Fashion is leaning into comfort this fall, and celebrities are proving that practical footwear can still look polished. Sleek, elevated sneakers and sneaker-inspired shoes are emerging as a major style choice, offering a way to pair everyday comfort with dresses and more sophisticated outfits.
Bella Hadid recently demonstrated the trend while stepping out in New York City. The model was photographed heading to a private helicopter on Thursday wearing a black mini dress styled with a Saint Laurent handbag and a pair of Vivaia Carol Square-Toe Jogger Sneakerinas.
Hadid chose the amber brown and black version of the shoes, a combination that fits naturally into the warm, earthy palette associated with fall fashion. The sneakerina is part of Vivaia’s latest footwear offerings and is designed to combine the appearance of a polished flat with the comfort of a sneaker.
The Carol Square-Toe Jogger Sneakerinas are made with recycled velvet and are designed to provide a barefoot-like feel. The style is available in six colors and comes with interchangeable rounded and ribbon laces, giving wearers the option to change the look of the shoes depending on their outfit.
Customer reviews have also highlighted the shoes’ practicality. One reviewer praised a similar Vivaia style for being comfortable enough for regular commuting and easy to clean, saying the machine-washable footwear continued to look new after repeated use.
Hadid is not the only celebrity embracing the comfortable footwear trend. Laura Dern recently gave the sneaker-with-dress combination her own elegant interpretation while attending the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
Earlier this month, Dern arrived at her hotel in Venice wearing a striking floral dress paired with Vivaia’s Lexi Round-Toe Casual Sneakers in a creamy white shade. The contrast between the feminine floral dress and the understated sneakers created a relaxed but polished look, demonstrating how casual footwear can be incorporated into more formal or sophisticated outfits.
The Lexi sneakers are part of Vivaia’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection. The retro-inspired design is made with travel and everyday wear in mind, featuring enhanced cushioning and a shape intended to accommodate wider feet. The sneakers can also be rolled up for travel, adding another practical element to the design.
Vivaia has increasingly become a recognizable footwear choice among celebrities. Oprah Winfrey, Katie Holmes, Selena Gomez, Julia Roberts and Anne Hathaway have all been spotted wearing styles from the brand, helping bring greater attention to its combination of comfort-focused construction and fashion-forward designs.
The trend also reflects a broader shift in how sneakers are being styled. Rather than being reserved for athletic outfits, sleek sneaker silhouettes are increasingly being paired with dresses, skirts, tailored pieces and other traditionally dressier looks. The result is a more relaxed approach to fashion that does not require sacrificing a polished appearance.
Vivaia has also recently introduced a collaboration with the New York City Ballet, adding decorative jewelry designed to accessorize its sneakers and flats. The additions offer another way to customize footwear and blur the line between functional everyday shoes and statement accessories.
For fall, the appeal of these sneaker hybrids is their versatility. They can work with casual daytime outfits while also providing a comfortable alternative to heels or traditional dress shoes when paired with more elevated pieces.
Hadid’s New York look and Dern’s Venice appearance show two different ways to approach the trend. While Hadid opted for a darker, fashion-forward combination with a mini dress and handbag, Dern used creamy sneakers to soften a romantic floral look.
As the season moves forward, the growing popularity of these polished sneaker styles suggests that comfortable footwear is no longer simply a practical choice. For celebrities and everyday fashion followers alike, sneakers are becoming an increasingly stylish part of the dressed-up wardrobe.
