The perfect shoes should be versatile, cool and effortless. You should be able to slip them on with any old jumper and jeans and instantly transform the ensemble you scooped up from your bedroom floor into a full-blown outfit.
Your choice of footwear can be a powerful tool and is not to be underestimated - but so often we stick to pared-back palettes of black and brown, prioritising wear over statement. But not this season. Not these shoes.
Silver trainers are everywhere and they’re far more wearable than you may think.
The metallic shade adds a playful sparkle to even the simplest of fits, while remaining surprisingly neutral. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a look that the colourway can’t instantly elevate.
To get to the root of this trend, think back to the summer of 2023 and the coveted collaboration between Adidas and Wales Bonner. British Jamaican designer Grace Wales Bonner breathed new life into the iconic Samba silhouette with her distinctive sportswear-inspired style and playful design choices.
The mirror-reflective silver pair, complete with a crochet spin on the Adidas stripes, was an instant hit - becoming as hard to get your hands on as a Glastonbury ticket. It did not take long for other brands to follow suit, and the virtual shoe shelves are now saturated with similar designs.
Asics, Nike and New Balance have all tried their attention to silver, applying the latest trend to their classic designs. The craze has reached high fashion too with designers like Margiela, Balenciaga and Dries Van Noten offering their own interpretations.
Not all pairs are created equally though, remember - all that glitters is not gold, or should we say, silver. We’ve combed through countless designs to develop our list of the most covetable pairs on the market.
Shop below
Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 SD
It-girl shoe of the year, the Mexico 66 style has been spotted on the likes of Adwoah Aboah, Kaia Gerber and Hailey Bieber, all of who paired the metallic design with laid-back, street-style looks. The silhouette comes as a welcome reprise from the chunky dad shoe style that has dominated in recent seasons.
Sleek and slimline, they can be worn with practically anything, looking as fitting with a flowing dress as they do a baggy denim. This silver pair makes just enough of a statement to easily be worn as an everyday shoe, striking just the right balance between gaudy and casual.
Buy now £170.00, Onitsuka Tiger
Anthropologie Gola Torpedo Trainers
An 80s design classic, the Gola Torpedo is given the 2024 treatment with a silver metallic makeover. The tennis shoes offer a preppier feel when compared to other styles, making them a great choice for those who lean towards the sporty look. The smooth, metallic leather has a mirror-like finish that is elegant and sophisticated.
Buy now £105.00, Anthropologie
Alohas Tb.490 Rife Shimmer Silver Cream Leather Sneakers
Hailing from Spain, Alohas has quickly established its status in the sneaker space with a premium, sustainable shoe selection. All of the designs are hand-crafted across Spain and Portugal by local artisans.
The Tb.490s are a classic low-top silhouette with a vintage feel - a contrast to the futuristic high patina shine silver finish they come in. Their mirror-like reflectiveness makes them an eye-catching addition to your wardrobe and would complement a monochromatic outfit.
Buy now £291.00, Alohas
Adidas Country OG Shoes
While these shoes are now more likely to be seen on the coffee run than they are on the cross-country track they were originally designed for, the Country OG has remained a staple Adidas design. The collegiate green stripes set these trainers apart from the sea of silver shoes, giving them a more unique look while still remaining simple enough to throw on with any outfit.
Buy now £85.00, Adidas
Dries Van Noten Metallic crinkled-leather sneakers
Belgian designer Dries Van Noten offers perhaps one of the coolest interpretations of the trend with these metallic crinkled leather sneakers. Initially achieving notoriety as a member of the famed Antwerp Six design group, Dries Van Noten has established a cult following for his avant-garde silhouettes and vibrant colour palettes.
With their sunshine-yellow laces and perfectly worn-in leather, these investment sneakers are worth their higher price tag - you’ll never want to take them off.
Buy now £430.00, Net A Porter
Asics Gel-Nimbus 10.1
There is no denying that the chunky, dad-look is in, so you may as well embrace it. Your feet will thank you for it too, especially if you opt for the Asics Gel-Nimbus style.
The design is an engineering feat in footwear comfort, with dual-layer EVA foam, GEL technology inserts and a specially designed TRUSSTIC system, you’ll feel like you’re walking on a cushion. While many of their designs feature silver accents, we love the simplicity of this pair.
Buy now £165.00, Asics
Salomon Acs Pro
A Gorpcore staple and a favourite of undisputed style icons Rihanna and Bella Hadid, Salomons have come a long way from the brand’s humble, hiking-wear beginnings.
The intended trail shoe function of the Acs Pros is reflected in the comfortable, breathable fit, which make them as well suited for stomping around the shops as they are for running a 10K. Silver accents on a light grey base make for a pared-down, approachable take on the trend for minimalists everywhere.
Buy now £185.00, Salomon
Adidas Originals + Wales Bonner Samba Millennium paneled croc-effect and metallic leather sneakers
The queen of the silver sneaker, Grace Wales Bonner, delivers again with another iteration of the metallic soles. Having already proven her ability to design covetable, cult-classic trainers, Bonner flexes her prowess with these panelled croc and metallic Sambas.
Here, the ultra-reflective silver leather that featured on the original pair collides with a sharply contrasting caramel brown croc-effect material, making for a rich, unique and ultra lust-worthy design. Be sure to snap them up while you still can, these are bound to sell out.
Buy now £220.00, Net A Porter
