(Courtesy of Vogue)
The easiest way to wake up a neutral outfit? Slip on a pair of red sneakers.
This season’s favorite shade delivers impact without tipping into try-hard territory. Sporty, striking, and endlessly wearable, it’s the color we can see running strong through fall and far beyond.
Red Sneakers Step In as the Season’s Hottest Hue
(Courtesy of Vogue)
Neutrals may be timeless, but this season’s It-girl uniform is all about turning up the color dial. Red sneakers nail that sweet spot between sporty ease and style-conscious flair, making them the ultimate halfway point between everyday staple and scene-stealing accessory.
Emily Ratajkowski made the case in NYC, stepping out in a see-through crochet sundress that radiated hot-girl-summer energy. The model ditched the obvious choice of strappy sandals and grounded the look with bold red sneakers.
Meanwhile, Iris Law worked the trend in a city-ready denim trompe l’oeil co-ord, giving the bold sneakers a fresh, street-style spin.
Red sneakers are part of a bigger red wave this year, with stars like Jennifer Lawrence, Rachel Zegler, and Gigi Hadid embracing the shade in everything from flats to loafers. Considering red bags were already making headlines in the summer-to-fall transition last year, it’s no surprise that shoes are now the next statement piece to get a brighter makeover.
How to Style Red Sneakers for Maximum Year-Round Wear
(Courtesy of Vogue)
What makes the red pair so reliable is range. On holiday, team them with shorts and a tank. As the weather cools, swap in baggy jeans, a cashmere crewneck, and a sand-colored trench. They even work nine-to-five when styled with tailored pants for a little sharp contrast.
The mood has shifted toward a leaner look, with slim midsoles and streamlined uppers taking over the oversized, Y2K-heavy shapes of the past few years.
(Courtesy of @harbourcity)
To keep your red sneakers feeling current, skip the chunky soles and lean into a sleeker shape. Harry Styles owns multiple pairs of Dries Van Noten’s often sold-out panelled leather and suede sneakers, while Hailey Bieber, Addison Rae, and Kaia Gerber have all been spotted in bold Onitsuka Tiger styles.
Dua Lipa, Puma’s global brand ambassador, kept it playful with the compact Speed Cat silhouette in red, pink, black, and even a silver ballerina version.
The Best Shades of Red to Wear This Season
(Courtesy of Puma)
Sneakers aren’t usually the piece that steals the spotlight, but the eye-popping red pair changes the script.
Labels that know the power of a pop of red—Adidas, Nike, Puma, and more—are delivering true showstoppers right now: think Adidas SL 72 and Handball Spezial, Nike LD-1000, and Puma Speedcat OG.
Pick your red like you’d pick a lipstick: Ferrari red for punch, vibrant cherry for play, or a deeper burgundy for polish. Low-profile shapes keep the look sleek while the color does the talking, whether it’s off-duty with denim and a trench or Monday-ready with tailored trousers.
The red trainer is going strong well into fall and beyond, so if a pair is calling, there’s no better time to make it yours.
Shop Authentic Red Sneakers Without Blowing the Budget
(Courtesy of Who What Wear)
Red sneakers are all the rage right now—and hopping on the trend doesn’t have to blow the budget. Japan-based second-hand platform ZenLuxe offers an extensive selection of lightly used, fully authenticated trainers that span from casual classics like Nike, Adidas, and Puma to luxe options from Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Celine, Dior, and more.
WWD notes the sneaker resale market is settling into a healthier groove, making now the perfect time to embrace pre-loved.
(Pre-loved red Adidas sneakers available on ZenLuxe)
Buying second-hand not only takes pressure off new production but also keeps sneakers out of landfills and cuts down on your carbon footprint—all while helping you build a higher-quality rotation for a fraction of the retail cost.
While hopping from one second-hand shop to another is one way to hunt for budget-friendly gems, ZenLuxe puts all brands in one place, taking the daunting search out of the process and giving you all the options to decide your favorites. Expect your order to be handled with care by the ZenLuxe team and shipped straight to your doorstep!
About The Writer
Meet Mariam — a fashion writer who lives and breathes all things vogue and glamour. For her, the most therapeutic aspect of fashion goes beyond simply shopping for the latest styles that appear in stores; it’s fully experiencing this glamorous world from the little details to the big moments (there's nothing quite like the thrill of flipping through a sleek fashion magazine, is there?).
