How to Style High-Top Sneakers for Dance and Everyday Wear
Want to learn how to style high top sneakers with all your favorite fits? First, you might want to brush up on your sneaker history …
Why High Top Sneakers Are a Fashion Staple
High-tops are timeless athletic sneakers that have crossed over into street style and high fashion, thanks to their swaggy, retro vibes, comfortable feel, and enhanced ankle stability. This shoe icon was linked to punk counterculture in the 1970s, then dominated basketball courts in the 80s. Today, luxury brands including the premier European fashion houses feature high-top sneakers on their catwalks, and dedicated sneakerheads stand in long lines for hours to snag the latest drops of the essential style to add to their collections.
Whether you’re rocking high-tops on the basketball court, the street, the runway, or the stage, they make a major style statement: here’s how to style high tops like Fuego’s High-top dance sneakers for everyday!
Key Factors to Consider When Styling High Top Sneakers
While there are no rules for how to wear high-top sneakers, there are a few things you should always consider when putting together an outfit with high-tops.
Choosing the Right Outfit for Your Sneakers
Because high-top sneakers rise up to or above the ankle bone, if you want to show off your kicks, you’ll need to wear pant legs that are cropped or can be tucked inside the shoe. Of course, you can wear baggier or longer styles of legwear and still wear high-tops on your feet, but to optimize that higher profile shoe silhouette, opt for a slimmer leg, or rock your high-tops with shorts or a skirt!
Selecting the Best Colors and Patterns
There are hundreds – if not thousands – of unique colors and patterns of high-top sneakers available for purchase at any given time. From classic black and white shades to flashy colorways and one-off collab patterns, there’s a pair for every aesthetic.
Consider your go-to wardrobe and individual style when purchasing high-top sneakers, and think about which colors will best mix & match with your current closet. Timeless neutrals like black and white can be worn with just about any look, while bolder styles add a pop of color to a monochrome outfit. Like to really mix things up? Rock a pair of Fuego metallic high-tops with an eccentric mix of colors & patterns and make a one-of-a-kind fashion statement!
Matching High Tops to Your Personal Style
There’s truly no wrong way to rock a pair of high-top sneakers. With a history of wearers that includes rebels, athletes, A-list stars, hip-hop legends, dancers, models, and more, feel free to experiment when styling your high-tops and make the shoes work for you.
How to Style High-Top Sneakers for Casual Looks
Is your go-to aesthetic all about laid-back looks and comfort? Say less: here’s how to style high-top sneakers with all your casual fits.
Pairing High Tops with Jeans
High-tops can be worn with any style of jeans – from baggy, 90s-style cuts, to skinny jeans, flared styles, and more. Because high tops have an athletic vibe, they’ll give your classic jeans-and-a-tee ensembles a sporty sensibility.
Styling with Shorts for a Laid-Back Vibe
Since high-top sneakers were originally intended for the basketball court, pairing them with athletic shorts is a tried & true way to rock the look. You can also wear high-tops with denim shorts (or “jorts”), or pair them with a more tailored shorts style.
Adding Hoodies or Graphic Tees
Cozy hoodies and worn-in tees are a wardrobe staple – and they mix perfectly with high-top sneakers! Lean into high-top history and rock a vintage punk band tee with your high-tops, or opt for a hoodie from your favorite sports team.
How to Style High Top Sneakers for Streetwear Outfits
Hit the streets in a pair of Fuego High-tops, and turn heads with your fresh, urban style!
Combining High Tops with Joggers
Joggers with an elastic cuff are a go-to pant silhouette to rock with high-tops, as the cinched leg can be worn just above the top of the shoe, therefore showing off the full sneaker in all its glory!
Layering with Oversized Jackets
Oversized outerwear is a staple of modern street style. You can’t go wrong in a pair of fire high-tops and a swaggy bomber or puffer coat on a cold winter day! In warmer seasons, pair your sporty high-tops with a varsity jacket for a head-to-toe collegiate edge.
Accessorizing to Enhance Your Look
What accessories can you wear with high-tops? Anything you want! Consider the outfit as a whole: what’s missing? If you’ve really leaned into a sporty vibe, balance it with some timeless jewelry for an unexpectedly classic edge, or go full-throttle baller with an athletic cap. A pair of oversized shades is also a great balancing accessory for statement-shoes. Don’t forget to accessorize your sneakers themselves: simply add a colorful pair of shoestrings!
Dressing Up High Top Sneakers for Semi-Formal Outfits
If the dress code allows sneakers, high-tops are a great option for a semi-formal event – especially if there’s going to be a dance floor!
