This summer is all about embracing a muted palette. At least, that is what the season’s trending ready-to-wear colors would suggest. The runways were filled with loads of butter yellows, chocolate browns, and icy blues; “Soft” and “easy” are two words that come to mind when trying to define summer 2025 dressing. But for shoes, may we propose introducing a more anti-summer style into your wardrobe rotation—via an extremely odd-hued sneaker.
If your closet is steering stealthy-chic, then your shoe game should go for more of a wow factor. Things can’t all be so neutral. Where is the fun in that? And what better way to amp up an outfit than with a slim-green or acid-yellow sneaker.
Eye-popping sneakers are currently having a moment on the feet of some notable celebrities. Earlier this month, Harry Styles stepped out in London wearing a pair of yellow Prada nylon low-tops—which he paired with itty-bitty gym shorts, naturally. (How Paul Mescal of him.) His mustard shoes worn with red shorts was an unexpected but very cool look. A reminder that color-mixing should be fun, and not taken so seriously.
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Stars like Bad Bunny and Bella Hadid have also gotten on board with the sprightly accessorizing. At a Knicks playoff game, Bad Bunny sported his own Adidas collaboration (a flex!): a slim, yellow striped sneaker. His outfit, an all-black look with a leather bomber, was demure—yet his shoes injected the look with some personality. Ditto for supermodel Bella Hadid in New York City, when she sported a jersey top with denim cut-off shorts and sneakers that color-blocked yellow and red. Fun.
Even if you’re a serious devotee of quiet brands like The Row or Phoebe Philo, and are largely afraid of brazen colors, you have to admit: an unconventionally-hued sneaker is a pretty low-lift risk to take. Sneakers go with pretty much everything, from dresses to suits. And in a mossy or highlighter shade, they have the potential be an instant outfit-maker. All of this to say: Consider putting the classic heels or Alaïa mesh flats down, and please, join the unorthodox sneaker train instead. Why blend in, when you can stand out?
