How To Wear Air Force Ones
Sophie Diego
Table of Contents
Back to school season isn’t just a Walmart-exclusive matter. Yes, it’s important to stock up on pens, papers, and highlighters—but branded fashion is where it’s at.
Buying new clothes before the semester starts is not a novel thing. Hundreds of parents and kids make their yearly trip to Old Navy and H&M for new pants and tees.
At the end of the day, it’s all about sporting that fresh, squeaky-clean look.
In the sea of Jansport backpacks, Adidas sweatpants, and Lululemon zip-ups, Air Force Ones remain a popular shoe of choice amongst students. Their sporty yet refined style has dominated high school and university stomping grounds.
There’s a good chance that Nike won’t discontinue their best-selling sneaker anytime soon, so it’s probably best to cop yourself a pair.
By now, you’re probably wondering how to wear Air Force Ones. For those stuck in the styling slump, we’ll dish out some fashion tips, outfit ideas, and shopping advice to help elevate those creative spirits.
Hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll understand:
- How to wear high top Air Force ones
- How to wear Air Force Ones with jeans
- How to Wear Air Force Ones with shorts
- How to wear black Air Force Ones
- How to tie Air Force Ones
What Is An Air Force One
Before we share some outfits with Air Force Ones, it’s best to address the shoe in question. In short, it’s a sneaker produced by Nike. Offered in several colors, cuts, and materials, the design remains relatively the same.
It comes with a lace-up front, textured canvas layers, engraved outsoles, and of course, the brand’s iconic swoosh on the side.
Most trendsetters prefer the low-top version, but that shouldn’t discourage you from trying out their other styles, such as ‘High By You’ and ‘Pixel.’
History Of Air Force Ones
Iconized for its classic white exterior, the Air Force One is the crown jewel of shoes. Its starlet status couldn’t have debuted in a more demanding era of sports sneakers, most notably—basketball leagues.
Bruce Kilgore, a product designer for Nike, was tasked to create a trainer that was light, flexible, and, most importantly, comfortable for all-star athletes. In 1982, the first AFO collection was launched.
Beloved by players and fans alike, Air Force Ones were worn by the likes of Jay-Z, Moses Malone, and Nelly.
Over the years, the shoes went through several re-designs in an attempt to appeal to modern-day trends. This led to the inevitable launches of the Original Six, the Air Force One Low, and High-Tech Uppers.
Intrinsic to New York fashion, hip-hop, and the sports scene, AF-1s remains one of the most popular sneakers of the century.
When To Wear Air Force Ones
So, you want to know how to wear Air Force Ones. Outfit coordination is step two of the styling process. Step one requires some consideration of the occasion in question.
AF-1s are designed to be worn casually. Synonymous with the Brooklyn, New York scene, these sneakers are intrinsic to streetwear culture only.
Basically, they’re only meant for casual hangouts, shopping, grocery store runs, and playing hoops with the boys. Formal events are a no-go, as funerals, weddings, and cocktail parties usually frown at the idea of wearing sneakers.
Thanks to its seasonless design, Air Force Ones can be worn from winter to summer. Of course, they aren’t the most insulated shoe for the cold season, but trust me—I’ve seen hundreds of trendsetters sporting AF-1s during a snowstorm.
How To Wear Air Force Ones
Styling AF-1s comes with several questions. This may include how to wear Air Force Ones mid and how to wear Air Force Ones high tops.
Aside from design, it’s important to consider some wardrobe basics and statement pieces when creating an outfit. You don’t want to design a mundane OOTD, nor do you want to look like a Cirque du Soleil cast member out in public.
Can’t brainstorm a single idea? No worries, we’ve got you covered. We’ll show you how to wear Air Force Ones using 10 outfit ideas. Let’s get started!
5 Outfit Ideas With Air Force Ones For Women
Summer dresses must be worn with heels, right? Fifty years ago, you’d be totally correct. But nowadays, most yawn at traditionalist attitudes towards women’s fashion. It’s common to wear other shoes with floral minis, such as the iconic AF-1.
