1. Denim on Denim
A pair of denim sneakers can be just as cool and versatile as your favorite pair of jeans. Dress them up by wearing them with other neutrals like black, white, and khaki or mix denim clothes with prints and solids in different shades of blue for a fresh take on the Canadian tuxedo.
Clockwise from the top left: Distressed High-Tops, GUARDIANI SPORT, $156; Crochet Wedges, AEROPOSTALE, $30; Low-Top Sneakers, NEW LOOK, $17; Snake Print Sneakers, VANS, $55
2. Pop Pop
As trendy as bright colors are this spring, solid neon sneakers can be a tough look to pull off. Instead, stick to color-blocked black and white sneakers with bold neon accents. They're fun, versatile, and great for balancing a solid-colored bottom and a colorful printed top.
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Black-and-White Sneakers With Pink Detail, NEW LOOK, $38; Multicolored Sneakers, KENZO, $288; Black Sneakers With Neon Yellow Detail, NEW BALANCE, $123; Snake Print Sneakers With Orange Detail, ASH, $195
3. Animal Instincts
Slips-ons are the hottest trend in sneakers right now, and they have been for a while, so if you haven't got in on the trend yet, now is definitely the time. Add a little fun to this simplest of silhouettes with a graphic animal print and pair it with something flirty in a neutral color like black or white.
Leopard Slip-On Sneakers, ASH, $150; Black-and-White Printed Slip-On Sneakers, CIRCUS BY SAM EDELMAN, $50; Black-and-White Striped Slip-On Sneakers, RACHEL ZOE, $175; Brown Snake Print Slip-On Sneakers, STEVE MADDEN, $130
4. Tropic Thunder
Give ditzy florals and liberty prints a rest for a while and slip into some tropical botanicals instead. Pair them with other fun prints and graphics, but keep the base color the same for everything to ensure you stay on the cool side of kitsch.
Tropical Print Slip-On Sneakers, ALDO, $70; Printed Espadrille Sneakers, KENZO, $350; Pink and Teal Floral Print Platform Sneakers, VICTORIA, $107; Green Leaf Print Platform Sneakers, JEFFREY CAMPBELL, $87
5. Back in Black
You'll never go wrong wearing black, but it's a good idea to break it up with a little white so your look doesn't get too heavy.
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Black Patent Sneakers, ASOS, $53; Black-and-White Sneakers, STRD, $160; Mesh Slip-Ons, KEDS FOR KATE SPADE NEW YORK, $75; Black-and-White Studded Sneakers, DKNY, $80
6. Pink Lady
Think sneakers can't be girly? Think again! There are more pink sneakers on the market right now than ever before and they come in every texture, shape, and print you can think of. They're a great feminine alternative to ballet flats or heels, and they're perfect for adding a little softness to a jeans-and-T-shirt tomboy look.
Pink and Orange High-Tops, RUCO LINE, $218; Purple and Pink Sneakers, NIKE, $171; Pink Calf Hair Slip-Ons, STEVE MADDEN, $99; The Beatles Print Slip-Ons, VANS, $109
Thick, flatform soles were a '90s-sneaker staple, and they're back with a vengeance for spring. Wear them like you would any other pair of sneakers or really lean into the trend with a funky printed top and stonewashed denim cutoffs — very Saved by the Bell meets Nasty Gal.
Black Patent Platform Sneakers With Star Cutouts, JC PLAY, $145; Pink Quilted High-Top Sneakers, ASOS, $57; Houndstooth Sneakers, JEFFREY CAMPBELL, $87; Purple Floral Sneakers, VANS, $75
8. Not-So-Heavy Metal
Metallic sneakers in silver, soft gold, and pastels are great for bringing a little spring lightness and shine to heavy, late-winter clothes. Let your mirrored sneakers shine all on their own or add additional metallic elements to help balance out the look.
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Metallic Blue Sneakers, NIKE, $150; Silver Wedge Sneakers, FOREVER 21, $33; Blue Metallic Slip-Ons, MARC BY MARC JACOBS, $228; Gold Sneakers, ARMANI JEANS, $165
9. Slight Accent
Statement sneakers don't have to be loud. If you're not feeling pastels and brights this spring, go for sneakers in richer, earthier colors like burgundy, navy, khaki, or olive and pair them with bright white clothes for a look that is understated, sporty and totally on trend.
Burgundy and Gold Sneakers, AVENUE32, $135; Navy Suede High-Tops, COACH, $168; Burgundy and Gray Sneakers, NEW BALANCE, $113; Navy and Yellow Sneakers, GOLA, $80
10. Clean and Simple
If you buy only one pair of sneakers this year, make them white. They're classic and versatile, and they look just as cool when they're old and dirty as when they first come out of the box. Wear them with everything.
White High-Tops, FOREVER 21, $30; White Sneakers With Silver Swoosh, NIKE, $105; White Slip-Ons, FRENCH CONNECTION, $80; White Lace Sneakers, VICTORIA'S SECRET, $99
RELATED:
10 Awesome Ways to Pair Sneakers With Skirts and DressesAre Sneakers the New High Heels?6 Super Simple Ways to Become a Color-Mixing Master
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Photo Credit: Getty Images; Instagram; FashionFinder.asos.com; Lookbook.nu; Adenorah.com; Moehfashion.com
