Our choice of footwear may ebb and flow throughout the year—from strappy sandals in summer to high-top boots for winter—but, there’s one shoe style that transcends all the rest: the humble sneaker.
The go-to silhouette will always be a wardrobe staple, no matter the occasion or season. But that being said, the sneaker isn’t immune to its own categories of micro-trends, having seen various reinventions over the past several seasons, including everything from colourful variations at Chanel to chunky alterations à la Balenciaga.
In 2021, the sneaker has never been more important to our wardrobe thanks to the blurred lines between WFH attire and workwear, and there are plenty of styles just begging to be taken beyond the gym floor.
The Throwback Sneaker
Whether taking inspiration from the ’70s track-style sneakers or a brand’s reinvention of their classic styles of years gone by, the retro sneaker is sure to dominate in 2021. Variations from Gucci, Golden Goose and Loewe are perfectly paired with our casual workwear for an elegant and seamless transition back into the real world. A comfy one at that, too!
New Balance Classics 530 Sneakers, $150; available at THE ICONIC
Golden Goose Textured Superstar Sneakers, $740; available at Golden Goose
Loewe Ballet Runner Shell, Suede And Leather Sneakers, $990; available at Net-A-Porter
The Everyday Sneaker
They’re timeless for a reason, having withstood trends for decades thanks to their simple silhouette and basic colours. Pared-back designs from favourites like Veja (Meghan Markle’s personal favourite), Saint Laurent and Superga (Kate Middleton’s personal favourite) have long been a means of topping off an ensemble as easily and stylishly as possible. Basically, these styles aren’t going anywhere.
Superga 2790 Linea Up and Down Sneaker, $109.95; available at THE ICONIC
Veja Esplar Logo Sneaker, $160; available at THE ICONIC
Saint Laurent Andy Low-Top Sneakers, $695; available at Farfetch
The Eco-Conscious Sneaker
The move toward more sustainable practices is no longer an under-the-radar trend but rather sees brand’s that have shifted their focus to eco-friendly and sustainable practices receive a welcome rise in popularity. From Allbirds, with their sustainably sourced merino wool offerings, to Everlane’s eco creations, which once they’ve reached their lifespan, can be mailed back and recycled.
Everlane The Tread Runner, $140; available at Everlane
Allbirds Tree Dashers, $225; available at Allbirds
Veja Condor Vegan Sneaker, $225; available at THE ICONIC
The Colour-Rich Sneaker
While yes, there’s no denying the classic white sneaker will forever trump any other style of shoe, the timeless white variations have become a little more colourful of late. As a means of dopamine dressing in 2021, sneakers rich in colour have begun to take stride against the previously preferred all white—giving our wardrobes a much-needed dose of joy for the year ahead.
Chanel Suede Calfskin & Nylon Trainers in Pink & Dark Pink, $1,360; available at Chanel
Nike Nike Zoom Double-Stacked, $166; available at Nike
Balenciaga Track Logo-Detailed Mesh And Rubber Sneakers, $1,450; available at Net-A-Porter
The Sport-Focused Sneaker
Going back to their roots, the sneaker’s original purpose has made its welcome way into fashion (again), providing us with support and comfort. In 2021, expect fashion to shift toward its most functional, tactical aesthetic yet, with much-loved brands like ASICS and Under Armour seeing a shift from gym-only wear to on the feet of the world’s biggest style stars.
ASICS Gel 1090 Sneaker, $160; available at THE ICONIC
Under Armour Project Rock 3 Training Shoes, $200; available at Under Armour
Nike SuperRep Groove Sneaker, $160; available at Nike
