You spent good money on your sneakers, so why settle for boring factory lacing? Changing your lacing style is the easiest way to personalise your kicks without spending a rupee extra. Here are 10 styles that actually look good.
1. Straight Bar Lacing
The cleanest look. Laces run horizontally in straight bars with no visible crossover. Perfect for formal-ish outfits and shoes like Stan Smiths or Sambas. It takes a minute to set up but looks incredibly neat.
2. Loose Lacing
Simply lace normally but leave the top 2-3 eyelets empty and do not tie the bow. Let the tongue puff out slightly. This is the default streetwear look for Dunks and Air Force 1s. Casual, effortless, cool.
3. No Laces (Laceless)
Remove the laces entirely on shoes that still fit snugly. Works best on slip-on style shoes or Jordan 1 Lows. The cleaner silhouette can completely change how the shoe looks.
4. Behind the Tongue
Tuck the laces behind the tongue instead of tying them. Gives a clean front profile while keeping the shoe secure. Popular with Jordan 1 Highs and Blazers.
5. Swap Your Laces
Replace the stock laces with a different colour. Pink laces on black Dunks. Cream laces on white AF1s. Rope laces instead of flat. This is the cheapest customisation you can do — replacement laces cost ₹150-300 online.
6. Knotless Lacing
Lace normally but instead of tying at the top, tuck the ends inside the shoe along the sides. Clean look with zero knot visible. Works on most sneaker types.
7. Diamond Lacing
Creates a diamond pattern by crossing laces at every other eyelet. Looks complex but is easy to do. Best on shoes with at least six eyelets. Adds visual interest without being over the top.
8. Single-Colour Swap on Two-Tone Shoes
If your shoe has two dominant colours, pick laces that match one of them for a monochromatic effect. For example, green laces on a white and green Dunk. Ties the whole shoe together.
9. Ladder Lacing
A military-inspired style where laces loop vertically between horizontal bars. Looks structured and intentional. Great on boots and high-top sneakers.
10. The "Display" Lace
Lace the shoe loosely with the top completely open, so the shoe sits like a slipper. Only works for casual, around-the-house wear or quick errands. Not for anything involving actual walking. But it is comfortable, and sometimes that is all that matters.
Experiment with these on your beaters first before trying them on your prized pairs. And remember — there is no wrong way to lace your shoes. It is your style, your rules.
