Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
How bored are you of hearing about trainers? A bit, no doubt, because in the past 15 years (if you date the start of the trainer explosion from the moment Phoebe Philo took her catwalk bow wearing white Stan Smiths in 2010), trainers have become the number one fashion forward footwear for all ages and both sexes.
In 2025 everyone owns a pair – or two or three – and we’ve all got the message: not all trainers are created equal, but trainers equal the easiest way to keep your wardrobe looking fresh and new – which is why we keep talking about them.
A couple of things to bear in mind if you are suffering from trainer boredom: there’s no age bar with trainers and no size restriction. We can all wear them. Keep your eye on what’s what, change them up once or twice a year, and you’re half way to looking right on the fashion money.
Here are the most desirables of the moment in no particular order.
The Cool One
Right now it’s Onitsuka Tiger’s Mexico 66 (£150, farfetch.com). This style has been in the top three for a couple of years (though it originally attracted attention when Uma Thurman wore a bright yellow pair to match her tracksuit in Kill Bill).
There’s something about the low cut of the leather shoe and the curved intersecting stripes that’s very chic. Colours are key.
The yellow style is currently on the super covetable list, but I love the white with red and green stripes, a yellow heel tag and a navy toe – a little bit retro Olympics, a little bit ‘goes with everything’. Edgier than many styles, the Mexico 66 has also got staying power.
The One With Now Energy
Silver trainers are having a moment and if, at first, you think ‘I’m too old for that’, think again. (Remember: no age limit.) Besides, metallics have gradually moved away from their party/extrovert slot and now you’re as likely to see silver in the day at the office as at a nightclub.
The silver trainers the fashion girls have to wear with off white or black trousers – are by Wales Bonner X Adidas Samba, but the ones we want cost a lot less – Adidas Tokyo (£90, adidas.co.uk).
The Plain One
The plain suede trainer is coming up fast on the inside lane because it represents a step on from old school three stripe styles – like Adidas Gazelles, Sambas and Spezials. These are still super popular, but no-one would argue they’re chart-topping and with every day that passes, they become more of a casual fallback option.
A pair of plain yellow suede trainers (£195, russellandbromley.co.uk) is the new look that will add snap to your autumn tailoring. Cherry red or olive green are also in the running.
The Alternative Car Shoe
This plain tan suede trainer has muscled in on the territory that used to be occupied by luxury loafers and car shoes and is now the smartest of the daytime trainers.
The original ones are Miu Miu but the affordable versions are, if anything, more elegant and work appropriate. Cos does a minimal leather trainer in cognac (£95, cos.com) while Free People’s tan suede trainer is softer and a bit more moccasin in style (£108, freepeople.com).
The New White Trainer
It’s got to be Veja (£100, johnlewis.com), a mostly white leather trainer, apart from the distinctive V logo that comes in a variety of colours to match, or clash, with your outfit.
A pair of Vejas won’t get you Right Now fashion points (they peaked in about 2017), but they are the classiest feminine trainer on the market and nicely fill that gap for women who miss their plain whites.
The Girly Trainer
The whole point of trainers used to be their unisex borrowed-from-the-sports-locker appeal, but that was before fashion designers realised their potential for drawing in women who love a hit of pretty colour to enhance their outfits.
You really can take your pick now of yummy trainers, but the cutest include Puma’s rose and crimson suede trainers (£75, uk.puma.com) and Adidas Handball Spezial trainers in ice pink and dark blue (£63, endclothing.com). Complementary coloured laces are de rigeur with this look.
The Old School One
Suede trainers with stripes are going nowhere, just getting bolder and more colourful. Adidas Sambas may not have quite the cool cachet they had before Rishi Sunak wore them as PM, but Adidas Spezials have simply filled the gap and Adidas Gazelles are still everyone’s favourite knock about cool trainer.
For somewhere between a Spezial and a Mexico 66, it’s worth looking at Marks & Spencer’s bright red with white stripe trainers (£49.50, marksandspencer.com).
