Sneakers are undoubtedly a wardrobe essential. They are comfortable, versatile, and egalitarian—a classic for good reason. Classics, however, need not be boring. In fact, thanks to an ever-growing number of high-fashion interpretations, sneakers have also become significantly more in style.
Lately, we’ve noticed a new crop of bright and colorful kicks from the likes of Dries Van Noten, Celine, Auralee, and Prada, alongside the go-to stalwarts like Nike and Adidas. They’re all making a compelling case for a little more fun south of the ankles.
If you’ve historically stuck to neutral sneakers in white, black, or gray, or find the idea of a bright shoe intimidating, there are lots of easy ways into the trend. A Technicolor sneaker can cleverly punctuate an all-neutral outfit, or melt into a head-to-toe monochromatic look. Leaning into the wrong-shoe theory can also lead to surprising clashes that turn an otherwise casual, understated look into something unforgettable.
However you choose to style them, colorful sneakers are a cool and comfortable trend to embrace for the season ahead. Below, find some of our favorite ways to wear them right now.
Neutrals with a Pop
Dip your toes (literally) into the trend, by letting a pair of subtly hued sneakers anchor a clean, all-neutral ensemble. No fear of clashing here.
Go-To Jeans and Tee
Another failsafe way to style sneakers is with a simple tee and jeans. Colorful Nikes pair well with a thicker, skater-stripe tee and straight-leg denim.
Off Colors
More ambitious dressers may want to indulge in a bit of off-color play—mixing two-tone kicks with quirky, clashing colors. Keep one piece in the outfit neutral, like we did with the trench here.
Tone on Tone
Tonal looks are trending. Create your own comfortable, yet colorful, look with a knit, roomy trousers, and sneakers in a single shade.
Full Prep
Preppy style has always embraced bright colors and sporty shapes, making it a natural match for colorful sneakers. Here, we paired Pane’s cobalt kicks with classic prep staples: a khaki skirt, a button-down shirt, and a blazer.
