Gone are the days when trainers were solely reserved for athletic endeavours or your commute. Instead, over the past few years, sneakers have broken free from their gym-bag bounds and have taken on new sartorial meaning.
It all started when Adidas Stan Smiths became part of the It-girl uniform. Then Vans proved to be all the rage. Fast-forward a few seasons, and we had the pared-back likes of Veja and Superga to obsess over. Most recently, though, “dad” trainers have been clogging up our Instagram feeds, followed by retro styles such as New Balance and of course, the Adidas Samba.
Samantha wears white trainers with a cream knitted vest and relaxed black trousers.
Regardless of which trainer style you’ve pledged your allegiance to, there’s one thing we can all agree on: We’re so glad trainers are here to stay. However, their styling potential goes way beyond the jeans-and-jumper combination we’re guilty of sticking to. I’ve tracked down a bounty of outfit ideas from our favourite influencers to showcase just how versatile trainers can be.
Keep scrolling to discover 33 outfits to wear with trainers, from dresses and cardigans to skirts and puffer coats. They’re all incredibly chic.
Pleated skirts can look quite preppy, but give them a cool spin with a pair of casual kicks.
Rib-knit dresses always look great with white kicks.
Michelle ticks off two major trends in one by wearing her running kicks with a leather jacket .
Breathe new life into your little back dresses from seasons gone by with a pair of colour-block trainers.
Wide-leg trousers are set to be one of the biggest winter trends. Take cues from Lotte and style yours with chunky trainers.
Lucy’s tiger-stripe trousers and leather biker combination are made even edgier with her choice of footwear.
Loose jeans and bra tops are two trends that keep cropping up. eAdd ’80s-style skater trainers into the mix, and make it a hat-trick.
As we begin to dig out our favourite coats, look for roomy styles in feel-good hues.
Have your very own Princess Diana moment by pairing your trainers with cycling shorts and an oversized sweatshirt.
Alexis gives us a master class in wearing trainers with an elegant co-ord in a plissé fabric. Keep the tones neutral and you can’t go wrong.
This outfit will transition easily from winter to spring.
Tailored trousers make a surprisingly strong partner to adidas Gazelles or similarly retro sneakers.
Cargo pants are back and they look best with either classic trainers or a pair of heels.
Colourful leather is a microtrend that packs a big punch come spring. We love how Nnenna has upped the ante of her look with the addition of bold accessories, which she offsets with white and grey sneaks.
Take note from Chloé Pierre and pair two-tone kicks with an all-white look for a super polished ensemble.
Leggings have been an integral part of our uniform for the last 12 months. Carry them through to the new season with neutral separates and edgy black trainers.
Offset a fancy maxi coat with a pair of chunky trainers. For extra fash points, throw in some standout strides.
For a chilly day, bundle up in a grey coat and roll-neck, letting your box-fresh kicks give your attire a refresh.
Could Ada look more incredible? We love the effort she’s put into her laces, too.
Harriet proves the most effective looks can be simple.
Trainers provide the perfect antidote to feeling overdressed.
Jeanette knows the easiest way to make an all-black outfit feel 2022 is with a pair of chunky sneaks.
There’s something very Dirty Dancing about this look, particularly when it’s paired with white tennis shoes.
That checked dress you invested in last season? It’ll look the part with trainers as well as boots.
Up the retro vibe with colourful sneaks.
A camel coat is one of the most timeless things you’ll ever own. Give it an edgy overhaul with stacked-sole sneaks and wide-leg trousers.
A trench coat and Converse—it’s about as British an outfit as you can get.
Wide-leg strides will always look effortless when styled with a pair of simple basket sneaks.
Trainers with Chanel is a vibe I’d very much like to re-create.
Part sporty, part tailored—trainers help balance this sweatshirt and trouser look out.
Add all your favourite basics together to get this timeless and chic look.
Of course, slip skirts also look good with trainers.
This look will forever be the It-girl uniform.
Ellie uses grey trainers to offset the rest of her extra ensemble, ensuring her look stays on the right side of statement.
We trust Erica Davies to give us the chicest trainer outfit imaginable.
Sticking to a monochrome palette isn’t just stylish. It’s very on-trend for 2022.
Autry’s vintage style trainers are big news right now.
Another throwback trainer that’s having a moment.
Tap into the retro trend with this pair.
These kicks put designer trainers back on the map.
Fashion people have been dusting off their Converse of late, so you can expect to see a lot of them this season.
These will blend in seamlessly with minimalistic wardrobes.
Such a cool collaboration.
I have a hunch that we’re going to see a lot of these trainers this season.
The trainers Alexa Chung wears on repeat.
If runners are more your thing, look no further than Under Armour.
These trainers are trend-defying.
Just looking at these makes me feel nostalgic for my youth.
This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
