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Each summer, the jury seems to be out on what the trendiest, be-all and end-all sneaker color is — and 2025 is so far providing us with a slew of options, from white sneakers that can be worn with dresses to those featuring subtle pastels like butter yellow. Settling this debate once and for all, On released a pastel purple–powered style of its popular Cloudnova 2 sneaker that’s quickly gaining traction with sneakerheads. Not only can this attractive shoe breathe life into summer neutrals while equally complimenting jewel-toned ensembles for the upcoming fall season, but its cost-per-wear value also makes it one of the best On sneaker investments to make in 2025.
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On Cloudnova 2 Sneaker in White/Orchid
The On Cloudnova 2 sneaker in White/Orchid has a design that, at first glance, appears to be all-white; look a bit closer, though, and you’ll spot touches of purple running across its midsole, outsole, heel tab, and laces. Evoking orchids, as well as summer’s bountiful lavender and clematis arrivals, the hue grants a rare opportunity for dabbling in many competing color trends at once through this shoe purchase. White sneakers continue to be loved by everyone from Katie Holmes and Gwyneth Paltrow to Jennifer Lawrence and Hailey Bieber, but we’re also seeing a growing interest in purple across essentials spanning sportier shoe styles, outerwear, and beyond — with luxury fashion houses milking as much of its appeal as possible.
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On Prada’s spring 2025 runway, we witnessed the allure of the color through starched button-ups (swathed in a mixture of mellow pink and lilac), ribbed tights (more plum-hued than anything), and deep-purple coats. The storied Italian label’s collection for the season also made sure to pour this purple rain onto footwear, what with the low-pro sneakers it showcased in an even richer iteration of the shade, demonstrating with precision the sheer potential of purple — no matter its intensity — to invigorate an outfit, doing so in a classy and timeless way. Loewe’s spring 2025 runway presentation, a paragon of the sneaker-plus-dress combo done right, unveiled a specifically pastel-purple sneaker, which the brand matched to a graphic top and simple black trousers for some contrast play. The continued mass appeal of purple designer sneaker styles in general, whether released just ahead of this summer or much earlier, also proves just how smart of a fashion choice they really are: the Gucci Cub3d Sneaker, textural Comme des Garçons x Spalwart Colorblock Suede Runner Sneaker, and muted Golden Goose’s Hi Star Suede Glitter Low-Top Sneaker being prime examples.
On’s Cloudnova 2, which is an updated version of the very silhouette that Kaia Gerber stepped out in a few days ago (she donned her On Cloudnova X kicks with black athleisure for a Pilates class), is way more than mere looks, though. Part of the brand’s bestselling Cloudnova collection that promises lightness, springiness, and street-to-gym versatility, its standout traits are an ultra-breathable mesh upper (plus intentional perforations on the tongue for greater airflow); a high heel-to-toe drop that provides ample cushioning for your feet as you walk, run, or skip around town; and a more stabilized heel pillow to ensure you make all the right moves with every step. You’ll be reaching for the athletic model ahead of each sweat session this season and soon find yourself rounding out post-workout ‘fits with it, too, considering the On Cloudnova 2 in White/Orchid prides itself on all-occasions wearability.
The sneaker has been very well received since its 2024 release, meaning Kaia Gerber is in good company. “I bought them today, and they are SO comfortable. I have flat feet, and it’s so hard to find shoes that I can walk comfortably in for long periods of time,” one TikTok user commented on an unboxing video. “I had a traumatic leg injury that they say will always cause me pain. My PT suggested these. They’ve been the best shoes for me. I’ve tried others and just keep coming back… they literally help me to be on my feet longer,” another customer happily reported on the same app. “A lot of the nurses and doctors wear these at my hospital job,” reads an additional bit of feedback that’s making the case for how the On Cloudnova 2 is there to support you throughout the day, with step-in comfort you’ll be grateful for year-round.
Speaking of year-round wear, prepare to keep your new pair of runners on the shoe rack all through this summer and into the chillier months: as fall 2025 runways made clear that the moody-and-brooding is bound to be swapped for the light-and-playful once the leaves start to turn, in a tradition-defying twist of events. The White/Orchid colorway occupies the ideal middle ground, then, between the kind of Crayola purple that bedecked the high-shouldered coats at Louis Vuitton’s show during this year’s Paris Fashion Week and the soft-spoken pastels that were sent down runways by Prada, Fendi, and other high-end brands — the latter proving that, come fall, we’ll all be reluctant to part with our Easter egg–adjacent infusions of sartorial brightness.
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Meet the Author
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD and FN. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska frequently covers new footwear releases and updates on key styles, including those in the On universe.