Zimmermann Sneakers: The Zyra Low and How to Wear It

Zimmermann sneakers right now means one style: the Zyra Low Sneaker, a flat sneaker with a rounded toe, built from smooth calf leather and soft crosta suede and finished with a graphic “Z” and a rubber outsole. It comes in three colourways, red with milk, yellow with white, and ivory, in EU sizes 36 to 41, and Zimmermann says it fits true to size. Wear it with the stripes, denim and full skirts of the Resort 2027 collection it was designed alongside.

Below we walk through each colourway, the materials and the fit, then the outfits, using pieces from the same drop so you can see how the proportions work.

What are Zimmermann sneakers made of?

The Zyra Low Sneaker is a two texture shoe. Smooth calf leather forms the body, and split hide calf suede, which Zimmermann calls crosta suede, forms the graphic panels, including the “Z” that sweeps along the side. Inside, the lining is sheep leather, and a gold logo sits on the internal insole. The sole is rubber and the profile is flat, with a rounded toe.

• Upper: smooth calf leather with split hide calf (crosta) suede detailing
• Lining: sheep leather
• Outsole: rubber
• Shape: flat, low cut, rounded toe
• Branding: graphic “Z” on the side, gold logo on the internal insole
• Sizes: EU 36 to 41, true to size according to Zimmermann
• Collection: Resort 2027

That mix of finishes matters when you decide what to wear it with. Leather gives the toe a clean, polished line that sits comfortably next to tailoring, while suede brings a softer, sportier texture that suits cotton, denim and linen.

Which Zyra Low Sneaker colourway should you choose?

All three versions share the same shape, materials and sole. The difference is how loudly each one speaks.

If this is your first designer sneaker, the ivory pair is the practical buy. It recedes into an outfit, so it never fights with the prints, florals and white lace Zimmermann is known for. The red and milk pair does the opposite: it becomes the accent, so keep the rest of the look to two colours and let the shoe finish it. The yellow and white pair sits between the two. It is the one we would pack for a summer trip, because yellow lifts blue stripes and denim in a way few other shoe colours manage.

Do Zimmermann sneakers fit true to size?

Yes. Zimmermann lists the Zyra in EU 36 to 41 and says the shoe fits true to size, so start with the EU size you wear in other leather shoes. A few practical notes help you get it right the first time:

1. Measure later in the day. Feet swell slightly as the day goes on, so a size that feels right in the late afternoon will still feel right on a long walk.
2. Think about socks before you order. A rounded toe leaves a little room, but a thick sports sock takes some of it. Bare legged with a dress, a thin invisible sock is all you need.
3. Expect the leather to soften, not lengthen. Calf leather moulds to your foot with wear and a sheep leather lining softens quickly, but the length will not change, so never size down hoping the shoe will give.
4. Use width to break a tie. The Zyra comes in whole EU sizes. If you sit between two sizes in other labels, a wider foot is usually happier in the larger one.

For the clothes in the outfits below, Coveti lists Zimmermann ready to wear in UK sizes: Zimmermann 0P, 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 equal UK 6P, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16, which is US 2P to 12. Our Zimmermann size guide carries the full bust, waist and hip measurements.

What to wear with designer sneakers

The single rule that makes a sneaker look chosen rather than defaulted to: show the shoe. Hems that stop at the ankle, above the knee and at mid calf all leave the sneaker visible, and a visible sneaker reads as part of the outfit. Here is how the Zyra works with pieces from the same Resort 2027 drop.

With a mini dress

A flat sneaker and a mini dress is the easiest pairing in this guide, because the short hem leaves the leg uninterrupted down to the shoe. The Boat Neck Mini Dress in blue stripe is a cotton and silk blend with voluminous long sleeves, a boat neckline and a rope drawcord gathering the waist above a flared skirt. Its nautical stripes were practically drawn for the red and milk Zyra. For a denim take, the Clash Denim Boatneck Dress is fitted through the body in comfort stretch denim, with a ruched boat neckline and a softly flared skirt; wear it with the ivory pair and gold earrings so the denim stays the focus.

With ankle length trousers

The Stripe Harem pant is mid rise and ankle length, with an elasticated waist, a nautical rope drawcord and elasticated cuffs. Because the cuff gathers just above the ankle bone, the whole sneaker stays on show, which is exactly the proportion you want. Add the matching Stripe Boxy Shirt, a relaxed cotton and silk shirt with an embroidered chest pocket, elongated cuffs and a shirt tail hem with side splits, and you have a full stripe look that the yellow and white Zyra brightens.

