With fashion month behind us, we’ve got a pretty clear picture of 2025 trainer trends. But before we dive in, I do wanna preface this by saying that being stylish isn’t about hopping on the latest hype. Whether you’re shopping for summer dresses or browsing for ballet flats, choosing something that speaks to your personal style should be the prio. That being said, knowing which fashion trainers all the cool girls are wearing certainly helps when choosing a shiny new pair of your own.
Collabs tell us a lot when it comes to trendy trainers, and so far this year we’ve been gifted with a steady stream of sell-out styles. The cow-print Adidas Sambas literally broke the internet. Meanwhile, Fenty x Puma’s Pumpkin Pie sneakers and the third Salomon x Sandy Liang XT Whisper collab reinvented Gorpcore with a deliciously sweet twist. One thing they all have in common? They’re not skimping on the colour front.
Shop the trainers we′re loving this szn
On the topic of reinventions, innovation has been a huge trend in 2025 and it’s hard to miss the growing fever for hybrid ballet flat trainers. Puma released the Speedcat ballerina flats in March 2025 and Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid and Iris Law all confirm that ballet flat trainers are the ‘It’ shoe of SS25.
Running trainers from the likes of On and Hoka have been popular Gen Z picks too, and we’ve got it on good authority that sporty silhouettes are here to stay. Georgia Wagstaff, founder of Cultivate + Nurture and former marketing lead at Adidas and Peachy Den, is pinning the boxing boot and the martial arts sneaker as the trainer trends to watch in 2025.
Desperate to know which 2025 trainer trends the street style set will be sporting all summer? Allow us to fill you in. Spoiler alert: retro runners, silver sneakers and suede are all on the menu…
Ballet trainers
If you can’t decide whether you want to pirouette, jog or stroll, these hybrid steppers are for you. We really can’t decide whether we love ‘em or hate ‘em, and while Simone Rocha’s and Wales Bonner’s £500+ versions might be slightly out of budget, there are several affordable alternatives available — namely the Dua Lipa-approved Puma Speedcat ballet shoes and a particularly cool pair of patent, double strap flats from Zara.
Puma Speedcat Suede Ballet Shoes
Adidas Adifom Megajane Shoes
Converse Star Mary Jane Ballet Flats
Zara Double Strap Faux-Patent Ballet Flats
Suede trainers
Last year, you couldn’t leave the house without spotting a crayon-coloured pair of Sambas or Onitsuka Tiger’s sleek, sued-toed Mexico 66 kicks. And whether it’s the Boho influences on the runways or a collective admiration for vintage vibes, suede trainers are still trending in 2025. Don’t believe us? ‘Adidas suede trainers’ has seen an 150% increase in search since April 2024, and Em Rata and Gigi Hadid have both been snapped wearing suede sneaks.
Mango Suede-Blend Trainers
Puma Palermo Sneakers Unisex
Retro trainers
Pick up, pick up, the ghost of trainers past is calling and they want their shoes back. From the round-toed Nike Cortez (am I the only one who thinks they look like bowling shoes?) to the Adidas Taekwondo Shoe, which Georgia reminds us were originally launched for the 1988 Seoul Olympics (throwback sneaks are totally in). And although they defo fit into the suede category, I’m gonna say that the ‘70s-inspired cow print sambas are a retro TB that also deserves a spot on your shoe rack.
Nike Cortez TXT Trainers
Reebok Ultra Flash Sneakers
H&M Retro Trainers
Colour-block trainers
No matter how ‘in’ neutral vibes like grey and Mocha Mousse are, ‘all things bright and beautiful’ is always our MO when the weather starts to heat up. And with colour trends like butter yellow, pickle green and cherry red still going strong, we’re confident that you can never step a foot wrong in a colour-block shoe. They go with everything from summer dresses to jeans and trench coats.
adidas Originals Gazelle Bold Platform Trainers
Free People Trainer 80 Sneakers
Puma Speedcat OG Sneakers Unisex
New Balance RC42 in Red
Silver trainers
We saw Iris Law wearing silver trainers and ankle socks, so we started wearing silver trainers and ankle socks. It’s called taking notes, peeps. These metallic beauties look so cool with everything from mini dresses to denim, and you heard it here first – they’re going to make a splash at festivals this summer. According to TikTok, all the cool kids are wearing Aloha’s Tb.490 Rife Shimmer Silver Cream Leather Sneakers and FitFlop’s Women's Rally Sneakers.
Alohas Tb.490 Rife Shimmer Silver Cream Leather Sneakers
Zara Metallic Padded Trainers
FitFlop RALLY Leather Trainers
Skater trainers
Teenage angst, is that you? From Little Simz starring in the Vans Old Skool premium campaign in the classic checkered style to Converse’s legendary high tops making a comeback, it’s set to be a skater-girl summer. These trainers are chunky in a different way to the classic New Balance or Fila Heroic dad trainers and seem to have a cooler energy (if Billie Eilish rocking them is anything to go by).
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Hi Trainers
Vans Upland Chunky Suede Trainers
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Shadé (pronounced sh-ah-day) is the Senior Fashion & Lifestyle Ecommerce Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. From what to shop in the latest Revolve flash sale to how to style the hottest new trends, she shares shopping advice, reports on new collabs and reviews your fave fashion brands.
