Fashion People Are Over Sandal Season—6 Polished Trainer Looks They'll Be Wearing in Autumn

It took until last year for me to wear trainers outside the gym. Sporty footwear has never felt very ‘me’, and I was always more confident in boots, loafers and sandals in the summer. But 2023's Adidas Samba craze finally converted me, and ever since, I've found myself wearing sneakers almost daily. I don't expect this to change with autumn's arrival, a season that calls for comfort and ease as we adjust to falling temperatures.

I'll be starting by recreating a handful of outfits I've saved on Instagram, each of which meets my core criteria: versatile layers to combat the chill, chic elements that elevate the casual footwear and clean, simple silhouettes that are as wearable as they are stylish. And of course, each look is anchored by a sleek sneaker.

Keep scrolling for six easy autumn trainer outfits—featuring cult styles and back-in-stock bestsellers—you'll live in this season and beyond.

AUTUMN TRAINER OUTFITS:

1. Jumper + Slip Skirt + Yellow Trainers

Style Notes: Onitsuka Tiger's Mexico 66 trainers aren't just a huge 2024 trend piece—they're also the flash of colour your autumn outfits need to keep them from feeling too heavy. Pair with a floor-skimming skirt and a cosy knit for the perfect balance of style and comfort.

Shop the look:

Topshop

Knitted Boxy Fluffy Crew Jumper in Grey

£42

Meet your new favourite jumper.

Reformation

Bella Silk Skirt

£228

This elegant piece is easy to dress down for everyday wear.

Charles & Keith

Chain-Strap Shoulder Bag

£59

Charles & Keith's designer-looking bags always impress us.

onitsuka tiger

Mexico 66

£130

Get them before they sell out (again).

2. Ribbed Maxi Dress + Sporty Trainers

Style Notes: We say it every autumn, but a knitted dress truly is the ultimate all-in-one outfit. Use trainers to add a touch of cool to this comfy silhouette.

Shop the look:

Arket

Cap-Sleeve Rib Dress

£99

Such an easy piece to slip on and go.

CELINE EYEWEAR

Triomphe Oversized Square-Frame Tortoiseshell Acetate Sunglasses

£440

Future heirloom sunnies.

NEW BALANCE

327 Suede and Mesh Sneakers

£120

New Balance is up there with Adidas as a key sneaker brand.

3. Leather Jacket + Baggy Jeans + Leopard Trainers

Style Notes: While I'm sad summer's almost over, I am excited to bust out my jacket collection—starting with a leather or faux leather cover-up. Teamed with a pair of trending leopard-print trainers, this is set to be your most complimented outfit.

Shop the look:

Whistles

Clean Bonded Leather Jacket

£449

Louisa's exact jacket.

COS

Clean Cut Long-Sleeved T-Shirt

£35

Swap your short-sleeve for a long-sleeve tee.

H&M

Wide High Jeans

£25

H&M is one of my go-to brands for affordable, good-quality denim.

GOLDEN GOOSE

Super-Star Sabot Distressed Leopard-Print Calf Hair Slip-On Sneakers

£520

Leopard print never goes out of style.

4. Blazer + Leggings + Chunky Trainers

Style Notes: The summer-to-autumn transition is all about rediscovering old loves that have sat at the back of your wardrobe for months. Set the tone for the season with your most-loved blazer and best-fitting leggings, then balance out the look with a chunky sneaker.

Shop the look:

The Frankie Shop

Boxy Single-Breasted Blazer

£345

A boxy blazer is an autumn essential.

New Look

Flex High Waisted Leggings

£20

These are great value.

Lululemon

Women's Daily Stride Ribbed Comfort Crew Socks

£38

Complete with cushioning for extra comfort.

New Balance

Mr530 Trainers White Silver

£100

Everyday kicks.

5. Jumper + Wide-Leg Trousers + Classic Trainers

Style Notes: If I could only wear one combination for the rest of my life, I might just choose wide-leg trousers with trainers. This high-low pairing hits the sweet spot between dressy and casual and works with so many top options.

Shop the look:

M&S Collection

Supersoft Crew Neck Jumper

£18

Size up for a slouchy fit.

COS

Tailored Linen-Blend Trousers

£110

Yes, you can carry your linen pieces into autumn.

adidas

Samba Og Trainers

£95

These iconic kicks need no introduction.

6. Cardigan + Denim Midi Skirt + White Trainers

Style Notes: All signs are pointing to denim midi skirts continuing their winning streak and staying in the spotlight for AW24. Style yours for weekend wear with a relaxed cardi and minimal trainers.

Shop the look:

& Other Stories

Buttoned Knit Cardigan

£87

Made from an alpaca and wool blend, this will keep you warm on crisp autumn days.

Arket

Crew-Neck T-Shirt

£17

Once you buy the white, you'll want one in every colour.

hush

Rylie Denim Maxi Skirt

£79

Just add tights on colder mornings.

VEJA

Veja Esplar Trainers

£98

These trainers are beloved in the influencer community.