I Didn't Think These Sneaker Trends Would Catch—Now Celebrities Won't Stop Wearing Them
Our take
The resurgence of sneakers as a summer staple, particularly in unconventional styles, isn't merely a fleeting trend; it's a subtle shift in how we perceive luxury and effortless style. The celebrity endorsement, as highlighted in "I Didn't Think These Sneaker Trends Would Catch—Now Celebrities Won't Stop Wearing Them," is the final confirmation of a movement already underway. For a long time, summer footwear meant sandals, espadrilles, and ballet flats – anything light, airy, and inherently casual. Now, seeing Jennifer Lawrence and Bella Hadid embracing sneakers alongside flip-flops signals a loosening of those rigid seasonal expectations, a move towards a more fluid and personally expressive approach to dressing. This aligns perfectly with the broader trend of relaxed tailoring, as explored in [The Anti-Work-Pants Trend That Still Looks Office-Appropriate], where comfort and style coexist seamlessly. It’s about feeling grounded and confident, rather than striving for a prescribed aesthetic. The inclusion of sneakers, even those with unexpected details, amplifies this feeling of ease and authenticity.
The key here is the move away from overt displays of wealth toward a quieter, more considered form of luxury. It’s a rejection of the maximalist, logo-driven trends that dominated previous years. Instead, we see a focus on quality materials, unique silhouettes, and a sense of individual style. This echoes the principles of ‘quiet luxury’—a concept that prioritizes understated elegance and timeless appeal over fleeting trends. The “it girls” showcased in [The Summer Refresh: 28 Fashion and Beauty Items It Girls Are Loving Right Now] are embodying this shift, incorporating versatile pieces that can be styled in multiple ways, contributing to a curated, rather than chaotic, wardrobe. The adoption of sneakers isn’t about chasing the newest release; it’s about integrating a comfortable and stylish piece into an existing, well-considered aesthetic. It’s about building a personal style lexicon, one piece at a time.
This development also speaks to a broader cultural shift toward embracing individuality and challenging traditional notions of seasonality. The pandemic accelerated a move toward prioritizing comfort and practicality in our wardrobes, and that mindset hasn't entirely disappeared. While dressing up is certainly making a comeback, there's a lingering desire for pieces that can seamlessly transition from casual outings to more formal occasions. Sneakers, particularly when styled thoughtfully, can fulfill this need. They represent a versatile foundation upon which different looks can be built, making them a valuable addition to any wardrobe. Furthermore, the willingness of celebrities to experiment with less conventional sneaker styles – think chunky soles, unexpected color combinations, or unique textures – encourages others to embrace their own personal style, regardless of prevailing trends.
Ultimately, the celebrity embrace of unconventional sneakers is a reflection of a wider cultural conversation about style, luxury, and self-expression. It’s a sign that we're moving away from rigid rules and embracing a more fluid, personalized approach to fashion. As we move into the next season, it will be fascinating to observe how this trend evolves and whether the willingness to defy seasonal norms extends to other categories of footwear. Will we see boots in the summer, or heavy-duty hiking shoes paired with silk dresses? The boundaries are blurring, and the possibilities for self-expression are expanding.
Retiring closed-toe shoes in the summer is a big mistake (huge!), one that few fashion-literate celebrities make. As much as Jennifer Lawrence and Bella Hadid adore flip-flops, they also do not exclude sneakers from summer 2026's shoe trend conversation.
By ignoring sandal-friendly forecasts, fashion girls are helping metallic and Mary Jane sneakers (to name some popular trends) run laps around open-toe options. The former made Hadid unmissable at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, while Lawrence's Mary Jane sneakers proved Hollywood is still hooked on freaky hybrid footwear. Popular styles like the Adidas Tokyo are giving toe-ring and thong sandals some summery competition, too. Just this summer, the Samba's even slimmer sister shoes won over Anne Hathaway, Gracie Abrams, and Sofia Richie Grainge.
So, if you stuffed all sneakers into storage bins labeled "save for fall," you still have time to right your wrong. Keep scrolling to see how VIPs are heatwave-proofing sneaker trends this summer. Pro tip: Do your soles a favor and add some lightweight socks to your cart, too.
The Mary Jane Sneaker Trend
With help from Wales Bonner, Jennifer Lawrence started dipping her toe into the Mary Jane sneaker trend last year. Now, versions by Nike, NikeSKIMS, and Salomon have joined her impressive collection. But vintage Air Rifts from Nike—known for their split-toe boxes and chunky Velcro bands—are her favorites by far. A-listers like Lola Tung, Dua Lipa, and Jean Smart have endorsed the ballet sneaker trend, too.
The Adidas Tokyo Sneaker Trend
Following in the footsteps of Sambas and Taekwondos, Tokyos are the newest standout sneakers from sportswear giant Adidas. The design, which features a round toe and ultra-slim soles, debuted over 60 years ago, but thanks to the low-profile sneaker trend, Tokyos are finally getting their flowers.
While J.Law prefers classic color combinations like white-and-red, Hathaway stepped outside her minimalist comfort zone with zebra-print calf-hair trainers. Meanwhile, Grainge got her hands on limited-edition Tokyos from Adidas's May 2026 collaboration with Australian menswear label Song for the Mute. She earned extra points for debuting them in the city the style is named after: Tokyo.
The Brown Sneaker Trend
In late 2025, fall's chocolate brown takeover influenced how celeb shoppers like Gigi Hadid and Selena Gomez shopped for sneakers. Rihanna didn't tap into the trend until May 2026, but she made up for lost time by styling the Nike x Jacquemus Moon Shoes perfectly, with an autumnal trench coat and wide-leg jeans. Even more recently, right before Wimbledon 2026, tennis legend Coco Gauff teamed up with Miu Miu to design her dream brown sneakers.
The White Sneaker Trend
In April, Hailey Bieber restarted her circa-2016 white sneaker era with ballet-inspired sneakers from Miu Miu. Soon after, everyone from Emily Blunt and Nicole Kidman to Julianne Moore and Camila Morrone gave the colorless trainers a summer essential stamp of approval. Thanks to Morrone, white sneakers even joined The Summer of Sports style circuit at the 2026 World Cup.
The Metallic Sneaker Trend
A few months ago, Marie Claire called 2026 "the year of the silver sneaker." Fast forward to the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, and Hadid proved our point in metallic silver Puma Speedcats. According to Fall 2026 fashion shows from Cecilie Bahnsen, Miu Miu, Zadig & Voltaire, and more, silver styles will see no shortage of success come September, too.
The Suede Sneaker Trend
Suede is everywhere lately, heatwaves be damned. The velvety texture more commonly associated with fall popped up on Cate Blanchett's travel sneakers, Lipa's Puma Speedcats, and Gabrielle Union's Nike Cortez trainers. Cool-blue-colored suede also gave Florence Pugh's gumsole style from Italian footwear label P448 a corduroy-inspired exterior.
The Vans Sneaker Trend
Don't let anyone tell you otherwise: Vans are so back. The once-skater boi staple has been embraced by Simone Ashley, Teyana Taylor, and Olivia Rodrigo. Last month, Taylor traded iconic checkered print pairs for the rare "Lucky Charm" sneakers from the April 2026 Vans x Satoshi Nakamoto collaboration. Distressed canvas, bedazzled detailing, and the L.A. label's prominent logo made the low-tops almost unrecognizable.
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