Mark my words: the Vans trainer trend is about to take off all over again. How do I know? For one, online marketplace and clothing reseller StockX has reported a remarkable 209% year-on-year increase in Vans sales. And if that wasn't enough, Sofia Richie-Grainge has just stepped out wearing a pair herself.

Spotted during an off-duty outing in L.A., Sofia skipped sandals in favour of a "dated" pair of Vans checkerboard slip-ons. Once the defining trainer trend of the early 2010s, the iconic style is gearing up for a resurgence right now. "Vans is the brand I keep coming back to when I think about what's resonating right now," said Rachel Makar, Senior Director of Merchandising at StockX "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."

Following seasons of changing trainer trends, Vans' classic slip-ons offer familiarity, as well as comfort and styling ease. Whilst Sofia wore hers with relaxed grey track trousers for an understated off-duty look, anyone who wore them during their first wave of popularity will remember just how well they work with straight-leg jeans and denim shorts as well.

If, like me, you're suddenly tempted to revisit this nostalgic trainer, keep scrolling to shop my edit of the best Vans styles below.

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When you think about the 2010s, there’s probably a whole host of things that come to mind. Topshop was in its prime, cracked nail polishes were all the rage and many of us were wearing slip-on Vans. Most often seen in the brand's iconic checkerboard or solid black canvas upper with a gum sole and reinforced toe box, these shoes were on heavy rotation amongst some of your favourite emo boy bands of the decade (think Fall Out Boy, Sum 41 and—brace yourself—Panic! At the Disco) as well as, of course, skaters since their inception in the '70s. But it was the Tumblr-infused "indie sleaze" era that created the trickle-down effect that made these once Avril Lavigne-coded shoes a more readily worn trainer option.

Naturally, with trends moving as fast as they do these days, slip-on Vans are creeping back into favour as quickly as they fell out of it towards the end of the 2010s. How do I know we’re due for a Vans renaissance? Well, we’ve all been aware of an indie sleaze comeback for some time; the Alexander McQueen skull-print scarf was worn by Charli XCX when headlining Glastonbury, the Napoleon jacket has started appearing again and skinny jeans are making their way back to the mainstream. But it wasn’t until the coolest member of the Who What Wear UK team said she felt they were about to make a comeback that I started to notice some of my favourite influencers wearing them with jeans, replacing some other go-to trainer styles like the Adidas Samba.

Vans even had a presence at Milan Fashion Week. During Alessandro Michele’s autumn/winter 2025 show (his second for Valentino), alongside pussy bows and navy, satin, shearling-trimmed jackets, pairs of chilli-red Vans sloped down the runway. However, let's be honest: in recent years, high-fashion collaborations with streetwear brands have become a dime a dozen (Adidas x Wales Bonner, Nike x Jacquemus, Nike x Sacai… the list goes on), so I wouldn’t blame you if it bypassed you that these shoes were on the up.

Furthermore, Zoë Kravitz, queen of the cool-girl capsule wardrobe, also has a pair in her collection, as do Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski. With the style breaking out on Google yesterday and searches up 195% year-on-year on Depop, it's clear that the social shift towards a deliberately undone, slightly grungy attitude is shining through in the best way.

Whether paired with winter whites, offset with khaki trousers or finished with your favourite pair of jeans, these shoes lend a timeless nostalgia which still feels a little cool. If you’re looking to dive into the trend or are just curious to see the colourways that are popular now, keep scrolling for the coolest checkerboard slip-on Vans to choose from.

Shop the Vans Checkerboard Slip-On Trainer Trend

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I have an admission, I'm now the proud owner of a cap. Hardly a groundbreaking statement, I know, but long-term readers may know my penchant for overdressing for the simplest of venues. You might be wondering what that has to do with trainers but you could say I've (somewhat) succumbed to the appeal of practicality at the ripe age of thirty-two and I think that my two-piece trainer collection may just follow suit. Despite French women's style being synonymous with dressing up and uniforms comprising jeans, wrap dresses and heels, it also centres on a practical approach to style.

Contrary to popular belief, the Parisian women I see day-to-day aren't always clad in the fanciest pieces, especially not when tending to errands—like frequenting markets or making a beeline for the morning's takeaway espresso. Instead, they often wear practical, easy-to-replicate outfits and trainers are a huge part of the uniform. Biking is a common mode of transport here and many French women I know cycle to and from the office in trainers. Their suave wardrobes encompass trainer outfits, and they are able to incorporate them into classic looks with little to no effort.

