Charli Hawkins brought an athletic twist to couture at the 2025 ESPY Awards on Wednesday night in Los Angeles, pairing chunky white sneakers with a voluminous ballgown.
Prioritizing comfort and style, the track and field athlete wore pair of white chunky sneakers with matching white laces, which featured a rounded design in the upper, and a thick, padded rubber outsole packed with durability and traction.
Chari Hawkins attends the 2025 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre.
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Hawkins’ sneakers were a departure from her fellow athletes, who chose a variety of heels and stilettos for their red carpet appearances. Gabby Thomas, for example, embraced the white sandal trend with a sleek pair of strappy stilettos featuring a square-toe upper. Made of patent leather, the shoes were defined by a slender white strap across the toe box and a diagonal strap across the midfoot for an eye-catching touch. A stiletto heel, approximately 4 to 5 inches high, completed the silhouette, while an additional strap appeared to wrap around her ankle for added support.
A closer look at the shoes.
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Ilona Maher also went the elevated route, wearing black strappy sandals that tapped into the barely-there shoe trend dominating red carpets with a single toe strap, a minimalist vamp and a thin stiletto heel that disappeared under her gown’s hem. The shoes were paired with a matching cutout halter gown that included a plunging neckline and side cutouts for a daring look.
While high heels remain a staple for formal events, sneakers are gaining popularity for their style, comfort, and breathability. Hawkins balanced casual and couture by pairing her white sneakers with a halter gown featuring an exaggerated ruffled hem. She accessorized with a silver choker, styled her blonde hair in a side part and kept her makeup dewy and natural.
The 2025 ESPY Awards, hosted by comedian Shane Gillis, air live on Wednesday from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and stream on ESPN+. The annual event, presented by ESPN, brings together elite athletes, celebrities and sports fans to celebrate the most memorable achievements, moments and stories from the past year in sports.