We might slowly be transitioning out of our loungewear and into floral dresses, but one thing we’re not ditching just yet is the comfy footwear. And for this weird winter/spring weather, there’s only one thing for it: the very best trainers.

Now I’m not usually one for trainers (give me chunky boots or sandals anytime) but that’s ok, because the biggest fashion houses have convinced me. The likes of Prada, Burberry and Gucci are creating lust-worthy styles season after season, and the sporty footwear has never been so chic.

Furthermore, play your cards right and you might land yourself a worthy investment (the Balenciaga Triple S trainers are still one of the most googled sneaker styles ever and regularly resell at high value).

The appeal is evident – they’re comfortable, fashion-forward and an easy way to dress down an outfit without sacrificing style. This season, it’s all about dressing them down with your favourite jeans and chunky knitwear, but come spring, you’ll need to pair them with a puff-sleeve tulle gown or shorts and a men’s shirt.

Best fashion trainers

For SS21, it’s still all about the retro vibes. We love Prada’s high top sneakers, as well as Alexander McQueen’s lace-up platforms and Gucci’s cherry-embellished tennis shoes. While 90s dad trainers are still all the rage, and you don’t even have to invest in designer styles for those: influencers and editors can’t get enough of the mesh New Balance or Skechers trainers.

If sustainability is high on your agenda (as it should be), I’ve also included plenty of vegan options from the likes of Veja, Waes and Yatay.

Best running trainers

We chatted with Cathy, who runs a site dedicated to running, cycling and general fitness called JogBlog, about choosing the perfect running trainers. It’s worth investing in a great pair of shoes if you’re an avid runner and more serious enthusiasts should think about asking for expert advice – when Cathy first started out, she had to learn that the hard way.

She said, ‘I started out running with the cheapest pair of trainers I could find (£10 in a non-sports shop). That was a mistake – they were so stiff and uncomfortable! I then went to a specialist running shop where I ran on a treadmill so the staff could analyse my gait, then they brought out to me different brands of shoe appropriate for my running style to try on. After trying on a few pairs – I just ‘knew’ which were the right pair.’

Best trainers for the gym

Cathy shared, ‘For the gym, unless you’re doing high impact exercise such as the treadmill, then it doesn’t really matter what you wear on your feet and, as running shoes are expensive, I save my old ones for the gym to get value for money out of them!’

Best trainers for walking

It depends what kind of walking you’re doing really. If you’re doing a hike, then invest in a pair that’s got good support, like running trainers. If it’s for general walking around town, then anything goes really.

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