Celeb Inspo On How To Make Athletic Shoes Work For All Your Spring 2026 Outfits

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Athletic shoes aren't just for workouts. As stilettos continue their fall from grace as one of the most outdated shoe trends in 2026, celebs have been finding clever ways to bring sporty footwear into their street style to stay comfortable, practical, and stylish. And that's no different as we sprint into spring 2026.

With chunky sneakers also declared outdated, we've noticed many celebs reaching for more sleek, streamlined athletic footwear. "The look is beginning to feel visually overwhelming and less aligned with the refined direction fashion is moving toward," fashion stylist and lifestyle expert Joseph Katz of The Katz Walk exclusively tells Women. And, lucky for us, multiple celebs have shown us chic and practical ways to style their less bulky sports shoes. From Neve Campbell's matching footwear-and-pants combo to Elisabeth Moss' super on-trend polka dot look, these famous faces have given us major inspo on how to make athletic shoes work no matter what the season may bring.

Jamie Lee Curtis served the ultimate spring fashion inspo for black clothing enthusiasts. Her all-black ensemble created an easy monochromatic look (perfect for lazy days), and she added black, dark gray, and white sneakers. The slight addition of color via the sporty footwear made the 'fit less severe and more spring-appropriate as she avoided black from head to toe, which can come across winter-esque. New Balance's 327s in Sea Salt/White will give a similar vibe, as will the Sam Edelman Layla Sneakers.

Last spring, Adjoa Andoh hit the red carpet in white Chuck Taylors. Though sneakers at a formal event don't always work, the combination of textures helped keep her outfit interesting. She paired her white shoes with a long, dark denim dress and used layering to stay warm, as she wore a white button-down underneath and a dark blue cardigan on top. Ebossy's Retro Denim Jumper Dress in Dark Blue with Converse's Chuck Taylor All Star High Top Sneakers will give a similar smart, casual vibe.

Neve Campbell demonstrated a chic way to make athletic shoes stylish in February 2026 when she matched her maroon sneakers to her wide-leg dress pants. The loose bottoms are perfect for spring (they're airy but without showing too much skin on those unpredictable spring days), and by adding a top and coat in neutral shades, she kept the focus on her well-thought-out bottom half. Try pairing Project Cloud's Burgundy sneakers with PRETTYGARDEN's Wide Leg Dress Pants in Burgundy.

Chelsea Handler expertly showed us how to pair a shirt dress with sneakers in late summer 2025, but her ensemble can totally work for late spring 2026, too, as metallic sneakers are very much still in. She paired white and shiny silver sporty shoes with a midi, striped shirt dress for an easily elevated, practical look. If you're somewhere that stays cooler in spring, opt for long sleeves and add a light jacket. Try the CHOUYATOU Striped Shirt Dress with CUSHIONAIRE's Balance Sneakers in Silver.

Miranda Kerr was ahead of her time in spring shades when she stepped out in February 2026. She wore all-white sneakers with white pants, a white top under a beige cardigan, and a cream coat over her shoulders. Her neutral, camel cardigan with bright gold hardware made her sneaker look feel expensive and luxurious. It's also an unexpected choice, ultimately delivering a fashion-forward vibe. Cicy Bell's cardigan in Beige with Amazon Essentials' Low Top Retro Sneakers in White will give a similar old money-inspired aesthetic.

Polka dots are trending for spring 2026, so Elisabeth Moss' black-and-white dress, sneakers, and navy longline blazer are perfect this season. She kept the look in a similar color family without overly matching by adding white sneakers with black stripes (which kept her dry amid an April 2025 shower), while the tailored blazer made the look more formal. The OSCORP Collared Shirt Dress under the Keylaa blazer in Navy with Veja's Campo Sneakers will help you steal "The Handmaid's Tale" star's style.

In spring 2025, Ashley Tisdale wore a feminine, sporty shoe look that still works a year later. Midi skirts are a hot dress/skirt trend for spring 2026, and her calf-length satin number under a basic white t-shirt and neutral blazer put a fun spin on a more casual 'fit. She also made use of the sandwich styling method (aka breaking up two similar colored pieces) by matching her sneakers to her blazer. For a similar vibe, try Lucky Step's sneakers, Fisoew's Beige blazer, and LK Luv Store's satin skirt.