For those wondering how to wear white Air Force Ones, this is the outfit to opt for. Featuring a green dress speckled with creme flowers and a pair of low AF-1s, it’s a solid ensemble for casual hangouts and date nights.
Depending on your school’s dress code, it can also make for a great OOTD for class.
Of course, we can’t forget the classic jeans and white tank top duo in our ‘how to wear Air Force Ones’ guide.
It’s a great outfit to consider if you can’t be bothered to dress up, as this ensemble shows the beauty of wardrobe basics. In our opinion, it’s all about fit and tailoring.
The faded denim pants do wonders in accentuating the waist while elongating the legs. Meanwhile, the cream spaghetti strap works to compliment the decolletage.
The white AF-1s help in keeping things casual. For those who can’t figure out how to wear Air Force Ones women shoes, we suggest taking some inspo from this outfit.
Princess Diana would’ve loved Air Force Ones. After all, she was known to sport white shoes quite often.
As a homage to her iconic look, we thought it best to include the classic oversized tee and biker shorts duo in our lineup. Comfy, chic, and casual, this outfit is perfect for no-nonsense days.
It requires a few accessories, namely a fashionable tote bag and a pair of sunnies to help imbue those ‘off-hour celebrity’ vibes.
If you’re wondering how to lace Air Forces, we suggest doing a simple knot and tucking the ends in. It creates a clean, cohesive look compared to a messy bow.
Hailey Bieber is a repeat customer in our ‘How to wear series.’ The reason? Well, she has really good taste. For example, she’s sporting her Air Force Ones with a pair of black trousers, an oversized green puffer jacket, a white tee, and an embroidered baseball cap.
Slightly exaggerated in silhouette, the outfit creates the illusion of a shorter torso and longer legs. For those Googling how to wear mid Air Force Ones, we suggest getting some styling tips from Mrs. Bieber herself.
Stilettos are the number one choice for dinner parties and first dates. If you’re just hanging out with gals, we recommend ditching your Louboutins with Air Force Ones instead.
Comfy and casual, these white sneaks ensure no bleeding or bruises as you galavant from bar to bar.
I know, it may seem jarring to wear a body-con skirt with casual shoes—but you can easily fix this by wearing a monochrome outfit. Composed of creams and beiges, it’s a subtle OOTD that blends ‘coffee-girl chic’ and ‘sultry secretary.’
This, ladies and gents, is how to wear your Air Force ones fashionably.
5 Outfit Ideas With Air Force Ones For Men
It’s the perfect blend between Beverly Hill elegance and hip-hop fashion. Sported by Travis Scott, this iconic outfit features a printed button-down, a white tee, distressed jeans, and a pair of high-top Air Force Ones.
The ensemble is further accentuated with a silver Cuban chain, gold bangles, and a pair of diamond-studded earrings. It’s certainly a celebrity-inspired look, which is great for trendsetters who love the center of attention.
Can’t figure out a black Air Forces outfit? While it’s common to opt for the monochrome outfit, we suggest staying away from all-black ensembles. If it’s not styled correctly, you’ll end up looking like a bottomless pit.
To prevent this from happening, it’s important to implement a pop of color—such as cobalt blue. This OOTD comes with a tee, a matching pair of sweatpants, and black North Face puffer jacket.
It’s a simple way to tackle the ‘how to wear Air Force Ones’ query without the worry of outfit clashing.
Emblematic of true L.A style, this outfit showcases the impractical beauty of Californian fashion. Wearing shorts with a stifling hoodie isn’t the best option to wear during the summer, but hey—it’s at least aesthetically appealing.
This outfit features a pair of pink bottoms, a white tie-dye sweatshirt, a baseball cap, and a set of cream Air Force Ones. For a touch of pizazz, we recommend a silver Cuban chain necklace.
