For work and for play, there’s a pair of black sneakers for you.
Black Sneakers
Black sneakers are a great way to dress down and add comfort to any look without forgoing style. It’s like your little black dress! Even if you have a collection of shoes already, black sneakers are a true wardrobe staple.
Looking great starts with a comfortable pair of shoes. Sneakers with arch support and cushioning are widely available.
But what happens if you love a style and it doesn’t meet your comfort needs? Simply add a shoe insert to get the support you need.
Even though sneakers are meant to be comfortable, it doesn’t mean they don’t require some breaking in.
Quick Tip! Before wearing your new pair of black sneakers out into the city for a long day of walking, wear them around the house for a few days to give them a chance to conform to your feet.
Style and Brand Variety
Sneakers may have been traditionally sported for your workout but that’s not the case any longer.
There are a multitude of brands and styles that make chic and functional black sneakers, from streamlined leather pairs (like Alaïa + Superga’s Croc-Effect Leather Sneakers or Common Projects’ Original Achilles Low Sneaker) to elevated classics (like Adidas’ Gazelle Bold Shoes)
Viva Cabana Pick!
We love the sleek leather look! It’s a bit pricey but can be a great investment piece.
Casual VS. Work
Are you shopping for an all-around, do-it-all pair that provide comfort and fashion whether on a run or at dinner? Check out long-time staples from Saucony, New Balance, or even J.Crew.
If you prefer a sleek pair for work, look for elevated details, like Vince’s suede platform slip ons or Chloé’s scalloped sole. And if you can’t decide, you can never go wrong with classics from Converse or Vans.
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Styling Black Sneakers
If you’ve grown accustomed to white sneakers, it’s easier than you think to make the swap for a black pair.
Just like when choosing a white pair, make sure they coordinate your black sneakers in both color and style with the rest of your outfit.
For the office: Opt for a low profile, minimalist black sneakers when styling them for the office. To avoid feeling too casual, pair them with a luxury investment piece like a cashmere sweater or those pants that fit you perfectly.
For everyday: You can also wear them with jeans on the regular but with a great pair of everyday sneakers. Also style them with your favorite mini and maxi dresses all spring and summer for a classic and cool look you’ll love.
Style Tip: the variety of styles
In black, they’ll not only resist a lot of wear and tear that a bright white sneaker might amplify, but they will also go effortlessly with everything you own.
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Ahead, find all of our favorite sneakers: from the retro inspired to the futuristic; sneakers for work and sneakers for play. High tops and low tops aplenty are ahead in this ultimate list of the best black sneakers to shop now.
Our Top Picks
Best High Tops
Why We Love: When it comes to high top sneakers, there are few better for everyday wear than Converse All Stars. They’re retro and cool with a thin canvas material that you can lace all the way up or only partially.
You will love to style these with jeans and sundresses alike—all the better in black!
Reviewers rave about their versatility.“You just can’t go wrong with Converse!..I can throw them on with a pair of jeans when I run the kids around and more often than not, you’ll find me in casual work wear with these on my feet.”
Material: 100% canvas
Size: 5-11.5
Best High-Fashion Collaboration
Why We Love: If you’ve already fallen in love with classic Supergas, you’ll be over-the-moon with this high-fashion collaboration with Alaïa.
The low-top skimmer faves from Italy have been re-imagined with a croc-embossed leather that makes them feel elevated and luxe.
Helpful Tip! Fold up the hem of your go-to straight leg jeans to show off the luxe croc leather.
Material: 100% leather
Size: IT35-IT42
Best Feminine Flair
Why We Love: These Chloé sneakers have all the go-to markers of an everyday classic with a little bit of extra detail.
Made of leather, the low-top kicks are simple in design and crafted of a black tone that goes with everything.
But instead of the traditional seam between sole and upper, Chloé has added their signature scalloped edge for extra feminine flair.
Material: 100% leather
Size: 5-11
Best Early-Aughts Favorite
Why We Love: Channel the early-aughts with one of the most popular sneakers of the decade.
Saucony’s Jazz sneakers, especially in black, check all of the boxes for performance meets style.
Helpful Tip! To avoid feeling dated, try pairing your Sauconys with timeless items from your wardrobe like sleek black jeans and a blazer. Or if you want an effortless, of-the-moment look, opt for a fun white utilitarian jumpsuit.
Material: nylon & suede
Size: 3.5-14
Best Low-Profile Sneakers
Why We Love: The Row does all the classics best. The crisp white shirt, the slip dress, the oversized cashmere knit…the list goes on. And now, they’ve added sneakers to the mix.
With a super slim sole and understated silhouette, they look as though they could be out of the 1920s or ‘30s, fitting in perfectly with the brand’s streamlined aesthetic.
Material: 100% canvas
Size: IT35-IT42
Best Lightweight Sneakers
Why We Love: J.Crew has taken the silhouette of a retro running sneaker and infused it with the brand’s iconic preppy charm.
Sold in a trio of classic colors, including deep black, these lightweight trainers are cool and classic.
Helpful Tip! These black sneakers can take you on both a morning run as well as a brunch afterwards. Try pairing them with a tennis skirt or even an exercise dress for the ultimate athleisure look.
Material: 100% recycled nylon
Size: 5-12
Best Slip On Sneakers
Why We Love: The ease of a slip on shoe is unmatched and Vans is a professional in the matter.
