Are white sneakers out? No, they’ll always be a classic closet staple. But lately, all the fashion pros have been leaning toward another trendy colorway that’s just as versatile: brown sneakers.
White sneakers will never go out of fashion, we promise, but scroll through Instagram or any street style photos and you’ll notice that more and more fashion pros are opting for sneakers in shades of brown when styling their summer looks. Why brown? Well, the Pantone Color Institute did select “Mocha Mousse” as the trending color of 2025. According to the institute, the earthy brown tone stands for calm and stability.
We’ve seen rich, coffee-adjacent tones popping up all over the fashion world, and naturally this has applied to sneaker trends too. Whether they’re in mocha mousse, a lighter brown, almost beige, or a deep dark chocolate, brown sneakers are everywhere right now.
Suede shoes with a retro look seem to be particularly popular among fashion insiders around the world, though the color has certainly made its way to chunky iterations as well.
Lucky Step Retro Sneakers
Amazon
Jeffrey Campbell Willow Suede Sneakers
Free People
Puma Speedcat Sneakers
Amazon
Adidas Handball Spezial Sneaker
Nordstrom
Here’s how the fashion pros are styling their brown sneakers
While we don’t think brown sneakers will ever completely replace white sneakers, fashion girls have proven that they’re just as versatile. See below for some inspo on how to style your brown sneakers, from vacation vibes to office-friendly looks.
Quiet luxury
Minimalists, this trend is for you. Because brown sneakers are so easy to combine with understated pieces in black, white, creams, or beige, they’re a great addition to any capsule wardrobe.
With butter yellow
Like butter on bread, brown tones harmonize wonderfully with the other trending color of the summer, butter yellow. Pair your shoes with a flowing skirt or top in the soft yellow shade to perfectly accentuate the warm undertones of the sneakers. Pro tip: Color-coordinated laces make the look particularly complete.
With boho pants
Fashion girls who want a little more casual of a vibe are opting for suede sneakers in rich brown tones this summer. The retro feel goes perfectly with boho-style pants or shorts, which are celebrating their own comeback in 2025.
With long dresses
Romantic maxi dresses and sporty trainers are a contrast that never gets boring. Style tip: Complement the shoes with accessories in mustard yellow or other earthy tones for a chic, sophisticated look.
A monochromatic office look
If you have to be in the office, you probably don’t feel like standing in front of your closet for a long time in the morning. A simple styling formula can help: A monochrome suit consisting of a blazer and trousers in rich brown tones will immediately look elegant and well thought out. Matching brown sneakers and a baseball cap are not only on trend, but add a subtly casual flair that rounds out the look.
With white socks
Fashion professionals know the right sock for the shoe. For example, suede sneakers go best with white above-the-ankle socks. The neutral tones match well with a sweater or top in similar shades for a subtly elegant approach.
Brown and white
If the contrast of a black and white is sometimes too harsh for you, try brown and white as an alternative. It looks softer, warmer, and just as elegant.
With your summer vacation clothes
If you’re already mentally packing your suitcase for your summer vacation, brown sneakers should be at the top of your do-not-forget list. They not only work well with all your summer dresses and tops, but dust and sand are much less visible on brown than they are on black or white. Win-win!
A version of this article was previously published in Glamour Germany.
The post Brown Sneakers: Fashion Pros Are Swapping Their White Sneakers for This Trendy Color Instead appeared first on Glamour.
