Sneakers: what it is, how to recognise and style it

How to recognise it

A rubber, often thicker sole, a soft upper in leather, canvas or mesh, laces and a padded collar at the ankle. Plimsolls are canvas sneakers with a thin rubber sole.

Where it comes from

In 1839 Charles Goodyear invented vulcanised rubber, which began to be used for shoe soles. Keds appeared in 1916 and Converse basketball shoes in 1917, and in the 1980s sneakers became the basis of street fashion.

Who and when it suits

The most comfortable shoes for every day and travel. Clean white sneakers even go with a suit, a dress or a skirt.

Variations and look-alikes

They come low or high-top, in leather, canvas or mesh, on a thin or chunky sole, in white, black or colour. Minimal leather sneakers suit a relaxed office. They differ from plimsolls in their thicker sole.

How to style it

White sneakers with a suit or dress.
Clean them regularly, especially the sole.
Chunky sneakers with wide trousers.
Plimsolls with cropped jeans in summer.

Types of sneakers

Low-top sneakersLow-top sneakers end below the ankle bone, leaving the ankle free; it is the most common height for everyday sneakers.Mid-top sneakersMid-top sneakers reach the ankle bone: higher than low tops but lower than high tops, so the ankle is only partly covered.High-top sneakersHigh-top sneakers have a shaft that covers the ankle and long lacing, often with a round patch at the ankle.Canvas sneakersCanvas sneakers are light shoes with a canvas upper, a thin rubber sole, a rubber toe cap and a band around the sole.Canvas sneaker mulesCanvas sneaker mules are canvas sneakers with a rubber toe cap and a thin sole but no back, so they slip on like mules.Slip-on sneakersSlip-on sneakers have no laces: they slip on without hands and elastic side panels hold the foot.Sneaker mulesSneaker mules look like ordinary sneakers from the front but have no back, so they slip on like mules.Chunky sneakersChunky sneakers have a thick, layered sole and a bulky upper with many overlays, so they look big and heavy.Platform sneakersPlatform sneakers have a very thick, even sole along the whole length that raises the entire foot.Tennis shoesTennis shoes are low, clean-lined leather sneakers on a thin flat cupsole, often white with perforations on the toe.Running shoesRunning shoes are light sneakers with a soft, cushioning sole that is thicker under the heel and a breathable mesh upper.Basketball shoesBasketball shoes are high or mid-top sneakers with a thick, grippy sole and a reinforced shaft that supports the ankle when jumping.Skate shoesSkate shoes are low, sturdy sneakers with a flat, grippy sole, a thick padded collar and a reinforced toe.Retro sneakersRetro sneakers recreate 1960s and 1970s running and training shoes: low, slim, with suede overlays and a thin sole.

All types compared: types of sneakers

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

01How do plimsolls differ from sneakers?

Plimsolls are canvas with a thin rubber sole; sneakers are a broader category with thicker soles.

02Can you wear sneakers with a dress?

Yes, clean white or minimal sneakers go with many dresses.

03How do you clean white sneakers?

With a damp cloth and mild soap, the sole with a brush; machine wash only if the maker allows.

Sneakers