I’m Choosing These Retro Sneakers Over Every Other Shoe Trend

Whether you’re into shoe trends or not, you’ve noticed that sneaker designers are on a vintage kick. They aren't recycling the pre-loved pairs in a thrift store’s shoe aisle, though; today’s best retro sneakers are made in 2025 but use throwback references to take a full-on sprint down memory lane. For reference, Adidas is reissuing its old-school Olympic gear; its Taekwondo and Tokyo sneakers, initially designed for competitive athletes decades ago, are now constants in Paris Fashion Week street style and Jennifer Lawrence’s sneaker collection.

Adidas isn’t the only footwear brand running through the archives for design inspiration. Rihanna, a proud Puma partner, alternates between the Speedcat sneakers, a ‘90s motorsport-inspired design, and the Monstro sneakers, a cleat-inspired shoe from the early aughts. Meanwhile, Hailey Bieber and Kaia Gerber kick around Los Angeles in Onitsuka Tiger’s Mexico 66, Japanese slim-striped shoes that debuted back in 1966 and made an unforgettable appearance in Quentin Tarantino’s 2003 Kill Bill: Volume 1 in bright school bus yellow.

High fashion has also embraced the takeover of throwback trainers. On the Spring 2025 runways, Dior and Stella McCartney showcased boxing sneakers that Laila Ali would’ve worn in ‘99, while Prada, Proenza Schouler, and Miu Miu displayed slim-to-the-foot sneakers in punchy colorways and suede that harkened back to the ‘70s.

The same appreciation for retro styles also applies to Marie Claire’s favorite work sneakers. Walk into our Manhattan office on any workday, and you’ll spot one editor speed-walking to a meeting in Loewe’s Ballet Runners (likely editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike, who declared ‘sneakerinas’ her favorite spring shoe trend in a recent Self-Checkout), while another writer rushes to an appointment, wearing Reebok’s Club C 85 Vintage Shoes laced up and ready to go.

So, if the near-constant celebrity endorsements and runway appearances weren’t enough, you can take team MC’s co-sign as a testament to the fact that trendy sneakers that look like they came out of a time machine are here to stay. For more information and recommendations to guide your shopping, keep scrolling to shop our team’s vetted picks for the best retro sneakers of 2025 that are vintage-inspired but without the wear and tear.

2025's Best Retro Sneakers, Vetted By Team MC

• The Designer Splurge: Nike x Bode Astrograbber Leather and Suede-Trimmed Waffle-Knit Sneakers
• The It-Girl Shoe: Adidas Tokyo Sneaker
• The Celebrity Staple: Puma Speedcat Og Women's Sneakers
• The Editor Favorite: Larroudé Stella Sneaker in Seaweed Suede and Ivory Leather
• The Neo-Cult Classic: Vans Super Lowpro Sneakers
• The Dad Sneaker: New Balance 530 Sneakers
• The Maximalist Style: Gola Stadium '86 Sneakers
• The Minimal White: Reebok Club C 85 Vintage Shoes

Nike x Bode Astrograbber Sneakers

First up is the personal favorite of Nikki Ogunnaike, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire: "I have the Astrograbber Bode sneakers in white and slime green, and I'm this close to getting them in black, too. I love that they're cut in a slim silhouette but aren't too narrow on my feet and can be styled with everything from skirts and trousers to my trusty Levi's jeans. I most recently wore them while traveling to Geneva, and they even supported me through two mad dashes to connecting gates at the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris."

Adidas Tokyo Shoes

Halie LeSavage, Marie Claire's senior fashion news editor, is now a proud member of the Adidas Tokyo sneaker fan club. "The rise of slim sneakers has been great for me, a ballet flat collector and devotee of Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66's before Kaia and Kendall made them A Thing. But after wearing my favorite pair to pieces—and the brand's pause on direct sales to the U.S.—I've been on the lookout for a new, similarly ballet-flat-adjacent sneaker. I'll admit that Jennifer Lawrence wore these first, and I was swayed to buy them after writing about her outfits. A few weeks later, the Tokyos are my favorite with wide-leg trousers for work and midi dresses on the weekend. I used to bristle at buying things 'everyone else' has, but the hive mind is right on this one."

