10 Trainers to Consider This Season
These days, trainers are no longer relegated to gym bags; they’re centre stage in luxury wardrobes, merging ergonomic innovation with couture-worthy details. Whether it’s a pared-back archival revival or a sculptural slip-on in unexpected materials, these ten kicks prove that modern dressing is as much about comfort as it is about getting attention. From tonal monochromes under sharp tailoring to vivid colour pops against soft linens, each sneaker delivers.
Borrowing its streamlined shape from martial-arts footwear, the lace-less Taekwondo trainer has quietly usurped the Samba as this season’s cool-girl essential. Its slim leather upper and tonal Three-Stripe branding lend it an architectural precision—ideal for anchoring ankle-grazing cigarette trousers or balancing the volume of a softly pleated midi skirt. The barely-there sole keeps the foot close to the ground, giving a modern, off-duty-model nonchalance to tailored suiting or floaty day dresses alike.
Adidas
Taekwondo Beige Trainers – £80
A living legend since 1972, the Cortez resurfaces in butter-soft, full-grain leather with updated flared midsoles for feather-light cushioning. This season’s earthy “Pale Shale” and “Wolf Grey” palettes nod to minimalism, allowing the silhouette’s signature swoosh curve to do the talking. Tuck a crisp white shirt-dress into a slouchy leather belt bag and let the Cortez punctuate the look with its sporty-elegant heritage.
NIKE
Womens Cortez Soft Pink Sneakers – £79.99
Sleek and low-slung, the Speedcat channels racetrack adrenaline in bold block colours and glossy TPU overlays—a style endorsed by Emily Ratajkowski and a host of street-style editors alike. Its motorsport-inspired profile makes it a perfect foil for ultra-feminine mini skirts or tailored Bermuda shorts, marrying aggressive lines with unexpected softness.
Puma
Speedcat OG Haute Coffee-Frosted Ivory Sneaker – £90
Chunky, retro—and undeniably playful—the Tornado’s exaggerated gum sole and nylon-suede mix summon 1990s sports-luxury nostalgia with a futuristic twist. Vivid pops of cobalt or chartreuse lift the silhouette, making it the ideal contrast against fluid slip dresses or monochrome linen separates for a high-low tension that feels utterly fresh.
Gola
Tornado Shocking Pink & White Trainers – £80
Originally crafted for ’80s basketball courts, the 550 remains a celebrity favourite thanks to its panelled leather upper and timeless colour-blocking in white-navy or chalk-cream variants. Its smart-casual footprint is at home under a sharply tailored blazer and cropped wide-legs, where its heritage aesthetic lends a relaxed elegance to power-shoulder suiting.
New Balance
550 White & Olive Trainers – £120
Blurring the lines between performance and streetwear, the Gel-1130 anchors feet with its trademark gel-cushion pods and sculptural overlays. Pared-back monochromes and tonal suede accents make these sneakers equally at ease beneath an unstructured linen suit or a flouncy pleated skirt—proof that tech-driven design can look entirely editorial on the high street.
Asics
Gel-1130 White & Blue Fade Trainer – £95
Soft suede and understated contrast piping define the Gazelle’s unisex silhouette, elevated this season in rich neutrals like chocolate-brown, sage-green and ivory. The low-profile shape pairs effortlessly with culottes or a bias-cut slip dress, where its heritage roots lend a quiet yet unmistakable authenticity.
Adidas
Clot Gazelle Edison Chen White Trainer – £140
This season’s Chuck 70 sees premium organic-cotton builds in pistachio, lilac and cream, turning a punk-born icon into a polished wardrobe staple. Its high-top stance works brilliantly with rolled-up boyfriend jeans or paired under a crisp maxi skirt, updating the archetypal canvas trainer for a more grown-up, refined effect.
Converse
Chuck Taylor All Star High Top Shoe – £80
The Club C’s sleek leather upper and low-rise profile make it a study in restraint—a blank canvas for everything from trench-coat-and-wide-leg edits to silk-camisole-and-denim-short mixes. Subtle tongue accents in green and blue offer a dash of colour, proving that simplicity can be the most sophisticated statement of all.
Reebok
Club C 85 Revenge White Navy Sneakers – £85
Ever-cool and endlessly adaptable, the Old Skool slides into 2025 with tonal monochrome iterations—sand-toned suede or all-black leather—perfect for tempering a voluminous maxi dress or subverting sharply tailored trousers. Its side-stripe graphic adds just enough edge, ensuring your ensemble feels both relaxed and resolutely on-point.
Vans
Old Skool Black & White Shoes – £70
Whether you gravitate toward quietly refined neutrals or unapologetic colour pops, there’s a pair here to master the art of the modern sneaker.
*Prices and availability are subject to change without notice.
How to Keep Your Trainers Looking Box-Fresh
Even the most fashion-forward trainers lose their impact if they’re marked or dulled. Here’s how to care for your pairs without compromising their structure or luxe feel:
1. Know Your Materials
Start by checking the upper material — suede, mesh, leather, or technical fabric. Use the right products for each. Suede needs a specialist brush and protector; leather prefers gentle cleanser and a soft cloth.
2. Dry Dirt First, Always
Use a dry brush or soft toothbrush to remove surface debris. Don’t introduce moisture until the dust and grit are gone — this avoids grinding it deeper into the fabric.
3. Spot Clean, Don’t Soak
Mix a few drops of mild detergent with lukewarm water and gently work it into marks with a sponge or microfiber cloth. Never fully submerge trainers unless they’re designed for it.
4. Avoid the Washing Machine
No matter what TikTok says, machine washing can warp soles, damage adhesives, and fade colours. It’s a no for luxury pairs.
5. Refresh the Soles
A magic eraser or white vinegar diluted with water can lift stains from rubber soles. Be gentle and take your time.
6. Keep Laces and Linings Fresh
Laces can be washed separately in a mesh bag. For inside odours, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda and let it sit overnight before shaking it out.
7. Finish with Protection
Once clean and dry, apply a material-specific protector spray to guard against future stains. Store your trainers with shoe trees or tissue to maintain shape.
Pro tip: Rotate your trainers like your handbags — not just for style, but to allow each pair to breathe between wears.
