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Tech CEOs have traded dress shoes for sneakers, turning them into a status symbol. From Steve Jobs to Mark Zuckerberg, these casual kicks signal power, influence, and the freedom to ditch traditional office norms. But here’s the problem—pulling off the look without looking sloppy isn’t as effortless as it seems.
That’s where NLW comes in. Stylist Cassandra Sethi breaks down the do’s and don’ts of tech CEO sneakers, helping you choose the right pair and style them for a polished, professional look. Let’s dive in.
What Are the Best Tech CEO Sneakers?
The best tech CEO sneakers are low-profile, comfortable, and versatile. From working with various CEOs in the tech space, we’ve found that these three are the best of the bunch:
- White lace up sneakers
- Black or dark-colored slip-ons
- An accent sneaker AKA a “hero piece”
Having these three in your arsenal exudes that “I have a billion-dollar idea” type of confidence. Keep scrolling to see why these are our top picks.
1. Classic White Lace-Ups
White lace-ups are the Apple products of tech bro shoes. They’re minimalist, clean, timeless, and straightforward to style. White sneakers instantly brighten up an outfit that otherwise might feel too dark, and they can add a more approachable feel to more formal ensembles like suits or trousers. The versatility and casual-cool attitude of white sneakers makes them a favorite of Tech bros.
Product by Common Projects, shop here.
For example, Evan Spiegel, Snap CEO, loves white lace-ups, specifically the Achilles by Common Projects. Spiegel isn’t alone in loving these shoes though. According to the brand, the white color way of that shoe is the most sold shoe for Common Projects.
Other popular options for white tech sneakers include Koio Capri and Axel Arigato.
2. Black Sneakers
Prefer something less eye-catching than white? Keep things subdued with black sneakers. Here, one shoe is the unmistakable king of Silicon Valley: All-black Lanvin low tops. Lanvins are a tech world staple, but the all-blacks are especially coveted.
Product by Lanvin, shop here.
You’ve likely spotted them on Google CEO Sundar Pichai or a similar white-sole version on Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
Many professionals think of loud, gaudy shoes when they think of Tech SEO shoes. (Like those electric blue Pumas Sam Altman used to wear. Yikes!) But black sneakers whisper authority and confidence in a much more effective way.
3. A “Hero Piece”
Now let’s say you want to make a statement without going gaudy. No problem. That’s where the hero piece sneaker comes in. These tech shoes have something special or unique to them without looking clownish.
Think metallic detail at the heel, a snake skin-textured finish, or a pop of color. Subtle yet still polished options like that will have you turning heads at summits with a slight flex instead of making you look like a crypto bro.
Product by Gucci, shop here.
A good example is Brian Chesky in Gucci Ace Leather low tops. They’re a primarily neutral shoe, but they stand out with the signature green and red Gucci stripe.
If you go for a bolder shoe than that, just ensure your outfit is minimalistic. This will keep it balanced and avoid that try-hard vibe.
Famous Tech CEOs & Their Sneakers
Want to dress like the world’s top tech visionaries? Here’s what some of them are stepping into the future with.
What Shoes Does Elon Musk Wear?
Elon Musk loves custom shoes, like the Air Jordans with the Tesla logo he wore at the company’s Model Y launch. He’s also made exclusive cyber truck shoes and SpaceX-branded Kiziks.
Product by Nike, shop here.
When he’s not wearing custom kicks though, he’s been known to wear shoes as basic as Nike Flyknits.
What About Tim Cook’s Shoe Choices?
Tim Cook is another fan of Nike Flyknit. If you’ve seen him on stage unveiling the latest iOS, you’ve probably seen him in Nike Roshe Two Flyknit or something similar.
Discover Your Style in 5 Questions
Ready to rediscover your style and have a life changing transformation? You’re in the right place. Start the quiz below.
The Do’s & Don’t’s of Tech Bro Shoes
DO: Buy One Pair of Light Sneakers and One Pair of Dark Sneakers
Instead of splurging on flashy tech sneakers that’ll go out of style in a month, lean into a pair that you’ll get the maximum outfits out of.
