If you’re looking for somewhere to start, you can never go wrong with the iconic sneaker houses like Nike, Adidas, or Vans. You can also shop material or silhouette first, like a leather low-top or canvas slip on. For street style cred, a high-fashion collaboration is always near (see: Adidas and Wales Bonner), as are gorpcore picks that marry utilitarian elements with more contemporary design sensibilities. The overarching approach: Find the style that you prefer, whether that’s sporty, chunky, or slim, then decide on the colorway and material. Minimal white sneakers tend to get the most wear since they complement just about anything, but depending on your preferred color palette, you might love a shoe that mixes blacks, browns, or grays.
There’s a time and a place for flashy or seasonal trending sneakers, but a pair of trainers with staying power that you can confidently throw on with any outfit is essential. From coveted designer iterations to forever classics, take your pick from the below sneakers for women that’ll never go out of style.
Timeless Leather
A leather sneaker is always a great place to start: The material gets better with age, plus offers a snug and secure fit. Some pairs will require breaking, but others, like New Balance’s chunky 550 are straight-out-of-the-box comfy. Leather styles run the gamut in terms of price; for an affordable pick, turn to Veja—the sustainably-minded French sneaker brand has been cosigned by everyone from Kate Middleton to Emily Ratajkowski. If it’s designer or bust, Gucci’s chunky dad sneaker is the way to go.
Put it in Retro
Designers have been revisiting vintage-inspired sneakers for a while now; you’ll recognize the narrow silhouette which tapers in the foot for an elongated look. We love the ones from Loewe and The Row to pair with flowy trousers and dresses for casual yet cool mix. Anything from Adidas and Wales Bonner’s ongoing collab sells out whenever it drops—the chocolate brown and orange is this season’s must-have.
Classic White
You can’t go wrong adding a crisp white trainer into your lineup; it’s the easiest sneaker to style. Alexander McQueen’s platform sneaker is a bestseller if you’re looking for designer, while Tory Burch and Adidas deliver leather styles that ring under $200. For a trendier pick, turn Toteme or Alaïa, who remixed Superga’s canvas shoe with intricate lace detailing.
The Cool-Girl Pick
Whether you consider it gorpcore or sporty chic, the street style set loves a practical, supremely comfy sneaker for everyday wear. New Balance, Asics, and Solomon tend to be the most popular in this category, thanks to accessible price points and a near-constant stream of new arrivals in limited edition colorways.
The Old-School Canvas
You may recall canvas shoes as the OG tennis sneaker (with plimsolls being their lighter-weight counterparts for school gym classes). Today, you’ll find the breathable fabric incorporated in a variety of styles. Tried-and-true favorites include Tretorn low-tops and Converse high-tops. Quiet luxury lovers will also The Row’s no-frills take.
Slip on and Go
You may have outgrown your slip ons after graduating high school, but even still, it’s hard to deny their appeal: You literally slide your foot in and voilà—you’re set. Vans will always be Vans, but for a more luxe take on the slip of your teenage years, turn to Koio, M.Gemi, and Common Projects for effortlessly minimalist designs.
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