Veja: How I Stripped Back My Sneaks

Veja trainers. Sound familiar? Probably not yet. But it’s a name you’ll know well soon enough, because Veja are fast gaining popularity amongst the well-dressed set. You’ve probably already spied Veja trainers on feet-around-town or scrolling through Instagram feeds, but haven’t been able to find them in the shops. The clean, minimalist lines caught your eye and the simple side-V’s are just what you’re looking for to update your sneaker selection, but you didn’t know they were made by French label Veja… until now.

I’ve fallen for the comfy-tough attitude of Vans, collected numerous Converse Chunks over the years, caught the Stan Smith bug, joined the Superstar shell toe club and dug out my old Gazelles the moment the revival happened. Hands up, I’m a sucker for any trainers having a moment. But when I stopped to think about which pairs I reached for the most, and which had wardrobe-longevity, it was a pair of clean white Stan Smiths racking up the most wears. I wanted to find something to sit alongside my Smiths and tick off the stripped-back style I love so much.

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Veja first hit my radar via those tiny beautiful Instagram squares, then I kept seeing pairs popping up when I was out and about, taking meetings in town and attending work events. I even spied a pair recently at a baby club. Yup, last week I attended a 4th Trimester Workshop with Carifit and Ergobaby and one of the lead speakers @womenshealthbyclarepacey had a pair on with leather trousers and an oversized chunky cardigan (the perfect combo!) She cycled to the class and there goes my next reasoning for the Veja-love – the practicality. Comfy trainers you can run errands in, push the pram, cycle, nip about town, without compromising on style.

Veja Trainers: The Edit

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So what do you need to know about Veja trainers if you’re thinking of buying your first pair? Well they’re French-born, made in Brazil and ethical. They’re inspired by retro fits and streetwear. Have a completely effortless charm to them that looks great with denim and tailored trousers alike. Thrown on for a family walk with double denim here (have you tried Topshop’s Dree jeans yet by the way? A great everyday alternative to skinnies or Mom jeans) and on the flip-side, styled for work meetings with tailored trousers and a gingham trench coat. You can find that full look over on my trench coats edit, the trousers with go-faster stripes are a real find. What do you think? Are you in? Can you bare to be parted from your beloved Vans/Reebok’s/Nike’s for a (stylish) moment?

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These are the V-10 low-top leather trainers and you can pick them up over at Matches. They’re stocked at Net-a-porter and La Redoute too, which is always a sign something is about to soar. Plus I spied a really good edit over on Anthropologie. Just the thing to add minimal street charm to all those floral dresses you’ll be digging out soon. And check out the nude and pink suede Bastilles for a full-blown spring fix that’s as happy as daffodils and easter eggs all rolled into one.

The Tommy Jeans t-shirt is now a staple in my weekday wardrobe. Go for the collegiate and retro designs for a preppy meets varsity look. Topped with favourite jewels by Rachel Jackson London. This amulet has a blend of three birthstones encased inside – my son’s, husbands and my own – and I wear it daily. The lipstick is Nars Juliet and grey nail polish is Nails Inc in The Thames, both helping this mama to feel just a little more pulled together on no sleep and when spinning a thousand plates at once!

Let me know in the comments below what you think of Veja trainers and if you’re already a fan, what you’ve been styling them with recently.

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This way for more new brands in my wardrobe from the likes of Ania Haie and Rachel Jackson London.