Fall-winter 2026-2027 sneakers: the silhouettes that truly stand the test of time

Sneakers autunno-inverno 2026-2027: le silhouette che reggono davvero

Trends · Fall-Winter 2026-2027

The sneaker has won: wear it with a coat, with a suit, in the evening. But precisely because it goes everywhere, choosing one has become more difficult — and this season's trends, for once, are clear enough to explain without beating around the bush.

Three things matter: the material, the shape, and how much attention you want to attract.

The sneakers that arrived in the boutique in October

The sneakers that have arrived since mid-September confirm almost all the trends in this guide. Suede features in the men's Harmont & Blaine styles with inserts, and in the women's UGG Lowmel, which also brings animal print in the Spotted version. For those looking for a technical sneaker for the city, the adidas Adistar Control has arrived; for those who prefer a classic, there's the Samba OG and the Superstar II.

Among the less obvious names: the Barracuda Phoenix, men's suede slip-ons, the Rhun in leather and patent leather, and women's Premiata from the Mased, Moerund and Micol lines.

1. Suede, again

It's the material of the season across the board, and it's had the biggest impact on the sneaker market. The reason is visual: suede softens a shoe's sporty character and makes it work with wool trousers. A glossy leather Samba clashes with a coat; the same shoe in suede doesn't.

L'the practical objection is rain, and it's justified. The answer isn't to avoid it but to treat it: a protective spray before the first wear and a rubber brush every so often are enough for a season. What suede won't forgive is drying it near a radiator, which makes it irreversibly stiff.

2. L'animal print has moved beyond the niche

Leopard, cow print, python: once a collector's detail, it has become a category. This is the trend that has surprised us most with its sales, and our explanation is that it works like a neutral - a spotted shoe pairs with black, brown, and denim, and saves you the trouble of matching a color.

The best approach is to treat it for what it is: a statement piece in a quiet outfit. If the rest is printed too, the shoe stops working.

3. The low, slim silhouette has beaten the chunky one

The cycle has come full circle. After five years of chunky soles, court-inspired silhouettes are taking over: low profile, tapered toe, thin rubber sole. This is the terrace family — Samba, Gazelle, Handball Spezial — born on English football terraces in the 1980s and never more central to fashion.

Two exceptions remain, and they're no small matter. The Superstar, which has remained outside the trend cycles for forty years. And the XLG silhouette, with its exaggerated proportions and chunky sole, which continues to appeal to a younger audience and pairs well with wide-leg trousers.

4. For serious walkers: the technical sneaker in the city

Some people who come into the boutique aren’t looking for a shoe to admire, but one they can wear for eight hours. That changes the conversation: cushioning, weight, and sole grip on wet surfaces matter. Running styles with a look understated enough for the office are the most sensible answer, and they’ve become much more stylish over the past two years.

If you have issues with foot support or spend the day on your feet, this is the direction to explore first — regardless of what the runways say.

5. Colors: mud, leather, forest green

All-white styles are taking a back seat, not disappearing. In their place, muddy neutrals — mud beige, taupe, leather — and dark greens are gaining ground. Green is the season’s most interesting color because it works well with both denim and brown. It’s the same shift we’re seeing across the wardrobe, and we’ve written about it in our guide to Fall-Winter 2026-2027 colors.

The boutique’s advice. If you’re buying just one pair, choose suede in a warm neutral: it goes with more outfits and ages better. L'animal print and exaggerated silhouettes are second purchases, for when you already have the basics covered. And always try shoes on in the afternoon: by the end of the day, your feet are half a size bigger than in the morning.

What to look for in our selection

For those seeking a clean retro aesthetic and a transparent supply chain, the season's new arrival is the VEJA collection: from the classic tennis-inspired Campo to the V-90's 1990s basketball aesthetic, and the Volley, with its slim volley-inspired profile.

adidas Originals is the brand we have the deepest selection of, and it also carries almost all the silhouettes mentioned above: the Samba in its many versions, the Handball Spezial, the Gazelle, the Superstar, and the XLG.

For a more tailored look, Premiata remains the Italian reference point, while ON covers the technical side for those who really walk, and Flower Mountain offers something more unusual. Find everything else in women's sneakers and men's sneakers.

To complete your seasonal wardrobe: fall-winter shoes and bags.

When the cold really sets in, the focus shifts to boots: our guide to fall-winter boots.

Frequently asked questions

Which sneakers are in style for fall-winter 2026-2027?

Low-profile, slim silhouettes from the terrace family — Samba, Gazelle, Handball Spezial — preferably in suede, the material of the season. Animal print is also holding its own, now a category in its own right rather than just a detail, as are exaggerated shapes like the XLG, popular with a younger audience.

Can you wear suede sneakers in winter?

Yes, as long as you look after them: apply a protective spray before wearing them for the first time and use a rubber brush for maintenance. What irreversibly damages suede is not rain but drying it near a heat source, which makes it stiff.

Are chunky sneakers out of style?

The chunky sole no longer calls the shots, but it hasn’t disappeared: XLG and similar silhouettes remain in high demand, especially with wide-leg trousers. You could say it has gone from a dominant trend to a matter of personal taste.

What sneakers should you buy if you’re only getting one pair?

Suede in a warm neutral shade - muddy beige, taupe or leather - with a low profile. It’s the combination that goes with the widest range of clothes and ages best. L'animal print and exaggerated soles are purchases to consider once you have the basics covered.

How do you choose the right sneaker size?

Try them on in the afternoon: by the end of the day, your foot is about half a size larger than in the morning, and a shoe tried on at nine may feel tight at six. If you’re shopping online, measure your foot length in centimeters and compare it with the model’s size chart.

Editorial team Vittorio Citro Boutique, Roccapiemonte. We have been selling fashion since 1917.

Suede, animal print and soft shapes aren’t just for sneakers: this season’s movement is explored in fall-winter 2026-2027 fashion trends.

From the boutique

If your size isn’t available, that doesn’t mean it won’t come back. In the boutique app, you can set an alert for an individual item and receive a notification when it’s back in stock: it’s the easiest way not to miss out on a style that sells out quickly. Download it from the App Store and Google Play.

Authority & Sartorial Tradition

Article by the editorial team at Vittorio Citro, buyer and sixth generation of the historic boutique in Campania. To understand the standards of our service, discover why choose a physical multibrand boutique over large marketplaces, and consult our guide on how to buy luxury fashion online with complete peace of mind. For an overview of Italy’s historic fashion retail excellence, read our feature on Italian multibrand boutiques online.

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