Fashion editor Dinah van Tulleken of the Daily Mail says the cult white trainer is giving way to five distinct styles that will define autumn footwear, arguing that the much‑loved white Vejas and similar basics now read as dated.
Van Tulleken traces the mainstreaming of trainers back to a moment more than a decade ago when designers brought casual sneakers onto the runway, turning them from gymwear into aspirational items. In a shopping guide published this week she outlines five trainer directions she says will “take years off” a look and recommends ways to update a seasonal wardrobe, citing both designer examples and lower‑priced high‑street alternatives.
One of the clearest shifts Van Tulleken identifies is a move toward brilliant, saturated colours. Luminous orange, hot pink, bright blue and blood red are among the hues she highlights, and she points to labels from Alohas to Adidas as offering vivid options. The piece also notes budget entries — a £16 pair from George at Asda — as part of the trend’s wide retail range.
A second direction is a return to understated, neutral tones in texture: brown suede. Described as “Mocha Mousse” in the guide, these suede trainers are presented as an easy swap for anyone reluctant to abandon white. Van Tulleken cites high‑end examples such as Dries van Noten’s leather and suede sneakers, priced around £395, while noting that high‑street retailers now offer similar looks from about £39.99.
Performance and utility continue to inform fashion, she writes, with technical trainers and hiking‑inspired silhouettes gaining streetwear cachet. Brands known for running and outdoor footwear, including New Balance and styles influenced by Salomon, are being adapted with colourways and design details that make them suitable for pairing with tailored trousers as well as casual outfits.
Animal print is another trending motif. Van Tulleken points to last year’s collaborations, including Adidas with Wales Bonner, as earlier forerunners of a wider adoption of textured leopard, zebra, snakeskin and spot patterns. She recommends lower‑cost options such as New Look’s patterned trainers as a way to try the look without a large investment.
The final direction she highlights is metallics, with silver singled out as the season’s leading shine. Van Tulleken suggests treating metallics as a new neutral — pairing silver tennis‑style or retro runners with jeans and a T‑shirt or using them to update eveningwear. She advises sticking to classic low‑top shapes rather than high‑top designs to keep the look current.
Throughout the guide Van Tulleken counsels restraint in branding — favouring cleaner silhouettes with minimal logos — and stresses that consumers can find trend‑forward options across price points. The article frames these changes as part of a broader fashion cycle in which accessories and wardrobe staples evolve, advising shoppers to consider texture, colour and technical detail when replacing older, quieter white trainers.
Retailers and designers have increasingly introduced variety into sneaker offerings in recent seasons, reflecting both a market appetite for novelty and collaborations that blur the line between sportswear and fashion. Van Tulleken’s guide arrives ahead of autumn buying decisions and aims to steer consumers toward five looks she says will feel contemporaneous in the months ahead.