It’s totally optional, but we think a tote bag can do wonders in accentuating the final look.
The soft boy aesthetic is one of the most sought-after fashion trends in 2022. Naturally, we had to include an example in our ‘How to wear Air Force Ones’ guide.
Featuring a pair of cuffed jeans, a black sweatshirt, a white collared button-up, and AF-1s, it’s a subtle look perfect for school, casual hangouts, and city walks. For accessories, we recommend a stylish beanie and a crossbody bag to really imbue those Conan Gray vibes.
Considered another great example of monochrome done well, this OOTD plays on pastel blues instead of subtle creams.
It definitely screams cloud-core due to the mellow tones exhibited on the denim jacket, the jeans, and the baseball cap.
The white AF-1s and the turtleneck help to brighten up the entire look. Of course, the stacked silver jewelry adds an element of bling. If you’re struggling with how to wear Air Force Ones, we suggest keeping things neutral, like this outfit.
What Type Of Air Force Ones Can You get?
Air Force Ones feature the same iconic design. Silhouetted with breathable upper, lace-ups, and a tooth-like outsole, there’s no wonder why hundreds of trendsetters prefer AF-1s over any type of sneaker.
Due to its success over the years, Nike has produced hundreds of unique styles for customers to choose from. Obviously, we won’t feature every kind of design they sell, but we will discuss the brand’s three iconic cuts.
- Air Force 1 Low: Considered a popular choice among Generation Z, these AF-1s feature a cropped cut to help show off your ankles. It’s a great choice for trendsetters who prefer uncuffed jeans and the sock-and-sneaker look. Most versions come in white, but that shouldn’t discourage you from getting other shades, such as black
- Air Force 1 Mid: If you can’t decide between Low and High, the AF-1 Mid-rise sneakers are your best bet. They come in a variety of unique styles, such as the Nike Air Force 1 Mid ‘07 LV8 and the Nike Air Force 1 Mid LE
- Air Force 1 High: Sported by athletes and celebrities, this cut of shoe can help you feel like an all-star basketball player. This includes popular designs such as “High By You’ and ‘Utility 2.0.”
How To Choose The Best Air Force Ones
No shade to Ardene and H&M, but there’s a reason why most trendsetters gravitate to Nike for shoes. Obviously, high-quality trainers are made by sneakerheads.
Air Force Ones are considered the best on the market due to their timeless design and level of comfort. With hundreds of styles offered on Nike. com, it’s relatively easy to feel overwhelmed while shopping. With that in mind, how do you pick the best shoe?
Sneaker connoisseurs judge shoes by quality, material, fit, design, and price. Air Force Ones are made out of leather overlays and a foam midsole for added comfort. Some are constructed out of canvas, synthetic materials, and other choice textiles.
You can take care knowing that all designs are sturdy and durable in feel, so you don’t have to worry about holes and seam rips. In addition, all AF-1s are organized by technology. This includes shoes made with GORE-TEX, Nike Air, React, FitAdapt, and more.
It’s worth noting that most Nike sneakers are designed with functional closures, water-resistant exteriors, and a few orthopedic features.
There are hundreds of Air Force Ones to choose from. While it’s common to choose traditional white, sneakerheads usually collect limited edition designs such as the Fight Club collection.
If you’re having trouble picking a shoe, we suggest assessing your personal tastes.
For instance, those who prefer maximalist trends may covet bright patterns and colors. If you consider yourself a casual dresser, we recommend classic silhouettes, such as plain white and black.
It’s no secret that Air Force Ones are expensive. Prices range from $85 to $180. You should know that ‘cheaper’ designs are usually kid sizes.
While it may seem outrageous to spend over $100 on shoes, you should consider its staying power. AF-1s aren’t going away any time soon, so you’re looking at a forever piece that lasts years in your wardrobe.
