Everyone needs a good pair of sneakers (or six, if you’re into shoes like me) and in 2025, there are seemingly endless options to choose from. True sneakerheads are an entire community amongst themselves, but brands have started to embrace the consumer power of the sneaker as both a branding tool and an aesthetic accent. You expect cool sneakers from brands like Nike, Adidas, and Reebok. But now, brands like Loewe, Miu Miu, and Dries van Noten are setting the tone for casual (and undeniably chic) footwear.
Before we get into the best 2025 sneaker trends of the upcoming year, though, it’s important to note that whichever silhouette, color, material, or style you choose, one of the biggest trends in footwear and accessories is personalization. Whether you’re mixing and matching shoelaces, adding charms, or embellishing with rhinestones or lace, individual style will be key this year.
No matter your own sartorial preferences, though, these trends are sure to be big in 2025, from the runways to brunch to the bodega. Shop the sneaker styles to look for below.
Flat & Narrow
As is often the case with major trends, Miu Miu is to thank for the resurgence of ultra-narrow, foot-hugging sneakers. With a silhouette that’s not quite a cleat and not quite a ballerina shoe, the skinny aesthetic of these sneakers could be considered retro but is ultimately the future of footwear—at least for this year. With that in mind, don’t throw out your chunky sneakers quite yet but also don’t be surprised when you start seeing smaller and smaller-looking feet peeking out from under the hems of barrel jeans or oversized cargos.
Ralph Lauren The Suede Pony Ballerina Sneaker
Prada Collapse Re-Nylon Elasticized Sneakers
Aldo Swiftlyy Low Top Sneakers
Unexpected Colors
Bright, unapologetic color play is one of my favorite aspects of the sneaker industry, and 2025 is the year for experimentation. Pair acid colors with pastels, complementary hues on the color wheel, or different shades of the same color all in one sneaker. More often than not, wearing your favorite color palette in the form of a sneaker will brighten your day and elevate your outfit.
Retro Red
If there’s one color that has and will always stand the test of time, it’s red, especially so with sneakers. A pop of red, particularly on a retro sneaker silhouette like a trainer, is often the answer to an otherwise boring outfit.
Puma x Fenty Avanti L Sneakers
Golden Goose Marathon Sneaker
Vince Oasis Bicolor Leather Runner Sneakers
Running Trainers
You have your workout sneakers, sure, but you should also have your workout-but-not-really-because-they’re-fashion sneakers. Perfectly effortless, yet intentional, the fashion trainer style can make your outfit casual and comfortable without sacrificing street style-cred.
Bottega Veneta Orbit Sneaker
Loewe Flow Leather and Shell Sneakers
The Row Owen Suede Runner Sneakers
Mary Janes
Mary Janes made a big comeback in 2024, and the sneaker industry is no exception. These are the shoes for the girlies with whimsical style and flair but still pack an edge. Styled with knee-high or ankle socks and a fun mini-dress, Mary Jane sneakers are perfectly practical, yet ever so cute.
Camper Karst Multicolor Recycled PET Women’s Shoe
MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon Mary Jane Colorblock Sneakers
Slide-Ons
2025 will be all about efficiency, which means if you don’t have time to lace up your sneakers before you run out, why should you? Slide-on sneakers make it easy to make a fashion statement while showing the world just how cool and laid-back you are.
New Balance x Miu Miu 530 SL Deco Calf Leather Mules
Golden Goose Ball Star Sabot Sneakers
Let’s Get Technical
Hiking shoes have always held an appeal for some crowds. And now, the fashion world is embracing the category with open arms…well, feet. Of course, there has to be a style element involved so don’t get too granola, but Gorpcore-fanatics and street style stars have found ways to incorporate the technical look in a chic way, pairing them with frilly ankle socks, voluminous skirts, and pastel shades.
Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Shoes
Salomon XT-6 GORE-TEX Shoes
Animal Print
By now, you’ve seen it everywhere, from bags to coats to hosiery. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Animal print isn’t going away any time soon. Whether you’re on Team Leopard or Team Reptile, you have options when it comes to footwear—especially with sneakers. Wales Bonner’s latest collaboration with Adidas is just one of the many iterations of animal print/exotic-effect sneakers we’ll see in 2025.
Maje Leopard Print Sneakers
Dries Van Noten Snake-Effect Leather Sneakers
Adidas x Wales Bonner Samba OG Brown Croc Sneakers
Suede Takeover
Suede sneakers are certainly nothing new, but with a resurgence of suede in handbags, totes, jackets, and more, it’s only fair to extend the trend to sneakers. Brown and tan suede seem to be the chosen colors, but the material can seamlessly extend beyond neutrals for a chic finish to nearly any outfit.
Miu Miu Miu Miu Plume Suede Sneakers Desert Beige
Chloé Kick Suede Sneakers
Isabel Marant Bryce Sneaker
High Tops
Spotted on the spring/summer 2025 runways, high-top sneakers will be a big trend this coming year. Loewe, Chloé, and Stella McCartney showed the sporty-casual styles in their latest collections, and you simply can’t deny the added cool factor that comes with wearing any of the sneakers below.
R13 Riot Leather High Top
Chloé Kick Leather High-Top Sneakers
Marc Jacobs The High Top Sneaker
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