The popular trainer choices are streamlined and classic - Adidas Sambas and Gazelles, Vans, Converse and Veja being another well-loved European brand. Colour pallets usually lean towards neutral tones—spanning ecru to grey and plenty of black and white, of course. For ways to wear trainers with ease and sophistication this autumn, continue reading for six ways to elevate trainers.

See My Favourite French Women Trainer Outfits:

1. Baseball Cap + Navy Blazer + Straight-Leg Jeans

Style Notes: Trust French women to make a simple jeans and sweatshirt look chic. To get the look, simple add sunnies and a blazer, and opt for a dark wash denim as opposed to lighter hues.

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2. Red Jumper + Blazer + Leggings

Style Notes: Many of us assume French women's style is synonymous with muted colourways but I've noticed first-hand how much they appreciate pops of colour. I love the juxtaposition of cherry hues with ecru trainers. The addition of socks loans a sports luxe feel.

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3. Navy Jumper + Black Jeans + Vans

Style Notes: This gorgeous look is incredibly refined and oozes the simplicity that French style is most commonly associated with. You'll likely find these individual components in your wardrobe and to elevate dark tones add an accessory in a saturated hue. For outerwear, I'd recommend a camel trench.

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4. Knitted Dress + Monochrome Trainers

Style Notes: A knitted maxi dress paired with trainers is a fail-safe outfit combo come early autumn. Perfect for the weekend, work or a lunch date, it is equal parts comfortable and chic.

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5. Wide-Leg Trousers + Cropped Jacket + Tee

Style Notes: It's not just jeans French women pair their favourite trainers with, wide-leg trousers are also a solid option.

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6. Blazer + Shorts + New Balances

Style Notes: The striped shorts trends took over summer 2024. For those early autumn days when its not too chilly, simply throw on an oversized blazer and pair with your comfy new balance trainers for a chic 'off-duty model' look.

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As the original influencers, celebrities are a tried-and-true source of style inspiration. From Jennifer Lawrence's long-standing relationship with Dior to Laura Harrier and Hailey Bieber's ties to Saint Laurent, celebrities are the ones with major designer partnerships. They're also the people photographed most frequently, allowing us to discover a new look almost daily. Look up your favourite celebrity if you need help picking out an outfit. Nine times out of ten, they'll have worn something you can mimic.

There's only one problem: Rarely do they wear pieces that the average person can buy on a whim, with so many of their wardrobe items being hard to find and costing a small fortune. On occasion, though, even the celeb set can't resist a pair of £150 trainers or a £30 tee, providing us with an opportunity to re-create their looks to a T without breaking the bank. Below, find all the under-£200 items that chic celebs like Sofia Richie Grainge and Kendall Jenner wear repeatedly. 

1. Sofia Richie

Style Notes: Last month, newlywed Richie was spotted in Los Angeles wearing an easy summer outfit that included a tote bag from The Row, Loewe sneakers, and the £98 white Re/Done T-shirt that fashion editors swear by. 

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2. Laura Harrier

Style Notes: For Khaite's spring/summer 2023 runway show during New York Fashion Week, Harrier wore a casual combo of a white tee, light-wash jeans, a Khaite leather jacket, and the £130 viral New Balance 550s that have been selling out like crazy for the last two years but are available online. 

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3. Hailey Bieber

Style Notes: While in New York City, Hailey Bieber paired white low-rise Bermuda shorts from Loulou Studio, fisherman sandals from The Row, and a Bottega Veneta bag with the same cropped Leset tee that she's worn on countless occasions already this summer. 

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4. Kendall Jenner

Style Notes: Though this photo was taken outside a Whole Foods in 2022, it's hardly the only occasion when Kendall Jenner was seen wearing Adidas Sambas. She's frequently been spotted wearing this sneaker style for years. And she's not alone—these trainers have been everywhere for months. 

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5. Jennifer Lawrence

Style Notes: Speaking of Lawrence, the No Hard Feelings actress was spotted in New York City wearing not one, but two under-£200 items: Ray-Ban's classic Wayfarers and a satin Jennifer Behr headband. 

Shop Lawrence's sunglasses:

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6. Emily Ratajkowski

Style Notes: Emily Ratajkowski is the queen of affordable-sneaker street style, always opting for Vans, Supergas, and Adidas for her regular strolls through New York City. Comfort is key, after all. Her most price-effective pair is this simple white style from Vans, which you can get for under £60. 

