Sneaker Chic: The best trainers to wear this spring
I’m a retro-sneaker-freak at heart. This goes right back to teenage years spent kicking around in jeans and trainers, a classic style combination that’s stuck with me ever since. Now dress codes are relaxed and we’re all going high-low, sporty shoes are an everyday wardrobe staple. And, I’m happy in my comfort zone. Omnipresent and nostalgic, the Adidas SL72 is a current favourite. I have it in two different colours – an airforce blue pair bought pre-pandemic and still going strong ( see below in a 2020 Telegraph feature), and last summer’s purchase in maroon/chocolate brown (still available). The German sports shoe brand has released a range of brighter shades, metallics and leopard print. The OG version is quite flat so it’s worth checking out the RS style with the thicker sole.
Photographed for the Telegraph in 2020
My friend has the Gola x Anthropologie leopard trainers and reports that they are comfy enough to wear all day and another way to bring animal print into her life. She’s a long-term Leopardess and also partial to metallics. For those who prefer a more minimal vibe the Novesta Marathon Runner ( in navy, or black) is another retro-favourite. This Slovakian company bases its running shoes on designs from the 1970s and 80s, and all are made using recycled materials. The Marathon Runner’s insole features an acceptable arch support – this is the first thing I check these days when I’m buying trainers, too flat and I put them back – so it’s good for running around town in.
Me and my Salomon sneakers in Paris
For longer urban walks, my go-to style is the Salomon XT-6 (and HERE) with an orthotic insole which is super-comfy and supportive. My old orange Gore-Tex pair are now relegated to cycle wear (after three to four years of pavement pounding); replaced by a lovely new khaki leather version the XT-6 Expanse. On a recent Euro trip I wore my Salomon’s every day and doubled the usual step count.
White trainers: In or out? Who cares. This classic style is versatile and chic and I’m still wearing my Grenson sneakers from several years ago. Today, both snazzy and subtle footwear looks great. In Paris at the weekend, there were queues outside the Alohas store (multi-coloured sneakers) and the American brand Autry (mostly white with a contrast trim. But also leopard) is everywhere. Tip: Buy now before the retaliatory tariffs kick in…
STYLE NOTES
Top photo: Tweed blazer is a few years old from Weekend MaxMara (similar HERE and HERE). The navy sweater is by Navygrey (PR gift). White T-shirt from Uniqlo. Wide leg track pants from Wyse London (PR gift). Adidas SL72 trainers.
Middle photo: Taken for the Telegraph in 2020; my own Adidas trainers and a cotton summer dress loaned from Brora.
Final photo: Army surplus shirt bought in Belgium. Cotton frill shirt from NRBY ( PR gift). White barrel trousers, my old pair from Kin at John Lewis ( similar HERE and HERE). Salomon trainers.
First photo by: Neil Mackenzie Matthews
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Discussion (29 Comments)
I do like simple trainers and used to wear Converse all the time. Agree with you Sara, they go with everything. Sadly my feet now need more support and I find Converse too flat – to get that look I wear my white Grenson’s.
Aniya Adly says:
I love converse too, they were my go to being a 7.5 – however I’ve just converted to my first pair of Addidas Samba’s and to my delight they are very comfortable, I’d heard a few mixed reviews, but fine on my feet straight out of the box!
Nicola says:
I also love my converse – although they aren’t very supportive and can’t be worn on a day where I’m on my feet a lot. But I’ve had them years and they go through the washing machine and come out good as new so they have longevity! I’ve just bought a pair of white trainers with a cherry red stripe from M&S because another influencer said they look very expensive- and she’s right. I’m delighted as I’m in Australia and buying online can be a lottery. Very much a win.
Liesl Strachan says:
You haven’t mentioned my favourites – Golden Goose (a bit pricey) and P448. I love both brands as they’re super comfy straight out of the box, and especially good for awkward feet like mine.
Thanks for the tip about P448, Liesl, I like the look of them! (I have a price limit on sneakers/ trainers so no Golden Goose, I’m afraid. Good to know they are comfy though).
Caroline says:
Do any of you with wide forefeet plus a bunion or two (woe is me!) have sneaker favorites?
Paula Kent says:
Yes me . If you find any cool comfy trainers do let me know . I am really struggling with footwear . Oh , and that’s post op . It still protrudes !!!
