Sneak Peak

Sneakers, trainers, runners, joggers, kicks. Whatever you call them, they’re having a special moment right now.

To some, sports and sneakers are synonymous, but you don’t have to be dribbling a basketball or swinging a racquet to get into this season’s styles. Designs run the gamut from old faithfuls like your hi-top Chucks to extreme overload, making any ’90s club kid swoon.

Here are a few of the trends sure to get your feet fab for fall.

Throwbacks: Not just for Thursday

Vans, Converse, Reeboks, Adidas, Nike. No matter what your vibe, let’s face it – these kicks never really go out of style. This season’s sneaks are bringing back some of the old-school detailing you’ve been pining for like rounded toes, cloud-like insoles, and even Velcro closures. The palette also appeals to a retro sensibility with hues trending towards burgundy, rust, and ochre. If you’re hardcore about the original dad sneaker, you can’t go wrong with the all-white classic.

Maxed Out

Take all of the above, shake briskly, and you’ve got the maximalism-inspired sneaker. While in runner speak, “maximalist” refers to certain high-performance features, we’re talking art-speak: specifically, an aesthetic of excess. With mixed prints and materials, loud colors, and even louder styling, these trainers are definitely not for the timid.

Kicks for a Cause

If you’re looking to make more than just a fashion statement, there are plenty of brands that support the causes that resonate with you most. TOMS was one of the first shoe brands to promote ethical practices and give-back incentives and has inspired many more. From Cariuma’s eco-friendly shoes made from bamboo and recycled plastic; to vegan, cruelty-free footwear brand Keep; to Sseko Designs that helps Ugandan women get their college degrees, there’s a movement out there worthy of getting behind. There are also plenty of cool collabs to look out for: Adidas has been a front-runner, celebrating a five-year partnership with Parley for the Oceans and transforming plastic ocean waste into sustainable, high-performance footwear. In April, Adidas also teamed up with Girls Are Awesome – a brand platform that aims to create more visibility for women in the arts, sports, and music arenas – creating a capsule collection to promote female role models and featuring the popular Superstar shoe.

The Height of Fashion

’90s sneakers ain’t got nothing on these babies. The chunky sole revival started a few years back thanks to Balenciaga’s Triple S shoe and has been growing (both in popularity and height) ever since. These tricky outsoles play with funky shapes and contrast colors and are guaranteed to elevate your sneaker game, literally. Need even more lift? The platform sneaker trend takes things One. Step. Beyond.

Whatever your footwear preference, always remember the words of Marilyn Monroe: “Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.”

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