Despite the mini storm that came by London over the last couple of days, we are now deep into Summer. We’ve had at least 3 heatwaves, 2 of which I’ve managed to miss, so I’m calling it. SUMMER IS HERE!
And that means we can finally wear something other than leather boots to protect us from the rain. That’s right people, it’s sneaker season! I’ve put together a little sneaker guide to help you manage your way (and your pocket) through the ever-growing number of options available.
While I fully believe that you can wear sneakers throughout the year, the reality is, unless they are leather, you’re going to have a soggy foot situation during autumn and winter.
That being said, trainers or sneaker, whatever you prefer to call them, should be a staple in your wardrobe. They are comfortable, can look great with jeans, dresses, shorts, skirts and anything in-between, and can be a great accessory for more basic outfits.
The problem is there are so many to choose from! So how do you pick your sneakers for the season? Welcome to my little sneaker guide for 2019.
Material
I’m starting the sneaker guide here because this can be a really easy way to narrow down your choices.
The main options I’m going to point out are canvas, suede, leather, and a non-leather alternative.
When you think about materials, I always think it’s wise to consider how or where you plan to use your shoes.
Leather 
Suede 
Canvas
If you’re not that fussed on maintenance or plan on frolicking through the park in your sneakers on the reg, suede is probably not a great option as it will be stained with dust, dirt and just about anything that isn’t pure air. Suede trainers look amazing, but you have to be ready to look after them if you want them to last.
This is also probably a good time to think about your morals and values, i.e. if you’re a vegetarian/vegan you probably aren’t buying leather shoes. Thankfully we have a growing number of vegan shoe options that look and feel amazing, for both our feet and our conscience.
Colour
White sneakers are a classic and go with just about everything, they also tend not to detract from the rest of your outfit. While a more colourful sneaker is an easy way to show your personality and make an outfit pop, picking white trainers doesn’t mean you can’t show a little flavour of who you are. I’ve just ordered a pair of the adidas Originals X TFL Continental 80 sneakers which have a little trace of colour and show my love for London.
Similarly, black trainers are a low-key base for your outfit but can represent your vibe at the same time. I’ve completely worn out my Vans Old Skool Trainer which I could (and did) wear with just about anything. For more colourful options, New Balance, Converse, Nike and adidas have great options in various styles.
Style and fashion
I am a firm advocate of style over flash fashion trends, which is why I’ve made this a key point in the sneaker guide. So what does style over fashion mean? Well, I always think you should buy what you will like beyond just this season, and more importantly, what you look and feel good in.
Sometimes that means that the current trend is exactly what you’ve been looking for over the past 3 years and could never find, and sometimes you need to run far away from the current trend because you feel uncomfortable, silly, or unconfident when wearing it. If you buy shoes that you can’t help but strut around in, then you will look great because your confidence will shine through. It sounds like total BS, but it’s true, and the proof is your thoughts when you see celebrities absolutely nailing outfits and shoes that you wish you could wear but somehow just can’t picture yourself pulling off.
With that in mind, be yourself and buy what reflects that. If you are calm, cool and collected, then maybe a pair of white Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars is your style. If you are loud and a bit more jazzy, then perhaps the Sophia Webster Butterfly Sneaker is your jam.
Converse Chuck Taylor 
Converse Chuck Taylor 
Sophia Webster Butterfly
Perhaps you want to combine classic style with an environmental statement, in which case Veja Vegan Esplar SE White Pekin Marsala could be just for you. For the trend obsessed, you might love anything inspired by the Balenciaga Triple S Trainers, or the Gucci Ace Sneaker and its newer embroidered variations.
Price
I’ve put this last in the sneaker guide because in my mind this is your final decision maker. Mainly because you can always find cheaper versions of designer shoes, so pick the style and colour you want and then look for the version you can afford.
Given how much we tend to wear trainers, I think this is definitely an area worth investing in provided you plan to wear them for longer than a 3 month period, and are ready to look after them, even just a little. For most of us, spending £300 on a pair of heels we will only use 3 times out of fear of ruining them is perhaps a bit silly. But if you know your go-to pair of shoes are your trainers, then it’s worth investing a bit more than £15 for a pair shoes from Primark. That being said, there are some great options at all price ranges!
I was in desperate need for a new pair of sneakers after wearing out my Vans. As I’m not one to rush my sneaker choice, I bought a pair of interim sneakers from H&M and I am now obsessed with them. They are just White Cotton Canvas Trainers for £17.99, with a small ribbed platform which in my mind adds a little jazz to an otherwise plain shoe (sadly, they have sold out since I wrote this but there are plenty of others just like these).
Your next price point range is somewhere in the £40-£80 range which covers the more standard collections of mainstream sneaker brands like Nike, adidas, New Balance, Converse, Puma, Reebok, Onitsuka Tiger, Fila and Vans. Even within these brands, you can find sneakers beyond £100 for the cult collections, special or limited editions and designer collabs.
Brands like Veja, Tommy Hilfiger, Ted Baker enter the market at the £80+ price point, and finally we can introduce the likes of Ganni, See by Chloe, Sophia Webster, Isabel Marant and all our favourite big-name designers from a minimum of £200, all the way up to Gucci in excess of £1000.
There’s a lot to consider when buying a new pair of trainers, but it shouldn’t be overwhelming, it should be fun! Take your time, try things on in-store, and search, search, search for a sale. When in doubt, go simple and classic. And if you are still working up the courage to buy something bold or saving for a more expensive choice, you can always do what I did and buy a cute and affordable pair of sneakers from H&M, ZARA, Mango, Office or one of the other high street shops.