Trainers, trainers, trainers; we've all got a pair (or five), but how can you know what's 'in' when styles like the adidas Stan Smith, Vans Old Skool and Converse All Star are always... 'in'?
Trickier to pin down than the more widely-documented vogues of the outerwear world, nevertheless there are some key elements to keep an eye on when it comes to choosing your next pair of kicks.
SEE ALSO: The New White Trainers That Will Make You Look Sharp As Hell This Summer
Whether you're looking to step out in some futuristic runners or simply add a subtle upgrade to your classic collection, here are the five biggest trainer trends for spring/summer '17.
1 | Off-White
While pastel and tonal shades were all the (muted) rage last year, this season expect off-white to dominate the colour charts on your summer sneakers.
Ideal for those who find the box fresh sheen of regular white trainers a bit too 'much'; brands like Reebok and adidas are turning their attention to producing classic silhouettes with a softer, more vintage-y (that's a word) aesthetic.
Reebok Club C Homage, £74.99, reebok.com
2 | Nike VaporMax
What's taken you so long, guys?
After being unceremoniously battered in the trend and innovation stakes over the last two years, Nike has, in the form of the VaporMax, finally produced an answer to adidas' previously indomitable Boost sole technology.
Said to be the result of 30 years of research and advancement, Nike's new flagship shoe is a lean, stripped down and high tech runner that is already playing to the fashion week crowd; with a recent Comme Des Garcons collaborative version selling out instantly.
£170, coming soon to nike.com
3 | 'Ugly' Runners
The Marmite of the modern trainer world, you'll either think that these unorthodox runners are the height of post ironic sportswear sophistication or ugly, over-priced red herrings.
Whatever your view, they're having a moment; with styles like the Reebok Instapump Fury and the Raf Simons and adidas designed Ozweego being two of the big season players.
Wear them with white socks, cropped wide-legged trousers, a trendy beanie and - most importantly - a nonchalant cigarette for maximum effect*.
*Smoking is bad.
Raf Simons x adidas Ozweego 2, £275, ssense.com
4 | Football-Inspired Silhouettes
First debuting in extremely limited numbers towards the back end of last summer, expect to see amalgamations of running and football styles to become much more prevalent online and on foot this time out.
Characterised by their high cuts, sleek shapes and prominent branding, adidas in particular are making the most of their enviable footballing archive - as well as the fashion world's current obsession with retro football style - to produce high-tech mashups that you wouldn't dream of debuting at 5-a-side.
£149.95 (currently sold out, but expect more soon) adidas.co.uk
5 | Beaten Up Kicks
We've already mentioned the niche trend that saw a certain type of doodler take a Sharpie to their pristine white trainers in order to add a little 'flair' to them, but now it seems like the big brands have cottoned on.
Whether it's Saint Laurent and Golden Goose releasing 'distressed' trainers (ie: they look beaten up already), or Reebok and Vetements releasing a pre-scribbled on pair of Instapump Furies (two trends, one stone), getting your own kicks dirty is just so passé, you know?
