While there are numerous eye-catching shoe designs to choose from, including ballet flats, clogs, block heels, wedges, loafers, and wellies, sneakers will always be at the top of the list. What’s the reason? They go great with everything, from casual athleisure to polished, office-ready looks. This flexible style also ebbs and flows with the seasons, so expect to see more vibrant, happy details when the weather warms up—complete with modern touches like suede, metallics, and nostalgic callbacks. Are you ready to refresh your kicks? Continue reading for the top summer shoe trends to try in 2025, with stylist tips.
1. Color Pops Galore
The world becomes more vibrant with the warm weather, and so should your footwear. “This summer, we’re going to see neutrals take a backseat,” says Kyla Flax, head of styling at Anthropologie. “Bold and vivid sneakers are emerging as the season’s must-have statement piece. To add energy to your outfits, wear them with a breezy sundress or wide-leg jeans.
While any color is appropriate, NYC-based fashion stylist Audree Kate López predicts that bright colors will be increasingly popular as we approach summer. “So long are the days of the white sneaker—2025 is all about drenching your look with head-to-toe color,” adds the designer. “We’ve seen pops of color the past few years with colorful details, laces, or design, but red, blue, and yellow sneakers are the hot item this year.”
Speaking of laces, Flax encourages us to explore with embellished sneakers. “From charms to new laces, accessorizing your sneakers is a trend we’re going to continue to see alongside bright and funky colorways,” she tells me. “Sneakers are getting the accessory treatment with charms, metallic accents, new laces, and unexpected hardware, [all of which are] great to switch up your current favorite pair.”
2. Suede Materials
Suede may appear to be a fall/winter textile, but López and New York-based fashion stylist Brielle Bellew believe that suede sneakers are also a must-have this year for warmer weather. “The suede sneaker is the new kick on the block,” López says. “Suede started trending again in fall 2024, and it’s the perfect spring and summer transitional piece.”
Suede sneakers are now available in a wide variety of colors and styles. While you can’t go wrong with any of them, Sydney Sweeney’s Miu Miu x New Balance 530 SL Suede Sneaker was a style game changer earlier this spring. The shoes were so popular that they’re nearly impossible to obtain. Fortunately, brands including as Steve Madden have designed similar (and more cheap) alternatives.
Regarding the cult-favorite collaboration, “cord laces are everywhere, and I’m very on board,” Bellew says. “The Miu Miu x New Balance 530 SL Suede Sneaker combines Miu Miu’s ultra-chic suede sneakers and hiking cord laces. The collaboration produced an athletic and elevated, yet classic look that I’m adding to my cart.”
3. Gum and Foam Soles
Sometimes it’s about the soles rather than the overall silhouette. “This year’s coolest sneakers are nodding back to the ’80s and ’90s by really focusing in on the soles,” Flax adds, adding that gum and foam soles are a must-have this summer. “An ultra-sleek sneaker like the Puma Speedcats or a thicker, sculpted foam sole like the classic New Balance sneakers are proving it’s all about a retro-meets-modern silhouette.”
4. Retro Slim Silhouette
Speaking of Puma Speedcats, López notes that slender, retro-inspired sneakers are still popular despite making a splash earlier this year. “If you hated the chunky dad sneaker trend the past few years, you’re going to love the super slim sneaker trend,” according to her. Staying faithful to her previous advice,López verifies that Nike Cortez, Puma Speedcat, and Adidas Tokyo silhouettes remain the most popular slim sneaker designs for summer 2025. “There is a slim to almost nonexistent sole or platform, and it’s the perfect contrast to the super-chunky pieces that have been trending the past couple of years,” she tells me.
5. Metallic Sneakers
Shiny, high-end metallic sneakers are still a favorite. López claims that metallic is here to stay and that the all-over silver sneaker is a summertime trend. “Over the past few years, silver jewelry and hardware have become more and more popular, and we’re seeing it with sneakers now—from hardware and accents to all-over metallic.” “It matches everything and looks light and subtle like a white sneaker, but the metallic in sunlight is the perfect pop of fashion,” she says, referring to metallic shoes as the new classic white sneaker for spring and summer.
6. Sporty Mary Janes
Ballet flats and Mary Janes are typically a little dressier than your typical sneaker. But this summer, they’ve paired up with some of our favorite gum soles to create a sophisticated casual silhouette that’s making an appearance on both the runway and the sidewalk.
“The Mary Jane sneaker, which combines a sporty silhouette with just the right amount of elegance, is here to stay this summer, and balletcore is here to stay,” Flax says. We’re seeing these shoes all around right now; they’re a little futuristic and delicate.
López likes the silhouette as well. “If you want to dress up a little or want a more feminine, elevated look, but still want the comfort of a sneaker, ballet flat sneakers are a great option,” she says.
7. Animal Print
At this moment, animal print is almost neutral and is still used everywhere. According to López, “the animal print trend has been led by leopard print, snake print, and tiger and zebra stripes, and it’s the ideal way to add a little personality to your look without committing to a bold color.”
Bellew supports the trend of animal print sneakers as well. “I love animal prints, but if you’re more of a neutral color person, a printed sneaker is a great way to spice up an outfit,” she says.
8. Tech Dad Trainers
The dad hat came first, followed by the dad jeans. These days, it’s tech dad trainers, sometimes known as sports sneakers with Y2K influences. Flax claims that the tech dad sneaker is cool and comfortable and can be used for anything from running errands to the office. “Go full contrast with a silky midi dress and scrunchy socks, or pair the silhouette with athletic wear and a trench.”
9. Ugly-Chic Hiking Shoes
Not to disparage these shoes, but what many formerly deemed unsightly is now unquestionably stylish. In light of this, give way to the hiking shoe that is both ugly and stylish. According to López, “we’re seeing more mixing and matching with high fashion with athletic, outdoor, and blue collar/trades-typical brands.” “It is the ideal fashion oxymoron.”
10. Velcro Closures
The accessible shoe silhouette is nothing short of a cult favorite this spring and summer, even if velcro sneakers haven’t always been in style. Bellew declares, “Get rid of the laces and use velcro instead.” Now that I’ve discovered the silver Silent D Seena Sneakers, I can stop tying my shoes. In addition to being a lot less hassle, I’ve discovered that taking off the laces improves the appearance of regular work.
