10 Pairs of Leather Sneakers You Can Wear With Almost Anything
Around the mid-to-late aughts, you’d be hard-pressed to go anywhere in N.Y.C. without seeing a pair of sleek, minimalist leather sneakers. I was immediately drawn to these streamlined silhouettes for their understated cool, and I found they complimented jeans and tailored trousers with equal style. Interestingly, it wasn’t all that long ago that pairing sneakers with tailoring was considered a fashion faux pax. They were aesthetically just more casual and reserved for athletic or leisurely activities. Forward-thinking individuals throughout history, however, from John Lennon’s late-era Beatles to David Beckham, paved the way for men to embrace sneakers with their buttoned-up looks, and today, it’s perfectly commonplace to see guys sporting dress sneakers with suits on red carpets. Today, such footwear is widely considered an essential component of a modern wardrobe.
I respect those who are passionate about sneaker culture. However, that is not my forte; I gravitate towards the timeless appeal of Chuck Taylors, the retro charm of New Balance, and, today, the enduring appeal of a classic leather sneaker. These styles are discreet yet approachable, elegant yet versatile. Common Projects was pivotal in popularizing the so-called dress sneakers, making them fashionable and luxurious, and brands such as Greats and Koio further propelled them to the masses.
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The style’s appeal was undeniable, and many designers followed suit. At trade shows such Pitti Uomo, esteemed Italian luxury brands soon crafted their interpretations of the look. Even heritage British shoemakers, renowned for robust brogues and monk straps, delved into sleek leather and suede iterations. Every brand had its rendition, and their ubiquity was no accident—the best leather sneakers embody timelessness and add understated elegance to any outfit.
With time, the silhouettes have become more refined, the linings and footbeds more comfortable. Better materials are used with sustainability in mind, and the color options run the gamut. However, there are a few things to look for in the best dress sneakers.
Material: While canvas and nylon or mesh are standards in casual footwear, a certain elegance comes with leather or suede for dressier sneakers. These elevated textiles add a touch of refinement and luxury, echoing the sophistication of traditional dress shoes. Vegan leather is also growing in popularity.
Silhouette: Like their leather-soled counterparts, dress sneakers should embody a slimmer profile for a refined aesthetic, almost resembling a derby-style shoe. Their elegance lies in embracing minimalism, streamlined sophistication, and a slender sole, contrasting casual footwear’s more robust and multi-paneled design. Opting for a low-top design is typically the easiest and most versatile choice; however, hi-tops made from the right materials and silhouette can also achieve a buttoned-up look.
The Details: Although black, white, navy blue, or rich brown are the most versatile and standard colorways, leather sneakers should ideally be in neutral tones and subdued hues that aren’t flashy and lend themselves to tailored refinement. Except for discreet logos, dress sneakers skip excessive branding and technical perforations. Flat laces in a horizontal bar further tailor the look—the opposite of the crisscross patterns or fastenings of more casual sneakers.
BEST OVERALL
Common Projects Original Achilles Leather Sneakers
Common Projects was among the first to bring luxury leather dress sneakers into the cultural zeitgeist, transforming them into fashion statements with their streamlined silhouettes, muted tonal colorways, and iconic gold lettering—a subtle yet distinctive flex. The founders originally conceived the Achilles sneakers for their personal use during the summer, recognizing a gap in the market for a refined yet casual option. Besides looks, the quality is inherent; their sneakers are handmade in the Marche region of Italy, utilizing traditional artisan techniques inherited from the factory’s previous specialization in leather dress shoes. The Achilles is a timeless investment, versatile enough to complement a suit, jeans, or shorts with equal sartorial flair.
Date of Brand Origin: 2004
Material: Leather and rubber
Silhouette: Low-top
Fit: Narrow
MOST COMFORTABLE
Greats The Royale 2.0 Sneaker
Greats burst onto the footwear scene in 2014 with their high-quality leather dress sneakers, and their iconic Royale sneaker is a staple for countless menswear enthusiasts. The new 2.0 version boasts several upgrades: it’s been redesigned with ergonomic dimensions to enhance fit and shape, and it is now slimmer and true to size without needing a break-in period. The collar padding has been increased for improved comfort, and a molded footbed featuring antimicrobial properties, lined with soft nappa leather, gives optimal support. These sneakers promise style and comfort for all your upcoming summer hang.
Date of Brand Origin: 2014
Material: Leather and rubber
Silhouette: Low-top
Fit: Regular
BEST EVERYDAY
Koio Capri Sneakers
Like the Achilles or the Royale, Koio’s Capri sneaker has cemented its status as a staple in the dress sneaker category. Handcrafted in Tuscany, Italy, it boasts a sleek, slim silhouette. The tightly stitched construction provides water resistance, while waxed cotton laces and hand-painted edges display exquisite craftsmanship. Koio excels in tonal aesthetics, with beautifully washed out, unique colorways that blend the soles and uppers, resulting in highly wearable yet distinct everyday dress sneakers.
