Faded Shoelaces
Vintage Gradient Laces for Sneakers and Casual Shoes
Faded Shoelace Guide
Flat Faded Shoelaces by Pear Shoelace
Shop Flat Faded Shoelaces by Pear Shoelace for sneakers, skate shoes, canvas shoes and casual everyday footwear. These 10mm flat laces feature a soft gradient colour effect that gives shoes a vintage, washed-and-worn look without using old or damaged laces. Available in Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Pink and Purple, they are a simple way to refresh plain shoes or add more character to your favourite pair.
Why Choose Flat Faded Shoelaces
Flat-faded shoelaces are a great choice when you want your shoes to look relaxed, styled, and less ordinary. The faded colour effect adds depth compared with solid-colour laces, making them well suited to vintage sneakers, skate shoes, washed denim looks and casual streetwear. The flat profile also sits neatly across the tongue, ties securely and gives the shoe a clean, balanced finish.
Buying Guide for Flat Faded Shoelaces
When buying flat-faded shoelaces, start by checking the width, length, and colour that best suit your shoes. A 10mm flat lace works well with most sneakers, skate shoes and casual shoes that use wider flat laces. Choose a darker faded colour for a subtle vintage look, or a brighter faded colour when you want the laces to become a visible feature of the shoe.
Types of Flat Faded Shoelaces
Flat-faded shoelaces are mainly chosen by colour, length, and finish. Black and Blue faded laces create a softer, worn-in look, while Green, Yellow, Orange, Pink, and Purple give shoes a more creative, expressive style. You can keep the look simple with standard lace tips or choose upgraded aglets for a more premium finish.
Custom Flat Faded Shoelaces - Lengths & Aglets
Custom flat faded shoelaces make it easier to get the right fit for your exact shoe style. Choose the length that matches your eyelet count, shoe shape and preferred bow size, then select the aglet finish that suits your look. Standard plastic aglets keep the lace simple, while chrome or coloured aglets can add a sharper, more personalised detail.
Flat Faded Shoelaces - Size Guide
The best way to choose your flat faded shoelace length is to remove one existing lace and measure it from tip to tip. If the current lace length feels right, order the same size; if the bow is too short, go slightly longer, and if there is too much excess lace, go shorter. If you do not have the original laces, use the number of eyelet pairs as a guide, remembering that wider shoes and high-top styles usually need longer laces.
Caring for Flat, Faded Shoelaces
To care for flat-faded shoelaces, remove them from your shoes before cleaning and gently hand-wash them with mild soap and cool or lukewarm water. Avoid bleach, harsh chemicals, hot washing and tumble drying, as these can affect the colour, fibres and lace tips. Let the laces air dry fully before re-lacing your shoes so they keep their shape, colour effect and clean finish for longer.
Frequently Asked Questions - Flat Faded Shoelaces
What are flat faded shoelaces?
Flat faded shoelaces are flat laces with a built-in washed, vintage-style colour fade. They are made to give sneakers and casual shoes a softer, more worn-in look from the start. Pear’s faded range is a 10 mm flat lace made for sneakers, casual shoes and skate shoes, so the style stands out while still fitting standard flat-lace eyelets.
Are flat faded shoelaces new or made to look worn?
They are brand-new laces designed to look gently aged. The faded finish is a deliberate colour treatment, not a sign of damage, old stock or wear. That makes them a good choice if you want a vintage look without using old laces that may already be stretched, stained or close to fraying.
Which shoes look best with flat faded shoelaces?
Flat-faded shoelaces look best on sneakers, skate shoes, canvas shoes, and heritage trainers. They suit shoes with a relaxed, vintage, or streetwear feel because the washed colour adds character rather than making them look overly crisp. On very formal shoes or very clean performance trainers, the faded look can feel out of step with the rest of the shoe.
How do I choose the right length for flat faded shoelaces?
Choose the length by measuring your current laces first. If you cannot do that, count the pairs of eyelets and use that as your backup guide, because eyelet count is a standard way to estimate lace length. Pear’s faded size guide runs from 60 cm for 3 pairs up to 140 cm for 8 pairs, which sits within common shoelace sizing methods.
Is it better to measure my current laces or count eyelets?
Yes, measuring your current laces is usually the safer option. A tip-to-tip measurement tells you what already fits your shoe, while eyelet count only gives an estimate. Eyelet spacing changes between slim sneakers, standard casual shoes and wider skate styles, so two shoes with the same number of eyelets can still need different lengths.
What material is best for flat faded shoelaces?
Cotton is usually best if you want the softest, faded look, while polyester is better for everyday, tougher wear. Cotton is soft and takes dye well, which suits washed and vintage-style colours, while Pear notes polyester is strong, resistant to fraying and easier to clean. The better option depends on whether you care more about soft feel and colour character or about extra durability.
Do flat faded shoelaces stay tied well?
Yes, flat faded shoelaces can stay tied well when they are the right length and tied properly. Pear describes flat faded laces as holding knots well, and research from UC Berkeley shows that walking and running forces can loosen even well-tied shoelaces over time. A neat knot and sensible lace length usually matter more than extra-long loops that swing around and pull on the bow.
Which colours work best for a faded lace look?
Muted colours usually work best because they make the faded effect easier to see. Pear’s flat faded range comes in black, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink and purple, with each shade chosen to show a clear washed gradient rather than a flat block of colour. Blue and black are the easiest everyday options, while warmer tones create a bolder vintage look.
How do I clean flat faded shoelaces?
Wash flat faded shoelaces gently to protect the colour and shape. Remove them from the shoes, use mild soap or detergent, rinse well, and let them air-dry rather than using high heat. If you machine-wash cloth laces, place them in a mesh bag and use a cool cycle to help reduce tangling, shrinkage, and damage to the tips.
Will the faded colour change over time?
With normal care, the faded look should stay stable rather than disappearing quickly. Pear says the gradient is part of the lace design, not just a surface coating, but hot washing, harsh chemicals and tumble drying can speed up colour change. Gentle washing and air-drying are the safest ways to keep the finish looking even.