5 cool-girl sneaker trends everyone will be wearing this summer

We’re calling it. These are the only sneaker styles you need to wear this summer.

Summer footwear is no longer just about sandals and espadrilles. The wardrobe staple is having a refresh in 2025, with trending styles merging comfort with nostalgia in ways we haven’t seen before.

Whether you’re dressing for matcha runs, or spontaneous weekend escapes, or looking for to refresh your airport or workwear style, these are the five stylish trends that every cool girl will be slipping into this season.

Taekwondo shoes

Part technical, part sleek, taekwondo-inspired kicks are slim, soft, and subtly sculptural. This martial arts staple is being reimagined as the chicest alternative to chunky trainers. Pair them with slouchy trousers or a drop-waist skirt for that effortless, editor-off-duty look.

Ballerina sneakers

The balletcore aesthetic is still pirouetting through fashion, and now it’s extending to sneakers. Sporty with a soft side, these hybrid styles blend the delicacy of ballet flats with the function of a proper trainer.

High-top sneakers

High-top sneakers are having a resurgence—they’re fashion’s favorite throwback silhouette this season. Whether in classic canvas, glossy leather, or unexpected color combos, the high-top is going bold. Style them with micro shorts or tucked into wide-leg sweatpants for instant ‘90s nostalgia.

Mesh sneakers

Whether you’re power-walking through the city or lounging poolside, mesh sneakers keep things cool. Breezy and built for the warm weather, mesh sneakers are this season’s MVP. Light, breathable, and engineered for all-day wear, they’ve been elevated with futuristic silhouettes and tonal palettes.

Mule sneakers

And you thought mules were just for loafers? Backless sneakers are slipping into the spotlight, blending sneaker comfort with the ease of a slide. From sporty styles with suede finishes to luxe leather takes, they’re the ultimate hybrid shoe. Wear them to work with ankle-grazing trousers or a maxi skirt to master that effortless, thrown-together energy.

Ready to shop? Scroll the gallery below for 19 editor-approved hero buys for 2025: