Just put down the sandals for a second—I know it’s tempting to wear them 24/7 in this heat—but the wave of interesting sneakers buzzing around right now is worth the screentime. Sneaker trends can come and go spontaneously, which means even halfway through the year, the styles and names trending in January are subject to change (and they have indeed). Whereas classic white sneakers reigned strongly last season, the current vibe is all about ultra-sporty silhouettes dripped in color and statement details. The recent adoration of Asics by fashion people, in general, is perhaps the biggest example of the shift. Just maybe the era of the white sneaker is done for? It seems that way—well at least for right now. But it’s not just Asics getting all of the shine—other sneaker trends have also emerged this summer too—and I’m delving into each and every one. Keep scrolling to see the full lineup of the pairs defining the moment, as well as the pairs to shop.
If you’re going to embrace color at some point in the year, you might as well do it during the summer. The best place to start is with the influx of pastel-hued kicks—from creamsicle orange to sky blue, vibrant color is making a comeback on the sneaker front. Nike’s recent lineup of Air Jordans and Dunks with colorful trims are specifically on my wishlist.
While everyone seems to be taking a collective pause on white sneakers, the monochromatic neutral is on the rise. This style diverges from a typical nude sneaker in that mostly everything—from the laces to the sole—are completely nue
If there is one brand that’s defining the moment, it’s without a doubt Asics. Its popularity has seemingly skyrocketed out of nowhere, but looking at the projection of sneaker trends until now, the shift towards extremely utilitarian and outdoorsy styles has been happening for a bit. The good thing about this trend is that they’re relatively easy to find, and you won’t have to scramble to resellers to scoop up a cool pair.
Retro-inspired trends always make a comeback within the sneaker space, and this season is no different. With paired down shape, a rounded toe and thinner sole, soccer sneakers are experiencing a revival. Adidas’ Samba sneakers are an obvious choice, but I’d also recommend some underrated brands like Onitsuka Tiger and Gola.
There’s no gym membership required to get in on this trend, but it might make you want to run around the track a bit.
