• Suede sneakers are the menswear shoe of the summer this year.
• Fans say the soft material elevates casual outfits and adds a retro feel to every look.
• Stylist Alexandra Ballard also said the shoes have a European vibe that signals elegance.

This is a sign to give your Birkenstocks and Air Force 1s a break this summer.

They're footwear staples for a reason, of course, but they're not the shoes of the summer. That title belongs to suede sneakers.

Fuzzy, low-top kicks are suddenly everywhere, with men especially embracing the style.

"The specific vibe they're going for isn't classic American preppy (think Vineyard Vines). It's more European," stylist Alexandra Ballard told Business Insider. "They want that 'international student' aesthetic, or to look like the well-traveled guy who's effortlessly put-together. Elegant but not stiff."

Luckily, you don't have to track down any specific pair to join the trend (though ones from Axel Arigato and Dries Van Noten have become status symbols). When it comes to suede sneakers, the logo matters less than the aesthetic and material.

After all, the men's shoe trend is all about elevating simple looks. "They have that refined, sophisticated feel without sacrificing any comfort," Ballard said about the sneakers.

Suede: simple, chic, and retro

Men's shoes were laid-back last summer. Think simple loafers, leather mules, and clog slides. Though the latter's suede material is sticking around, the presentation has changed.

Searches for "men's suede sneakers" are up 500% and rising over the past year, according to Google Trends.

One factor playing into that soaring interest? TikTok and Instagram are full of posts about the sneaker style. Men are sharing their favorite pairs, tips for wearing them, and claims that the style has replaced the famed Adidas Samba.

Celebrities like Ludacris have also embraced suede sneakers everywhere from Paris Fashion Week to the 2026 American Music Awards.

On a deeper level, that's because suede is a classic signal of high-end style. As America's elite enters a gaudy, in-your-face fashion era, some everyday shoppers are choosing the opposite. Suede evokes chicness without looking flashy or overly expensive.

"Men want to look good, but the second something feels like a costume or too precious to actually wear, they're out," Ballard said.

Shoppers also say they love the retro feel of suede. The fabric evokes the fashion of the '60s and '70s — and old-school is in right now, inside and outside the fashion world.

Just as importantly, suede sneakers are versatile. You can wear them with trousers and a blazer to dress down an office look — what Ballard describes as "Italian menswear nonchalance" — or pair them with jeans and a T-shirt to elevate a casual Sunday outfit.

When shoes are the outfit

It might be puzzling that suede is trending for summer. The soft fabric is typically associated with fall fashion. But Ballard said it actually makes perfect sense.

"Summer is the safest season to wear suede shoes," she said. "Suede's biggest enemies are water, slush, and salt, which are all winter problems."

Suede is also often found in neutral shades like tan and brown, which pair well with summer outfits and pieces, including linen trousers and light chinos, Ballard said.

Some of the most popular options come from Puma, Nike, and Steve Madden, though luxury brands like Axel Arigato, Dries Van Noten, Loewe, and Fear of God also offer suede sneakers.

Whichever catches your eye, Ballard suggests starting with an understated pair. "Silhouette-wise, nothing too chunky. A slimmer, more minimal shape is the way to go," she said.

And at the end of the day, remember that your shoes can be the focal point of your outfit. They "do the heavy lifting," Ballard said.

"Throw [suede sneakers] on with shorts and a loose polo or a linen tee, and you're already looking more put-together than most guys at the same event," she added.