How To Style Air Force Ones
So, have you figured out how to wear Air Force Ones? It doesn’t take a genius to create a cohesive ensemble, but I imagine trendsetters are looking for ways to pizazz their final fit. We’ll provide some last-minute styling tips if your OOTD is missing a little somethin’ somethin’.
- Mini dresses: In most cases, I cringe at the idea of wearing heels with dresses. Don’t get me wrong; they’re an undisputed power duo, but I never look forward to ankle bruises.
For a more comfortable alternative, we suggest swapping your stilettos with Air Force Ones instead. It doesn’t take away any sense of romanticism; if you’re worried about looking too ‘street’ than chic - White socks: Most trendsetters prefer to wear their Air Force One low tops with white socks. Not only does it accentuate the ankles, but it helps blend the shoes with the rest of your outfit
- Cropped jeans: For those who hate cuffing their jeans, perhaps it’s best to opt for pants that show off your ankles. It results in a streamlined silhouette if you prefer low Air Force Ones or high-tops
- Colored laces: Tired of traditional white? If so, we recommend switching your old Air Force laces with a colorful alternative, such as pastel blue or pink
- Charms: If you believe that there’s no such thing as too much bling, why not deck your Air Force Ones with lucky charms? Nike released its own set of pendants on its website, ranging from the iconic swoosh to a tiny basketball
Fashion Tips To Avoid With Air Force Ones
Despite its widespread popularity, not all outfits go with Air Force Ones. We’re not here to stomp on your creative spirits—but we do want to mitigate any ‘face-palm’ situations.
In an effort to prevent regrettable Instagram posts, we’ll share some fashion tips to avoid with Air Force Ones.
- Formalwear: This includes evening dresses, elegant jumpsuits, and tuxedos. The streetwear nature of Air Force Ones doesn’t pair well with the sophisticated attitude of evening wear. Of course, this may not apply to maximalist trendsetters
- Knee socks: I’m fairly certain that knee-high knits are reserved for boots and heels only. Trust me, it provides a strange illusion when paired with Air Force Ones
- The Sharpie doodle: Like a pair of coveted Converses, some prefer to deck out their new sneakers with permanent ink. Not only does it decrease its retail value, but you may regret that XOXO scribble in the future
- Toe rings: This applies to all sneakers. Trust me, there’s nothing more uncomfortable than wearing shoes with bulky jewelry underneath
How To Take Care Of Air Force Ones
Once you know how to wear Air Force Ones, it’s time to conduct some proper care and maintenance. Considering that some designs retail for over $100, it’s important to get your money’s worth.
For those unkeen visiting their local cleaner, here are some ways to polish your AF-1s at home.
- Remove surface-level debris with a brush or a microfiber cloth
- Use soapy water to scrub dirt spots and blotches
- Apply shoe protector spray to prevent stains and smudges
- Let your Air Force Ones air dry
- Use newspaper or a shoe mold to maintain the shape of your AF-1s
- Store in a shoebox to prevent dust from accumulating
Best Places To Buy Air Force Ones
Consider yourself briefed on the ‘how to wear Air Force Ones’ query. By now, you’re probably in need of some recommendations. We’ll spotlight a few stores to consider outside of visiting Nike.com.
- Footlocker
- Sport Chek
- Nordstrom
- Goat
- Fight Club
Final Thoughts
Air Force Ones are the Regina George of sneakers: popular, chic, and in most cases, white. They definitely bring a snooty, pretentious attitude to any look—but that’s not to say that it’s an unwelcome aesthetic.
Sometimes, a touch of streetwear arrogance does wonders in elevating an ensemble. We’ve seen this in multiple outfits, ranging from thigh-slit skirts to cute floral mini dresses.
By now, we’re confident that you know how to wear Air Force Ones—at least, in a basic styling sense. We learned that AF-1s can be worn casually or as a big fashion statement. At the end of the day, it’s up to you and the aesthetic you want to imbue.
Got any other burning fashion questions on your mind? We’ve got you covered:
