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The Fashion Memo

The Ultimate Sneaker Guide

The sneaker has undergone a sartorial evolution in recent years, cementing its place not just in streetwear, but on the runway and in the modern woman’s everyday wardrobe. From statement silhouettes to minimalist icons, discover the key sneaker trends of the season and how to style them

Words Colleen RossFashion editor Millie Parry
Fashion
Retro sneakers lend every look a cool, effortless edge

For modern interpretations of retro classics, you can’t beat Loewe’s sleek ‘Ballet Runner 2.0’ sneakers in chocolate suede and black canvas with a signature leather cursive L logo in coral. The low-top design will add serious cool points to any outfit. Meanwhile, Adidas Originals’ three-stripe ‘Japan’ sneakers have a fantastically nostalgic vibe. Wear them with relaxed jeans and a cropped jacket. Elsewhere, Dries Van Noten’s style is crafted from bold red suede and modeled after vintage running shoes from the ’70s.

  • GUCCI
    Shift webbing and leather-trimmed canvas-jacquard and suede sneakers
    $953.00
    Select a Size
    36 - low stock
    36.5 - low stock
    37
    37.5
    38
    38.5 - low stock
    39
    40 - out of stock
    41 - low stock
  • DRIES VAN NOTEN
    Leather-trimmed suede sneakers
    $630.00
    Select a Size
    35
    36
    37
    38
    39
    40
    41 - low stock
  • LOEWE
    Ballet Runner 2.0 logo-appliquéd leather, canvas and suede sneakers
    $865.00
    Select a Size
    36
    37
    38
    39
    40
    41
    42 - out of stock
  • LORO PIANA
    Tennis Walk leather-trimmed canvas sneakers
    $1,055.00
    Select a Size
    36 - low stock
    36.5
    37 - low stock
    37.5
    38 - low stock
    38.5 - low stock
    39 - low stock
    39.5
    40
    40.5 - low stock
    41

A part-sneaker-part-ballet-pump hybrid is the unexpected frontrunner for biggest sneaker trend of 2026. Much like other hit shoes before it, the ‘sneakerina’ stands out for its individuality, and has already been spotted on trend-setters, from Bella Hadid to Dua Lipa. Chloé’s ‘Kick’ iteration comes in a pretty sage green with logo-labeled tongues that lend a retro-classic feel. For a sneakerina that makes more of a statement, Acne Studios’ pair are crafted in gold leather and threaded with a sweet lace detail on the heel – show them off with a denim midi skirt and a sporty quarter-zipped sweater.

  • CHLOÉ
    Kick suede and leather sneakers
    $795.00
    Select a Size
    35
    36
    37
    38
    39
    40
    41 - low stock
    42 - low stock
  • ACNE STUDIOS
    Metallic leather sneakers
    $580.00
    Select a Size
    35 - low stock
    36
    37
    38
    39
    40 - low stock
    41 - low stock
  • SAINT LAURENT
    Lewis leather sneakers
    $800.00
    Select a Size
    EU 35
    EU 36 - low stock
    EU 36.5
    EU 37
    EU 37.5 - low stock
    EU 38
    EU 38.5
    EU 39
    EU 39.5 - low stock
    EU 40
    EU 40.5
    EU 41 - low stock
    EU 42
  • BALENCIAGA
    City studded crinkled-leather sneakers
    $785.00
    Select a Size
    35
    36 - low stock
    36.5
    37 - low stock
    37.5
    38 - low stock
    38.5
    39 - low stock
    39.5
    40 - low stock
    40.5
    41
    42
Strike the perfect high-low balance with elevated staples and technical sneakers

Sneakers have become more experimental in shape and color, with chunkier styles now the easiest and most comfortable way to (quite literally) elevate your look. Salomon’s ‘XT-6’ runners are the latest style by the brand to have transitioned seamlessly from track to street – they look cool styled with everything from cargo pants to maxi skirts. For off-duty style at its slickest, consider Nike’s ‘Shox Z’ sneakers in ivory with a tonal swoosh – style them with slouchy jeans and a blazer.

  • SALOMON
    XT-6 rubber-trimmed mesh sneakers
    $165.00
    Select a Size
    3.5 - low stock
    4 - out of stock
    4.5 - out of stock
    5 - out of stock
    5.5 - out of stock
    6 - out of stock
    6.5 - out of stock
    7 - out of stock
    7.5 - out of stock
    8 - out of stock
    8.5 - out of stock
    9
  • SALOMON
    XT-Whisper rubber-trimmed mesh sneakers
    $180.00
    Select a Size
    3.5 - low stock
    4
    4.5
    5
    5.5
    6
    6.5
    7
    7.5
    8
    8.5 - low stock
    9
  • BALENCIAGA
    Monday rubber-trimmed leather sneakers
    $1,035.00
    Select a Size
    36 - out of stock
    37
    38 - low stock
    39
    40
    41
    42
  • HOKA ONE ONE
    Mafate Speed 4 Lite ripstop and rubber sneakers
    $135.00
    Select a Size
    5 - low stock
    5.5
    6 - out of stock
    6.5
    7 - out of stock
    7.5
    8
    8.5 - out of stock
    9 - out of stock
    9.5
    10 - out of stock
    10.5 - out of stock

If you prefer truly statement sneakers, look to brands such as Maison Margiela and Bottega Veneta for kicks with a twist. The latter’s futuristic ‘Orbit’ sneakers are made from metallic leather and suede, and have gripped rubber soles that nod to the label’s iconic intrecciato weave. Alternatively, for a subtle pop of color, consider Maison Margiela’s ‘Replica’ sneakers, which are modeled on archival styles from the ’70s. Keep the rest of your outfit neutral to let the pink hue pop.

  • LOEWE
    + ON Cloud rubber-trimmed recycled-mesh sneakers
    $685.00
    Select a Size
    36
    37
    38
    39
    40
    41
  • BOTTEGA VENETA
    Orbit Flash suede-trimmed metallic crinkled-leather sneakers
    $990.00
    Select a Size
    EU 36
    EU 37 - out of stock
    EU 38 - low stock
    EU 39 - low stock
    EU 40 - out of stock
    EU 41 - out of stock
  • RICK OWENS
    + Moncler Trailgrip Megalace® leather and rubber sneakers
    $920.00
    Select a Size
    36
    37 - low stock
    38 - low stock
    39 - low stock
    40 - out of stock
    41 - low stock
  • MAISON MARGIELA
    Replica suede and leather sneakers
    $790.00
    Select a Size
    35
    35.5
    36
    36.5 - low stock
    37 - low stock
    37.5 - low stock
    38 - low stock
    38.5 - low stock
    39 - out of stock
    39.5 - low stock
    40 - out of stock
    40.5
    41
A classic white court sneaker is your ultimate everyday-wardrobe ally

The beauty of understated court sneakers is that they are infinitely versatile and perennially chic. Pared-back designs in supple white leather or suede – from brands such as Saint Laurent and Gucci – make a sports-luxe aesthetic easily achievable thanks to their sleek, clean-lined shape and subtle branding. The former’s ‘Gym’ sneakers will instantly elevate your Pilates kit and take you stylishly to brunch afterwards, too. You can even wear your box-fresh sneakers to the office with oversized tailoring, or with denim at the weekend.

  • SAINT LAURENT
    Gym leather sneakers
    $780.00
    Select a Size
    EU 35
    EU 35.5
    EU 36 - low stock
    EU 36.5
    EU 37 - low stock
    EU 37.5 - out of stock
    EU 38 - low stock
    EU 38.5
    EU 39 - low stock
    EU 39.5
    EU 40 - low stock
    EU 40.5
    EU 41 - low stock
    EU 41.5
    EU 42
  • GUCCI
    Leather-trimmed suede and mesh sneakers
    $857.00
    Select a Size
    34
    34.5
    35
    35.5
    36
    36.5
    37 - low stock
    37.5 - low stock
    38 - low stock
    38.5 - low stock
    39 - low stock
    39.5 - low stock
    40 - low stock
    40.5 - out of stock
    41
    41.5
    42
  • GOLDEN GOOSE
    Super-Star distressed suede-trimmed leather sneakers
    $815.00
    Select a Size
    35 - low stock
    36
    37
    38
    39
    40
    41
    42 - low stock
  • THE ROW
    Owen Runner leather and mesh sneakers
    $872.18
    Select a Size
    35 - out of stock
    35.5 - out of stock
    36 - low stock
    36.5 - out of stock
    37 - out of stock
    37.5 - out of stock
    38 - out of stock
    38.5 - out of stock
    39 - low stock
    39.5 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    40.5
    41 - low stock
    41.5 - out of stock
    42 - low stock

Whether you’re a seasoned marathon-runner or avid gym-goer, sneakers that offer maximum support – and therefore optimize performance – are a must. The springy soles of On’s ‘Cloudmonster Void’ sneakers feature Speedboard® technology and grippy treads for optimum comfort and stability on all terrains. Elsewhere, Nike’s ‘Vomero 18’ sneakers harness the brand’s responsive ‘ZoomX’ cushioning and have cool-mint accents. Team them with a tonal workout kit from Lululemon or Adidas by Stella McCartney and put them through their paces.

  • ON
    Cloudmonster Void rubber-trimmed mesh sneakers
    $170.00
    Select a Size
    5
    5.5
    6
    6.5
    7
    7.5 - out of stock
    8
    8.5
    9
    9.5
    10
    10.5 - low stock
    11
  • ON
    + Zendaya Cloudtilt Moon stretch recycled-knit sneakers
    $200.00
    Select a Size
    5 - low stock
    5.5
    6 - out of stock
    6.5 - out of stock
    7
    7.5
    8
    8.5
    9
    9.5 - low stock
    10 - low stock
    11 - low stock

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