Trainers, sneakers… call them what you will, but sports shoes aren't going anywhere. And it turns out that the trends change as quickly as everything else we love to wear. As they're now a staple for everyone's wardrobes, we're keen to know what we should be investing right now.
But as we don't have a fashion crystal ball (although that would be fabulous), we turned to expert Emily Gordon-Smith, head of fashion at Stylus, an innovation research and advisory company that gauges consumer behaviour to work out just what people might be shopping for in the future. Thanks to Gordon-Smith, we know the five key sneaker trends everyone will want to be seen in. Keep scrolling to find out what you need to invest in now to stay ahead of the trainer game.
1. Muted Tones and Exaggerated Soles
"A look that remains relevant and popular in 2018 is the white sneaker, which will be rebooted with an exaggerated moulded sole that creates an overblown silhouette. A muted palette of whites, pastels and some metallics will offer an ultra-modern look. Detailing will be kept to a minimum, featuring only subtle touches like a bias frill."
Key buys:
The pastel pink of this style has almost sold out. Grey is a great secondary option, however.
Velcro straps add a smarter spin to sneaks.
2. Sport for Fashion, Not Fitness
"In the U.S., 75% of sneakers are bought for aesthetics and lifestyle rather than performance. Authenticity is key here, with designs staying true to classic sneaker styles and colours (blue, red and white) while being sympathetic to the wider trend towards 'sports for fashion, not for fitness."
Key buys:
Forget running in these—we just want to float around in these cushioned beauties.
Tennis shoes? We'll be watching the game rather than playing one in these.
3. The '90s Influence Fails to Waiver
Related: Summer 2018 Fashion Trends: The Only Looks You Need to Know
"Nostalgia will continue to influence sneaker design, feeding also into our first and fourth trends. The '90s was known for its over-the-top, chunky trainer silhouettes (think Steve Jobs's footwear) and neon flashes. Brands will offer colourful, playful looks and exclusive collaborations like the one between Reebok and Lisa Frank."
Key buys:
If you're not ready for a bold colour, try the '90s silhouette in a muted colour.
A nostalgic colour palette if ever we saw one.
4. "Ugly" Sneakers
"'Ugly' fashion is back, and it's here to stay, extending. We'll see designers tapping into TV pop culture from the '90s and '00s, giving nostalgia its biggest reboot. Clunky is in, along with dirty, greyed-off finishes. Embraced already by luxury brands like Balenciaga and Gucci, we'll see this look filter down into the mass market, influencing clothing too."
Related: 13 Vintage-Style Floral Dresses That Work for Winter and Spring
Key buys:
Chic chunky sneakers from Stella.
The cult ugly trainer to own.
5. Female Sneakerheads Take Centre Stage
"Female customers will become the priority for many of the big sneaker brands and for the long haul. We're seeing a growing female sneakerhead community emerge, which is driving how product rereleases are engineered, influencing design and a move towards unisex styling. Kicked off by Puma x Fenty, this trend—a huge area of growth—will keep gaining momentum."
Key buys:
Fenty is set to grow, so ensure you snap them up now before they get even more popular (and harder to get ahold of).
Wear these with a dress for an unexpected styling detail. Who knew there were so many wildly different options out there?
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