6 Classic Sneakers That Never Go Out of Style

Sneakers are the kinda thing that bridge the gap between function and style perfectly. They might be the practical choice for lots of walking, but they’re also one of our favorite style moves. It’s the easiest way to make dresses and skirts feel a little less precious, trousers less corporate, and jeans feel fresh again. And when it comes to which ones will actually never go out of style? We’ve got some opinions. 

As a group of highly-opinionated individuals, we of course had an entire debate on this topic. I’m talking: in-office discussions, white-board-style with Shana’s notes (that yes, I can totally read after years of decoding her left-handed print, heh, I love it), then messaging the rest of the TME editors for their opinions on the topic, too. We obviously take this very seriously, and really wanted to nail down only the truest classic sneaker styles. 

All six of these sneakers are undeniably classics, but each one carries its own distinct vibe at first glance. The fun part? Styling can completely shift that vibe — preppy one day, sporty the next, or even playful to edgy, retro to fresh, luxe to minimalist. No matter your personal style, these six pairs are the kind of classics you really can’t go wrong with. Here’s where we’re at on the topic:

1. Converse

Where to Buy: Converse | Nordstrom | DSW | Zappos | Shopbop | Bloomingdale’s | Macy’s | Finish Line | Revolve

I’ve been calling the return of Converse for the past year or two, not just because, duh, of course they’re still cool classics, but also because they’re showing up more and more in trend-driven ways. I’ll always be partial to the black and white high top pair, but each year Converse drops new patterns and colorways that add a fun touch to everyday outfits. S, for example, recently tried their baby pink platform pair (super playful) and the classic cream version (a little old-school charm). Either way, they carry that nostalgic feel that never gets old. Oh, and the soles are squishier now. Huge, huge praise for that! If you wanna hear more of Shana’s take on this upgrade (and see how she’s styling them), read it here.

2. Checkered Vans

Where to Buy: Vans | Vans (in wide) | Nordstrom | Zappos | Shopbop | Bloomingdale’s

From the moment I started at TME, Shana’s been rocking her checkered Vans. Before her, I hadn’t realized just how effortlessly they go with everything, and how they can turn simple outfits into ones worth an ‘ooo.’ At first glance, they might read a little edgy or skater-esque, but the more you style them, the more versatile they become. Trousers get an instantly cool edge, dresses feel more casual for everyday wear, and jeans? Basically becomes fool-proof thanks to the low-profile shape. And if the classic black-and-white check feels like too much contrast, the tan-and-white pair is a perfect place to start.

3. Golden Goose

Where to Buy: Nordstrom | Bloomingdale’s | Neiman Marcus

Here’s where we’re getting into the hot debate territory. If you guys have been reading us for a while (see above for the photo with skinny jeans), you might know that Golden Goose were THE sneakers we deemed worth investing in. Then, they got a little eclectic for our personal styles (glitter everything), and we hit pause. However, (and this is a big however), the classic neutral Golden Goose will always look cool. The slightly worn-yet-luxe look to them makes them a unique choice for day to day activities, and we can’t leave them from the classics lists. They definitely belong there. 

4. adidas Stan Smith

Where to Buy: adidas | Nordstrom | Revolve

Now, you might know how much we wear our adidas around here. Truly, daily material. But I bet (maybe) you didn’t expect us to swap the Sambas for Stan Smiths in our classics list. This was intentional, of course. While we love a lot of the adidas styles, we can only consider them classics after years and years of wearing them. We needed to really think about our tried-and-true tested pairs, and so we landed on Stan Smiths. As for the actual look — don’t let the green scare you away. There’s something about certain sneakers that have a pop of color that we found, just work. The overall simplicity of Stan Smiths helps, too. 

5. Tretorn Tennis

Where to Buy: Nordstrom Rack | Tuckernuck | DSW

Tretorn sneakers were founded in Sweden in 1891, and it shows…they’re pure Scandinavian simplicity. Like Stan Smiths, Tretorn’s tennis sneakers have that clean, simple shape with a pop of color that just works with so much more than you might think. It’s such a timeless style, yet they still sit somewhere between retro and modern-looking with a bit of preppy thrown in, so they can take on a whole new vibe depending on how they’re styled up. The price point and comfort is great, too.

6. Nike Dunk Low

Where to Buy: Nike | Nordstrom | Urban Outfitters | Shopbop | Bloomingdale’s | Finish Line | Revolve

Alright, sneakerheads. I know this sparks debate, but in our opinion, Nike Dunks are always a win (Jordan 1 Low falls here, too). The color options are basically endless, and they naturally add a fresh, cool vibe to any outfit. Since they lean chunkier than other low-profile styles we’ve been loving, we do style them a bit differently. Here’s some outfit ideas if you’re curious. 

Are there any styles you guys think we left out?

xo,

TME