How We Style Instagram's Favourite Sneaker: The New Balance 550

Having taken over the airwaves as *the* sneaker to have in 2022, the New Balance 550 sells out quicker than you can say ‘basketball’ upon every release and restock. If you’re stuck on how to style the New Balance 550, then rest assured you can pretty much pair them with anything you have in your wardrobe - guaranteed. As always, we recommend wearing what you like and feel comfortable in, but if you do need some inspiration, then The Sole Supplier team is here to lend a hand. From jeans to joggers, cargos to flares, there is something here to suit everyone, so don’t think about it too deeply and let your wardrobe guide the way when it comes to New Balance 550 outfit inspiration.

If you don't yet have a pair of 550s, then keep on persisting. We know the New Balance queue can be tricky! With a plethora of colourways on the way and various collaborations on the horizon, you don't want to be the only person seeing in 2023 without a pair of New Balance 550s.

Our Senior Content & Social Media Manager, Kelly, dresses down her New Balance 550s in “Green” with a perfectly coordinated joggers-and-hoodie pairing. Opting for neutral, grey tones allows for the sneakers to shine bright and is a great option for when jeans just aren’t going to happen that day. Since lockdown, we’ve all been choosing sweatpants over skirts, so it’s no surprise that the top outfit for us sees a tracksuit paired with the court-born sneaker.

Jess pairs her New Balance 550s in “Blue” (how dreamy are these?!) with a correspondingly toned Cole Buxton tie-dye sweatshirt. Comfort is definitely a theme when it comes to how to style New Balance 550s, as Jess swaps jeans for a pair of ribbed flares from ASOS. The black on the trousers fits in nicely with the dark accents on the 550s, so this look is definitely a winner for us. Pair with a puffer jacket or denim jacket on those warmer days to complete the look.

New Balance 550 outfits don’t get better than this. Jez, our Social Media Assistant & Content Creator, pairs her stunning New Balance 550s with a pair of khaki-coloured cargos, an acid-wash sweatshirt in a similar earthy tone, and one of the vests from Stüssy’s spring/summer collection for 2022. Accessorised with plenty of necklaces, rings and some bold hoops, this adds some streetwear flair to the NB 550 that we just can’t resist.

If you like to go for something more bordering on ‘smart-casual’ for your New Balance 550 style, then these Stradivarius trousers will suit the occasion perfectly. Tying in your top to your sneakers is always a winner (this time white with white - you can’t go wrong), as we saw with our ‘How To Style Cargos’ piece. For that little added bit of comfort, however, pair with a cardigan or jacket you know is going to keep you cosy all day long. This is interchangeable with a blazer, or opt for both on those chillier days! This jacket is from a set that the whole of Instagram was wearing at peak lockdown; we can’t leave comfort behind!

Being such an on-trend sneaker means that the New Balance 550 speaks for itself. There's certainly no rule book when it comes to how to wear the New Balance 550. Just don't think too deeply about how to style this sneaker, and wear what you like and feel comfortable in! For Ellie, this means a pair of straight-leg, comfortable jeans and a long-sleeve top. Paired with a The North Face Nuptse puffer jacket, you’re good to go and tackle whatever that day throws at you!

Not feeling what we’ve styled? Then all you have to do is take to Instagram to be bombarded with influencers and celebrities rocking the New Balance 550 from all corners of the earth. From Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner to @missjoslin and @caitlinheathxo, there’s inspiration to be had regardless of who you follow. You'll definitely find the New Balance 550 outfit for you. Said to be the next Nike Air Force 1, the New Balance 550 has endless styling options thanks to its versatility, so if you manage to get your paws on a pair, you’ll get your wear out of them and reach for them every time you leave the house.

Check out our other styling guides here and feel free to get in touch if we’ve missed something you really need some advice on!