Date of Brand Origin: 2015
Material: Leather and rubber
Silhouette: Low-top
Fit: Regular
BEST HIGH-TOP
Zvelle Ray Sneaker
Although low-top leather sneakers typically lend themselves to a dressier silhouette, this hi-top version from luxury newcomers Zvelle warrants equal sartorial praise. Made in Italy from buttery deerskin leather, with tonal laces and a contrasting off-white sole, these sneakers exude a refined, retro aesthetic. The texture of the deep, rich brown leather and sleek silhouette suggests pairing them with your favorite navy unstructured suit or light blue jeans.
Date of Brand Origin: 2015
Material: Deerskin and rubber
Silhouette: High-top
Fit: Regular
BEST ECO-FRIENDLY
Veja Campo Sneaker
French sneaker brand Veja is hard to miss, with their iconic V logo on the side of sneakers as recognizable as the Comme Des Garcon Heart or Converse Star. Beyond their chic designs, what sets Veja apart is their strong commitment to sustainability. Their bovine ChromeFree leather, sourced from farms in southern Brazil, undergoes an innovative tanning process that eliminates chrome, heavy metals, and dangerous acids. This eco-friendly approach reduces water usage by about 40 percent and salt by 80 percent, while the water used in the process is recyclable. Veja’s sustainable ideals are even in the details– from recycled EVA and rubber soles to organic cotton laces.
Date of Brand Origin: 2005
Material: Chrome-free leather and rubber
Silhouette: Low-top
Fit: Regular
BEST SLIP-ON
Zegna Triple Stitch Secondskin Slip-On Sneaker
Buy Now on Neiman Marcus: $1,390
When envisioning slip-on sneakers, the classic curved toe, one-piece design typically comes to mind. Zegna elevates this concept with its new Triple Stitch low-top sneakers. Crafted from fine, supple leather that is incredibly soft to the touch, these sneakers mold to your proportions over time, offering impeccable comfort with each wear. Made from specially selected Secondskin calf leather for enhanced flexibility, they are designed to feel like, you guessed it, second skin. The triple cross elastic vamp is subtly hidden, lending these sneakers an air of formality with slip-on ease.
Date of Brand Origin: 1910 overall. 2019 for Sneakers.
Material: Leather and rubber
Silhouette: Low-top
Fit: Regular
Best Performance
On The Roger Advantage Sneaker
The tennis-inspired Rogers Advantage combines form and function with its clean lines, minimal stitching, and matte finish. This sneaker ensures comfort and performance by featuring a mesh fabric tongue for a technical touch and a TPU-injected Speedboard that enhances flexibility. With concealed CloudTec technology for comfort and flex grooves supporting the natural movement of your feet, this sneaker is tailored for those who want a sneaker they can dress up or down while leading a very active lifestyle.
Date of Brand Origin: 2020
Material: Faux leather and polyester
Silhouette: Low-top
Fit: Regular
BEST VEGAN
Clae Bradley Cactus Sneaker
Veganism is a growing movement, and many sneaker brands now offer non-leather variations. LA-based Clae has emerged as a prominent player in the dress sneaker scene with its popular Bradley sneaker, now available in Cactus Vegan plant-based leather. In collaboration with Desserto, the 2020 Green Product Award winners renowned for their highly sustainable plant-based vegan leather, this is the first made of cactus leather. And It’s not just the upper that’s eco-friendly; the sneakers also feature a GOTS-certified Organic Cotton canvas lining and an antibacterial cork footbed, so you can rock them barefoot in the summer.
Date of Brand Origin: 2001
Material: Cactus vegan leather
Silhouette: Low-top
Fit: Regular
BEST SUEDE
SuitSupply Dark Gray Sneaker
SuitSupply emerged in 2000, offering men stylish, accessible custom suits. Since then, they have expanded into a full lifestyle line, ranging from knitwear to evening wear and sneakers, with their chic, sartorial slant. These dark gray suede dress sneakers will bring casual style to any tailored look and add elegance to jeans or chinos. They have leather lining, flat waxed laces, and a rubber sole, which will pair well with linen trousers or light-wash jeans alike. It’s important to note that suede should be treated with a water-resistant spray and a suede brush used periodically for cleaning and maintenance.
Date of Brand Origin: 2000
Material: Suede and rubber
Silhouette: Low-top
Fit: Regular
BEST LOGO
Gucci Ace GG Embossed Sneaker
We know that overly logoed designs go against what we’ve stated makes a sneaker a dress sneaker. However, there are exceptions. The Gucci Ace sneaker, adorned with the iconic GG motif, blends opulence and elegance. Available in an all-tonal black colorway, this sneaker stands out for its attention to detail, with the House emblem embossed onto a supple perforated leather base. The subtle texture and glossy finish add flair to this luxury sneaker, proving that Gucci can stand out with unassuming style, even in our sometimes-flashy fashion-scape.
Date of Brand Origin: 1921 overall. 1984 for Sneakers.
Material: Embossed leather and rubber
Silhouette: Low-top
Fit: Regular
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