4 Dated Sneaker Trends to Retire This Summer—and the Cool-Girl Alternatives to Replace Them With

Let's be honest: No sneaker is really going out of style—ultimately, the pair you wear on repeat is a personal preference. All I’m saying is that you should make room in your closet for this summer's trendiest pairs because they’re fun, cool, and I know you’ll want to style them with everything. 

For example, in 2026, white sneakers aren’t as popular as they once were (unless they're in a cool canvas sneaker, that is!). Fashion people are opting for a similarly soft up-and-coming neutral shade instead: Taupe. Taking its crown as the go-to sneaker color is black, with every celebrity from Bella Hadid to Dakota Johnson opting for a pair. And yes, ballerina sneakers are just now hitting their mainstream stride, meaning there are so many new styles to try from retailers like Adidas, Puma, and more. Scroll on to shop these trends, below. 

Dated: Bold Hues

In: Soft Taupes

Chocolate browns and suedes have become an all-year staple. Instead of completely giving-up the shade with the warm weather, we’re seeing the trend morph into a friendly taupe, that’s more practical to wear and style through summer. The creamy beige goes with just about everything (similar to white sneakers), but looks slightly more elevated and intentional. 

Project Cloud Memory Foam Sneakers

$40

$28 at Amazon

Rag & Bone Retro Runner Sneakers

$298 at Nordstrom

Veronica Beard Riviera Sneaker

$300 at Nordstrom

Adidas Gazelle Indoor Sneakers

$130 at Nordstrom

Cushionaire Topcat Genuine Leather Suede Sneakers

$90

$56 at Amazon

Sperry x Aritzia Slim Jogger

$140

$98 at Sperry.com

Dated: Animal Print

In: Ballet Sneakers

Ballerina sneakers went from being a low-key silhouette to completely taking over in the past year. The feminine style looks like a ballet flat but is just as comfortable as a sneaker—hence its insane appeal. Nike just collaborated with Skims to bring back the Y2K Nike Rift sneaker, Adidas is making Mary Janes, and just about every brand has a version of the slim, low-profile sneaker. 

Adidas Samba Jane Sneakers

$100 at Nordstrom

Puma Speedcat Ballet Sneakers

$90 at Nordstrom

Nike Air Rift Breathe Sneaker

$125 at Shopbop.com

Puma H-Street Ballet Sneakers

$80 at Nordstrom

Adidas Tokyo Sneakers

$90 at Nordstrom

Adidas Barreda Mary Jane Sneakers

$70 at Amazon

Dated: Chunky Soles

In: Slim Canvas Styles

If you're not ready to part ways with your white sneakers just yet, opt for a new season refresh in a retro canvas style (think: Converse, Keds, Vans, etc). Canvas sneakers are often made with 100-percent cotton and offer much more breathability in the summer than a chunky leather or synthetic style. What's more, the rubber sole makes them flexible and comfortable to walk over 20,000 steps in easily. The canvas fabric makes an all-white sneaker look much more refined and elevated, but of course, the style comes in a variety of shades, too.

Keds Champion Sneakers

$55

$35 at Amazon

PF Flyers Low Top Sneakers

$85

$72 at Amazon

Converse x Madhappy Chuck 70 Sneakers

$125 at Nordstrom

Vans Classic Slip On Sneakers

$60 at Nordstrom

Cos Canvas Plimsoll Trainers

$99 at Nordstrom

Superega 2750 Cotu Classic Sneakers

$75 at Nordstrom

Dated: Rich Browns

In: Black

Having a dark-colored sneaker is a wardrobe no-brainer, but rather than the rich chocolate shades we’ve been seeing celebrities and fashion people sport, black trainers are having a moment. Dakota Johnson wears patent leather black sneakers on repeat and Bella Hadid was seen in multiple pairs (both frequent a cool sneaker look). But, beyond just being a current trend, a black sneaker is always timeless.

Tigeridea Sneakers

$45

$28 at Amazon

Adidas Samba OG Sneakers

$100 at Nordstrom

Adidas Gazelle Lo Pro Sneakers

$110 at Nordstrom

Vans Classic Slip On Sneakers

$55 at Nordstrom

Rag & Bone Retro Runner Slim Ultra Sneakers

$298 at Amazon

Tory Burch Hank Sneakers

$250 at Nordstrom