Back in July, I wrote an article with the headline: “Why Do All Trainers Look The Same Right Now?”, having observed a particular shift in the shoe market. The hallmarks of said shoe include, but are not limited to: a slimline silhouette, rounded toes, skinny soles and a thin lace upper and, usually, the addition of contrast accents in suede, leather and/or nylon.
Designer brands were the initial catalyst for the retro running-inspired trainer trend, but it has since been fuelled by iterations from sports giants and high-street retailers. Cos was an early adopter, and released its minimal trainers the moment the slimline trainer trend started to bubble up.
Read more: The Key Autumn/Winter 2025 Trainer Trends To Know Now
Defined by their slight, low-profile silhouette, understated geometric stitching and flat, even sole, the trainers lean into all the key hallmarks of the trend. True to their name, they’re very much in-keeping with the pared-back identity Cos has become known for, and pair well with the puddling hemlines of the jeans and trousers in the mainline collections. (The model shots on the product landing page exemplify the multiple styling possibilities of these easy shoes.)
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Proof that they’ve been a hit? The trainers are available in several colourways, including dark brown, crimson, cognac, jade, cappuccino, khaki and navy, as well as classic black and chalk. As is the case with any cult high-street product – like Uniqlo’s windproof blouson, which was an unexpected style hit in May – many Londoners have welcomed these minimal trainers into their everyday wardrobes. I’ve seen them on the Tube, in pub gardens – and now that they’re included in the retailer’s seasonal sale, I expect they’ll become even more popular.
