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 £195.00, Farfetch
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 £160.00, Alohas
Paul Smith Women's Leather Silver 'Dover' Retro Gum Trainers
Clean and classic is what Paul Smith does best - but that's not to say it isn't without some flair. These silver trainers are lifted with flashes of orange, navy and racing green to add extra interest.
Buy now £195.00, Paul Smith
Gola Viper Metallic Sneakers
Pretty in its minimalism, Gola's Viper trainers are the sort of kicks you can pair with just about anything. T-shirt and midi for the office? Check. Checked trousers and a knit at the weekend? You betchya. A midi for weekend park walks? Nailed it.
Buy now £98.00, Free People
Coolway Goal Sneakers
Got your heart set on a high shine silver? Coolway's dazzling sneakers nail the brief with leather uppers sporting such a gleam, you can practically see your face in them.
Buy now £108.00, Free People
M&S Metallic Lace Up Side Detail Trainers
If you're not tied up with labels, high street faithful M&S has nailed the flashy trainer look for a snip of designer prices. Putting the sparks in Marks n Sparks, this casual kicker comes with a crackle texture over the metallic, which sits nicely against the bold contrast detail. They're incredibly comfortable too, Insolia Flex® technology to support every step and Freshfeet™ antibacterial foam that will help them stay smelling fresh.
Buy now £40.00, M&S
Bimba y Lola Silver leather 13 57 cupsole sneaker
The crackle-glaze on these Bimba y Lola silver snBimba y Lola Silver leather 13 57 cupsole sneakereaks give them a worn-in vibe - and we're not mad about it. They're a fun pair to wear, whether peeking out from a bootcut jean or punctuating a midi dress.
Buy now £165.00, Bimba y Lola
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 £132.00, Net A Porter
