An honest review of Dries Van Noten sneakers

Ever since I went to fashion school and learned about the Antwerp Six, Dries Van Noten has been one of my favorite designers. I've picked up a few of his pieces over the years, but lately I've been accelerating the pace with these pants that I wore most recently in Morocco—the brand is experiencing a renaissance under new designer Julian Klausner, and I am here for it. Like most thriving luxury brands nowadays, Dries Van Noten has a signature sneaker, and after first seeing them IRL in the New York store last year, I've been thinking about acquiring a pair ever since. When I came across a sale at Liberty of London last month, it was like a sign from the universe. I've been wearing the shoes pretty much nonstop since then, and the following are my honest and unfiltered thoughts.

The Dries Van Noten sneaker

First hitting the market in early 2025, the Dries Van Noten sneaker quickly went viral, especially among fashion insiders. The shoe has a retro '70s feel with a thinner sole and a contrasting swoosh on the sides. So far the basic version has been offered continuously in suede with leather trim; there tend to be seasonal variations in leather, mesh, and various other materials, as well as a mule and a heeled iteration. Neutral combinations like black and white or tonal brown are offered on repeat, with new color combinations debuting each season. I figured I'd eventually get a pair in a goes-with-everything gray or camel, but when I saw this deep, bluish purple at Liberty, I thought, that's it. Sure, a classic color is a safe bet, but why not have a little fun, especially when it comes to accessories?

My honest review

I'm afraid to say that I've been wearing these shoes, so much, they're becoming my entire personality. I had a moment of panic soon after I bought them that I don't have a lot of purple in my wardrobe, but the color is so rich and saturated that they really pop against anything you're wearing, especially neutrals. In terms of comfort, they are not nearly as cushy as a typical athletic sneaker, but I can easily wear them all day long, and they required no breaking in at all. I think the slimmer, more streamlined profile makes them more versatile—I've worn them with skirts and dresses as well as jeans and trousers. I've found they fit true to size; I took my usual 39 (I wear an 8.5 in US sizes) and while they're a bit long at the toe, I think a 38.5 would have been too narrow. The one drawback to these shoes is the suede, which is a little more high-maintenance than leather; I gasped the first time I got a little schmutz on them, but it thankfully came out with a suede brush. I am thankful I went with a darker color, which should hide dirt a little better.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the price: currently $630, which is less than most luxury sneakers but much more than, say, a pair of Nikes. You can find gently worn styles at a slight discount on The Real Real, and the seasonal colors do tend to go on sale. I was lucky to score a pair for 30% off, and coupled with a favorable exchange rate and international pricing, they came in just under $400. I suggest stalking the sites below to find your ideal pair at a price that fits your budget.