Speedcat OG Women's Sneakers

If fashion e-commerce editor Julia Marzovilla tells you to buy something, you buy it—or at least, that's my rule of thumb. “I blame Rihanna for finally getting me to buy a pair of Puma Speedcats. She wore them in the lavender colorway, so I nabbed them in pale pink. A touch feminine, a touch sporty, the Puma Speedcat deserves its viral status. After wearing them for a few hours, I understand why they’re almost constantly sold out online. They’re comfortable (and rank amongst my list of the most comfortable sneakers) and go with all of my neutral pieces.”

Larroudé Stella Sneaker

It's me, Emma Childs, Marie Claire's fashion features editor, chiming in on the retro sneaker conversation to wax poetic about my favorite pair, Larroudé's Stella sneakers. Larroudé is your favorite fashion editor's favorite shoe brand. Why? Because the footwear brand intuitively understands which shoe trends are meant to last and which are doomed to the abyss of quick-hit, now-nothing fads. So, I took their Stella sneaker, a slim-fitting, '70s-reminiscent suede style (and their first-ever sneaker), as a sign that the retro sneaker trend has legs. I picked up the Stella in seaweed green (the new neutral!), and I've already been complimented on the supple sneaker after just one wear (from my deli cashier, a very charming dogwalker, and a friendly commuter on the D train).

However, one note of caution: I'd advise sizing up a half size, as they tend to run a bit tight, which is always a risk with slim-fitting shoes.

New Balance 530 Sneakers

Next is Kelsey Stiegman, our contributing fashion writer, with her favorite: "I'm an androgynous girlie through and through, so I love New Balance's 740 sneakers. They're the ultimate dorky dad shoe and, thus, give every outfit an unexpected, eclectic vibe. Aesthetics aside, they also just so happen to be the most comfortable shoes I own. I covered mine in bows and charms for a little personalized flair—highly recommend!"

Gola Stadium '86 Sneakers

The silver shoe trend caught the eye of beauty editor Siena Gagliano, and Gola's Stadium '86 sneakers helped make her high-shine dream a reality. "Silver is usually more of a statement color, but what I love about these Golas is that they actually go with everything. I wear them all week long—seriously, at least once per day. I am also obsessed with the fold-over tongue; it’s an extra detail that makes these vintage-inspired sneakers stand out from the other popular styles on the market right now. In terms of comfort, these far exceeded my expectations. The cushion-y sole required no break-in period whatsoever."

Vans Super Lowpro Sneakers

Marzovilla shouts out another one of her favorites, “The Vans Super Low Pro Sneakers are inspired by an '80s-era range of athletic sneakers from the California-based skate label, so it doesn’t get much more 'vintage' than them. I own them in two colors (red and pink) and simply put, I love them. They’re comfortable beyond compare, a fact I’ve come to expect from Vans sneakers, but they also give me an excuse to test-drive a new color this summer.”

Reebok Club C 85 Vintage Shoes

Last but certainly not least, Bianca Rodriguez, Future's audience development manager, weighs in: "This Reebok style and I stumbled onto each other by accident when the brand gifted me a pair about three-ish years ago, and it was a happy accident indeed! They're a safe haven for my wide feet during any long walking stint, and they look cool doing so. I like how there is the slightest hint of a platform, but I can still keep up with today's flat shoe trend. I've worn this pair so much that I eventually bought another colorway—this time in black and cream, giving any outfit I wear an instant varsity-style look."

More Retro Sneakers to Shop

Full disclosure: Our editors haven't tested the vintage-esque sneakers below as thoroughly as the ones above. However, based on my extensive research (I monitor shoe trends and shop for a living, after all), I can attest that they're worth adding to your spring shoe collection, ranging from the all-time best Adidas sneakers (looking at you, the Samba) to affordable options under $100 that appear quadruple the price.