Charli Hawkins Brings an Athletic Twist to Couture in Chunky White Sneakers at the 2025 ESPY Awards

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.

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.

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.