We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI – prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication. I get why shoes like the cloven Tabis have proven controversial (though, TBF, the trendy design actually has a centuries-long history ). But I was surprised to see how many people were against Gen Z’s relaxed – and, to this Xillenial, inoffensive – shoe trend, the sneakerina. The name refers (you guessed it) to trainers that look a bit like ballet pumps, or maybe it’s the other way around. They’ve been out for a while – Simone Rocha showed hers in 2024 – but I only felt compelled to buy some recently. I believe the term is “ unc ”. Vogue called them a part of “the evolution of fashion’s ugly shoe narrative”. Harper’s Bazaar called them a “Marmite” trend. For my part, I thought they were quite uncomplicatedly cute. So, I nabbed some pairs to see whether the online pile-ons were justified – and ended up loving them for a pretty “old lady” reason. I began with the Puma Speedcat Ballets , shoes which come in a range of colours – I wish I’d managed to bag the beautiful new brown and cream shades , but honestly, I decided to go for some that are currently almost 30% off on Schuh. The slip-on shoes looked pretty versatile to my eyes when I was grabbing them online. And they are (they look great with jeans, skirts, and, on a last-minute grocery dash, trackies); but what shocked me was how comfortable they are. Lined with a bouncy, breathable OrthoLite insole , the slip-on pairs made me feel like I was walking on clouds. I have an arthritic foot, so I was very, very happy to find a shoe that 1) went with a lot of my outfits, 2) was so easy to put on, 3) had a little room for flare-ups, and 4) was simply really cosy. The black and mauve pair, which is made with suede, is just as comfy as my more waterproof (and also heavily discounted) white leather pair. But I will say that I find the leather ones better for grab-and-go moments. They take a second to put on (and don’t require socks if you’re in a true rush), can withstand a bit of rain, and are easy to wipe. Then, I gave the cultish Onitsuka Tiger MEXICO 66 TGRS a try. Admittedly, these are pricier than the slip-on Puma Speedcat Ballets (and have an adorable, but obviously more time-consuming, pair of buckles on each shoe). To be fair, I’m sure that, once buckled to your shoe size, you might get away with slipping them on and off; I’m just scared to crack the leather straps. The iconic black, cream, and yellow Mexico 66 colours aren’t in stock on Onitsuka Tiger’s site right now, but a peek at sites like StockX landed me mine; additionally, Onitsuka Tiger still has other colours , like plain black and silver and white in a range of sizes on their own page. Though not slip-on, though, they’re every bit as comfortable. And their reinforced heel, bouncy sole, and easy-to-clean material have meant I’ve worn them two of the three days I’ve owned them. Say what you like: I find the sneakerina trend hard to mess up (they go with everything). I’ll be wearing them long beyond their trend cycle, and likely already am. And, crucially for this generational “ cusper ”, they are deeply, addictively cosy. Related... I Dressed Like Claudia Winkleman For A Week – It Reminded Me Of The Biggest Rule In Personal Style Funnel Neck Coats: The Winter Trend All The Cool Fashion Girlies Are Wearing 8 Fun And Fashionable Bag Charms And Keychains That Aren't Labubus