Kaitlan Collins' Go-To Shoe Choice For Work & Play Is So Relatable

When it comes to having a showdown with the current president, Kaitlan Collins has proven herself to be fearless and willing to push all the right buttons. After all, not many people can boast that Trump has called them a "low-rated" anchor ... proving that Collins is doing her job perfectly. 

But when Collins isn't verbally sparring with Trump or his mouthpiece Karoline Leavitt (whose outfits often miss the mark), she knows how to stay cool and have some fun. At her core, she's a casual queen, often opting for sneakers even when she's in front of the camera. "I'm very intentional with how I dress because I don't want to be preoccupied with [my clothes] throughout the day," Collins told Marie Claire in September 2024. "I established this when I was covering the White House as a reporter: I was inside the White House and then running outside to be on camera about 10 times a day. I needed ... something I was totally comfortable and confident in but never had to stop and adjust."

If you want to wear sneakers more, but have no idea how to pull them off and still look professional, then turn to Kaitlan Collins for inspiration. Whether she's dressed up or dressed down, Collins has perfected the art of making sneakers work for both professional and casual settings.

In May 2022, Kaitlan Collins attended the Miami Grand Prix, and she looked fantastic. Wearing a trendy cutout summer dress like her friend in the photo, paired with white sneakers that appear to have a slight chunk to them, Collins is definitely embracing her effortlessly chic side. To make this casual but fun look complete, Collins wore her hair down, cascading over her shoulders. Everything about this outfit for this particular event is relatable and in style.

What's so great about this picture isn't just the fact that we get to see Collins behind the scenes prepping for her next on-screen appearance — or even the fact that she's paired her Nike sneakers with slim-fitting pants and a blazer. It's the caption for the post that says it all: "Fulfilling my dream of only wearing sneakers on TV this week." Although Collins doesn't get into the details about what she was covering in Washington, D.C. in August 2023, it doesn't really matter. What does matter is that this woman knows how to wear a sneaker.

In September 2021, for the first time ever, CNN had an all-female crew on Air Force One. True to form, Kaitlan Collins dressed the part. Wearing a winning monochromatic suit in what appears to be matcha green linen, with a Louis Vuitton bag over her shoulder, a tripod in her hand, and chunky sneakers on her feet, Collins certainly isn't your grandma's news anchor. Instead, she's someone who knows that even while you're covering the news for millions of viewers, you can still maintain a part of your personal style.

For those who didn't know, Kaitlan Collins grew up in Alabama and graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in both political science and journalism. When she returned home in August 2023, Collins posted this photo on Instagram with the jokey caption, "Pleased to announce that I've been named as Alabama's next starting quarterback. See y'all Saturday!" Wearing a summer sneaker look that combined style and comfort, Collins was definitely ready to celebrate her alma mater. The carousel of photos included a shot of her wearing several Alabama Crimson Tide football championship rings.

On May 22, 2022, Kaitlan Collins was spotted outside a U.S. Army aircraft wearing a bright coral pantsuit and white sneakers. Bright colors aren't always easy to pull off, but Collins nails the look and the sneakers create an energy that make her appear approachable and easy-going — something pantsuits don't always convey.

Still, while Collins is the queen of sneakers in both casual and professional settings, it turns out she does have an affinity for dressy shoes sometimes. In June 2024, after meeting Marina Larroudé, co-founder of the namesake New York footwear company, Collins told WWD, "I give my friends Larroudé shoes as gifts now." Those are some lucky friends.