Lila Moss called it. “Laid back”, is how she summed up her 2024 style in the December issue of British Vogue. Still on her winter wishlist? “I don’t own a pair of Miu Miu trainers… I definitely need them now.” Turns out, Miss Moss is a girl after our own hearts. Jelly shoes, ballet flats and biker boots have all made frequent appearances in Vogue HQ this year, but trainers – whether retro, hyper-futuristic or gym-ready – definitely emerged as 2024’s runaway favourite.
For devoted trainer girl (and somewhat reluctant partygoer) Lily Allen, a great night out starts by lacing up a pair of super-chic sneakers – all the better to slip out early in… Photograph by Otto Masters
“Every look I wore during the Noughties used to start with trainers,” Lily Allen, original sneakerhead, told British Vogue in the December issue. It’s a maxim that could be applied to 90 per cent of Vogue staffers, who have paraded through the office (and then onto pubs and parties) all year in their favourite box fresh (and often sold-out) Miu Miu X New Balance 530 SIs, Puma Mostros, and just-dropped Adidas Originals by Wales Bonner. In 2007, Allen rotated between 500 pairs of trainers, largely Nike Air Max 90s, Air Max 95s, Reebok Classics and Karl Lagerfeld-era Chanel pairs. These days, she keeps 200 pairs at her home in Brooklyn and the remaining 300 in storage. To the chagrin of those tasked with implementing the office’s clear desk policy, Vogue editors prefer to keep their collections beneath their desks.
2024 is the year that has seen EmRata favour Puma Speedcats, Kendall Jenner swap her trusty Adidas Gazelles for now ubiquitous Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66s, and Lily Collins go gorpcore in her Salomon XT-6s. And while the Samba may have seen its It-girl kudos plummet when the former PM Rishi Sunak stepped out in a pair back in April, they’re still beloved by Kaia Gerber, Olivia Rodrigo and Bella Hadid.
Here, the British Vogue team share their trainers of 2024.
Julia Hobbs, fashion features director
It took me two weeks and one foam in-sole to break in my black leather Miu Miu X New Balance 530 SI sneakers during fashion month. I wear them with… well, everything, but particularly pencil skirts and a grey Phoebe Philo knit. The mood is: sixth former who’s skipped sports. (My 12-year-old nephew is especially fond of the fact that they look like football boots, and they do.) I’ve recently switched the leather laces to a gold pair I bought on Amazon, for a festive twist that I hope Mrs Prada would approve of.
Rosa Weait, fashion assistant
My favourite trainers at the moment have to be my pink Adidas Gazelles. I’m slowly growing my colourful trainer collection, and these are a must-have for me. I find myself reaching for them every time I want to add some colour to my outfit, and they definitely have become a wardrobe staple.
Laura Ingham, deputy director, Vogue global fashion network
My Nike Dunk high-tops are truly my day ones. They form the basis of so many memories, from scouring shelves for the latest drops while travelling through LA in the early 2000s, to waiting impatiently for the next release. The original reverse swoosh, interchangeable laces, comfort and edge – what’s not to love?
Alice Newbold, executive fashion news editor
I had to secure my fourth pair of Wales Bonners – the blue croc Sambas from the autumn/winter 2024 Adidas collab – because I had huge buyer’s remorse after I thought I didn’t need the metallic runners or the leopard-print babies from previous drops. It turns out you really do need them, because it will feel like a huge snub whenever you see them out on the streets, which is a lot, because Grace is great. Amassing a small edit of WB sneaks still feels at odds with the spirit of the girl who wore her high-top Converse for the best part of two decades, but these are better made, and keep your both feet warm and dry. It turns out I was just waiting for the right trainer designer to come along.
Honey Sweet Elias, associate market editor
I don’t really wear anything but trainers – Nikes, to be specific – and for me, Travis Scott undoubtedly does the best Nike collaborations. I’ve always got my eyes peeled for the next drop.
Alice Cary, senior commerce writer
I have accumulated a lot of trainers over the years – and while these days I have slowed the pace on my purchases, I can’t see myself completely curbing my obsession any time soon. My latest fix? A pair from Puma’s collaboration with Aries, which sees the former’s newly-hyped Mostro silhouette reimagined with a super-spiky sole and a techy mesh, neoprene and suede upper.
Laura Hawkins, fashion features editor
I am something of a serial outfit repeater. Once I’ve found a piece which is comfortable, office-ready and fits seamlessly into the rest of my wardrobe, I will wear it day in day out, whether it’s a pair of (now incredibly scuffed) crystal Alaia ballet flats or some Issey Miyake Pleats Please tracksuit trousers. The same is true of my Asics Gel-Quantum Kinetic trainers in a metallic and chocolate brown colourway, which have barely left my feet since they came into my life back in September. I love their bonkers shock-absorbing gel soles, and the luxe golden finish means I can convince myself they qualify as evening wear, too!
