How to find a running shoe you can style every day, according to a stylist

Who says you can’t have comfort and style?

Until recently, chunky sandals and tasselled loafers were my footwear of choice. No matter how many steps were required or how hard my feet were pounding the pavement, I opted for style over comfort. 

More recently, I’ve been eyeing off runners, mentally calculating how I could incorporate them into my everyday wardrobe while still feeling like me. Call it age, or finally realising that aching arches and sore heels were not inevitable, but I was considering making the switch.

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Soon enough, I found myself looking at a black pair of runners as an alternative for everyday wear. Running shoes were the epitome of ‘ready for anything’ dressing – far better (and far more supportive) than my flat-soled options. I tried them on and it felt like I was walking on clouds. Was this what I’d been missing while I traipsed around the city in my blister-prone sandals?

While I’ve gotten a good head-start, I’m admittedly still a novice when it comes to fusing athletic kicks with my pre-existing wardrobe, so I turned to an expert for advice. Em Brown, stylist of the latest ASICS GEL-Kinetic Fluent campaign at Hype DC, eased my concerns and shared all her tips for the trepidatious wearer.

What to look for in a running shoe for everyday wear

My initial hesitation came down to three main concerns: Would I look too sporty? Would I look too unlike myself? And lastly, would running shoes work with the clothing I already owned?

Before making your purchase, Em suggests looking at the colours you wear on a daily basis and letting this guide you. “For a first-time sneaker wearer, you need something that goes back with an everyday wardrobe,” she says. “Neutral colours are key.” 

The ASICS GEL-Kinetic Fluent, for example, offers tonally aware colour combinations, like black and gold or white, grey and yellow. The nostalgic boost is just an added bonus. 

For Em, the key lies in finding a running shoe that fits within your wardrobe (rather than trying to make your wardrobe fit around the shoe). It will be far simpler, and less intimidating, to integrate. 

Another option is to go for a sleek and low-profile silhouette that goes with almost every outfit. The alternative is a sneaker that masterfully merges technical features with an adaptable aesthetic. 

However, you can also opt to lean into the runner of it all. In some cases, it’s not about disguising a runner as a casual shoe. Accept the functionality (reflective strips and all), enjoy the extra padding and wear it as is. 

How to style running shoes for everyday wear

For work, Em suggests wearing your sneakers with a wide-leg pant and keeping the tones congruous. Black pants call for black runners, creating a seamless look that’s also deliciously comfortable. 

For something more casual, Em’s personal favourite look for everyday wear is a knee-length wide short. For date night, she likes to wear a maxi skirt with a cropped or fitted top and the ASICS GEL-Kinetic Fluent runners.

Perhaps it’s the unlikeliness – in the traditional sense – of these pairings that makes them so inherently cool and appealing. A feminine skirt with a kick-ass runner flashing from the hem. The professionalism of tailored pants challenged by footwear that’s ready to run laps around the conference room. The contrast can be exciting.

Em leaves me with a final tip: always pick the right socks for the sneaker. “If you’re to commit to a sock, go for a calf [length] white or black sock – either pulled up or slightly scrunched,” she says. This devastatingly means no ankle socks or sockettes.

My takeaways

So far, I’ve sported my all-black running shoes with an easy summer maxi dress, denim cut-offs and my favourite flirty mini skirts. I even dared to pair them with ultra-wide-leg jeans the other day, and I dare say it was a sartorial success, too.

It seems ridiculously simplistic to say that repurposing an item outside of its functional bracket is freeing and empowering. However, doing something outside my comfort zone gave me a sense of confidence that translated into reversing my deeply ingrained people-pleasing mindset. Because with a pair of cushiony, pillowy, highly supportive soles on my feet, I’m enveloped in comfort and confidence. No teetering in tiny heels, just running miles and never looking back.

Discover ASICS GEL-Kinetic Fluent at Hype DC here.