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Up Next, I'm a Shopping Editor—Here's Everything I've Added to My Basket for Summer

Trainer trends come and go, but the one style that lasts forever is white sneakers. Just ask Jennifer Lawrence, a street style savant rarely seen on the streets of New York without some iteration of ivory Adidas shoes, be it the classic Sambas or more sculpting Tokyo styles. Or Kendall Jenner, who is regularly spotted ducking out of Pilates classes in West Hollywood wearing a rotation of soft-as-snow Nike V2K sneakers and court-ready Asics Gel-Kayano 14 sneakers.

Bridging the gap between the biggest trainer trends of 2025—suede variations, metallic accents and charm details—the best white trainers for women are those that have stood the test of time and proven that, regardless of the current mode, these are the trainers that are in fashion now and forever. "White trainers feel modern and intentional, no matter what look they are paired with," explains Jamie Nelson the founder and creative director of Nelson Made, a Melbourne-based premium footwear brand. "They act as a neutral anchor - timeless, versatile, and endlessly wearable," she adds.

Indeed, the best white sneakers for women are those that work with everything, serving as a blank canvas for an array of looks and occasions. These include, but are not limited to, tramping to the office on your daily commute, layering under a floral dress for a chic but concise errands run, ducking to brunch after your morning gym class and even dressing down jeans and a nice top when heading out to dinner.

You see, white sneakers do more than supply comfort and arch support. Like the perfect white t-shirt, this stark shoe adds an element of refined simplicity that is unparalleled by other footwear options. They’re also an anchor point for your looks, making minimal outfits all the more expensive and thoughtful.

In a world where sophisticated simplicity is more relevant than ever, white sneakers’ place in fashion has never been so esteemed. Nelson echoes this statement, adding that white trainers "offer a blank canvas for interpretation and feel refined and contemporary."

And yes, it’s sometimes hard to shake the basic connotations associated with white sneakers, but consider them as a sort of market of fashion cache. If battered and worn with an oversized trench coat à la the Olsen Twins, they indicate a sort of cool carelessness like Mary-Kate’s bashed-up Balenciaga City bag. If polished and crisp, then these white sneakers imply a sense of elegance and polish.

Yet, with so many brands and styles available, how to separate the best white sneakers for women from the bland? Considering timelessness and trendiness, factoring in how sought after a style is versus whether it’s a sleeper hit and weighing up how comfortable they actually are—this is the defining quality of a good trainers, after all—I traced through the top styles to determine what pairs are the definitive best white sneakers for women in 2026.

I consulted Nelson before I cranked up my step count in these covetable styles. She told me, “A good trainer should feel soft and flexible from the first wear,” continuing, “Materials matter. Premium leather ages better and holds its shape, while slim soles and a low profile help make the look.”

"Softer leathers, slimmer soles, and minimal branding help white trainers feel relevant and wearable rather than technical," Nelson adds. "A slightly rounded toe or subtle vintage influence can also freshen the style."

From the Puma Speedcats everyone can’t stop wearing to the Salomon XT6 trainers used more for pub crawls than hiking trails, keep scrolling through to uncover the best white sneakers of 2026.

The 13 Best White Sneakers for Women

• The Best White Sneakers for Women: Adidas Sambas, £95
• The Best Luxury White Sneakers: Miu Miu x New Balance 530 SL Trainers, £850
• The Best High-Street White Sneakers: H&M White Trainers, £27.99
• The Best Leather White Sneakers:
• The Best White Sneakers to Wear With Dresses:

1. Adidas Samba Trainers

2. Salomon XT-6 Trainers

3. Toteme Sport Trainers

4. Puma Speedcat Trainers

5. New Balance 530 Trainers

6. Adidas Taekwondo Trainers

7. Chloé Kick Suede-Trimmed Leather Sneakers

8. Miu Miu x New Balance 530 SL Trainers

9. Prada Leather Trainers

10. Adidas Tokyo Trainers

11. Loewe Flow Trainers

12. H&M Trainers

13. Dries Van Noten Trainers

Shop More White Trainers Approved By Who What Wear UK Editors:

