It's True: Fashion People Are Swapping Their Loafers and Ballet Flats for This Divisive Trainer Trend
We love a trainer at Who What Wear UK, but Mary Jane trainers are undeniably harder to style. Scroll to discover how.
If you’re a regular Who What Wear UK reader, you’ll know we love nothing more than to dissect the trainer trends shaping the zeitgeist. From the enduring appeal of the Adidas Samba and Gazelle to more fashion-forward silhouettes (think Vibram FiveFingers or gorpcore Salomon), the trainer trends we’ve not covered are few and far between.
But there’s one divisive style making the rounds that we need to unpack: the Mary Jane Trainer. Sitting squarely in the hybrid trainer camp, this shoe blends the timeless sophistication of a Mary Jane flat with the cushion comfort of a trainer, and it's never been more popular, especially amongst cool-girl celebs.
Dua Lipa took her silver Puma Speedcat ballet flats to a pilates class in Aus, and Iris Law has been spotted wearing her array of pairs with everything from teal shorts to lace capri pants. Having invested in a pair myself (the satin Puma Speedcats had my name all over them!), I kept hitting a wall when trying to figure out exactly how to style them.
In a bid to get the most out of my newest buy, I did what I typically tend to do when in a fashion conundrum: I turned to the stylish dressers on my social media feeds for some outfit inspiration. And, as expected, they delivered. Whether creating easy synergy through matching colourways or adding a pattered pop of visual interest to loose, pared-back denim 'fits, I was instantly inspired after realising Mary Jane trainers actually couldn’t be easier to style. Having surged in popularity on Google this week (they’re up 200% week-on-week), you, too, might have recently invested and are facing the same issue, so I'm sharing the solutions I found.
Scroll down to discover three outfit ideas with Mary Jane trainers, along with a few tips on how to make them look chic in spring 2026.
1. Mary Jane Trainers + Waisted Tee + Jeans
Style Notes: If you're after an easy way to add a point of difference to your staple "jeans-and-nice-top" formula, a pair of printed Mary Jane trainers is an easy win. Infusing the look with a touch of fun, they'll bring some personality into even the most basic pairings.
Shop the Look:
The chic cinched waist makes this work harder than your standard white tee.
My go-to pair of loose jeans.
I'll be swapping the cow print for this elevated taupe offering from Ugg.
2. Mary Jane Trainers + Polka-Dot Windbreaker + Bermuda Shorts
Style Notes: One for the eclectic dressers amongst us, this is an easy way to lean into the matchy-matchy vibe popular right now. Keep it casual with dark-wash denim Bermuda shorts, but you can easily dress up this look with satin trousers or a maxi skirt.
Shop the Look:
Smaller dots always look far more expensive to me.
This waistband-free pair looks super elevated.
The laces add a cute touch.
3. Mary Jane Trainer + Windbreaker + Capri Pants
Style Notes: Pairing two of spring's biggest trends (a funnel-neck technical jacket and capri leggings), Ruby Lyn uses her Mary Jane trainers to breathe new life into her look. Removing the detachable straps for a cleaner finish, the blue colourway adds a welcome hit of vibrancy, elevating the entire outfit with minimal effort.
Shop the Look:
With all the functionality of a windbreaker and finished with an on-trend funnel-neck, this tan jacket from Whistles is making a bid to become your new spring jacket.
I've yet to find a comfier, softer pair of capris.
I love everything about these.
