Mens Fashion Advice: Why isn't it okay to wear basketball shoes with jeans?

by Greg
(NC)

Nate,

I read on one of your other pages that you shouldn't wear basketball shoes with jeans?

Why is that? I always do it and don't think it looks bad as long as your shoes are clean and in decent shape.

ANSWER:

Greg,

Yes, there can be exceptions to this. But... very obvious ones. If you have the whole super-clean-urban look going on, then some brand new Nike's are obviously what you're going to wear.

I don't know if this is how you dress or not... but generally, basketball shoes with say.. some jeans and a polo shirt look ridiculous... especially to women.

Let me just be clear: basketball shoes with jeans are generally the wrong choice. Just use that as a general guideline.

I realize that most men don't get this because to them it looks fine... but trust me on this one.

There is a huge difference between basketball shoes and other types of sneakers.

Adidas Sambas, Converse Chuck Taylors, or some Diesel sneakers are the right choice and look great with jeans. And for whatever reason... women will judge you positively for this unlike with basketball shoes.

I don't make the rules... that's just how it is.

You can see some examples of women-approved casual shoes here.