Fashion editor Dinah van Tullleken said that the once-coveted plain white trainer has been superseded and outlined five trainer styles set to define autumn 2025.
Van Tullleken, writing in a recent style column, argued that the white Veja — and other simple white tennis-style trainers — now signal a dated look. She and other observers trace the ascent of trainers from purely practical footwear to aspirational fashion items to moments such as Phoebe Philo’s widely noted appearance in white Adidas Stan Smiths at a Celine finale about 15 years ago, which helped establish trainers as a mainstream fashion statement.
The first category van Tullleken highlights is "brilliant brights": trainers in saturated colours such as luminous orange, hot pink, bright blue and blood red. She cited both established labels and budget options, pointing to brands from Alohas and Adidas to a £16 pair at George at Asda, and said bold-coloured shoes are an easy way to signal that trainers are a styling choice rather than mere utility.
A second key trend is brown suede in muted, latte-like tones. Van Tullleken noted a prevalence of what she described as "Mocha Mousse" hues across recent collections. These suede styles tend toward minimal branding and clean lines; she contrasted high-fashion examples such as Dries van Noten’s leather-and-suede sneakers, priced around £395, with high-street alternatives available from about £39.99.
The third category is what the editor called "fashion meets function": technically derived running and hiking silhouettes reworked for everyday wear. Brands associated with performance footwear, including New Balance and Salomon-inspired designs, appear in colourways and finishes intended for streets rather than trails. Van Tullleken said these models combine the comfort of performance shoes with styling cues that allow them to be paired with tailored trousers or worn on nights out.
Animal prints form the fourth trend. Textured leopard, zebra stripes and snakeskin finishes have migrated from accessories and denim into trainers, an evolution that began to surface in collaborations such as Adidas with Wales Bonner. High-street takes, including offerings from New Look, were cited as accessible options that mimic the more expensive runway treatments.
Finally, metallics — especially silver — were identified as a growing neutral. Van Tullleken recommended keeping to classic shapes such as tennis silhouettes or retro runners in high-shine finishes, and advised against high-tops for a more contemporary look. She suggested metallic trainers can update a simple jeans-and-T-shirt outfit or offer a playful contrast with evening wear.
Across the five categories, the column emphasised a move away from one-size-fits-all white trainers toward more expressive footwear choices. Van Tullleken recommended favouring cleaner designs with restrained branding for suede styles, and classic forms for metallics, while allowing stronger graphic statements for bright colours and animal prints. She also noted that high-street retailers have produced lower-priced alternatives that echo designer trends, giving shoppers a range of price points.
Retail availability reflects the diversity of the look: from budget finds at mainstream chains to runway-priced designer sneakers, with many retailers offering seasonal updates timed for autumn. The suggestions form part of broader seasonal guidance aimed at refreshing wardrobes as trends evolve, according to the fashion editor’s column.