Trainers Are the Foundation of My Capsule Wardrobe—5 Outfits I Want to Wear Them With This Spring
Build your spring looks from the bottom up with these chic, stylish and spring-ready trainer-outfit ideas.
Sophie Robyn Watson
Spring in the UK is a difficult season to dress for. We all seem to be constantly asking ourselves, "Do I need a jacket or will a cardigan suffice?" and, "At what point is it acceptable to wear sandals?" Assembling an arsenal of versatile transitional pieces is the key to gliding through spring in style—think throw-on cotton shirting and light-wash denim. When it comes to footwear, we suggest making a pair of trainers your first purchase.
Kicks, sneakers, treads—whatever you call them, this casual shoe has proven time and time again to be an easy win. Not only are trainers typically comfier than other options, but they're also the obvious choice if you want your outfit to feel relaxed and effortless. It's no surprise then, that celebrities and influencers step out in them on a near-daily basis. Trainers are also perfect for this time of year; until we can let our toes show, they're a lightweight and breathable replacement for the heavy boots we've been living in since November.
Hopefully, I've convinced you that trainers are the season's hero shoe, so the next step is to slot your pairs into some chic spring looks. Below, we've plucked five trainer outfits from Instagram to inspire your everyday ensembles, ready to wear on repeat starting tomorrow.
1. Barn Jacket + Lace Cami + White Jeans + Pastel Trainers
Style Notes: This is a masterclass in tonal dressing and let's the icy blue tone of the trainers take centre stage. Pair a cream barn jacket, a lacy cami (a sweater over the top will keep any spring chill at bay) and barrel-leg white jeans, and finish with a pastel pair of technical-looking trainers to emulate this city-friendly mood, courtesy of Hollie Mercedes Peters.
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2. Striped T-Shirt + Cargo Trousers + Leopard-Print Bag + Yellow Trainers
Style Notes: I will be pinching this look all spring and well into summer, too (sorry, Nicole!). The bright yellow trainers add a punchy note to this off-duty look, consisting of a striped tee, cargo trousers, and a leopard-print tote. Spot on for cycling, picnicing and grabbing coffee weekend crew.
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3. Grey Crew Jumper + Checked Shirt + Stove-Pipe Jeans + Hiking Trainers
Style Notes: Feeling a bit adventurous? Hiking sneakers and approach shoes are fast becoming the trainer du jour, as modelled expertly here by Lucy Williams. Keep it real with stove-pipe jeans, a classic crew jumper and a plaid shirt wrapped at the waist for a look which is equal parts comfortable, cool and practical. I'll be copying this vibe for all my city breaks this year.
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4. Wool Jacket + White T-Shirt + Tote Bag + Running Trainers
Style Notes: Monikh is a sneaker fanatic, and somehow manages to make even the simpliest of trainers look ludicrously luxe. She teams her trusty New Balance with pair of relaxed cotton-twill trousers, a classic white t-shirt and a flowing wool jacket. To finish, a stone pendant and chuck-it-all-in tote give this look a polished edge for running errands in town when the weather is playing ball.
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5. Brown Trench + Striped Polo Shirt + Jeans + Retro Trainers
Style Notes: If you're not a trousers or jeans kind of person, this one is for you. This trainers look is part pretty, part sporty, and such a great way to step into spring in style. Steal Poppy's style by investing in a funnel-neck nylon jacket, pleated skirt, pastel pink bag and low profile trainers for a subversive spring look which will take you from day time hangs to drinks at the pub in a flash.
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Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer and editor. She started her first blog at age 14 and went on to intern at publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed & Confused and Indie magazine.
A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor to Who What Wear, Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and fresh takes on classic design.
- Sophie Robyn WatsonActing Fashion Editor