Sihara says:
I love your dark khaki Salomons, especially if they’ve got an orthotic insole, but I can’t find that colour in any of the links you provided; only light beige and black. I’m wondering if your “khaki” ones are what the site calls “beige,” but the two look completely different colours in the photos. I trailed through the links. Are you sure your khaki ones are still available?
I’ve liked Salomons for years, but I was surprised and excited to read that they’re orthotic too. I tend to rely on Hokas, recommended by my podiatrist, only because they allow me to forget that I even have feet!
Hello Sihara, I actually bought mine from the London store but they are on the UK website (link below). The style is called the XT-6 Expanse Leather and the colour is lichen green. Hope that helps!
https://www.salomon.com/en-gb/shop-emea/product/xt-6-expanse-ltr-li4550.html#color=111265
Claire T says:
You cannot beat ‘Gabor’ for style and comfort in trainers and boots in the winter. Worth the cost every time. I have many pairs in different styles and colours.
Gill says:
I have problems getting shoes due to bunions. A have some wide fit new balance trainers that work for me. Wide Fit shoes was the stockist.
Ann says:
Have a few pairs of Samba including a gorgeous denim pair but my favourites are the Hoff City trainers that look fab with any outfit, have numerous pairs and are super comfy ❤️
Michelle Dunn says:
I have just bought a pair of Adidas VL court – very comfortable and given the stamp of approval by my 20 year old daughter! In a beige/grey/white colourway.
Mrs Tonia says:
I also have bunions but find my usual trainers/running shoes of choice don’t irritate them. I wear Brooks from a specialist running shop. I don’t run but do walk and hike about cities and countryside. Shop did a gait analysis. After ripping ligament on left ankle more than a year and a half ago I really needed good support to walk with comfort. Took a long time to recover from this injury despite physio treatments. I like more colourful types of trainers. Lower cut type seem popular for spring summer this year. And suede too. Hope to dust off grey and denim colour suede Ecco trainers and wear these again before I buy something new.
Sarah Cleverdon says:
I like the sound of the Saloman trainers but do you find they make you feet hot? Most trainers do it hot weather but they may have superior ventilation for summer.
Ooh good question. I have only been wearing the leather ones for a few weeks and it hasn’t been very warm…so I’m not sure about the ventilation in summer. But my old pair are Gore-Tex which is breathable.
Fiona says:
I’ve found the last few summers that trainers and socks are sooo much more comfortable, practical and cooler than any kind of sandal for ploughing around cities! Even my beloved Birkis shredded my feet in a Roman summer. In my youth, only American tourists wore trainers and I wouldn’t have been seen dead in them! Thank goodness, now they look and feel cool – in both senses- with summer dresses and light trousers
Claire Broughton says:
I used to like Converse but never found them comfortable for long periods. After one particularly bad trip to London when I ended up barely able to walk (thankfully I was able to borrow a pair of my daughter’s very tatty and worn in Adidas, which saved the day) we parted company forever. I also have bunions, not too unpleasant yet, and wide feet and have experimented with lots of different brands, some of which were consigned to the charity pile after very little wear due to discomfort. I love the colours of the Gola trainers in Anthropologie and took a chance with a green and coral pair – comfortable from the start, absolutely no breaking in and I can wear them for hours. I also have a white pair with a mauve flash, just as comfortable, and am now eyeing up the gorgeous leopard skin pair above! So relieved to finally find a trainer brand which is stylish but also extremely comfortable.
Just received my first pair of Hoff City trainers – been wanting them for ages and this article spurred me on to order them!
Emma Peach says:
I love Adidas trainers. I’ve always used them for running (men’s for a wider fit due to bunions) and I have other pairs for everyday wear. I’m waiting for the leopard print Sambas to come back in stock. My days of wearing heels are long gone!
Emma xxx
Cola says:
I bought the leopard SL72s so fast I almost got whiplash. Love your faded blue SL72s!
Heather Hill says:
Thanks so much for the SL72 recommendation- have bought and they are so comfortable. My new favourites.
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Do Converse ( and other high tops) count as trainers/sneakers? All a matter of personal preference but I can’t do any shoes that look as if you really could run on a track in them, I’m no runner. My Converse, however, I dearly love, especially my white flatform leather ones that go from year to year, with everything. Ditto a fabulous pair of Phillippe Plein silver high tops that I bought with about 70% reduction, thanks I think to my largish feet needing a size 8; the only upside of big feet! Think this is as close I’ll get to the trainer trend and as Converse come in such a huge range, I can do the relaxed look with ease.