Something is reassuring about spotting a genuinely practical outfit on a film set—especially when it comes from someone like Scarlett Johansson, whose off-duty style tends to lean quietly polished rather than overworked.
While filming the next instalment of The Exorcist in New York, Johansson was seen in a pair of classic New Balance trainers—the kind you might already own, or at least recognise. No dramatic styling, no obvious trend play. Just a solid, dependable pair of trainers that looked ready for a long day on her feet.
And perhaps that's exactly why they've caught attention. At a time when fashion can feel overly engineered, something is appealing about a shoe that doesn't try too hard.
The trainers people keep coming back to
The pair in question — the New Balance 574 — isn't new, and that's part of the charm. It has been around long enough to feel familiar, but not so overexposed that it has lost its appeal.
What stands out isn't just the look, but how often people return to it. Reviews consistently mention the same thing: comfort that holds up over time. One wearer described them as feeling like 'walking on pillows', while another said they managed days of walking well beyond what most shoes can handle without complaint.
That kind of endorsement tends to travel quickly, especially in a season like spring, when people are spending more time outside, and footwear suddenly matters a lot more.
Why do trainers like this feel right now
There's been a noticeable shift in how people are dressing—not dramatically, but enough to change priorities. Comfort used to be something you worked around. Now, it's often where outfits begin.
Trainers have moved from being a fallback option to something far more central. You see them with tailoring, dresses, and even smarter looks that once felt strictly 'shoe-bound'. It's less about dressing up or down, and more about making things work in a way that feels realistic.
Brands like New Balance have landed in a sweet spot here. They don't shout for attention, but they deliver on what people actually need—something wearable, reliable, and easy to style without much effort.
The appeal of not overthinking it
What Johansson's choice taps into is a broader mood: getting dressed without overcomplicating it. There's a certain ease to reaching for something you know will work, rather than building an outfit around a single statement piece.
The 574 fits neatly into that mindset. It's versatile without being boring, and distinctive without feeling loud. You could wear it with denim and a shirt, or something softer and more tailored, and it wouldn't feel out of place either way.
That flexibility is what gives it staying power. It doesn't demand attention—it just quietly holds everything together.
Other styles stepping into the spotlight
While the 574 is having a moment again, it's not the only one. Other New Balance styles are circulating just as steadily, each offering a slightly different feel.
The 515 V3, for instance, is a bit cleaner and more minimal—the kind of trainer that works well if you lean towards a sharper, pared-back wardrobe. The 327, on the other hand, feels more directional, with its chunkier sole and bolder shape.
Then there are performance-focused designs like the Fresh Foam range, which prioritise cushioning but still manage to look good enough for everyday wear.
Prices currently start from around £40, which makes the whole category feel relatively accessible—especially for something you're likely to wear on repeat.
A quieter kind of trend
If there is a trend here, it's a subtle one. Less about a specific look, more about a shift in attitude. People are leaning towards clothes and shoes that make sense for their day—pieces that don't require constant adjustment or second-guessing.
That doesn't mean style has taken a back seat. If anything, its become more considered. The focus is on longevity, on buying things that won't feel outdated in a few months.
In that context, it's easy to see why a trainer like the 574 keeps resurfacing. It doesn't belong to a single moment—it just adapts to whatever comes next.
The kind of shoe you actually wear
What makes this particular sighting resonate isn't just that Scarlett Johansson wore the trainers—it's that they feel believable.
You can imagine wearing them yourself. On a long walk, on a busy day, or simply when you want to be comfortable without giving up on looking put-together.
And that's often the difference between something that trends briefly and something that sticks. One is aspirational; the other is usable.
Right now, it seems the latter is winning.
