That said, slimmer styles have been the footwear collector’s biggest obsession of late, serving as the antidote for the arguably dated and bulky look of their heftier counterparts. Arch support arguments aside (we suggest hunting down a reliable pair of inserts if this is a hindrance for you), these shoes are more flexible, lighter and offer sleeker lines that complement any casual outfit.
2026 is the year of the low-slung sneaker. From understated to offbeat, these are the season’s buys for collectors going sleeker.
Some live by the motto “bigger is better”, but footwear calls for more nuance. The chunky, athletic “dad sneaker” of the 1990s endures for good reason — just look to the late Princess Diana and the Spice Girls, and to today’s “It girls” Dakota Johnson and Hailey Bieber.
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