The 20 Best Work Sneakers to Wear All Day Long

Office-approved comfort awaits.

Senior Editor Halie LeSavage tests the Tory Burch Tory Burch Howell Court Sneakers; Getty Images image of Adidas Samba Sneakers; Launchmetrics Spotlight image of Loewe Flowrunner sneakers; Fashion E-Commerce Editor Julia Marzovilla tests the Reebok Classic Nylon Sneakers in navy blue
(Image credit: Halie LeSavage; Getty Images; Launchmetrics Spotlight; Julia Marzovilla)

Office dress codes are more flexible than ever. As a result, even the trendiest sneakers of the year have become modern workwear staples that are an integral part of personal style at the office—for sneakerheads and casual wearers. Almost everyone has white sneakers or a pair of black sneakers kept on reserve under their desk. “We reached peak sneaker [era even] before the pandemic, and it feels like they've had a spot in most workwear wardrobes for a while,” says Laurel Pantin, a Los Angeles-based stylist and the author behind Earl Earl, a personal style and shopping newsletter.

This is thanks, in part, to the rapid growth in the designer sneaker market, which offers a diversity of sneakers from houses like Alexander McQueen, Gucci, and Valentino, who have all co-signed the luxury sneaker wave. But over the last half-decade, as chunky sneakers made their eventual exit, "sneaker culture has shifted towards slender silhouettes like the Adidas Sambas, and look less traditionally athletic than their predecessors, with logos that are also less overt, if noticeable at all," says Pantin.

These styles, prime for the quiet luxury aesthetic, are the ideal sneakers for work, according to Elizabeth Cardinal Tamkin, a content director, personal stylist, and author of the newsletter, The Corner Booth, on Substack. "A [work] sneaker should be like the loafer of sneakers; they should be streamlined and classic," she says.

But that doesn't mean your work sneakers should be boring. Sneaker collector and content creator Diana-May Kirori, or @LadyDianaMay on social media, likes to strike a balance between fun and functional and reaches for her Wales Bonner x Adidas Sambas or Isabel Marant Beth sneakers, which can stand up to dressy and casual occasions and everything in between—like including the office. Both options have a sleek, streamlined silhouette that pairs well alongside suiting separates and easy summer work outfits.

Ahead, we tapped our experts and Marie Claire editors to share their picks for the best work sneakers—some tested by yours truly. Keep reading for our recommendations alongside care and styling tips.

Marie Claire's Favorite Work Sneakers

Shop the Best Work Sneakers

Fashion E-Commerce Editor Julia Marzovilla tests the Cariuma All Black Canvas Sneakers

Cariuma's All Black Canvas Sneakers received top marks for comfort and functionality.

(Image credit: Julia Marzovilla)

Beauty Writer Gabrielle Ulubay tests the Sam Edelman Ethyl Low Top Sneakers

Sam Edelman's Ethyl Low Top Sneakers received top marks for comfort, according to Beauty Writer Gabrielle Ulubay.

(Image credit: Gabrielle Ulubay)

Senior Beauty and Fashion News Editor Halie LeSavage tests the Tory Burch Howell Court Sneakers

The Tory Burch Howell Court Sneakers are a go-to all-white sneaker beloved by legions of fans—including our Senior Fashion & Beauty News Editor, Halie LeSavage.

(Image credit: Halie LeSavage)

Fashion E-Commerce Editor Julia Marzovilla tests the Adidas Samba OG Sneakers

Adidas Sambas continue to be the shoe of 2024.

(Image credit: Julia Marzovilla)

Fashion E-Commerce Editor Julia Marzovilla tests the Reebok Classic Nylon Sneakers

Reebok's Classic Nylon Sneakers are a great sporty pick that retails for under $100.

