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In a world of fancy footwear, where sky-high platform boots and gala-ready pumps reign supreme, there’s one stealth style that consistently outperforms the others: the sneaker. A staple that wins in wearability and timelessness (and has a history to back it up), the street style shoe of choice is more than a functional essential. Each silhouette, from Adidas’s Samba to Alexander McQueen’s chunky tread, can be traced back to lace up-lore that left lasting marks on fashion by way of culture.
When it comes to iconic moments of sneakers past, a range of images come to mind. There’s the 1970s photograph of Farrah Fawcett skateboarding in bell-bottom jeans and the Nike Cortez while filming Charlie’s Angels (which Forrest Gump wore just 20 years later). There’s a young Billie Jean King on the court during 1973’s Battle of the Sexes, sporting blue suede Adidas (the first proper tennis shoe made in a color other than white). There’s the Dirty Dancing scene of Baby practicing her routine in a pair of white low tops, and there’s Run DMC performing their hit song, “My Adidas,” while rocking the Superstars. And, of course, there are the modern trendsetters: The Olsens wearing black slip-on Vans, and New Balance 547s; Bella Hadid wearing Salomons and Sambas; Zendaya wearing Converse and Nike Daybreaks; and Sienna Miller wearing Reeboks and Stan Smiths. These are only a few top-of-mind examples—the list of significant sneaker snapshots goes on and on.
Spring 2023’s Trending Sneaker Styles
- The Fashion Girl’s Pick: Toteme leather sneakers, $570
- The Quiet Luxury Pick: The Row Marie H lace-up sneakers, $820
- The Conceptual Pick: Prada Cloudbust Thunder high-tech sneakers, $1,200
- The Cult-Classic Pick: Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 sneakers, $120
- The Still-Trending Pick: Loewe Flow Runner mix leather sneakers, $790
- The Sport Chic Pick: Nike Daybreak sneakers, $104
- The Norm-Core Pick: New Balance Made in USA 990v3 core sneakers, $210
- The Retro-Favorite Pick: Adidas Samba OG shoes, $100
- The Monogram Pick: Gucci Screener logo-jacquard and leather sneakers, $970
Of course, the trainers you choose signify more than just sneaker sagas. It’s no secret that you can judge someone by their shoes (at least, to some degree, but that’s another essay), so one must proceed with caution when deciding on a pair that suits their sartorial speed. Whether the most true-to-you trainers are New Balance 550s or Gucci Screeners, the gravitational pull toward any given sneaker says a lot about your personal style. Whatever your genre may be, pick your footwear flavor and run with it, literally.
Below are eight sneaker categories that are sure to have something for everyone, no matter the style vertical or sneaker legacy you worship most.
White Low Tops
Here’s a shoe that fits through and through. Pairing well with slouchy slacks and summer dresses alike, the white sneaker is a no-brainer. The only question to consider is, which genre suits you best? The Row’s Marie offers an elevated take, Jill Sander’s classic platform is a fashion-first find, and the all-white Stan Smith is a sporty iteration—all of which achieve the same easy, everyday solution to all of our sneaker woes.
Chunky Sport
Here’s where things get a little funkier. The chunky sport sneaker, epitomized by Prada’s Cloudbust and Stella McCartney x Adidas’s Earthlight, makes a statement. Whether you choose a designer interpretation or a sportier iteration, such as the Asics Gel-NYC, the chunky sneaker reads as a *fun—*and it goes well with just about everything.
Sleek Suede Runners
On your mark, get set, hit the streets in a suede runner. This sartorial track star has been reimagined by countless designers, including Loewe and Rag & Bone. Adding an athletic twist to any look, the iterations range from downtown chic (hello, Onitsuka Tiger) to timeless luxury (The Row, of course).
Scandi Sport
Think Copenhagen streetwear meets morning hike. Scandinavian sneaker designers are known for their clean design and perfected craftsmanship, and these selections are no exception. From a modern EYTYS black Laguna sneaker to a tale as old as time—the New Balance 990s—Scandi sport shoes epitomize a balance of functionality and flare.
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Street Wear/Model Trainers
Hit the streets in a pair of street style–approved sneaks. Characterized by drawstring laces and mesh lining, the trainers of today’s trends marry technical sport and fashion frenzy (with the Salomon being perhaps the best example of the intersection of the two). For a true fashion find, go with the Asics x A.P.C. trainers or the Nike x Jacquemus model. For a sportier select, a pair of Adidas might be more your speed.
Fashion Sneakers
Express footwear flare with a pair of kicks that fall squarely in the fashion category. Newer styles like the Marni x Carhartt slide or the Maison Margiela silver sneakers express an appreciation for contemporary wear, while established classics like Alexander McQueen’s raised trainers have years of pavement pounding to prove their place in fashion’s sneaker realm.
Retro Classics
Here’s a category of sneakers that is sure to deliver longevity in your wardrobe. Perhaps the most highly-regarded kicks of sneaker lore, this selection of shoes, from Fawcett’s Nike Cortez to a pair of OG Authentic Vans, has already won the hearts of fashion critics and sneakerheads alike. Whichever you choose, you’re a shoo-in for shoe respect.
High Tops
A special sneaker genre on its own, high-top sneakers has been around since the beginning. The Chuck Taylor All Star is perhaps the most iconic sneaker one can wear (Is there anything cooler? Perhaps not.) and countless designers have created spin-offs of the solidified style (Kenzo, Saint Laurent, and Prada, just to name a few). A high top is a high-minded choice for any sneaker-savant.
