Be honest with me—how many pairs of trainers are currently lined up in your wardrobe? The gym pair, the battered runners you actually run in, the sneakers you throw on for a quick shop run… and then, of course, your best fashion trainers. You know the ones: the box-fresh styles you reach for when styling everything from floaty dresses to jeans, the sleek all-white leather pair that solves every smart-casual dilemma, and the nostalgic kicks you’ve clung to since your teenage years (thankfully, Converse are trending once again).
And yet, despite this rotation, you’re still wondering what the best trainers for women are right now. And, importantly, which ones should we be investing in for the autumn/winter season? Much like denim, trainers sit in that rare category of wardrobe staples that move in slow but steady trend cycles—shifting just enough to refresh your look, but never so drastically that they fall out of favour. So, in the theme of keeping things autumnal, you may want to swap out those bright white kicks for a trending brown shade or perhaps a chic suede. Both of which have been spied across the street style set at New York, London, Milan and Paris.
Now, in the theme of honesty, my own trainer tally currently sits at 12. Among them: a cow-print style from Nicki Hoyne, a silver Adidas pair softened perfectly with wear, and a brown suede Dries Van Noten style—the perfect autumn trainer, I would say. While my fellow Marie Claire fashion editor Clementina Jackson has nabbed the ever-popular yellow Onitsuka Tigers, as well as yet another silver pair (it seems we have a theme). So, between us—and years of trainer investments—we’ve compiled a considered edit of the best women’s trainers to buy now.
The Best Trainers To Invest In Now
The trending trainers
Kicking off with what everyone wants to know—the trainers that are in fashion right now—and it's a mix of cult classics and new contenders. Salomons have become the trainer du jour for every cool girl, with its once-functional hiking shoe now firmly cemented in the wardrobes (and coffee shops) of East London’s coolest dressers. Clementina’s bright yellow Kill Bill–esque Onitsuka Tigers are still drawing plenty of attention, proving their staying power beyond the initial hype. And Loewe's Flow Runners have been getting plenty of air time across current fashion weeks.
Why we love them: Functional and fashionable, Salomon trainers add a tougher edge to any outfit.
Size range: 3.5-9
Colours: Taupe/multi.
Why we love them: An eye-catching pair of trainers can elevate any outfit in an instant, and these ones are particularly comfortable.
Size range: 3-13
Colours: Yellow, black, cream, and many more.
Why we love them: You'll spot these Loewe runners on some of the most stylish of feet come Fashion Week and the vibrant shades make for a standout accessory.
Size range: 3-9
Colours: Leaf green, bright pink, bright blue.
The brown trainers
Ask our junior shopping editor Amelia Yeomans about the chicest trainers for autumn and she'll swiftly point you in the direction of brown shades. Both polished and practical, they bring a warm-toned element to any outfit and are much easier to style than you may at first think. Just take a look at her guide to the best brown trainers to buy for extra inspo.
Why we love them: Perfectly polished, consider these Prada runners your go-to for smart-casual dress codes.
Size range: 2.5-9.5.
Colours: Cocoa brown, pumice stone.
Why we love them: Just as it has chic fashion finds, Zara's trainer selection is always worth scrolling.
Size range: 2-9.
Colours: Brown.
Why we love them: Wales Bonner's Adidas collab is a regular sell-out—I should know, I managed to nab a brown leather pair last season—and this brown suede style is sure to catch the eye of many a fashion fan.
Size range: 3-10.
Colours: Brown.
The vintage-inspired trainers
Vintage-inspired trainers are having a moment, not only because we're in love with the retro look, but because the most popular trainer brands are bringing back crowd favourites from years gone by. My current go-to? A burgundy Adidas Samba which I styled with a colour-coordinating suit for Paris Fashion Week—smart casual dressing at its finest.
Why we love them: With their vast colour range, sleek retro shape and comfortable fit, it's no surprise the Adidas Samba has been a real fan-favourite since 1949.
Size range: 3.5-9
Colours: Unlimited colour choice.
Why we love them: Nike Cortez have long been a fashion fan favourite and they come in a huge range of colours.
Size range: 3.5-11.5
Colours: Chocolate, pink , blue, dark olive, and many more.
Why we love them: Rihanna was recently spotted in these Puma Speedcats, and if they're good enough for her, they're good enough for us.
Size range: 3-8
Colours: Brown, red, black, dark blue.
The luxury trainers
Luxury label trainers are now as recognisable as each brand's best-selling bag, with each famous fashion house vying for our attention. While personal preference of both look and label are key in this category, the current luxury trainers in pole position are Louis Vuitton's Sneakerinas, any Miu Miu style, since the brand's collab with New Balance became a bestseller, and
Why we love them: Bottega Venetta's new season suede trainers are exceptionally chic.
Size range: 2-9.
Colours: Barolo, chocolate.
Why we love them: Part trainer part ballet flat, the Louis Vuitton Sneakerina are the trainers for the more fashion forward, and we've started to spy them all over the front row.
Size range: 2-8
Colours: Brown, camel.
