I Thought Trainers Were "Boring"—These 5 Celebrity Outfits Proved Me Very Wrong

Having recently refreshed my summer wardrobe, I realised one piece had quietly begun to gather dust in the back of my closet: my trainers. As a Gen Z fashion editor, this fact almost feels unthinkable. Not too long ago, a stylish pair of trainers was the focal point of every outfit I created, but in recent months, my enthusiasm has begun to wane. At university, it was either a beaten-up pair of Nike Air Force 1s or Comme des Garçons Converse. Whether styled with a pretty broderie anglaise dress or a pair of straight-leg jeans, barely a day would pass when I wasn't sporting either of these pairs. Fast forward to today, and I couldn't tell you the last time I slipped on a pair of sneakers.

What I've always loved about trainers is their ability to bridge the gap between function and style. For years, the idea that "beauty is pain" was one women everywhere subscribed to (see stilettos!). But the meteoric rise of trainers changed all of that, and looking stylish no longer meant sacrificing comfort. In need of some fresh inspo (it had been a while since I took my trainers for a spin), I looked to the chicest celebrities to help me revive them.

With money, stylists and an insider's look at upcoming trends at their disposal, these celebs know how to make everything look chic. So whether they’re styling trainers with vintage-inspired athleisure or French-style cuffed jeans, there are a few tips and tricks they’re using to keep trainers feeling fresh and current in summer 2026. Scroll to see the five outfits with trainers I'll be copying.

1. Alexa Chung

Style Notes: Is there anyone as stylish as Alexa Chung? Using her Balenciaga trainers to add a gritty edge to her whimsical lace-trim midi skirt and loose white T-shirt, the unconventional pairing is exactly the kind she's known for. I especially love how she’s tied a jumper over her shoulders in case the weather takes a turn.

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2. Iris Law

Style Notes: I’m yet to find a trend Iris Law can’t convince me of, and this recent summer outfit has just sold me on retro-style trainers for the interim. Using her footwear to sprinkle a touch of personality (and colour) into her look, her graphic tee and distressed miniskirt look far more fashion-forward when offset by the eye-catching hues of her Nike Air Force.

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3. Tracee Ellis Ross

Style Notes: Stop scrolling! Tracee Ellis Ross' summer wardrobe is worthy of your full attention. Surprisingly, trainers are amongst her most worn pieces, and using a pair of Asics Gel-1130 sneakers to ground an otherwise simple look, she proves that practicality and polish can go hand in hand. Adding a pair of casually cuffed jeans and a classic white T-shirt keeps things effortless.

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4. Elsa Hosk

Style Notes: Aside from convincing me that butter yellow is a neutral, Elsa Hosk’s recent trainer look is one I’m pinning for a casual day. Styling a sumptuously soft cashmere jumper-and-shorts set with low-profile suede trainers, this outfit is a lesson in wearable colour drenching.

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5. Bella Hadid

Style Notes: When she's not being bucked around at a rodeo or dominating the runway, Bella Hadid is proving just how stylish trainers can be come summer. As a connoisseur of vintage fashion, her athletic look feels straight out of the Prada Sport spring/summer 1999 show (exactly where it debuted). Finishing the look with sleek hair and a metallic pair of Puma Speedcats, it's every bit the It-girl 'fit.

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