If you’re looking for somewhere to start, you can’t go wrong with the iconic sneaker houses, such as Nike, Adidas, or New Balance. You could also shop material or silhouette first, like a quintessential leather low-top, suede runner, or enduring canvas shape. For street style cred, a contemporary fashion sneaker has become the editor go-to—retro-inspired picks from Loewe and Miu Miu are current favorites. However, the main approach is to find the style that you prefer, whether that’s chunky, slim, or sporty, then decide on the colorway and material.

Minimal white sneakers tend to get the most wear, since they complement just about anything, but depending on your preferred color palette, you might choose a cushioned shoe that mixes neutrals together, or something with a little more flair, like the many colorful styles spotted across the runways as of late. Retro shapes continue to have their moment in the spotlight, as do sneakerinas (we can thank Bella Hadid for that one), but you can never go wrong with ‘90s-inspired chunky trainers and gorpcore picks that feel completely timeless, while still being street style-approved.

From coveted designer iterations to heritage mainstays, find our top picks for the best sneakers for women that are sure to upgrade your shoe closet.

Designer Whites

A white leather sneaker is a no-brainer purchase, whether used as an everyday option or travel shoe for a full day of walking. The material gets better with age, plus offers a snug and secure fit—no blisters here! If budget allows, it makes sense to invest in a designer iteration—after all, they do know good leather. From Toteme’s retro-inspired to Gucci’s low-runner shape, there is something for everyone.