2 Casual, Stylish Sneakers Perfect for Southern Men

In my constant search for fashionable yet comfortable footwear, the Magnanni Cristian and the classic Adidas Stan Smith are two casual, stylish sneakers every southern man should consider adding to their wardrobe this fall.

My go-to casual shoe is the Cole Hahn Driver. Now that I’m free of having to don a pair of black, lace-up cap toe Oxford’s every day to compliment my french cuff shirts, my search for great looking and fitting shoes led me to these two shoes.

RELATED: Navy Blazer, Khaki Slacks: How to Wear the ‘Southern Man’s Uniform’

Magnanni is a Spanish company that began making shoes in 1954. Today the third generation of family members continue producing quality footwear in both classic and contemporary styles.

Magnanni shoes use what is known as “Bologna” construction, where the sole is sewn directly to the upper. They are well-made, comfortable, and stylish without being too “fashion-forward.”

One downside is they are not waterproof, so be careful when running through a rainstorm or hanging out at a college tailgate.

The Magnanni Cristian is exceptionally comfortable and feels more like a sneaker than a dress shoe. That’s good, considering that’s the purpose of this shoe. They retail for around $325, but Oak Hall, a fine gentlemen’s store in Memphis, has them on sale for $199 for the next few days.

The Adidas Stan Smith tennis shoe is a true classic.

On a regional note, for some reason, Southerners refer to all “sneakers” or “gym shoes” as “tennis shoes,” regardless of the sport they are played in or how they are worn. If you’re interested, shoe historians note that tennis players used some of the first rubber sole shoes. The term “sneakers” originated when children noticed the quiet rubber sole allowed them to “sneak” around without being noticed. A trait some men may still find useful!

RELATED: How ‘Southern Manners’ Can Increase Political Civility’

However, the Stan Smith shoe was built for and named after a legendary, professional tennis player in 1971. Originally designed for professional tennis players, today they’re an excellent addition to your shoe wardrobe and are great with a pair of jeans or Khakis.

As a competitive adult tennis player, I would not wear them on the court given the advancement in shoe technology, but they are incredibly comfortable and “classic.”

Adidas introduced their first tennis shoe in 1963, later branding the shoe after Robert Haillet, a French player. Upon his retirement, Adidas signed Stan Smith, the Australian player at the peak of his success. The shoe ultimately became known as the Stan Smith. The original version is white with green accents but can be found in various colors today. It retails for around $60, and designer versions bring as much as $450.