It isn’t easy for me to admit this as a shoe connoisseur, but until recently I only owned one pair of trainers. Granted, that pair of trainers was a Loewe X On Cloudtilt, but unless you saw me in the gym, you’d be far more likely to spot me in a kitten heel or knee-high boot. Flash forward a couple of years, and I now have a small (but well-curated) collection of trainers that serve different purposes, and far from being the finishing touch to an outfit, they’re often the starting point.
From slimline sneakers to bold designer collabs, each pair tells a different story, and if you too have been charmed by the humble trainer, this year’s new releases are giving our wardrobes plenty to get excited about. The latest drops from the likes of Adidas, Nike and Salomon continue to prove that the sneaker landscape is more varied than ever, but it’s the buzzy, designer collabs, limited-edition runs and upcoming exclusives that have my full attention right now. So, whether you have a penchant for retro runners or are ready to embrace something a little more directional, I’ve rounded up the best 2026 releases for the latter half of the year. Scroll for the edit.
1. Celine X Reebok
Style Notes: After months of “freaky footwear”, these might have been the one shoe that we didn’t see coming, but the Celine X Reebok collaboration is set to make a strong case for the trainer’s place in a polished wardrobe. Bringing together Celine’s pared-back Parisian aesthetic with Reebok’s retro sportswear heritage, these slouchy kicks put a fashion-forward spin on an everyday classic. Sleek, understated and effortlessly wearable, they have just enough nostalgic athletic appeal to stop them looking like your run-of-the-mill white trainers. If you’ve been looking for the pair that will quietly elevate your everyday outfits, this could well be it (if you move quickly enough to get your hands on a pair, that is).
Shop the Celine Freestyle Lo:
Celine X Reebok
Freestyle Lo
Celine X Reebok
Freestyle Lo
