Welcome to 2019, where bags are getting tinier, sandals are becoming strappier, and sneakers are being worn with anything and everything. We're taking full advantage of the fact that we can wear sneakers in 90% of situations these days, and we want to ensure we're wearing the most stylish options possible. Curious which formerly popular sneaker styles you should ditch to upgrade your wardrobe? I asked Who What Wear editors to name the sneaker trends they're breaking up with this summer (and which trends you can find them wearing instead). We're putting the debate over trends like like "dad" sneakers and platforms to rest once and for all. Ahead, see which sneaker trends we're naming as in and out and shop each one we're here for.
Breaking up with: Sneakerdrilles
Wearing instead: Classic white sneakers
"Sneakerdrilles (aka simple white sneakers with a woven espadrille-like sole) are a trend I'm retiring. The combination felt novel at first, but now it feels a tad too preppy for my sneaker taste. I'll opt for a retro-classic pair of plain white sneakers instead."
Breaking up with: Clunky dad sneakers
Wearing instead: Sleeker styles
"I think I'm finally ready to retire all my loud, chunky dad sneakers in favor of sportier and sleeker styles."
Breaking up with: Sock sneakers
Wearing instead: Sneaker hiking boots
"Sock sneakers are a trend I never really embraced anyway, so I'm instead contemplating a pair of sneaker-hiking boot hybrids. I'm predicting there will be tons of options on the market by fall."
Breaking up with: Platform sneakers
Wearing instead: Retro sneakers
"The platform-sneaker craze never made it into my wardrobe and is one trend I'll be skipping. Instead, I'll be wearing sleek retro sneakers—a style I'm predicting will be huge this fall. I'll be wearing the throwback Reeboks I have in my closet, but I also have my eye on this pair from Loewe."
Breaking up with: High-top sneakers
Wearing instead: Low-top sneakers
"I'll be saying buh-bye to my high-top sneakers for a while in favor of cool low-tops. I particularly love the fun designs by Golden Goose. This suede and snake-effect pair is at the top of my wish list—perfect for taking me into fall."
Breaking up with: Buying sneakers solely based on looks
Wearing instead: Sustainable sneakers
"I'm ready to stop buying sneakers just because I think they're stylish and start caring about where they came from and what they're made of. These new Converse are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and are still insanely cute."
Breaking up with: Neon sneakers
Wearing instead: Neutrals
"I never got fully into the neon trend, and when it comes to sneakers, I don't think I ever will. I find loud colors to be too hard to style, so I'll be keeping with a neutral theme in my sneaker collection moving forward—black, white, beige, and grey are all classics in my book."
Next, the 7 sandal trends we're leaving in the past.
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