From tabi-style Nikes to lace-up Converse.
The world really opens itself up to you when you nail a good sneaker and outfit combination. The right ones can get you through a day at work, an evening of bar-hopping or a European holiday braving cobblestones and hiking in the Italian Alps. They’re the holy trinity: comfortable, versatile and supportive.
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Plus, style-wise, the options have never been better. We really do have unlimited choice when it comes to shapes and colourways, whether you’re after something chunky, classic or freaky. But if you’re yet to be convinced of the power of a good pair of sneakers, we asked seven of our fashion creatives to show us how they’re styling them this spring for some inspiration.
Sonali Fernando, sustainable stylist and content creator
I’m wearing my favourite sneaker, the Adidas x Hello Kitty and Friends collaboration, which I picked up by chance on holiday in Singapore a few years ago. An outfit featuring sneakers for me signals a day filled with a lot of walking or work, so I lean into a sporty and relaxed aesthetic.
For this look, I’ve paired them with a track jacket, skirt and headband. I love to wear colour and outfits that are fun, so I’ve also pulled from the colours of the shoe and its whimsy with my similarly coloured asymmetrical Acne Studios bag and charms.
I love mixing and matching baggy bottoms and tops with fun accessories to bring out my personality. Otherwise, I’ll lean into the ‘shoe that doesn’t match’ theory, where you deliberately add a sneaker even though it doesn’t really go. By doing this, you create a point of interest in your outfit.
Marisa Suen, fashion stylist
I own many pairs of sneakers, and therefore, have many favourites. My absolute go-to for comfort, long walks and stylist errands would be a pair of Asics. Notably, the UB9-S Gel DS Trainer 14, which have been my beaters this whole year since I injured my ankle at the start of this year.
I love a sneaker with an interesting toe because I wear a lot of pants that sweep the street. So the little peep of the toe is cheeky. My current favourites, though, are probably the Collina Strada x Converse. It’s funny because I haven’t owned Converse in years and I would never usually gravitate towards the knee-high ones but I think no explanation is needed for these.
Since I don’t love to be in a loud outfit and these shoes are yelling, I paired them with a classic Marisa Suen all-black look. I love how the shoes reveal themselves when I walk or sit, and I love wearing them with trinket-covered nails to match.
Milly Wright, fashion stylist
I’ve been loving my Adidas x Miaou sneakers lately! I love pulling a colour from my shoes and then bringing little hints of it through the rest of my outfit. Accessories are honestly my best friend for this.
With this look, I’ve picked up the yellow from the sneakers in my tie and skirt, and carried the silver through with my jewellery and buttons. I love when little details and colours speak to each other throughout an outfit. Sneakers are such an easy way to start that colour story.
Ruby Lou, writer and DJ
I have two pairs of Nike Air Rifts that I love and adore, both of which quickly became my favourite shoes for basically any outfit. They’re the most comfortable sneakers I’ve ever worn and are super versatile thanks to the Mary Jane-style elastic strap on top, which means I can wear them with or without socks.
I really do wear them everywhere – to the coffee shop, DJing, out to Pilates and even on hikes. I took both pairs around Europe recently because they wear great with everything. I wear them with anything from a V-neck and baggy shorts to something more feminine like a mini dress. The tabi-style toe is definitely not for everyone, but I’m officially a convert and can’t wait to continue adding to my Air Rift collection.
Jam Baylon, fashion stylist
I love anything knee-high, including sneakers – especially my Puma Berlin Moto Leather boots in white. Released in the early 2000s, it took me months to find in my size but lo and behold, Depop came with the goods.
My personal style can be all over the place, meaning I wear what I feel. But when it comes to sneakers or my knee-high sneakers like the Puma Berlin, I’m obsessed with a bit of a femme urban edge to the outfit. An abstract, flowy skirt with a firebird Adidas jacket can take the vibes from day to night. Honourable sneaker mentions from my personal wardrobe are the Martine Rose x Nike Shox and Adidas Japan VH Sneakers.
Alyssa Forato, writer and editor
I love using sneakers for a couple of different things. First, as a way to add a pop of colour to an outfit. I adore my yellow Onitsuka Tigers, and while some people may think canary yellow is a scary colour to style, I think it makes everything look better. Second, I love using sneakers as a contrasting style or aesthetic to the rest of the outfit.
This outfit is a little ‘corporate off-duty’ so would probably make the most sense with boots or loafers, but in my opinion the Onitsuka Tigers being the ‘wrong shoe’ makes it kind of perfect.
Fleur Egan, fashion stylist
My favourite sneaker is the Nike Moon shoe and you’ll find me wearing it on repeat. I love the retro direction and it looks so good styled multiple ways. I like styling with suit-style layers, with socks and a skirt or playing with mixed textures. It honestly works on everyone.
For more sneaker inspiration, try this.
