This season, ballet trainers – also known as sneakerinas – are continuing their style legacy with new silhouettes, acting as one of the most versatile shoes on the market. Imagine the agility and comfort of a trainer paired with the fine lines and refined elegance of ballet pumps. Just in time for spring, we're faced with a shoe that moves with ease while maintaining a clean, contemporary shape. Therein lies their charm. Ballet trainers are the low-maintenance, easygoing alternative to the rest of your shoe wardrobe. They prove that you don't need a heel to look your finest or a running sole to feel your best. And on that, we're totally sold.
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This spring, though, the perfect pairing for a ballet trainer is not an ethereal dress or a romantic skirt. It's good ol' fashioned denim. This meeting of mundane and extraordinary hits the style sweet spot where all the chemistry happens. This shoe and its low, slim, close-to-the-foot silhouette quickly elevates a loose pair of jeans, sharpening up their cuts and bringing modern refinement to turn-ups and flares.
This unexpected combo is yet another reason to invest in a pair of ballet trainers for spring 2026. Scroll to find six pairings that are at the top of our shopping wishlist for the season.
Distressed baggy jeans and ballet trainers with statement laces
There are certain garments that have a polarising effect: you either love them or hate them. To take a pair of distressed baggy jeans out of that category and into the space of a spring favourite, consider wearing them with a pair of suede ballet trainers with statement laces. Instead of bad memories of Y2K style, the oversized shape and casual rips suddenly look totally fresh. The contrasting laces draw focus onto the foot and clean up the base of the ensemble very neatly. A white tee, a cropped suede jacket or an oversized blazer are enough to take the look into a polished territory.
White high-waisted jeans and dark suede ballet trainers
Few pieces have made such an interesting comeback as the white jean. Once a definition of tacky style, they have recently evolved into a chicer, more elegant take on classic denim. They're a true celebrity favourite, and they find yet another new side when paired with some dark suede trainers. It's a softer alternative to the perennial black and white combo that brings new ideas to the conversation around quiet luxury. Unlike the colours, the fabrics tell an opposite story – the rich, delicate fabric of the trainer works great against the robust denim. With a fun play of opposites, this will quickly become your go-to seasonal look. Just make sure to carry a stain remover with you at all times!
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Deep wash straight jeans and pastel ballet trainers
There's something very compelling about a well-cut straight jean. It never lets you down because it shows a real understanding of proportions that work for your body. But pair it with some pastel ballet trainers with ribbon laces, and you've got yourself a whole new character. The severity of a straight leg is showing its feminine side without losing on its practical elements. The contrast between the colours feels harmonious, and doesn't need much more to complete the look. A floaty blouse and a light trench coat – and you're good to go.
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Barrel-leg brown jeans and navy suede ballet trainers
With this look, it's all about breaking the rules. Brown polkadots with navy suede is exactly the kind of rogue mix that epitomises our favourite parts of spring style. A modern barrel leg jean has a strong presence, with a clear drape and a curved shape that calls for something easy but equally powerful below. This pair of navy suede ballet trainers has a silhouette reminiscent of climbing shoes, which helps in maintaining the pragmatic character of the look while also adding a bit of whimsy. It's a look that doesn't aim for sweetness, but brings out a sense of purposeful impact.
Indigo turn-up jeans and metallic pink ballet trainers
Turn-up jeans were one of the style standouts from last year, reinventing the character of looseness with true intention. These used to feel like an afterthought, but now appear cooler than ever. So what better way to style turn-up jeans than pairing them with a piece that's getting just as much attention from the fashion set. A double strap ballet trainer is already a hit, but the exciting pink glitter treatment makes it a total fashion fantasy. The crop of the trousers hits the top of the trainer without covering it completely, allowing the sparkle to have its own moment without overpowering the indigo denim. If there's a combo on this list that will take you straight into the night, it's definitely this one.
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Grey distressed jeans and black & white ballet trainers
Last autumn, we declared grey jeans as the successor to blue denim – and their reign continues right into this spring. A loose silhouette with just a few slashes is the kind of jean that will look just as good on the go as it does while lounging on a couch. But the true MVP of this outfit is the pair of lace-up ballerinas in classic black and white. They're sleek and sporty, but also totally elegant – exactly what you need when styling up a pair of low-rise baggy jeans. Armed with this look, Sunday picnics in the park will become the new catwalk.
Ballet trainers aren't trying to replace another shoe style – they're here to offer their unique blend of elegance and practicality that will effortlessly merge into your existing wardrobe, especially when paired with denim. For spring 2026, there are only a few combinations that look as clear, fresh and thought-out as this one.
A version of this article was previously published in Glamour Mexico and Latin America.