Wearing High Tops with Blazers
Athletic high-tops are the perfect balance for a formal blazer or suit jacket – tie optional! If the event is slightly more formal, choose a pair of high-tops in a classic shade, like black or white.
Pairing High Tops with Dresses or Skirts
High-tops are a fun way to rock the dresses-with-sneakers trend! If a little-black-dress is your go-to, wear a pair of bold high-tops for a pop of unexpected color. Going to be dancing a lot at that after-party? Fuego High-tops are your perfect pair!
Balancing Sneakers with Tailored Pants
A crisp, clean pair of high-top sneakers gives dress pants a modern feel. If you’re getting a new pair of pants tailored and know you’ll be wearing them with high-tops, make sure to choose a pant length that accommodates the higher profile of your shoe.
Styling High Top Sneakers for Different Seasons
High-tops are a seasonless shoe style – especially Fuego High-top dance sneakers, which are water-resistant and can be worn indoors and outside! Here are a few things to consider when styling your high-tops for different seasons.
Summer Looks with High Tops
Fuego’s High-top sneakers are lightweight and breathable, so your feet will stay cool & comfy all season long – no matter the heat index!
High-tops look fresh with almost any summer fit. Rock them with casual tees & shorts, vacation looks, and any ensemble that you want to give a fresh, retro-modern edge. High-tops also look cool & unconventional with sundresses – mini, midi, or maxi! Have fun styling high-tops with your entire summer wardrobe.
Winter Outfits Incorporating High Tops
Winter is a great time to sport high-tops: a little extra ankle padding and stability are helpful when temperatures drop and sidewalks get slick! High-tops pair perfectly with classic athletic gear, cozy sweaters, and your go-to winter coat – whether it’s a marshmallow-like puffer, modern cocoon style, or timeless trench.
Spring and Fall Transition Styles
High-tops are the perfect transitional shoe – there’s no wrong way to wear them as you add or remove layers and embrace the changing weather. Because you can rock high tops with long pants, shorts, and dresses, feel free to get creative styling your high-tops in any season.
High Top Sneakers for Men: Styling Tips
Because high-tops were originally designed for men, they automatically lend a masculine edge to any fit. Here are our top high-top styling tips for guys:
Classic Denim and High Tops
Want to add a retro vibe to your tried & true denim looks? Rock a pair of high-top sneakers! The supportive shoe is a great alternative to other classic footwear – from boots to boat shoes.
Casual Workwear Pairings
If your office is casual or business-casual, or if you enjoy Casual Fridays, high-tops are a great way to express your personal style and keep comfortable during the daily grind. Wear your high-tops to work with dark, tailored denim, classic dress pants, chinos, or any pant that meets your workplace’s dress code.
Bold and Trendy Outfits
Looking to make a major style statement but don’t want to invest in another pair of shoes? High-tops are a versatile footwear option that will turn heads, but one you can wear again and again for many occasions. Sport high-top sneakers with your freshest pair of designer denim, or give any high-fashion ensemble an athletic, retro edge with your favorite pair of high-tops.
High Top Sneakers for Women: Styling Tips
While it wasn’t the case back in 1917, today, women wear sneakers just as often as men: here’s how to wear high-tops with all your favorite feminine fits!
Feminine Outfits with Dresses
High-top sneakers look modern and on-trend with dresses and skirts of any length or style. The more formal the fit, the more unconventional your high-top sneakers will look! Have fun mixing & matching feminine and masculine elements to create your own one-of-a-kind look with a pair of high-tops: from ribbons to vintage jewelry to cat-eye sunglasses, bow ties to belts to pocket squares, make the look totally your own!
Athleisure Looks with Leggings
Because of their high-profile silhouette, leggings are an ideal pairing for high-top sneakers! Show off your shoes from ankle-to-sole in a pair of your favorite stretchy legwear! Of course, you can sport high-tops with any athleisure wear – add jewelry or femme accessories for a ladylike edge.
Edgy Styles with Leather Jackets
Remember those punks who laced up their high-tops for the street & stage? Lean into their rebellious 70s energy, and rock your sporty high-top sneakers with a cool leather jacket! Love an all-black-everything, minimalist vibes? Fuego’s All-black High-top dance sneakers are a great option: keep the look streamlined and high-fashion, while making sure your feet stay comfy and supported.
There is truly no wrong way to style high-top sneakers, so it’s no wonder this iconic shoe continues to be a go-to silhouette for everyone from athletes to pop stars to top models. Check out Fuego’s full collection of high-top dance sneakers and find the perfect pair to match your personal aesthetic!