14. Nelson Made Lyn Sneaker

15. Zara Contrast Ballerina Trainers

16. Asics Gel-Kayano Trainers

17. New Balance 1906R Trainers

18. Veja Campo Trainers

19. Reebok Club C Trainers

20. Vans Authentic Trainers

21. Converse Chuck Taylor Trailers

22. Saint Laurent Court Trainers

23. Isabel Marant Beth Trainers

24. Superga 2750 Trainers

25. Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 Trainers

26. Nike Shox TI Trainers

27. Adidas Japan Trainers

Not just any celebrity has the power to single-handedly kick-start a trend, but if anyone can do it, it's Mary-Kate (and Ashley, too) Olsen. Whether it's because of her former acting career, her role as one-half of arguably every fashion person's favourite luxury brand The Row or her overall untouchable and effortless air, we'll do anything and wear anything that she does—no questions asked. So when the designer was spotted on Monday wearing a pair of black OG slip-ons from Vans, you know damn well that we ran (not walked) to every store that carries the £52 style to snatch up a pair of our own. 

Olsen, who was photographed getting into a car in New York City, paired her slip-on trainers with slouchy gray trousers, an electric-blue scarf, a camel-coloured beanie, and a floor-length velvet coat—four items that are now also at the top of our wardrobe wish lists for 2022. Making the classic footwear even more enticing, though, is the fact that this isn't even the first time that Olsen's worn them. She was seen in the clearly worn style back in October, paired with black trousers and a cream, knee-length coat. This should be all the proof you need to press "Add to Basket."

Scroll on to see how Olsen styled the £52 trainers that are on their way to selling out. 

On Mary-Kate Olsen: Vans Classic Slip-On Trainers (£52)

Shop Mary-Kate Olsen's Vans Slip-Ons

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Next up: 34 Simple Spring Pieces Guaranteed to Freshen Up Your Wardrobe

What do you get when you mix a cult sneaker brand and one of the most famous painters of all time? The new Vans x Van Gogh Museum collaboration, naturally. The SoCal staple has teamed up with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, resulting in a covetable collection of five artsy sneakers, as well as T-shirts, outerwear, and hats. If you want to get your hands on the collab, you might want to act quickly: Almost all of the sizes are already selling out.

“We are delighted with the Vans x Van Gogh Museum collection, as it ties in with our mission to make the life and work of Vincent van Gogh accessible to as many people as possible in order to enrich and inspire them,” Adriaan Dönszelmann, managing director of the Van Gogh Museum, said in a statement. Scroll down to see the new sneakers for yourself.

Our love for classic white Stan Smith sneakers from Adidas knows no bounds, but variety is the spice of life—and no more so than for fashion-loving shopping gurus like us. With sneakers a quotidian part of chic lives (and every other brand in the world seeing the success these retro-but-oh-so-simple kicks have had), it's no great surprise that there's been a sharp increase in chic white sneaks hitting shop floors. Would it be so bad to own a separate pair for every day of the week?

New trainer labels arrive on a weekly basis (our current fresh fix is Rombaut, an Italian artisanal brand), and we've noticed a crop of as-yet-unseen silhouettes have landed for summer. So scroll down to see and shop the white trainers that could lure us out of our most trusted lace-ups…

Related: Parisian Style 2.0: Meet the New French Brands on Our Radar

There’s something a little exciting about seeing your favourite celebrities at Disneyland, among the masses, trying to blend in (although often with a tour guide and multiple bodyguards in tow). Given they’re at the happiest place on earth, they usually look pretty darn happy—and, more often than not, they have Minnie Mouse ears in place. So in the spirit of summer, we thought it a good time to present to you the very best outfits spotted on stylish celebs at Disneyland, and how to re-create them yourself. Word to the wise: We advise leaving the mouse ears at home, unless you’re actually going to Disneyland. In which case, lucky you!

Scroll down to see the Disneyland-inspired off-duty outfit ideas and to shop the looks!

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Eugenia Kim Elyse 3 Hat ($170)

Bare Collection 11 Leaves Flutter Drop Necklace ($531) in Gold

IRO Jeffery Jacket ($642)

Adriano Goldschmied Deep Low Back Cami ($80) in Pale Moon

Vince Camuto Louise Clutch ($148) in Putty

Celia de Flers Large Wishbone Bangle ($240) in Rhodium Plated

Celia de Flers Large Wishbone Bangle ($240) in Rose Gold Plated

Celia de Flers Large Wishbone Bangle ($240) in Gold Plated

Armani Exchange Faux Leather Jogger Pants ($118) in Black

Vans Chambray Authentic Lo Pro Shoes ($55) in Black