Why fancy sneakers should be your next styling hack

This time of year, with winter creeping around the corner, is always tricky to dress for. Even so, fancy sneakers have become the one reliable way to elevate an outfit on days when you just want to bundle up in pragmatic layers to stay warm. The outfits become less about looking trendy and more about simply staying toasty. But the good news is, they’re still a hero accessory that works even on the most frigid mornings with your top half ensconced in wools and chunky knits.

Yes, low-tops (or high-tops, if that is your preference) can be dressy, despite their more casual connotations. Case in point: This past Fashion Month, designers went all-in on sneakers with elevated details and sartorial twists, bringing the comfort shoes into more statement-making territory. At Dries Van Noten, they were embellished and covered in sprightly floral prints. At Simone Rocha, sneakers were given a Mary Jane upper with a bejewelled strap. At Valentino and Louis Vuitton, they were beaded in vibrant splashes of colour. Sporty and utilitarian, these kicks were not: The fanciful sneakers felt elevated, and even—dare we say—formal.

Valentino spring 2026.

Photo: A.Grillo – C.Scarpato – S.Dragone / Gorunway.com

Louis Vuitton spring 2026.

Photo: Gianluca Carraro / Gorunway.com

The bold sneaker movement is the perfect thing to insert into your hum-drum fall wardrobe. Sure, dressing for warmth does not have to mean sacrificing style overall—you can lean on a great power coat or sweater to keep you both chic and snuggly—but there is something about a fabulous shoe that just brings any ensemble, maximalist or minimalist, to the next level. Playing it safe in your best black cashmere turtleneck and dress pants? Bam—an eccentric sneaker instantly injects your look with personality. It is like the sartorial equivalent of taking an espresso shot.

Plus, there is also a cool nonchalance to sporting a statement sneaker versus, say, a sky-high stiletto. Sporting an open-toe shoe in the frigid fall? Hard pass! So, what are you waiting for? Fancy sneakers may have trended on the spring 2026 runways, but there are some wild and fun kicks available to shop now—just waiting to up the ante of your fall closet. I, for one, have my eye on these brown and black sequinned Adidas x Wales Bonner low-tops, and plan to don them with my coziest hoodie and nondescript puffer coat. Because my outfit can be practical—but I refuse for my shoes to be anything else but fun. What ever happened to fun!

Inspired by the fancy sneaker trend? Below, shop an edit of 8 fancy sneakers below.

Valentino Garavani- Bay By Bay sneakers

Adidas Originals x Wales Bonner Karintha sneakers

Nike- Air Superfly sneakers

Dries Van Noten- Cord and velvet-trimmed sneakers

Prada- Collapse Re-Nylon sneakers

Miu Miu- Gymnasium sneakers

Golden Goose- True-Star sneakers

Gucci- Shift GG crystal sneakers

This story first appeared on Vogue.com.

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