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The answer to all of my footwear dilemmas was once the classic white trainer. Simple and sleek – smart enough for the office and comfortable enough for the commute, not to mention a blister-free weekend outing, too.
But I couldn’t tell you when I last wore a pair. This once universal look now feels tired and overdone and my beloved Vejas have been banished to the back of the wardrobe.
In 2026, there’s no easier way to ruin an outfit and semaphore that you’re out of date than by shoving on a pair of white trainers. So the burning question is, what has replaced them?
Don’t panic, there’s still no need to be teetering around in high heels. Trainers are going nowhere – read on to discover the colours and styles you need now…
Enter the new fashion neutrals – tan, taupe and chocolate. Tan suede trainers are everywhere right now, including on the catwalk.
At their SS24 show, Miu Miu debuted their much coveted New Balance X Miu Miu 530 SL suede shoes. At £880, they’re certainly a trainer for show and if you’re not looking to fork out on a pair, the High Street is full of fantastic options.
Whistles have a far more purse-friendly alternative for £115. If you’re after something a little darker that won’t show so much wear and tear, opt for chocolate brown – softer than black but incredibly wearable.
The on-trend low profile trainers from TU at Sainsbury’s are a popular silhouette, with a barely-there sole and they come in at less than £30, too.
Left: Cardigan, £185, and vest, £140, withnothingunderneath.com; jeans, £120, anthropologie.com; belt, £59, boden.com; trainers, £89, hobbs.com; bag, £425, demellierlondon.com. Right: Jacket, £48, marksandspencer.com; skirt, £22.50, tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk; trainers, £110, fitflop.com; bag, £68, anthropologie.com
Another great choice is yellow. Everyone from Kaia Gerber to Harry Styles have been spotted wearing this vibrant hue. And the trend continues, with everyone flocking to buy Onitsuka Tiger’s Mexico 66 pair.
If £150 feels a little steep, Clarks have a similar style for only £55.
And if you’re already looking ahead to spring trends, then Gola’s sprinter trainers in pastel yellow are just the pair to snap up in preparation.
Now, the ‘marmite’ trend. The ‘sneakerina’. Combining the classic ballet pump with a trainer, this hybrid style has become seriously popular.
Designer Simone Rocha was an early pioneer and then Puma’s Speedcat ballet trainer soared in popularity after they were spotted on celebrities including Emily Ratajkowski and Dua Lipa.
And if you need a little more convincing, Marks & Spencer have just launched their own version. It’s already become one of their best sellers in the past couple of weeks. Available in two colours, brown and taupe, they feature a Mary-Jane inspired strap and decorative stitching.
If the thought of a Velcro strap instantly transports you back to your school pumps, then River Island’s elasticated straps have a slightly cooler, more sportier feel to them. And lastly, a pop of colour, especially this time of year, will never go amiss. Bright red seems to be the crowd pleaser with brands such as Hobbs and FitFlop launching new styles in the shade.
My top advice? Make the shoes your statement and wear with trendy denims and elevated basics. The two-piece knitted set from With Nothing Underneath has a Katie Holmes chic casual vibe and will do just that.
Left: Jumper, £159, whistles.com; skirt, £260, essentiel-antwerp.com; trainers, £85, gola.co.uk; bag, £175, katespade.co.uk. Right: Cardigan, £28, asos.com; trousers, £149, zara.com; trainers, £55, clarks.com; bag, £26, marksandspencer.com
Left: Jumper, £17.60, matalan.co.uk; coat, £499, and jeans, £89, hobbs.com; trainers, £115, whistles.com; bag, £145, katespade.co.uk. Right: Shirt, £29.99, and jeans, £35.99, zara.com; trainers, £28, tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk; bag, £329, radley.co.uk
Left: Jacket, £498, reiss.co.uk; T-shirt, £14, riverisland.com; skirt, £29.99, newlook.com; trainers, £16, george.com. Right: Shirt, £130, withnothingunderneath.com; trousers, £159, baukjen.com; trainers, £35, next.com
Left: Jacket, £229, baukjen.com; trousers, £29.99, newlook.com; cardigan, £59.90, uniqlo.com; trainers, £50, marksandspencer.com. Right: Jumper, £34, asos.com; skirt, £349, whistles.com; trainers, £49, riverisland.com; bag, £345, demellierlondon.com
Nails by Collette Ruddy using Townhouse Flawless Polish in Macchiato (£12.50).
