Picture 2018: Fila Disruptors were the law of the land, leather trousers were a second skin, and no look was complete without a velvet choker. This was the era of ‘more is more,’ defined by the high-octane street style of Gigi Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski. Back then, the chunky dad trainer was a signifier of good style – a bold, architectural statement that gave even a casual hoodie and jeans combo a sense of aggressive intentionality. Those blocky soles added presence and a swagger that was impossible to ignore.
Fast forward to 2026, and the fashion pulse has slowed. Tailoring is fluid, denim puddles at the ankle, and silhouettes have shifted lower. In this new landscape, the oversized sole of the past feels like a visual interruption rather than an exclamation point. The ugly sneaker has aged slightly for everyday use.
As noted in my 2026 Trend Report, we are witnessing the definitive return of the skinny trainer. These retro-inspired, low-profile silhouettes tuck neatly under wide-leg trousers. The pairs leading this shift aren’t new either; they come with history, archive references, and cultural weight, setting a new standard for how we wear sneakers.
Puma Speedcat
Take the Puma Speedcat, originally born in 1999 as a motorsport shoe built for precision rather than the streets. Puma officially revived the Speedcat OG in June 2024, reissuing the classic red and black colourways which lived rent-free on the Instagram algorithm. The brand has recently launched a wedge version that nods to the nostalgic fashion cycle that is echoing everywhere right now. It works perfectly with extra-long jeans, where the hem grazes the toe to let the logo peek through.
©@stylingemilybeaney
Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66
The Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 is arguably the blueprint for the skinny trainer resurgence. First launched in 1966 and later cemented in pop culture, it carries an authority, and the yellow colourway will always remain iconic. This isn’t the shoe you throw on for errands; it’s the one you reach for when you want to look considered without defaulting to heels. Lara Bumban rocked her Kill Bill Tigers with brown and yellow Adidas track bottoms, and FYI, you really shouldn’t be afraid to mix brands – it’s not a faux pas. Some people might baulk at it, but matching colours across different labels can still look deliberate and put together.
©@lara_bsmnn
Bronx MYR-AA
Suede, brown tones, and archival running references have also pushed niche brands like the Bronx MYR-AA into the spotlight, offering a more accessible alternative to the sold-out New Balance x Miu Miu 530 SL. The dark brown pair goes with almost anything, while the double laces add a cool styling trick. We are seeing this kind of style of shoe across hundreds of brands. Vans, Axel Arigato and even H&M have taken a slice of the pie. This can easily be a smart shoe too; Séfora Jacobs has teamed hers with a grey co-ord. This is a sneaker that can move from meetings to coffee runs.
©@sefojacbs
Adidas SL 72
Then there’s the Adidas SL 72, whose name literally stands for ‘Super Light’, and it lives up to that promise. It feels barely there on the foot while still making a statement, and the bold colourways – purple, red, leopard, even cow print – make this shoe a great personality pickup. It will give any dull outfit you have on rotation a cool talking point; just watch the compliments reel in. Influencer Linda Schulz has styled her blue kicks with butter yellow; it’s a pairing perfect for spring.
©@linda.sza
Vivaia Satin Trainers
Finally, satin introduces a softer, more delicate take on the slim trainer, a trend that started on the runways at Miu Miu and Prada before filtering into the mainstream. Brands like Vivaia now offer satin shoes in an array of colours, giving the silhouette a slightly dressier feel. Though not built for wet pavements, they work beautifully with capris or a bias-cut skirt, and celebrity fans including Bella Hadid and Charli XCX show just how versatile the shape can be.
©@alinamuchlove
Renee Washington, Grazia’s digital fashion and beauty writer, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie.
Main Image Credit: Getty Images
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