If You Want Your Sneakers to Look Elevated (Not Basic), Wear Them With These Pants Instead of Jeans

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11/25/2025: Olivia Wilde is pictured on a stroll with a male companion in New York City. The American actress wore a wool beanie, black coat, checkered trousers, and Adidas trainers.
(Image credit: The Image Direct)
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Sneakers check off a lot of boxes. They're comfortable, for starters, and, unless you're buying a designer or off-the-charts-popular pair, usually pretty affordable. There's really only one problem that sneakers present: They're not very elevated, or at least, they have that reputation. It's not their fault, though, and if you want to take your sneaker outfits up a notch, you've come to the right place. The trick? Ditch your jeans (and leggings and sweatpants), and invest in a pair of plaid trousers. In a surprising turn of events, plaid pants instantly make sneakers look nicer.

If you don't believe me, just see what Olivia Wilde was recently spotted wearing in New York City before attending the premiere of King Hamlet, starring Oscar Isaac, during Doc NYC at SVA Theatre in Chelsea. For the occasion, she bundled up for the chilly fall weather, wearing a navy-blue peacoat, brown beanie, and green plaid pants. Her bottoms featured a slightly wide leg, making them puddle perfectly on top of her black Adidas Handball Spezial sneakers.

11/25/2025: Olivia Wilde is pictured on a stroll with a male companion in New York City. The American actress wore a wool beanie, black coat, checkered trousers, and Adidas trainers.

(Image credit: The Image Direct)

On Olivia Wilde: Adidas Handball Spezial Shoes ($110); Ray-Ban Mega Wayfarer 51mm Square Sunglasses ($142)

Typically, for a film premiere, one would assume heels or even just formal flats would be a better fit, but because of her styling, Wilde's footwear choice didn't feel at all out of balance with the rest of her outfit. In fact, her anti-trend sneakers made the look a look. Instantly, I wanted to copy the pant-and-sneaker outfit, running to buy a pair of her same black-and-white Adidas sneakers, as well as plaid trousers.

If you're feeling the same urge, keep scrolling. Shop Wilde's sneakers and a slew of chic plaid pants to dress them up a notch below.

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Shop Trousers to Wear With Sneakers

Eliza Huber
Eliza Huber
Associate Editorial Director

Eliza Huber is currently the Associate Editorial Director at Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2021 as a fashion editor after starting her career as a writer at Refinery29, where she worked for four years. During her time at WWW, she launched Go Sports, the publication's sports vertical, and published four (and counting) quarterly issues tied to the WNBA, Formula One, and more. She also created two franchises, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on new seasonal trends, up-and-coming designers, and celebrity style.