Cool and Perpetually Selling Out: 5 Sneakers the World Is in Love With RN
We talk about sneakers a lot—from dissecting the biggest trends to breaking down the just-launched styles that are worth the hype. Whether you're a sneakerhead or a more casual sneaker shopper, there are standout styles to have on your radar that fall under the fashion umbrella. Including the proliferation of cult collaborations by the likes of Aimé Leon Dore and retro silhouettes, the resurgence of Adidas Sambas, and more, there is always something to report on in the sneaker world. Unlike many other areas in fashion, sneakers have a unique propensity to go viral and sell out almost immediately after they are dropped. There are a handful of styles that fashion people have thrust into the spotlight, and they are practically impossible to track down.
This lands us on the topic of the best sneakers for women in 2024. After carefully considering what is transpiring in street style, the most talked-about celebrity looks, and the major retail trends, we've named this year's top sneakers to invest in. Ahead, see the five sneaker styles that made the cut and shop them.
1. Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 Sneakers
Nostalgic heritage pieces will always find a way to permeate the fashion bubble, and next up are Onitsuka Tiger's Mexico 66 sneakers. Named for their retro, '60s-inspired design that originally debuted in 1966 at the Olympic pretrials in Mexico, they've been reintroduced with modern details that make them as comfortable as they are striking. No, you don't have to be an Olympic-level athlete to wear them. Styling the sneakers is all about keeping them effortless, so wear them with minimalist pieces or jeans to let them make a statement on their own.
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2. Salomon XT-6 Sneakers
The sneaker brand every celebrity has been snapped wearing? Salomon. Fans include Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Dua Lipa, among a long list of others. The hiking-focused shoes have an inherent sportiness that makes them go-to shoes for the gym, but they are a mainstay for aesthetics that go beyond their practicality. As the XT-6 sneakers are one of the top-selling shoes that are practically always sold out, we recommend ordering a pair if you can find them in your size.
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3. Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 860v2 Sneakers
The power of Aimé Leon Dore in the sneaker space is unmatched. There is something about Creative Director Teddy Santis's eye for design that resonates with the fashion community in a major way. The sneakers taking over in 2024? The Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 860v2 silhouette reimagines the original style in fresh colorways that pair metallic details with colors such as cobalt blue, fire-engine red, and hunter green. It's impossible to go wrong wearing these.
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4. Adidas Samba Sneakers
It's impossible to discuss the sneakers taking over without including Adidas Sambas. The striped style rose to viral status last year but has continued its momentum in a major way—though, it's now slightly easier to get your hands on a pair. You can't go wrong with the classic white or black versions, but we're seeing more and more fashion people wearing unique colorways finished in unexpected shades. To nail this styling, stick with denim and streamlined pieces.
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5. New Balance 550 Sneakers
If any singular sneaker style has dominated fashion in the last several years, it would be New Balance's 550. Its rapid rise among the fashion set in 2021 led to long waiting lists and lotteries for insiders trying to get them into their closets. Into 2024, the sneakers are not showing signs of declining anytime soon and have proven their staying power. Luckily, some of the colorways are finally available, but it's still wise to grab a pair while you can.
Shop the sneakers:
This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear where she oversees luxury, runway content, and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, and Tiffany & Co., and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.
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