To match shoelaces with your outfit, pick laces that repeat one color from your clothes, stick with neutral laces (white, black, grey, or sail) when your outfit is already busy, or use a contrasting lace color as the one accent in a simple, neutral outfit. Match the lace style to the look too: flat laces for streetwear, waxed laces for smart casual, leather laces for dressed-up sneakers, and printed or reflective laces for statement fits.
See the color wheel of sneakers for color pairings.
Lace colors by outfit
| Outfit | Lace pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| All black | Black, or one bright accent | Stealthy, or a single pop of color |
| All white or cream | White or sail | Clean and tonal |
| Denim and a tee | White, sail, or a color from the tee | Easy and casual |
| Earth tones | Sail, tan, or brown | Warm and coordinated |
| Bright or patterned top | Neutral laces | Keeps the fit from clashing |
| Team or jersey fit | Team-color laces | Ties the look together |
Lace styles by outfit
| Style | Best lace | Lace Lab style |
|---|---|---|
| Streetwear | Flat or rope | Flat laces, rope laces |
| Smart casual | Waxed | Waxed Shoe Laces |
| Dressed-up sneakers | Leather with metal tips | Luxury Leather Laces |
| Statement fit | Printed or reflective | Off-White Style "SHOELACES", 3M reflective |
| Workwear and boots | Heavy-duty | Boot Laces |
4 rules for matching laces to outfits
- Repeat one color. Pull a color from your shirt, jacket, or hat.
- Keep it to one accent. If the laces are loud, keep the rest of the outfit simple.
- Match the metals. Pair gold, silver, or gunmetal aglets with your jewelry, watch, or belt.
- Match the mood. Waxed and leather laces dress a fit up, and rope and printed laces dress it down.
Build a small lace rotation
A few pairs cover most outfits: white and black flat laces, a sail pair for vintage fits, a waxed pair for smart casual, and one statement pair. See how to choose shoelaces that complement your shoe collection.
FAQs
How do you match shoelaces to an outfit?
Repeat one color from your clothes, use neutral laces with a busy outfit, or use a contrasting lace color as the one accent in a simple outfit.
What color laces go with everything?
White and black laces go with almost every outfit, followed by grey and sail.
Should my laces match my shirt?
Matching your laces to your shirt or another piece ties the outfit together, but it isn't required.
What laces look best with a dressy outfit?
Waxed or leather laces with metal tips look best with dressy outfits.
Laces for every fit
Flat, waxed, leather, printed, and reflective laces in every color.
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