We’re almost halfway through 2026, and it’s already been a great year for fashion. Bella Hadid made Aspen her runway, wearing vintage Chanel and proving tall Ugg boots are back and better than ever. Hailey Bieber twinned with Michelle Obama in cargo pants (anyone think of that famous Mean Girls line?). And cool-girl of the moment, Dakota Johnson, said bye to plain white sneakers, instead replacing them with a vastly underrated style that’s already blowing up this year.
Backgrid
I’m still thinking about when Johnson stepped out in Los Angeles wearing the ultimate cool-girl uniform. She opted for medium-wash straight-leg jeans, which she paired with an easy-going white tee, layered over what appeared to be a black tee (new trend?). Over top, she threw on a fuzzy, leopard-print coat with brown fur trim detailing, and accessorized with cute oval tortoise shell sunnies and a few white shopping bags in hand. It was her Adidas Samba OG patent leather sneakers, though, that stopped me in my tracks.
Maybe I was taken aback because I’m not used to seeing shiny leather used for a sporty sneaker style, but Johnson proved then and there that patent leather sneakers work—and possibly even better than white sneakers. Her exact pair, the aforementioned Adidas, are shockingly still in stock, too, so you can best bet I added to cart faster than I could say “they’re mine!”
Patent leather is very elegant, so the juxtaposition of the shine with a sporty silhouette might seem confusing at first, but TBH, it offers the best of both words. If you’ve ever been on the hunt for a sneaker that leans more formal, Johnson found it for you. Not to mention, the material repels water better than other leathers (though, I wouldn’t wear them in a downpour) and is easy to clean. For me, 2026 has been all about making things easier, and these do just that—with a stylish spin, of course.
So, I found chic, Johnson-inspired patent sneakers for you to shop, below.
Adidas Tokyo Low Top Sneaker
Nordstrom
I swear by my Tokyos, and naturally, after seeing Johnson in her patent sneakers, I’m now itching for this red patent pair. The low-top is slim and elegant, while the bright-red patent gives them a bold pop of color that’ll level-up any of your outfits.
Puma Speedcat Patent Sneaker
Puma
The patent on these Pumas is quite subtle, but if you’re ready to go as high-shine as Johnson, they’re the perfect foray into the trend. You can snag them in a gray or an orange, but sizes are selling out, so I’d act fast.
Adidas Samba OG Shoes
Adidas
Johnson wore these Adidas Samba sneakers, so naturally, I wanted them. But when I saw her patent pair was on sale for $70, I had no choice but to get them. I love my classic leather Sambas, so I know I’ll love these (especially because Johnson owns them, too).
Shop more patent-leather styles, below.
Adidas Breaknet Sleek Sneakers
Amazon
Nike Total 90 Soccer Sneaker
Nordstrom