Dress down to dress up

Sneakers were once only for the gym, basketball players and anyone under the age of 12 — but not anymore.

The sneaker has taken on a new avatar and is a great way to make a fashion statement. Look how fashion designer Sidney has taken on life outside the gym in the right pair of sneaker.

• Go classic- Classic sneakers are the kind of shoes that can be worn with anything. And by classic, we are talking about the basic, low-cut lace-up without any glitz. One simple colour goes with everything from jeans to a tailored trouser. You can dress it up with a blazer or keep it totally easy with a pair of shorts to beat the summer heat.

• Skip the socks- Socks and sneakers seem like a match made in heaven. Shoving your foot into a sneaker without socks can turn things into a sweaty mess. However, visible ankle socks, or even worse, a tube sock, can turn a mature, cohesive look into a kindergarten style. Low-cut socks that are not seen is the way out.

• Roll it up- Once you have mastered the art of wearing unnoticeable socks, feel free to go for a pair of cropped trousers or roll up your denim jeans. Create a hem that ends slightly above the edge of the shoe to reveal a tiny bit of ankle. It creates a tailored silhouette that focuses attention on your shoes.

• All that glitters isn't gold- Perhaps the worst culprit of all is the over-designed sneaker. Avoid sneakers with colour combinations bright and awkward enough to compete with the deadliest of poison dart frogs.