The New Balance 574 is a chunkier shoe than it looks in a product photo. The toe is rounded, the midsole has real height, and most classic pairs mix suede with mesh, so the shoe reads as soft and a little retro rather than sleek. That shape is the whole brief for styling it in fall: trousers and jeans need a hem that lets the shoe show, and the layers above need enough weight that the sneaker doesn't look like the heaviest thing you're wearing. Gray, navy, beige, olive, burgundy and brown pairs all sit comfortably with autumn colors. Below are fifteen outfits I'd actually put together around them, from errands and campus days to travel and a casual office, with notes on where each one tends to go wrong.
How Each Trouser Cut Should Meet a 574
Before I pick a top or a coat, I put on the shoes and look at the hem in a mirror from the side. The 574 is a wider, taller sneaker than a slim court shoe, so a hem that looked fine with flats can suddenly look short or sloppy. These are the lengths I aim for:
- Straight jeans and trousers: the hem lands at the ankle bone or just above, with no fabric resting on the tongue.
- Wide legs: the hem grazes the top of the toe box when you stand still. Any longer and it drags and frays at the back.
- Tapered jeans, mom jeans and joggers: the leg should end where it narrows, around the top of the ankle, so it doesn't stack.
- Pleated trousers: a slight single break on top of the shoe. Hem them while wearing the sneakers you'll actually pair them with.
- Skirts and dresses: below the knee or mid-calf balances the shoe's weight; a mini needs tights in a color close to the sneaker.
If you're petite, cropped lengths and visible socks make the shoe look smaller on you. If you're tall, a full-length leg with a clean break hides the bulk of the midsole. Either way, a cuff is a quick fix, but one neat fold looks better than a thick roll.
1. New Balance 574 With Straight Leg Jeans And Trench Coat
A trench does a lot for a sneaker because its length and belt add structure the 574 doesn't have on its own. I start with straight-leg jeans that stop right at the ankle bone, so the full side profile of the shoe stays visible, then a fitted white tee or a thin cream sweater. The beige trench goes over the top, left open or loosely tied. Gray 574s are the safest pick here since gray sits between the denim and the khaki. A structured crossbody and small gold hoops are enough. On a cold morning, tuck a scarf inside the collar instead of winding it high; a bulky wrap fights the trench's neat neckline and it is comfortable for a full day of walking.
2. New Balance 574 With Leggings And Puffer Vest
Leggings with a running shoe can tip straight into gym clothes, and the fix is mostly in the top half. Black ankle-length leggings, a ribbed long-sleeve top in oatmeal or soft gray, then a quilted puffer vest in olive or taupe to give the shoulders some shape. I like a top that falls past the hip here; it covers more and it breaks the line so the leggings look deliberate. Gray or beige 574s keep it grounded, and white crew socks showing an inch above the collar make the sporty side look intended. Add a nylon crossbody, a cap and sunglasses for errands, school runs or the farmers market.
3. New Balance 574 With Wide Leg Jeans And Cardigan
Wide-leg jeans are the trickiest hem with a 574. Too long and the denim swallows the shoe and frays on the pavement; too short and the jeans look like you outgrew them. I aim for high-rise denim whose hem just grazes the top of the toe box when you stand. A fitted tank or bodysuit balances all that width, and an oversized cardigan in chocolate or forest green adds the fall color. Keep the bag small so the volume stays in the legs. If you're petite, a cropped wide leg that ends a few inches above the ankle keeps your height; if you're tall, a full-length cut sits better.
4. New Balance 574 With Cargo Pants And Cropped Jacket
Cargo pants and a 574 are both utilitarian, which is why they sit together so easily. Olive, khaki or charcoal cargos in a straight or slightly tapered leg work best; a very baggy pair plus a chunky shoe makes the bottom half heavy. A fitted white long-sleeve shirt and a cropped denim or utility jacket on top show the waist and keep the side pockets from taking over. Cream, gray or earth-tone sneakers, a compact sling bag and small hoops finish it. This is one I'd wear in mild early fall for campus, travel or a day outside, since a cropped jacket doesn't hold much warmth.
