Trainers have always held a polarising place in fashion. The functional shoe first originated in sporting grounds and gym floors before crossing over into street style uniforms in the latter half of the 20th Century. Unlike other staples that are native to these environments—say leggings, crop tops and emotional support water bottles—trainers are unique in the sense that they have firmly shed this ancestry.
Now, the athletic style has become as commonplace as a pair of sturdy denim jeans or a button-down shirt. But with summer on the horizon, understanding what trainers best suit a season defined by warm weather and balmy temperatures is a different matter entirely. Though the decision to wear trainers is no longer questioned, what should be pondered is the type of trainers most appropriate for a season where bare feet and skin-baring silhouettes reign supreme. And this summer, this predicament is only compounded by the array of summer trainer trends currently proliferating the market.
It’s no longer a simple choice of pledging your allegiance to a specific brand and purchasing the style that speaks to you most. (No, the amount of underrated trainer brands that have reached cult status has made that a simply impossible proposition.) What’s more, trainers themselves have become subject to hybrid mania, meaning that anything from a mesh Mary Jane to a satin ballet flat can don a gum sole or pair of laces and be labelled as a trainer.
More so, on the heels of quite luxury, pun intended, fashion has struck a mood of refined, luxurious and understated silhouettes that hit a nostalgic note. These styles aren’t explicitly discrete, but they’re certainly more pared-back compared to the chunky, dad-esque styles that dominated the latter half of the 2010s.
Speaking on these two major summer trainer trends, Rachel Makar, senior director of merchandising at StockX, tells me that “both directions are actually responding to the same underlying consumer desire—which is to wear something that feels intentional and a little unexpected.” Continuing, she explains that “these trends are really just different expressions of the same shift away from safe, predictable footwear.”
So, whether you know the latest designer sportswear collaboration to covet or are simply looking for something functional to pair with your cotton dresses and linen skirts this season, scroll through for the expert-approved summer trainer trends that’ll define 2026.
The 6 Biggest Summer Trainer Trends for 2026
1. Sheer Bliss
Style Notes: Consider this the trainer version of a cashmere sweater from Lisa Yang, a leather bag from The Row or a crisp white t-shirt from Leset, but mesh trainers are here to fill the stealth wealth gap you’ve been looking for in your footwear arsenal. With an incredibly sleek shape, these wispy trainers are ideal for summer weather, thanks to the airy and delicate sheer panels that allow for a lighter movement. London-based brand Dear Frances first pioneered the trend—and is now offering iterations trimmed with baby blue suede and buttery yellow nappa leather—with others swiftly following suit. Pair with satin shorts to silky tank tops to lean into the everyday opulence this style provides.
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This delicious colourway will add a soft depth to any ensemble you'd typically wear black shoes—think loafers and ballet flats—with.
One of the most underrated trainer brands.
If wearing sheer mesh is slightly too sensual for you, try this netted option from Chloé.
2. There's Something About Mary...
Style Notes: There’s something about Mary…Janes. Whilst the signature strap might ricochet you back to preschool days, style savants like Jane Birkin and Alexa Chung have proven that this kinder chic silhouette shouldn’t just be synonymous with stylish toddlers and porcelain dolls. Though once exclusively thought of in stiff leather and soft velveteen formats from brands like Le Monde Beryl and Flabelus, this shoe style is now being rendered in all manner of ways. From Wales Bonner’s signature Jewel trainers, which feature a sturdy Vibram sole, velcro strap and soft toe shape, to strap on, Tabi-esque Nike Air Rift, Mary Jane trainers are certainly a perfect way to balance the breeziness of the season with elevated practicality. This is something Makar has observed, too, telling me that “for summer specifically, Mary Jane-inspired styles are still having a moment, with trades up more than 300% year-over-year on our platform.”
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Dancers amongst us might recognise this shoe's similarity to the infamous chunky jazz shoes, but these genuinely look so avant-garde.
Off-duty ease has never looked so covetable.
Another Chloé iteration to lust over.
3. Slim Pickins
Style Notes: The current sentiment for summer trainer trends is certainly a retro revival, where minimal, slim-line and low-cut profiles reign supreme. For the uninitiated, these are shapes that take inspiration from the track and field styles that dominated in the '70s, '80s and '90s, offering a sleek and clean-cut shape that feels like an archival runner. According to Makar, these shapes, which are quickly becoming signatures at designer labels like Dries Van Noten, Maison Margiela and Jacquemus, will continue to dominate this season. “What's most exciting is how much range there is within that — from classic shapes to more expressive designs,” she adds, noting that the “low-profile wave taps into a cultural pull toward nostalgia and authenticity”. “These are styles that carry history and feel like a statement without trying too hard.”
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These look like a derby, but have the utility of a trainer.
A fashion insider's favourite.
The slightly inflated exterior brings an elegant ease to this style.
4. Glossed Up
Style Notes: Satin is a fabric that really steals the spotlight in summer. Its inherent sheen brings a pearlescent touch to ensembles, invoking a metallic image of light dancing on the surface of a body of liquid. Of course, with the material used so widely in boudoir-to-cocktail-bar staples like slip skirts, camisoles and negligees, it’s only fitting that satin trainers should serve to fill the gap in wardrobes looking for a more feminine touch. Better still, they’ll make an ideal substitute for those amongst us clinically attached to their ballet flats and are after a shoe with a little more stability.
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You'll truly forget you're wearing trainers with this polished square-toe pair.
From the satin texture to the elasticated finish, this pair looks like it stepped right off the runway.
These are the chicest Speedcats currently available.
5. Higher Ground
Style Notes: Is it a trainer? No! Is it a wedge? Wrong again! Is it a viral wedge-trainer hybrid first pioneered by Isabel Marant all the way back in 2011? Right you are. This creative concoction might’ve earned the ire of fashion insiders—in fact, the French fashion designer described in an interview with The Cut that some of her harshest critics called it “vulgar”—but if that data is any indication, the trend is back for good. Sneaker wedges are emerging as a key summer trainer trend, Makar explains. “The Puma Speedcat Wedge specifically has already clocked more than 1,000 sales in 2026 alone, which tells us this somewhat divisive trend might be translating into real consumer demand.” Speaking about the general appeal of these polarising mash-ups, Makar adds that the “hybrid and extreme silhouettes appeal to a younger generation that's actively seeking out pieces that spark a reaction”, so don’t be surprised if you get a few head turns whilst wearing these.
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The inimitable original.
The modern must-have.
Some of the coolest dressers are wearing these with their jeans tucked into the high-top.
6. No Strings Attached
Style Notes: Fusing both hybrid tropes and archival-inspired shapes are slip-on, loafer-esque trainers. Of course, Vans are a classic example of this shoe, and according to Makar, a brand that's primed for a comeback. “Vans is the brand I keep coming back to when I think about what's resonating right now,” she said. Sales are up more than 200% year-over-year on StockX, average resale prices are up 73%, and it's now a top 15 most-searched brand on our platform in 2026—which is a significant signal.” For a similar impact, opt for a style that's sans laces, easy to slide into and underscored with a sort of skater ease.
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Even Jennifer Lawrence and Zoë Kravitz are fans of this style.
No back? No worries.
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Meet The Experts
Rachel Makar is the Senior Director of Merchandising at StockX, where she oversees category growth and expansion. She has over 15 years of experience in buying and merchandising, with an extensive background in both luxury and streetwear, encompassing footwear, apparel, and accessories. Rachel also has a personal passion for street culture and luxury fashion and has been collecting sneakers and handbags for over 20 years.