Nike Air Force 1s are a pretty venerable sneaker: they’ve been around since 1982, and since then they’ve become one of the world’s best-selling sneakers. Whether you like your Air Force 1s all-white, all-black, or any other color scheme, they’re incredibly easy to pair with a ton of different outfits.
No matter whether you’re going for a streetwear-inspired look or want to go for a preppy-inspired look, a pair of these sneakers is a wardrobe essential.
In this guide, we’re going to look at some different ways that you can wear your Air Force 1s. If Nike’s tastefully modern style is your bag, then you need this guide in your life.
Ready to get started? Then read on!
1. The Laidback Look
To some, style is all about looking unphased by the very notion of style. If you want to go for a more laidback look that looks fantastic, you should pair your Air Force 1s with denim. This style works equally well for both men and women.
A pair of blue jeans is the classic look, but black jeans contrast well with a pair of white Air Force 1 mids.
We’d recommend sticking to a simple top too, something like a plain colored t-shirt. A white t-shirt, sneakers, and a pair of jeans are peak Americana fashion.
2. Dressed to Impress
Dresses and sneakers go very well together, creating a very casual look for the modern woman, and you should start with Nike Air Force 1s. Women who want to keep things simple and elegant should opt for a black dress with a pair of black Air Force 1s underneath. A pair of white Air Force 1s will also work well, offering a stark contrast to the dark color of the dress.
If you’re the colorful sort, you can really let your imagination run wild. A bright dress should be paired with Air Force 1s that match the main color of the dress. For example, if you’re wearing an orange dress, grab a pair of Air Force 1s that features an orange swoosh.
3. Streetwear Styling
If you want to look great while you’re running some daily chores, a pair of sweatpants go well with a pair of Air Force 1s. Both cuffed and straight-leg sweatpants look solid with a pair of Air Force 1s, proof that even the most casual of outfits can be made cool.
If you’re going to wear sweatpants with your Air Force 1s, we’d recommend that you stick to black Air Force 1s, preferably mids or lows.
This style advice goes for leggings too. Both men and women can turn a casual outfit street with the addition of these sneakers.
4. Suited Up
Suits aren’t only for formal events. While you wouldn’t want to wear Air Force 1s to a black-tie event, Air Force 1s can be paired with a blazer and chinos or a two-piece suit with zero issues.
We’d recommend sticking to a color contrast with your suit, however. If you’re going to wear a darker-colored suit, then a pair of white Air Force 1s is in order. If you’re wearing a lighter-colored suit, you should opt for something a little darker, but avoid black: a dark blue pair of Air Force 1 mids is a better choice of color.
Mids are a great choice to pair with suits, as are hi-tops, but lows should generally be avoided.
5. Summer Styles
When the weather is getting warmer, you might feel that sneakers aren’t the best choice of footwear. However, you’d be wrong: a pair of Air Force 1s with some shorts and long socks is a quintessential summer look that never goes out of style.
If you’re going to wear Air Force 1s with shorts, you can go with either lows, mids, or hi-tops. Lows give a sense of street style to the outfit and can also be worn with invisible socks or without socks at all if it’s a hot day. Both mids and hi-tops lend a bit of sportiness to your ensemble, as they’re inspired by classic basketball shoes, which makes them a particularly strong choice to pair with long socks.
A plain t-shirt looks great with shorts, long socks, and Air Force 1s, but if you want to lean into the sporty side, you could pair it with your favorite basketball team’s jersey, too.
6. A Preppy Look
Preppy fashion is never going away: it’s a distinct movement that encompasses formal styles and brings them a little more down to earth. If you want to add Air Force 1s to a preppy ensemble, you should start by considering the rest of your outfit.
A good place to start is with a pair of Nantucket Reds, the iconic preppy red pants that are a great centerpiece. Pair these with some Air Force 1 lows, preferably in white, to put your own spin on the loafer-style shoes that are more mainstream prep footwear. On top, wear a v-neck sweater with a collared polo shirt or a short-sleeved shirt to complete the look.
7. Edgy Styles
The Air Force 1 is easy to make edgy. Black Air Force 1s are a particularly good bet for this, and they look fantastic with a black leather jacket, especially a biker jacket. All-black Air Force 1s are a very strong look and call to mind motorcycle boots without tipping over into kitsch.
If you want to keep it edgy and indie, then you can go for a lighter shade of sneaker, which will work well with a waxed jacket or a longer coat.
Nike Air Force 1s Are Incredibly Versatile
We hope you’ve enjoyed this style guide on how to wear Nike Air Force 1s. One of the best aspects of this sneaker is that it’s very versatile: it’s available in a wide range of different colors and styles, which means no matter what look you’re going for, you can pull it off with AF1s.
If you want to buy Nike Air Force 1s, we’ve got a huge selection for men, women, and kids. If you’ve got any questions for us, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
