Designer trainers are the investment footwear you'll wear time and time again

I don't know about you, but aside from high-end bags and jewellery, a good pair of designer trainers seems to be where everyone's investing at the moment. People seem to be setting their sights on comfort over everything else right now, and I'm keen to join.

It's easy, of course, when virtually every runway of late has been swathed with them (hello, elevated sportswear). Labels are, resolutely, sticking to their own brand DNA – be it girly, sporty, minimal or modern – and, instead of pivoting every season, they're consistently creating styles that suit their own looks. And their customer's. So you know you can go to Chloé for a feminine take on trainers, and to Balmain, Gucci, and Loewe for more vibrant designs.

There are simple classics such as Saint Laurent's white Andy sneakers and the chunkier Alexander McQueen pair, or bold statement-making silhouettes like the adidas x Wales Bonner leopard print Sambas – which continue to sell out for a reason.

From a styling POV, a major plus point when you choose designer trainers is that they will instantly elevate any outfit from ‘blah’ to beyond. Even when you’re popping out to the shop in your loungewear, if you slip into your luxury sneakers it will instantly be transformed into a lewk. And right now I'm all about easy and effective outfit updates.

So, what are the best designer trainers we rate?

Obviously it all depends on your own personal style and the brands you’re into, but you can’t go wrong with Gucci's Leather Monogram sneakers or these classic Prada Platform trainers. The simpler the style, the more opportunities you’ll have to dress them up and down with a pleated midi-skirt, floaty summer dress, jeans or a trouser suit. Or the more adventurous you go (like the Moncler Genius + adidas Originals Campus sneakers for example), the more you can let the shoes do the talking with a simpler outfit.

Scroll for GLAMOUR’s edit of the best designer trainers to shop for 2024.