Why we love them: The Miu Miu x New Balance collab may be incredibly hard to track down, but the brand's own styles are just as sleek—especially this contrasting snake print pair.
Size range: 1-9
Colours: Slate grey, red, cloudy grey, pineapple yellow, and dark brown.
The suede trainers
While suede may not be the most practical of fabrics—it's famously bad when in contact with water—it is certainly chic, especially for autumn. Case in point: Dries Van Noten's near sell-out suede trainers that have been spied on the feet of many a street styler—my own included. Just be sure to check the forecast before you step outside.
Why we love them: Dries Van Noten's chic suede trainers are a fashion fan favourite. Just be prepared to give them a little TLC in wet weather.
Size range: 2-7.
Colours: Tan, red, lilac, and black.
Why we love them: These sleek Cos suede trainers take clear inspiration from a more luxury label.
Size range: 3-9.
Colours: Crimson, cognac, black and six more.
Why we love them: Gola's Torpedo trainers could fall into a number of these trending categories: suede, retro, and statement.
Size range: 3-8.
Colours: Navy, red.
The minimalist trainers
Everyone should own a clean white trainer in their collection. Not only is it the easiest option to style (unless you solely wear all-black outfits), but their minimalist nature means they work for every occasion, slipping effortlessly into that smart-casual dress code.
Why we love them: This exact pair of Superga trainers are included in my own collection and I'm yet to find an outfit they don't work with.
Size range: 2.5-11
Colours: White, black, violet.
Why we love them: Every cool girl owns a pair of Veja trainers—I have three—making the minimalist style a great investment. Although, just note, they take a little while to break in.
Size range: 3-8
Colours: White.
Why we love them: The Adidas Stan Smith needs little introduction, earning a place in the trainer hall of fame since 1965.
Size range: 3-20
Colours: White/green, white/blue, black, white.
The statement trainers
Statement trainers or fashion trainers are often the pairs that we don't wear everyday. Just like a statement bag or piece of jewellery, they're an item we call on to elevate an outfit, whether it's livening up a classic T-shirt and jeans or a simple midi dress. My own collection includes three pairs: a cow print, these green Adidas suede set, and a brown leather snakeskin style, all equally fashion-forward yet more comfortable than a heel.
Why we love them: These are by far the most comfortable fashion trainers I own and the green colour works with more looks that you might at first think.
Size range: 3.5-9
Colours: Green.
Why we love them: Silver trainers are a trending style for good reason, pair them with everything from jeans to dresses and even a sharp suit.
Size range: 3.5-8
Colours: Silver.
Why we love them: Sneakerinas have been slowly cropping up across fashion circles, but Ecco is the OG of the lace-up design
Size range: 2.5-9.5.
Colours: Red, grey, black.
The sports trainers
A handful of trainer trends have come through in recent years all stemming from the classic sporty style of sneakers: the dad trainer, the chunky trainer, and the runner. So, if comfort is your core focus, this is the category to cop. Although, running gear isn't all this trainer style works with—skirts, suits and jeans are no longer off limits.
Why we love them: On is one of the top sports trainers for athletes and fashion fans alike with cloudlike comfort and a chic colour range. This style puts a sharp focus on stability and control, making them a great choice for anyone after a little extra support.
Size range: 3-9
Colours: Ivory, raindrop, white, black.
Why we love them: The much-loved New Balance 530's will not only make your outfit feel instantly cooler but will also come in handy when sprinting for the bus.
Size range: 3.5-10.5
Colours: White, sea salt, pearl grey, raincloud.
Why we love them: Similarly to Salomons, Asics have also transcended the outdoor world to become a key coffee shop staple. You'll find the coolest of women wearing them with lace maxi skirts and an oversized shirt.
Size range: 3-10
Colours: Cream, white, biege, and more.
The animal print trainers
Animal print accessories were a key focus of the Autumn/Winter 25 runways with everyone from Prada to Bottega Veneta stepping into the style, so it's no surprise the trend has seeped into trainers, too. Consider this your sign to take a walk on the wild side.
Why we love them: Zebra print is slowly creeping into fashion circles becoming a much-loved alternative to the classic leopard.
Size range: 3-7.5
Colours: Zebra.
Why we love them: The Adidas Japan sneakers are a real fan-favourite and the new snake print is already trending.
Size range: 3-13.5
Colours: Too many to count.
Why we love them: Autry trainers have quickly become one of the most popular sneaker brands on Net-a-Porter, and this spotted style is a standout
Size range: 3-9
Colours: Animal print.
How to style fashion trainers
The key to styling fashion trainers is to rid everything you think you know about trainers from your mind. Gone are the days of styling them solely with leggings and jeans. Now, we're weaving trainers into every aspect of our wardrobe—pairing them with lace skirts, mini dresses, and even colourful co-ords. The more formal-fitting styles can even be worn with suits and blazers. No outfit is really off the cards.
How we curated our best trainer edit
As two longterm trainer lovers and fashion editors, Clementina and I dug into our own archive of trainer buys to build this edit as well as always keeping a sharp eye on street style snaps. If we don't have a pair in our own collections, we've spied them on a fashionable face (or I should sat feet) who does.
