Skip to content
Vanity Fair Fashion
Fashion

I Never Really Considered Trainers Elegant Until I Spotted Them in This Grown-Up Shade

By Swedan Margen

I Never Really Considered Trainers Elegant Until I Spotted Them in This Grown-Up Shade

If you, like me, often default to trainers for their unparalleled comfort, you may also know they don’t always deliver in terms of elegance. Some pairs are more versatile than others—I’ve certainly worn many a white trainer outfit to ensure it skews polished—but when it comes to colourful styles, achieving refined, pulled-together looks can be trickier to make feel elevated as they can sometimes come off as clashy.

Still, in my ongoing pursuit of an elegant trainer outfit, I’ve landed on a very specific shade that feels instantly more considered: navy trainers. Richly saturated and striking, this deep sapphire hue is doing the heavy lifting in my capsule wardrobe right now.

Influencer @dianekari sits down on stairs outside wearing a yellow dress with navy adidas trainers. She holds a stick of candy floss and rests her head on her arm.

Much like the navy dresses, which I’ve personally always favoured over black for their softer edge, navy trainers carry a depth to them that lends them a grown-up feel. That, however, doesn’t mean they have to look too serious, though—styling makes all the difference. Pair them with a swishy skirt and a knit, or lean into their sophistication with tailored trousers for an effortlessly chic finish.

Influencer @chanelmckinsie stands outside a shopfront wearing a brown leather jacket, plaid skirt and navy trainers.

Unsurprisingly, the likes of Nike and Adidas have plenty of sleek navy options, but I’ve also spotted equally compelling pairs from Zara, Ralph Lauren, and beyond.

Read on to discover the best navy trainers to shop right now.

Shop Navy Trainers:

Colour Combination Trainers

Zara

Colour Combination Trainers

Zara's trainers are some of my favourite on the market right now.

Novesta Marathon Trail Trainers | Dark Navy

Novesta

Marathon Trail Trainers

While I love these in the navy, they also come in brown and beige.

Stara Walk

Honestly, these look more expensive than they actually are.

Janson Ii Canvas Trainer

Ralph Lauren

Janson Canvas Trainer

These rich navy trainers are some of the most elegant I've seen.

Gola Tornado Trainers

Add a pop of colour to your autumn rotation.

Nike Cortez in Navy & White

I'll always have space in my wardrobe for a classic pair of Nike Cortez.

Reelwind Low Metallic Leather-Trimmed Suede and Shell Sneakers

Autry

Reelwind Low Metallic Leather-Trimmed Suede and Shell Sneakers

Autry's trainers are a fashion person's favourites.

Gel-Nimbus 10.1 Metallic Rubber-Trimmed Mesh Sneakers

Asics

Gel-Nimbus 10.1 Metallic Rubber-Trimmed Mesh Sneakers

These chunky trainers ensure a comfortable stride.

+ Clot Gazelle Suede-Trimmed Scuba Sneakers

Adidas Originals

+ Clot Gazelle Suede-Trimmed Scuba Sneakers

Be quick! These are on their way to selling out.

More Fashion

I Never Really Considered Trainers Elegant Until I Spotted Them in This Grown-Up Shade - Vanity Fair Fashion