5. New Balance 574 With Black Jeans And Oversized Blazer
Black jeans, a fitted knit and an oversized blazer are the sharpest outfit in this set. A white, gray or striped top gives contrast under a camel, charcoal or plaid blazer, and black or gray 574s keep the shoe from looking like an afterthought. Check the hem first: black jeans that bunch over a sneaker look sloppy fast, so crop or cuff them until the shoe shows. A leather tote, a slim belt and minimal jewelry do the rest. If the blazer swamps you, push the sleeves up to the forearm and keep the top close-fitting, which brings your shape back through the middle. It works for a creative office, a museum or a city weekend.
6. New Balance 574 With Midi Skirt And Crewneck Sweater
This is the pairing people hesitate on, and it's one of my favorites. A soft midi skirt in satin, knit or a light pleat moves against the sturdy shoe in a way that makes both look better. Chocolate, olive, black or burgundy all work. Tuck just the front of a relaxed crewneck into the waistband so the skirt doesn't disappear under the sweater. Matching crew socks and neutral 574s keep it from looking like you changed shoes for the commute. I'd keep the skirt below the knee; a hem that lands mid-calf balances the weight of the sneaker and doesn't fly up on a windy day. A long wool coat covers it when it gets cold.
7. New Balance 574 With Sweater Dress And Long Coat
A ribbed sweater dress with sneakers only looks relaxed if the dress has some room in it. Clingy knit shows every seam and sock line, so I size up or choose a straight cut in charcoal, camel, navy or deep green. A tailored long coat in a related neutral makes one long vertical line from shoulder to shin, which is what stops the shoe from cutting you off. Gray, cream or black 574s look best when that shade shows up again in the coat or bag. Ankle socks suit a longer dress; crew socks bridge the gap when it's colder. Belt it for a waist or leave it loose as a column; both are right.
8. New Balance 574 With Joggers And Wool Coat
Joggers go out in public when the coat is doing the tailoring. I pick tapered black, navy or heather-gray joggers with a fitted long-sleeve tee or a matching sweatshirt, then a structured camel, charcoal or navy wool coat. That contrast between soft and sharp is the point. Watch the cuffs: joggers with tight elastic ankles tend to bunch into a ring above the shoe, so pull them up slightly so they sit flat at the ankle. Neutral 574s and crew socks in the color of your top keep it clean. Add a sleek tote and a cap and it's my default for flights and long travel days.
9. New Balance 574 With Corduroy Pants And Denim Jacket
Corduroy has the texture that makes a fall outfit feel seasonal, and it pairs well with the suede on a 574 because both have a soft, matte surface. Straight-leg cords in rust, olive, tan or deep brown, a cream turtleneck or a striped shirt, and a medium-wash denim jacket to break up all the earth tones. Gray or navy sneakers are the easy choice; burgundy ones turn it into a coordinated color story. Let at least part of the shoe show below the hem. One caution: cord wales flatten at the knees and seat with wear, so don't store these folded under heavy jeans. Wear it to an orchard or for a crisp walk through town.
10. New Balance 574 With Pleated Trousers And Knit Vest
Relaxed tailoring is the quickest way to dress a 574 up, and the trick is keeping the trousers soft rather than stiff. High-waisted pleated trousers in charcoal, navy, camel or chocolate, a crisp white button-down and a knit vest over it for warmth. I leave the collar open and let the shirt cuffs show past the vest. Gray or cream sneakers take the formality down a notch and make it a walking outfit. The trouser hem should skim the top of the shoe with a slight break, not pool around it; pleated trousers carry extra fabric, so I'd get them hemmed while wearing the actual sneakers. A structured tote and quiet jewelry finish it.
11. New Balance 574 With Mini Skirt And Bomber Jacket
A mini skirt and bomber jacket only work in fall with opaque tights, and the tights change how you pick the shoe. With black tights, I want black or dark gray 574s and dark crew socks so the leg runs straight into the sneaker without a pale gap. The skirt can be black denim, cord or a pleated mini, under a fitted mock neck or a thin sweater. An oversized bomber in olive, brown or navy balances the short hem with a bit of width up top. A small shoulder bag and silver jewelry are enough. Swap in a knee-length skirt if you want more coverage. Concerts and daytime city plans suit it.
