7 Elevated Leather-Trainer Outfits to Wear in 2026

I have a long history with trainers. A staple of my capsule wardrobe for over a decade, as I’ve grown up (and my tastes have somewhat refined), all of a sudden, some styles feel a little passé, and I find myself not wearing them as much. Whereas once I would’ve tapped a pair of trainers for a cool-girl edge, lately, I’ve been choosing buckled biker boots instead. Or when offsetting my loosest pair of jeans, flat-soled loafers add the elevation I started to feel my favourite sneakers lacked. Needless to say, outfits with leather trainers were absent from my rotation for a while.

However, when I recently spotted Who What Wear UK’s senior shopping editor, Marina Avram, in her silver Onitsuka Tigers, I started to rethink things. Having overlooked trainers for a while, I’d forgotten how functional, undeniably comfortable and, most importantly, elevated they can be. But seeing her wearing her metallic sneakers with a cosy cashmere cardigan, barrel-leg jeans and a suede tote bag had all my previous feelings about trainers flooding back.

With bolder, fresher shapes flooding the runways (and the streets) now, trainer trends feel quite exciting as we head into 2026. From chilli-red checkerboard Vans at Valentino to suede taupe slimline styles at Dries van Noten, designers are looking to nostalgic colourways and retro designs for spring/summer 2026.

With trainers, it’s all about the silhouette. The ones popular now fall into two camps: the hyper-functional and the nostalgic (a few pairs fall into both!). With aesthetics and trends moving faster than you can say “Onitsuka Tiger“, sometimes the pairs we choose don’t end up doing our outfits justice. However, regardless of shape, leather trainers have an innate timelessness which supersedes other, more trend-led styles.

The next wave of trainers is less about overhyped brands and flashy logos and is instead focused on how we live in our shoes. From hiking-approved gorpcore trainers to sneakerina styles (the former being characteristically supportive and the latter a sporty version of a ballet flat), all coming through, the shift towards functionality and style in equal measure is more prominent than ever. In the other camp, with nostalgia on the rise, the renewed appreciation of iconic styles such as Isabel Marant‘s wedge trainers feels exciting as we head into 2026.

Naturally, these styles have all been signed off by some of our favourite stylish A-listers. From Jennifer Lawrence making a strong case for both Salomons and Adidas Tokyo, to Kendall Jenner proving that silver trainers are one of the coolest pairs to own, outfits with leather trainers will be everywhere as we slip into the new year.

Scroll to discover the seven leather-trainers outfits to re-create in 2026.

7 Leather-Trainers Outfits to Wear in 2026

1. Gorpcore Trainers + High-Neck V-neck + Jeans

Style Notes: Functionality and style have never blended better than in the gorpcore trend. From the Salomon XT-6 to the On Cloudrock, there has yet to be a trainer trend more popular with Hypebeast types than those which are hiking-adjacent. Adding a touch of utilitarianism to your attire, Lucy Williams (pictured above) proves they can balance your outfit with ease. Hugely practical, they make her city-ready combination of jeans, V-neck jumper and waisted plaid shirt look perfectly in place amongst the brambles and trees of her wilderness outing.

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2. Retro Trainers + Cord Trousers + Printed Jacket

Style Notes: Ever since the launch of the Miu Miu x New Balance 530 in 2022, retro trainers (often rendered in suede) have swept the wardrobes of style insiders. Loved for their supple outer and mismatched laces, these trainers lend a sleek, subtle edge which bridges the gap between sporty and classic styling with ease. Finding fans amongst celebrities like Joey King and fashion enthusiasts alike, these trainers have proven to be worth their weight in gold, working with jeans, cargos, midi skirts and dresses.

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3. Wedge Trainers + Maxi Dress + Shearling-Trim Coat

Style Notes: We editors at Who What Wear UK have been eagerly predicting the return of the wedge trainer for some time, so when the Isabel Marant Beckett landed at number five on The Lyst Index’s hottest products of the year, it was no surprise to us. Adding leg-lengthening elevation, Isabelle Allain (pictured above) proves that these trainers don’t just work with cargo jeans and motor jackets. Adding an in-the-know edge to her winter whites, her ribbed maxi and statement shearling feel a touch cooler when paired with the wedge trainers.

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4. Pony-Hair Trainers + Aviator Jacket + Jeans

Style Notes: If demure dressing is more your thing, why not try out pony-hair trainers? Whether neutral or finished in a playful print (I know we all have Maggie McCormack’s Adidas x Wales Bonners on our wish lists, pictured above), these trainers add a pop of visual interest and show no signs of waning in chicness in 2026. Spicing up casual jeans and a weather-appropriate aviator jacket, these trainers do a lot of the heavy lifting for you, style-wise.

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5. Sneakerinas + Maxi Dress + Denim Jacket

Style Notes: 2025 was the year of the sneakerina; ballet-flat hybrid trainers cropped up everywhere. Providing the polish of a ballet flat paired with the functionality of a trainer, we predict we’ll see even more sneakerina styles in 2026. This all-in-one never fails to look cool, but just remember your umbrella if you’re planning on taking a pair for a spin this winter.

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6. Chunky “Dad” Trainers + Loose Blazer + Tapered Trousers

Styles Notes: I didn’t foresee the return of outfits that make chunky “dad” trainers look chic, but I’ve started to notice them being worn with oversized suits and skinny ties in super-cool outfits. As such, these ’80s-dadcore-style sneakers have made a comeback once again. Here, Sofia Mcoelho’s (pictured above) trainers make her oversized two-piece suit look effortlessly cool. The mesh panelling adds a sporty detail that doesn’t take over.

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7. Metallic Trainers + Loose Blazer + Pleated Miniskirt

Style Notes: Once a polarising ‘80s micro-trend, silver trainers have received the Kendall Jenner stamp of approval and have become some of the coolest shoes to wear. Adding a go-faster frost to your outfit, they make Tori van Breugel’s skirt and loose blazer (pictured above) undeniably fashion-forward with a wholly 2026 feel.

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