simplicity — minimal logo treatment — and pure elegance. But don’t let that simplicity fool you: this sneak — like all Allen Edmonds shoes — is crafted with a 212-step process in the company’s Wisconsin HQ.
In fact, it was originally listed at $245 on the company’s website. And in case any of you are fire-walkers out there, note the Vibram sole. If you had to set up shop with just one pair of dress sneakers for men, this is your gig.
Kenneth Cole New York calls itself the “thinking man’s brand.” Well we think these dress sneakers are a genius addition to a wardrobe. The color here is “rust,” but there are several other options, including “wine,” and, seen here, the “Pride Kam” which features Pride Flag detailing on the heel cap. (In fact, each Kam model has a great heel cap stripe in contrasting and vibrant color and texture.)
In all, there are 12 different colors available. Of all the great reviews on these kicks, this one summarizes the appeal of the men’s dress sneakers category: “You can wear it with a suit but if you have to run to catch a bus, it will really help!” Part of the comfort factor is because of Kenneth Cole New York’s “Silver Technology Gel Pod.” Put another way, it’s a cushioned section of the insole and the comfort of these dress sneakers is mentioned in several reviews.
Also in the no-logo but tons-of-class category, we’re notching this beautiful brown Cole Haan high on the list because it’s another very versatile entry. This men’s dress sneaker is a “sport inspired” oxford, according to CH, which is another example of its suitability to be worn with suits, evening wear or any other great ensemble.
The all-leather upper here is seen in white leather, but there are several other options, including a smooth finish in an all-black and a plaid version. The added-bonus with these dress sneakers is Cole Haan’s “Grand O.S.,” which is the company’s operating system focused on flexibility, lightness and cushion. In other words, you’ll look good and feel good.
Timberland is an extremely popular street wear brand that is mostly famous for its boots. That said, these dress sneakers for men depart significantly from anything else Timberland includes in its usual offerings.
The Groveton CH Fashion Sneaker is a high top, but it’s closer to a 3/4 high top than a full high top. Timberland says it’s a chukka-inspired fashion sneaker, and you can certainly see that in the shoe’s profile.
The upper is leather and textile, with the vamp in leather and the quarter in textile. The heel is also in leather, as are some elements of detailing on the padded tongue and the heel. The shoe features metal eyelets and a “gripstick rubber” outsole that is made with 34 percent recycled rubber. Available in wheat (shown) or black, the Groveton gets great reviews, with more than 260 reviews and a 4.3 out of 5-star rating average.
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ECCO’s home office in Denmark has been turning out classic Scandinavian design since the 1970s. The Men’s Eisner Retro Sneaker is certainly another ECCO classic and it’s a dress sneaker you’ll be able to wear with anything.
The all-leather upper features details that any sneakerhead will love: the heel cap backstay in contrasting, smooth leather (check out the stitching here), the contrasting tab at the throatline (toward the bottom of the tongue) and the squared leather laces. The shoe is shown in “moon rock/lion perforated” color and it’s available in four additional colors.
Comfort-check: the textile lining keeps the shoes cool, and the insoles are removable. While I don’t own any ECCO dress sneakers, I do have a pair of ECCO sandals and a pair of ECCO boots that I bought more than 20 years ago and they are both still a vital pair of staples in my closet. I wholeheartedly believe in ECCO’s construction and looks.
Bold red leather here, so the Steve Madden Men’s Ringwald Fashion Sneaker is gonna make a statement no matter what you wear them with. Not that you’ll be going black tie in these (not that you won’t), but to get a great feel for high fashion sneaks, check out this photo on the NYTimes of a few celebs sporting tuxes with B&W men’s dress sneakers (they’re not Maddens, but you get the idea).
If the red’s not your game, the sneak is also offered in white (and, occasionally, other colors, but the availability on Amazon is sporadic). As one Ringwald reviewer notes, the shoes “match everything,” so this is a great entry point into the dress sneakers world.
What I like about this sneaker is you can be kinda sneaky with it: you can say, with full authority, that it is, in fact, a sneaker. (If you’re asked.) I’m talking about the hybrid presentation with this dress sneaker for men. It’s right there in the name of the shoe: Cole Haan Grand Horizon Oxford II Sneaker. For their part, Cole Haan simply says “Grand Horizon is a luxurious sneaker hybrid that combines and athletic feel with a fashionable look.” True enough.
It is shown in suede, which is another thing that leans the shoes much more toward the “fashionable look” with just a wink and nod toward “athletic feel.” The pattern, stitching and front of the shoe all say “Oxford.” Of the seven colors available, four are in suede, three are smooth leather. (We highly recommend protecting your investment with Scotchgard, which will set you back just about eight bucks.) There aren’t a ton of customer reviews, but what buyers have been saying is extremely favorable: the reviews average a 4.7 on a 5-star rating scale.
The fashion sneaker industry has been on a trend toward hybrid for a couple years now, and this entry from Clarks is a great example of that: dress sneakers that look like dress shoes. The Calderon Limit is a true wingtip Oxford, with the very same brogue detailing, cut and pattern that you’ll see on any classic pair of men’s wingtips.
Of course, the construction of the shoe above the vamp leans the shoe back toward being in the dress sneakers category. Mostly, though, it’s the wide midsole in white that says “I am a sneaker.” Available in either black or tan, the shoe’s upper is all leather and the midsole and outsole are rubber. The lining is breathable textile while the footbed is made with Clarks’ proprietary “Cushion Plus with Ortholite” for comfort. (Side note: I have a pair of Clarks — not the Calderon — that I recently wore all over the place in London and they are amazingly comfortable.)
As Clarks puts it: “When is a sneaker not a sneaker? When it’s the dashing Calderon Limit.” But it’s still a sneaker. A more sneakery sneaker from Clarks is the Lander Cap, which starts at a much lower price point and is features a textile/synthetic upper.
Dress it up this summer with the ultra stylish Cole Haan Grand Shortwing Sneaker – shown here in a blazer blue colorway. There are more color options available, including a simple black leather, a fiery Woodbury/Java, and Wood Ivory.
These pair great with dark khakis and a white button down.
Mark Nason got his start making boots and accessories in Italy. Good for you that he created the Mark Nason Los Angeles line, which includes men’s dress sneakers like the Bradmoor.
The obvious calling card of this shoe is the contrast between the lightweight breathable knit upper and the smooth leather heel and tongue panel overlays. While the shoe is a sneaker, it is oxford design inspired. The contrasting white sole, with color in the midsole, is another thing that sets the shoe apart.
If the navy colorway as shown (yes, they call that “navy”) isn’t your thing, the shoe comes in four different colors. Both pairs feature the wrap-around contrasting tipping midsole, as well as the simple — and we think cool — logo treatment on the tongue and the sole heel. As an alternate Mark Nason, and something that’s super popular right now, check Amazon for Nason’s knitted-look Bryson Fashion Sneaker, which looks a lot like the cousin of Stan Smith.
You can almost never go wrong with a pair of Gucci sneakers when looking to dress things up a bit. Of course, you’re going to pay a premium price for them, but their quality and design is unmatched.
Check out these Gucci Original GG Canvas Low Tops – a canvas sneaker with leather trim and a cap toe. These specific dress sneaks have a dark steel blue and black colorway with a design that only Gucci could pull off. On the bottom of the shoes, you’ll find the Gucci signature logo, letting everyone know that you’re a Gucci man. They’re made in Italy and they’re guaranteed to be authentic.
From the court to the street to the big event: men's dress sneakers have evolved. Kick it into high, fashionable gear with our 15 Best Men's Dress Sneakers.