Our recommendation? Buy one pair of light-colored sneakers and one pair of dark-colored sneakers. For a dark color, reach for black or dark brown. For light tones, you can’t go wrong with white or light gray.
These two colors offer ultimate versatility. You’re ready to go no matter the time of year or occasion.
DO: Wear Your Sneakers for Most Occasions
For example, imagine you’re having a standard day at the office. Opt for light colors, like this white perforated pair from Koio, to make you seem approachable to your team.
Product by Koio, shop here.
Or maybe you’re meeting with investors. Wear a black pair of leather sneakers to give your pitch credibility. The possibilities are endless.
DO: Keep Your Sneakers in Good Condition
Many of our clients draw a strict line between formal and casual shoes. They think they have to stick to dress shoes for every formal event and save their sneakers for the weekends.
Those rules are a thing of the past.
These days, sneakers are suitable for about 95% of occasions. From day-to-day executive office wear to casual weekend wear, these shoes are essential to your outfit lineup, especially if we’re discussing Tech CEO style in Silicon Valley.
We would only skip the tech sneaks for genuine special occasions. Think an upscale dinner, board meetings, or any other event where you have to be more traditional or “conservative”. In those cases, reach for your dress shoes instead.We would only skip the tech sneaks for genuine special occasions. Think an upscale dinner, board meetings, or any other event where you have to be more traditional or “conservative”. In those cases, reach for your dress shoes instead.
DON’T: Don’t Wear Your Gym Sneakers As Day Shoes
One of the biggest reasons clients hesitate to embrace sneakers as the best office shoes for CEOs is because they think these shoes are too casual. Some might even believe we suggest wearing the same shoes you’d wear to the gym as workwear.
This is a hard no.
We know it’s easy to combine all your sneakers as athletic wear. But just because a shoe could be used for exercise doesn’t mean you should.
So what makes gym shoes different from daytime sneakers?
Product by Nike, shop here.
Gym sneakers are function first. They often have performance features such as thick, spring soles or grippy treads. They look decidedly less sophisticated than day shoes because they don’t have to be. You’re also more likely to see vibrant colors and designs with gym sneakers (we’ll talk more about this later).
Product by Cole Haan, shop here.
A daytime shoe is more straightforward, elevated, and subtle. Choose an option with high-quality fabrication, like polished leather or suede, or keep it low-key with canvas. Many options now exist for a daytime sneaker, from laces to slip-ons to various fabrics and textures. And the good news is that many of them look GREAT!
The bottom line is these tech CEO sneakers are just as wearable as gym shoes but they look ten times better.
DON’T: Please Don’t Wear Allbirds
If you want to put some real effort into your style, step 1 is to donate your Allbirds ASAP.
You heard that right.
We don’t care how comfortable they are or if you got them for free. Please donate them immediately.
If you’ve been following NLW founder, Cassandra Sethi on Instagram, you know she’s not a fan of Allbirds. Why? They just don’t look good! And she KNOW that there are shoes that are way more comfortable and look even better.
Trust. Life is too short to wear boring wool runners.
DON’T: Don’t Give Into the Hype
It’s tempting to scroll through listicles about the sneakers worn by tech executives and think that the trendy path is the way to achieve this look.
But here’s the truth. Wearing over the top kicks is the fastest way to look more like a teenager than a CEO.
Upgrade Your Sneaker Game With Executive Style
Consider styles like the ones in the photo above. We recommended these to a client looking for a fresh, updated take on business casual. The white lace-up sneakers give the outfit a clean, polished finish. This doesn’t mean you can’t wear athletic sneakers in a business casual setting—make sure the colors tie in with the rest of your outfit for a seamless look.
Looking for help to level up your CEO style?
Start on the right foot with Next Level Wardrobe’s executive image consulting service. With our help you’ll quickly learn how to communicate your personal brand and leadership through your clothing choices.
