PUT your best foot forward this season in styles that won’t make you look dated.
When it comes to shoes we invest time and money finding the perfect pair.
And in fashion, items like a good winter coat and a sturdy pair of shoes will always cost you more. Sadly, it’s just a given.
But if you’re traipsing around in trainers you bought five years ago, guess what? They look just that – old.
As frustrating as it is that you want to get your money’s worth, they’ve earnt their price-per-wear (dividing its cost price by the number of times it will be worn) and are now probably looking a bit tatty.
If you take good care of your prized processions, and for women its shoes, then maybe that doesn’t apply to you.
But nevertheless, they are old and dated.
It’s not your fault, trainer trends change faster than the temperature these days so its hard to keep up.
But if it’s time for a change, and so you don’t make the same mistake again, keep an eye out for these five styles of trainers that are making you look dated and out of style, and switch to their more on-trend alternatives.
DITCH CHUNKY TRAINERS
Where larger than life, so-called “dad-trainers” with a heavy and clunky look are not only so last year, well so 2017, they’re also making you look cartoon like.
While they do make your legs look slimmer, if that’s what you’re after, they also make you look like Mickey Mouse with buckets for feet.
A nod to the 80’s and 90’s dads of our time they’re now well and truly out.
SWITCH TO SLEEK
Swap your chunky sneakers for a more sleek and stylish version that promises to be just as comfy but more lightweight and current.
No more crumpled trousers sitting on top of your feet and they look heaps better when worn with a skirt or dress.
Zara Combination Trainers, £35.99
DITCH NEUTRAL SHADES
Neutral trainers in white, cream, even black – buildable colours that go with everything in your wardrobe – make a lot of sense.
But even though we want something that you can just shove your foot in and not worry, they are now a part of the frumpy wardrobe of floral midi dressing and denim jacket loving millennials and beyond.
They scream “look at me, I’m living in the past” but there is a solution.
SWITCH TO COLOUR
Clashing a rich mustard yellow trainer with head-to-toe back or your go to jeans and sweatshirt with ruby red sneakers gives you a more modern look and it doesn’t matter what the colour combination is.
The trick is: if it clashes it matches.
New Look Chunky Sole Trainers, £29.99
DITCH METALLIC STYLES
I love a metallic trainer as much as the next gal, but they belong in summer.
They definitely are not a substitute for a party shoe just because they shine, they’re a party crime.
They’re out for this season so tuck them away for summer and go with a shoe that still provides the same amount of interest to a plain or dressed up outfit.
SWITCH TO ANIMAL
Be it leopard or tiger, much like the faux fur texture that comes on our jackets and coats during wintery seasons, textures are our trainers are a must for autumn/ winter.
ASDA George Cow Print Retro Trainers, £12,80
DITCH LEATHER
Not only do leather or leather look trainers look a bit naff and old-hat now, they’re also heavier than lightweight fabrics.
They’re less malleable, so more likely to dig in and give you blisters – no matter the price tag.
Furthermore they look heavy too, drawing the eye away from your stylish outfit to clumpy and distracting feet.
SWITCH TO SUEDE
Unless you’ve been living under a rock you will have noticed suede trainers are everywhere. Don’t be deterred by the texture thinking it won’t see you through the season, they will wear better than you think (scuffs and all) and will last even longer with a £5 can of shoe protector spray from any supermarket.
TU Brown Suede Low Profile Trainers 7, £28
DITCH SLIP-ONS
Lace-less trainers make getting ready a breeze and save all the time of perfecting the perfect look for your laces – because let’s face it, who can be bothered?
Even though we love them for their practicality and sleek look, let’s remember – sleek is better, they aren’t, and never really have been, fashionable.
Much more suitable for just wearing about the house, but you might as well pop on your fluffy slippers and save on buying more.
SWITCH TO SNEAKERINAS
Ballet inspired trainers, dubbed the “sneakerina” are all over the catwalk, highstreet, social media and beyond.
They’re a brand-new style for this season and are a more structured version of a flimsy pump but still have the delicate look and feel of a slip-on.
Puma Speedcat ballet flats in leopard print, £80
Hottest fashion trends of 2025
Fabulous’ Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend shares the biggest trends from the high street.
The East/West Bag
Baguette bags have had a good run, after returning from the 1990s’ shoulders of Sarah Jessica Parker to modern-day fashion icons, like Hailey Bieber.
In 2025, the East/West bag is a similar but elongated shape and has long, thin straps that are easy to throw over your shoulder.
They’ve been on runway models’ arms at nearly ever designer show – think Burberry, Givenchy and Bottega Veneta – and are hitting the high street now, too.
Powder pink
Bright fuchsia pink had its day after the release of Barbie in 2023 and now the more polished and expensive-looking pale shade is taking over for 2025.
Pantone may say that it’s the year of Mocha Mousse, but the catwalks say otherwise! From Prada to Erdem, the subtle look was all over the spring/summer catwalks, worn head-to-toe or on its own.
If the sugary shade is too girly for you, then look to sharp suiting for a androgynous take on the colour.
The shell jacket
The ’80s classic is back, but with a sleek and minimal new twist for 2025.
We all know we’re likely to see rain for most of spring, so your practical coat of choice should be a cagoule jacket.
Depop revealed one of its big trend predictions for this year is retro sportswear, with surges already seen in ‘80s windbreakers’.
Seen everywhere from the stylish streets of Copenhagen to the Miu Miu catwalk, now mums who have an emergency raincoat crumpled underneath their pushchair are very much in fashion!
The turn-up jeans
While the shape of jeans remains the same for this year and barrel-legs will still be everywhere, the way we’re styling them is different.
This season, transform your wide-leg, baggy denims into turn-ups.
For this look, size doesn’t matter, so while deep turn-ups are a hit from jean trend-leaders Citizens of Humanity, a slight fold is still just as good – but only as it’s just one single fold.
Peep-toe shoe
Get your pedicures booked in sharpish, as this season your toes are the main event.
After a long hiatus, the peep-toe has been welcomed back into the fashion fold, with brands like Hermes, Miu Miu and Tory Burch showing plain and embellished footwear in this style.
From mules to pumps and clogs (yes, clogs will be around too!), there are lots of different styles that are set to sweep the high street.
Sheer blouses
See-through looks have always lived on the catwalk, but have rarely filtered into everyday life – until now.
Designers Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford loved sheer looks on their S/S ’25 catwalks and M&S even had sellout success with its black sheer pencil skirt last season.
Expect to see more sheer looks lining supermarket aisles and high street shops in the form of skirts, tops and frocks.
