11 To Shop: Retro Sneakers To Fuel Your Summer Shoedrobe

Photo: Courtesy Of Dries Van Noten

In the world of cool kicks, slimline is the new chunky – thanks to the resurgence of vintage-inspired runners. From archival reissues to luxury riffs that push the silhouette forward, these are the styles worth knowing.

Words by Simone Richardson · Updated on 08 Jan 2026 · Published on 23 Sep 2025

Ever wish you’d grown up in another era? If so, you’re not alone.

A wave of “ historical nostalgia ” is shaping pop culture right now – a phenomenon where people feel wistful for decades they never lived through. And Gen Z is leading the charge, with 68 per cent reporting they feel this way, according to a recent study.

It’s mostly a yearning for the age of physical media, seen in spiking sales of vinyl and CDs, board games and physical books. But fashion is feeling the effects too.

When it comes to footwear, nostalgia has put slimline silhouettes back in the spotlight. Retro running shoes are having a moment, with low-profile, lightweight shapes crafted from breathable suede and mesh, all rooted in old-school athleticism.

The appeal lies in their versatility. These slender, sought-after styles pair just as easily with pleated maxi skirts as with loose-fitting denim. Effortlessly wearable, they offer a more understated alternative to the bulkier climbing and hiking sneakers trending right now. Here are the vintage-inspired kicks worth lacing up for the new season.

The best retro sneakers to shop

Dries Van Noten round-toe sneakers

$583.63

This plush suede style from Dries Van Noten has quickly become a favourite among sneaker collectors. Its slim, ’70s-inspired silhouette comes in muted two-tone shades – lilac, caramel, black and white among them. Each works with pared-back tailoring just as well as casual denim, making for a versatile pair you won’t want to take off.

Buy at Cettire Buy at Ssense

Song for the Mute x Adidas Taekwondo

$220

Australian label Song for the Mute is known for luxurious textiles toughened up with raw edges and deconstructed seams. After five coveted sneaker collaborations with Adidas, the brand’s sixth release takes a slimmer turn from its chunkier predecessors. The brushed suede uppers have a scuffed, antique look that’s true to the label’s rugged approach to luxury. In earthy tones of khaki, sand and black, they drop via Song for the Mute on October 3 and Adidas on October 10.

Coming soon to Song for the Mute

Rag & Bone ultra-slim sneakers

$278

Metallic’s hold on wardrobes is only getting stronger as a new era of maximalism unfolds. The New York label has released its slimmest design to date with a chrome outer that reworks the silver-shoe trend into a streetwear frame. We’ve seen silver Maison Margiela Tabis and minimalist ballet flats, but this style offers a comfier way to wear the look.

Buy at Anthropologie Buy at Rag & Bone

Toteme black canvas sneakers

$610

Trust Swedish label Toteme to make a slimline sneaker that feels workwear-adjacent. The classic black design features a leather stripe that adds textural contrast while keeping things monochrome. Wear them with everything – sweeping cotton skirts with frilled socks, or loose denim that drapes so long, the toes just peek out. Trust Swedish label Toteme to make a slimline sneaker that feels workwear-adjacent. The classic black design features a leather stripe that adds textural contrast while keeping things monochrome. Wear them with everything – sweeping cotton skirts with frilled socks, or loose denim that drapes so long, the toes just peek out.

Buy at Ssense Buy at Mytheresa

Nelson Made Lyn sneakers

$299

Local footwear favourite Nelson Made recently stepped into sneakers with a debut collection of three tonal hues named after coffee and sweets: black, crema and toffee. Applying the same sleek design and comfort-led craftsmanship the brand’s known for, the retro-inspired runners are designed to slip into your wardrobe with ease.

Buy at The Iconic Buy at Nelson Made

Radical Yes Derby sneakers

$269

Radical Yes was born as an act of flat-shoe liberation. The ethical brand is loved by design-savvy Australians for its handbags, sunglasses and accessories – but mostly for its comfortable footwear. Alongside smart leather styles come slimline sneakers with no less professional poise (or so the brand says). The Derby design features subtle ruching that adds a ballet-inspired softness to the silhouette.

Buy at Radical Yes

Nike LD-1000 sneakers

$150

Each of the big sneaker players has been dipping back into the archives to revive much-loved silhouettes. Originally launched in the ’70s, the LD-1000 retains its vintage track feel but with subtle updates for today. This powder-blue style is accented with chocolate brown for a colourway that feels distinctly right now.

Buy at The Iconic Buy at Nike

Adidas Italia ’60 sneakers

$650

Another style from the archives, Adidas has revived an athletic shoe first made in Rome in 1959. Staying true to its origins, the silhouette is still made in Italy and crafted from lightly grained leather for a vintage-inspired finish. The crisp white-and-green stripe nods to its heritage – pair with trending tomato red to complete the tricolour.

Buy at Above The Clouds Buy at Adidas

Jacquemus The Tennis sneakers

$807

After a string of Nike collaborations, Jacquemus debuted its first solo sneaker at the Spring/Summer 2025 show. The Tennis is a slick riff on Nike’s Moon Shoe , reimagined with the French house’s playful yet refined aesthetic. Mediterranean-inspired palettes nod to its southern French roots, like this burnt terracotta version crafted entirely from leather.

Buy at Farfetch Buy at Cettire

Vans Super Lowpro

$139.99

Vans may be rooted in chunky skate shoes, but its new Super Lowpro is slimline through and through. Inspired by ’80s runners – specifically the brand’s Serio Style 84 track shoe – it pares things back with a sleeker side stripe and more understated branding, lending a subtle edge to everyday styling.

Buy at The Iconic Buy at Vans

Onitsuka Tiger Corsair A55

$300

Onitsuka Tiger is synonymous with slimline silhouettes, thanks largely to the enduring Mexico 66. The brand’s new Corsair A55 shifts the look with a rounder toe – a silhouette dubbed the “torpedo” by GQ. Where the Mexico 66 is best known in bright shades like canary yellow, the Corsair offers more subdued tones: beige, olive, navy, powder pink, pale grey and classic black.

Buy at The Iconic Buy at Kicks Crew

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About the author

Simone is Broadsheet's shopping editor.