(Image credit: Julia Marzovilla)

Other Sneakers We Love

What to Look for in Work Sneakers

  • Comfort: You’re on your feet for hours, so you need comfortable shoes. Look for work sneakers designed with features to guarantee your feet won't hurt. Padding, extra arch support, and a sturdy sole are all key to finding the most comfortable shoes for you.
  • Size: Ensure you find the right size of sneakers to avoid cramping and blisters. Try a couple of sizes and consider whether the shoes run wide or narrow.
  • Material: When shopping for work sneakers, look for elevated fabrics such as suede or leather. These materials tend to feel more formal. Avoid bright colors or in-your-face textures to make your sneakers feel more elevated.
  • Color: When selecting sneakers, opt for a simple shape and neutral colors such as black, white, tan, or cream. Not only are neutral colors easier to style, but they'll always stay classic.

How to Keep Work Sneakers Clean

Sneakers worn for outdoor activities can get as dirty as you like, but work sneakers should be kept clean and polished. While some shoes on this list are machine-washable, that's not common in the sneaker space.

Wiping them down with water will remove most daily grime on leather shoes, and a stain-removal pen will also do the trick. Keep them in top shape by taking them to a cobbler for a professional cleaning and to reinforce soles.

Storage is also important. Keeping your shoes on a designated rack will protect them from the dust and dirt around your home.

How to Style Work Sneakers

The key to making your sneakers work in the office is to style them with other elevated options. If you opt for white sneakers, style them with dark hues that will pop. Tamkin likes to even dress down a suit with her cleanest sneakers.

“I love the contrast of the casual-cool sneaker with the tailored suiting, a styling method I call the contradistinction technique,” she says. Take some risks by combining two pieces that traditionally contradict each other—but make for a perfect outfit—similar to the wrong shoe theory or the sandwich method. To incorporate some color, choose a shade that plays well with other neutrals.

Street Stylers wear sneakers to work.

Members of the street style set team their work sneakers with monochromatic outfits that let their shoes shine.

(Image credit: LaunchMetrics Spotlight)

Even your favorite A-listers have opted for sneakers instead of heels for their work outings. Jessica Alba used bright white sneakers to offset her denim and play-up workwear staples like an oversized blazer. Cate Blanchett Blanchett opted for minimalist sneakers to streamline her trendy denim-on-denim outfit. Emily Blunt swapped her white sneakers for a color-blocked pair of Nikes that look polished alongside her all-black ensemble and work bag.

Cate Blanchett, Jessica Alba, and Emily Blunt all style sneakers for work.

Cate Blanchett, Jessica Alba, and Emily Blunt show the power of a great sneaker in your wardrobe.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Meet the Fashion Experts

Diana-May Kiori
Diana-May Kirori

From fashion and beauty to travel and wellness, Diana enjoys all things lifestyle. Most of her time is spent making recommendations and styling content for inspiration. She strives to create a platform where people can feel positively present, and engage with the people and brands she loves. 

Laurel Pantin
Laurel Pantin

Laurel Pantin is the Los Angeles-based author of style newsletter Earl Earl, a branding and creative consultant, and personal stylist. She is a former fashion editor who previously held roles at InStyle, CoveteurLucky, and Teen Vogue. 

Eliza Cardinal Tamkin
Elizabeth Cardinal Tamkin

Elizabeth Cardinal Tamkin is a New York-based Personal Stylist currently working as the Content Director at KULE and formerly the Market Editor at Man Repeller. She is also the founder of the Substack The Corner Booth, where she discusses ways to get dressed and explores the Silhouette System™, a system she created to help clients and readers find their style and dress based on their underlying outfit silhouette preferences. 

Julia Marzovilla
Fashion E-Commerce Editor

Julia Marzovilla is the Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she reviews the latest launches from fashion and beauty brands, finds the best on-sale items around the internet, and interviews experts to find the best products in any category to share with her readers. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site as an expert in everything from the best laptop bags to the best laser hair removal devices.

In her near decade of experience, Julia has both written for several top outlets in the E-Commerce space and worked at major fashion labels. Prior to joining the Marie Claire team, she contributed similar shopping stories to sites such as Bustle, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, and worked as the Trending Fashion and News Writer STYLECASTER. You can find her across the internet at @JuliaMarzovilla. In real life, you can find her creating shopping guides for her friends, cooking or baking in her too-small kitchen, or buying tickets for the next time Harry Styles is in town.

Julia has a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Journalism from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. She lives in New York City, her hometown.