With a long history of skate shoes, their slip-ons are both comfortable as well as sporty with a streamlined no-frills style you’ll love.
Helpful Tip! If you need some extra arch support and love Vans, invest in an insole so you can rock these slip-ons all day in comfort.
Material: 100% synthetic
Size: 5.5-14.5
Best Elevated Slip Ons
Why We Love: You’ll love these platform sneakers for their ability to take an understated slip-on and make it feel elevated.
Crafted of suede—in a deep black tone—the brand has added a 1.25 inch lift to their chunky slip-ons, featuring an oversized, stylized panel of elastic on either side for ease of wear.
Helpful Tip! The elevated suede and crisp white sole make them the perfect office shoe, whether you lean towards work dresses or crisp work shirts and pants.
Material: 100% suede
Size: 5-11
Best Sneakers for Dresses
Why We Love: Superga skimmers carry with them a vintage-inspired look with a cool-girl style. Founded in 1911, the Italian brand still today feels modern and youthful.
Helpful Tip! While you can certainly slip into these sneaks with a pair of off-duty jeans, we love to dress down mini and midi dresses all summer long with the pairing of these kicks.
Material: 100% canvas
Size: 5-14
Best Running Sneakers
Why We Love: If you’re looking for a pair of sneakers that you can run in for miles—shop On.
Their Cloud x 3 Sneakers are aptly named, as they both make your feet feel as though they’re sitting on soft clouds as well as that you’re bouncing on air as you travel down the paths of your morning job.
In jet black, you’ll love them forever.
Material: 100% performance mesh
Size: 5-11
Best Splurge
Why We Love: If you’re going to splurge, do so on a classic that you’ll delight in forever.
With the totally understated, streamlined design that Common Projects is known for, you can dress these low-top sneakers up or down with ease.
Helpful Tip! If you don’t like the “workout” look that sneakers can give, this stylish leather pair is as far away from the gym as you can get. Reviewers do caution “it takes some time to break them in but once broken into, it is super comfortable!”
Material: 100% leather
Size: 4-12
Best Platform Sneakers
Why We Love: Adidas has taken their soccer style to the next level with a touch of early-aughts flair.
By adding a little bit more lift by way of a triple-stacked sole, it looks just like the retro three-stripe shoes you’ve always known and loved with an edgy detail.
Helpful Tip! Style this platform sneaker with a trendy pair of cropped white jeans for a classic, yet updated, black and white look.
Material: 100% suede
Size: 5-11
Best ‘70s Classics
Why We Love: As the ‘70s and ‘80s essential kicks, New Balance classic will never go out of style. Reviewers also love this retro pick: “I wanted an every day shoe that could go with everything but wasn’t a pure white and I’m happy with these.”
These New Balance kicks are great for a run—and also an athleisure twist to your everyday wears.
Shop it in bright colors or classic black, a tone that will look great with everything you own.
Material: 100% recycled polyester
Size: 5-12
Best Whimsical Sneakers
Why We Love: Comme des Garçons Play is known for their heart with almond-shaped eyes, and they’ve collaborated with Converse to take the classic go-to low-tops a whimsical treatment.
In black, the bright red hearts pop while also providing a “logo” per se that is quite understated at the same time.
Helpful Tip! Most reviewers found they ran large and ordered down a size from their usual to find their perfect fit.
Material: 100% canvas
Size: 5-10
Black Sneakers Under $150
What to Look for
Material: Material is dependent on where you want to wear your sneakers. Performance kicks call for mesh or nylon, while more elevated versions of the trend might beg for a suede or leather upper.
In the middle, to wear with jeans or sundresses alike, you might very well opt for a go-anywhere canvas material instead.
Fit: Fit is obviously more important to master for sneakers you are going to be working out in to avoid any injury. For everyday skimmers, size them as you would any other shoe.
Size: While we are moving away from the overly chunky shoe when it comes to overall silhouette, platforms and low skimmers are both in fashion this season.
Pro Tip 😎
Try styling a pair of classic black sneakers with a sundress this summer. It will make your dresses a smidge more casual, and you might just start trading out your jeans for everyday wear this summer and beyond.
While you likely already have an army of white sneakers, it might just be time to throw in a black pair of two. Shop the above favorites now—with one for your every mood.
FAQ
Are black sneakers still in style?
Yes! Black sneakers are still very popular in 2023 and will always be in style—just like white sneakers. The silhouettes might come and go, but the color will forever be a go-to classic.
Can you wear black sneakers with everything?
Although sneakers are, admittedly, not a great pairing for a cocktail dress or more after-hours wears, they are a great option to dress down casual dresses and—of course—to wear with understated favorites like jeans.
That said, if you’re going to opt for a pair of sneakers, black or white are the way to go if you’re concerned with their styling potential.
How do you style black sneakers?
Black sneakers can be placed in three main styling groups. The first is athletics. You can style black running sneakers with any mix of leggings, joggers, running shorts, and more when heading out for a workout.
The second is an overall casual look, slipping into your go-to pair of black sneakers with chinos and jeans alike.
The third, and our favorite of the bunch, is dressing down a sundress, be it mini, midi, or maxi. It adds that youthful, sporty air to your new summer uniform.
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All products featured on Viva Cabana are independently selected by our editorial team, and the company may earn commission through affiliate links.