12. New Balance 574 With Mom Jeans And Shacket
Mom jeans, a shacket and a 574 might be the most natural fall outfit here, and the jeans' taper does a lot of the work. Because the leg narrows near the ankle, the shoe shows without any cuffing, though one roll can give a cleaner break. Go high-rise in a medium or vintage wash with a fitted tee or thin turtleneck in white, black or cream. A plaid, corduroy or wool-blend shacket goes over the top. With plaid, I'll pull the sneaker color straight out of the pattern, so navy or green 574s if those stripes are there and gray if not. A canvas tote or a leather backpack works for class or a road trip.
13. New Balance 574 With Knit Set And Quilted Jacket
Knit sets look pulled together because the matching color hides the fact that you're basically in loungewear. A ribbed sweater with matching wide-leg pants in cream, taupe, gray or chocolate, and a lightweight quilted jacket in olive or black for cold mornings. Gray or beige 574s keep the soft palette going. Knit pants stretch and drop as you wear them, so a hem that clears the floor in the morning can drag by afternoon; I'd choose a length that sits half an inch higher than you think. A shorter sweater or a light front tuck adds a waist. I reach for this one on airport days.
14. New Balance 574 With Overalls And Striped Shirt
Overalls and a heritage runner are playful together, and they forgive a lot. Pick a relaxed straight leg in medium blue, dark indigo or black, with a fitted striped long-sleeve or a thin turtleneck under the bib. Roll the hems once or twice so they sit just above the shoe; a heavy denim hem resting on a suede toe will scuff it over a day. Gray, navy and burgundy sneakers all suit denim. If it's cold, add a short puffer or a barn coat that ends above the hip, because a long coat hides the straps and turns the outfit into a puzzle. A canvas crossbody and a beanie finish it.
15. New Balance 574 With Leather Jacket And Blue Jeans
A leather jacket gives the 574 a bit of edge without making it a night-out shoe. Straight or relaxed blue jeans with a plain white tee, a fitted black top or a thin gray sweater, then a black or dark brown leather jacket. Gray 574s soften the leather; black ones make the whole outfit sleeker and a little tougher. I match the belt to the jacket rather than the shoes, since the belt sits right next to it. Keep the jeans cropped at the ankle or full-length with a clean fall over the shoe, not somewhere awkward in between. New leather jackets are stiff at the elbows for the first few wears, so expect some breaking in.
Suede and Mesh in Autumn Rain
The suede and mesh upper on a classic 574 is why the shoe feels so comfortable, and also why it isn't a rain shoe. Mesh lets cold air and water straight through, and suede darkens when it gets wet and can dry stiff or blotchy. I treat a new pair with a suede protector spray before the first wear and top it up every few weeks in the wet months. It helps water bead off a light shower, but it won't keep your socks dry in a downpour.
- If they do get soaked, stuff them with paper and let them dry at room temperature, away from a radiator. Direct heat cracks suede and warps the sole.
- Once dry, brush the suede in one direction with a suede brush to lift the nap back up.
- Dried mud comes off more cleanly than wet mud, so let it dry before you brush it.
- On genuinely wet days, I swap to a leather or water-resistant pair and keep the suede ones for dry weather.
Socks Are Part of the Outfit
Because the 574 has a low collar, your socks will show in almost every outfit above, so they deserve a decision. White crew socks push the look sporty, which suits leggings, overalls and cargos. Socks in the color of your trousers make your leg look longer and are what I'd use with tailoring, the midi skirt and the sweater dress. With tights, match the sock to the tights, not the shoe. Thin knit socks also stop the suede lining from rubbing at the heel when the shoes are new.
Heavy wool hiking socks are the one thing I'd skip. They make the shoe tight across the top and can push your heel up out of the collar.
One Sneaker, Fifteen Hem Decisions
Most of what makes these outfits work comes down to two things: where the hem lands against the shoe and whether the sneaker color repeats somewhere else in the outfit. Get those right and a 574 sits as easily under a trench or pleated trousers as it does with leggings and a vest. Start with the jeans you already own and the trench or blazer you already wear, then add the softer pieces, the midi skirt, the knit set, the sweater dress, as the weather turns. Layers do the rest; coats, cardigans and vests let the same base work on a 45-degree morning and a warm afternoon.
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