THE NEW TRAINERS TO LOOK OUT FOR THIS SUMMER

At this point we’re confident the ‘perfect trainer’ doesn’t exist. With so many styles on the market, and a relentless appetite for sneakers of all kinds, our love for these casual shoes is paired with a wandering eye – no matter how many options are waiting in our wardrobes, there’s always an urge for a new pair. And who can blame us? Trainers are the MVP of footwear: comfortable, stylish and diverse enough to channel your individual style.

Nike Air Rifts are the wildcard of the shoe world. And in recent seasons they’ve taken a surprising foray into the mainstream. With all the clout that comes with a Nike trainer – and the singular split-toe design – these are the perfect tool for telling people you’re stylishly adventurous while standing on classic brand heritage. The new leopard colourway continues the trend of wild Air Rift iterations, feeding demand for increasingly funkier footwear and celebrating fashion’s more famous print. Style them with an all-black look to make the print stand out when making a midsummer statement.

 

GET THE LOOK: 

01: ARKET dipped hem midi skirt in black, £85
02: Mango beaded handbag in brown, £45.99
03: Pull&Bear Basic tank top in black, £8.99

If you don’t fancy separating your tootsies, the Mary-Jane trainer is a close cousin of the Air Rift with a less confronting toe cap. Salomon are the latest brand to drop their take on this old-school shoe – building on the viral success of the XT-6. Classroom codes meet a sporty sole in these fun yet understated steppers, finished with a buckle clasp and lightweight mesh fabric that’s ideal for warmer weather.

 

GET THE LOOK: 

01: ASOS DESIGN thick binding rib scoop neck vest in white, £8
02: PixieGirl Petite poplin culottes in black, £30
03: ASOS DESIGN oversized shirt in blue and white stripe, £28

Another feminine trainer that continues to charm is the ballet flat – a low-profile, delicate silhouette that softens the athletic edge of a classic sneaker. adidas adds a must-have option to the lineup with this Ghostsprint ballet flat, finished in black suede with an eye-catching gum sole. Whether it’s the slim crossover straps, the textured midfoot or the streamlined design, these follow in the footsteps of on-trend, barely-there shoes. Team with a minimalist outfit – 90s skirt, boat-neck tank and slim sunglasses – for a simple way to pull the look together.

 

GET THE LOOK: 

01: Topshop melfi 90s length skirt in chocolate, £28
02: Topshop Lanzarote oval sunglasses in burgundy, £14
03: New Look boat neck button through tank top in black, £12

Certainly the contender for summer’s most controversial shoe, the wedge sneaker has crept back into frame thanks to style icons like Rachel Sennott. And years on, and the OG pair from Isabel Marant have proven pervasive. Now ASOS DESIGN have thrown their hat in the ring with a concealed wedge pair in a versatile taupe suede. Finished with a combination of laces and easy-fasten straps, this divisive trainer is deliciously bold. Pair with a draped mini dress or Bermuda shorts and a tank for fresh styling on this 00s throwback.

 

GET THE LOOK: 

01: Monki long sleeve draped mini dress in black, £25
02: Polaroid Sporty wrap sunglasses with grey polarized lenses in black - BLACK, £60

When the forecast starts climbing it’s easy to neglect your trainers, opting instead for flipflops or sandals. But if you don’t fancy freeing your feet, there are some sneakers that offer breathable comfort and a little more privacy. Like the new Samba Mule from adidas. Who would’ve thought the biggest shoe of the past few years would look so great with a chunk missing? And yet here we are, staring at a woven backless trainer. It shouldn’t work and yet it does, as if your favourite beach-side slip-ons had a love affair with their sports coach. Call us crazy, but a shoe this freaky deserves to get its steps in.

 

GET THE LOOK: 

01: ASOS DESIGN oversized bubble sleeve shirt in white, £36
02: adidas Originals sprinter shorts in green and white, £35