With wide leg jeans

Wide leg trousers can swallow a low sneaker, so the hem matters more than the shoe. The Denim Tailored Pant in night sky is high rise and full length in mid weight, non stretch denim, with front pleats, a sailor waistband and gold buttons. With a flat shoe, the hem should just graze the top of the foot so the toe of the Zyra peeks out. If the length pools on the floor, ask a tailor to take it up for flats and keep a second pair hemmed for heels. The ivory sneaker keeps the look clean; the red pair turns it sporty.

With a midi skirt

Midi skirts are where sneaker outfits most often wobble, because the hem lands at the widest part of the calf. The fix is a skirt with shape and a shoe with a neat, low profile. The Denim Utility Midi Skirt in sea foam is rigid cotton denim, fitted at the high waist and full through the skirt to a flared hem, with cargo style flaps and a removable branded belt with a gold buckle. The flare stands away from the leg, and the rounded Zyra stops the look from feeling heavy. Tuck in a fine knit and push up the sleeves.

With a printed maxi skirt

A sneaker under a long silk skirt is a relaxed way to wear print in daylight. The Clash Sail Maxi Skirt is silk georgette with a placement sail print, fitted at a low waist and softly gathered into a layered full length shape. Wear it with the ivory Zyra and a crisp white shirt so the print does the talking.

How do you style sneakers with a dress?

These rules apply to any label.

• Match the mood of the fabric. Cotton, linen, denim and stripes sit naturally with sneakers. Satin and lace can work too, as long as the rest of the look relaxes with them: a knit on top, a soft tote, minimal jewellery.
• Keep socks invisible. With a dress, a visible sports sock pulls the look toward the gym. Choose a sock that sits below the collar of the shoe.
• Echo one colour. Let the sneaker pick up a shade from the dress, such as the red pair with a red stripe, the yellow pair with a warm print.
• Use volume on purpose. Full sleeves and flared skirts, like those on the Boat Neck Mini Dress, look good with a flat shoe because the sneaker grounds the silhouette.
• Add one polished note. Gold earrings, a structured bag, a leather belt. It signals that the sneaker was a choice.

For more ideas on wearing the label day to night, our guide on how to style Zimmermann covers prints, colour and layering, and what to wear with a denim skirt takes the denim pairings further.

How do you keep leather and suede sneakers looking new?

Mixed leather and suede needs a little more care than a canvas trainer, though not much:

• Before the first wear, treat the suede panels with a protector made for suede, and test it on an inside edge first.
• Brush suede with a soft suede brush once it is fully dry; never rub wet suede.
• Wipe the smooth leather with a barely damp cloth, then let the shoes dry at room temperature, away from radiators.
• Keep them out of the washing machine. The leather lining and suede will not survive it.
• Store them stuffed with tissue in a dust bag, and rotate pairs so the leather has a day to rest.

Our Zimmermann care guide has more on looking after leather and delicate fabrics.

Which designer sneakers are best for women?

The best designer sneaker is the one you will actually wear with the clothes you already own. Judge any pair on four points:

1. Materials: a leather upper and leather lining breathe better and age better than synthetic ones.
2. Sole: a rubber outsole grips and lasts; a low profile keeps the shoe elegant under a skirt.
3. Shape: a rounded, slim toe reads neater with dresses than a chunky one.
4. Colour: one neutral pair first, then a colour once you know how you wear them.

The Zyra ticks each of those boxes, and the three colourways cover both the neutral and the accent. Browse the full range of designer sneakers on Coveti, see every Zimmermann shoe in our Zimmermann shoes guide, read about the wider collection in the Zimmermann Resort 2027 edit, and find the latest arrivals on the Zimmermann brand page.

Frequently asked questions

Do Zimmermann sneakers fit true to size?

Yes. Zimmermann says the Zyra Low Sneaker fits true to size, and it is offered in EU 36 to 41, so order the EU size you wear in other leather shoes.

What are Zimmermann sneakers made of?

The Zyra Low Sneaker combines smooth calf leather with split hide calf suede, which Zimmermann calls crosta suede, plus a sheep leather lining and a rubber outsole. A gold logo sits on the internal insole.

Which brand is best for sneakers for women?

The best brand is the one whose materials, shape and sizing suit how you dress. Look for a leather upper, a leather lining and a rubber outsole, which is exactly how the Zimmermann Zyra Low Sneaker is built.

Which sneakers are in trend now?

Slim, low profile sneakers with a flat sole and a touch of colour sit best with this season’s full skirts and wide leg trousers. The Zyra Low Sneaker in red and milk, yellow and white, plus ivory is a good example.

What are some designer platform sneakers?

The Zyra Low Sneaker is a flat sneaker, not a platform. If you want the look of extra height with a flat shoe, wear it with cropped trousers and a short hem to lengthen the leg.

What do you wear with designer sneakers?

Wear them with hems that show the shoe: a mini dress, ankle length trousers, a flared midi skirt. Zimmermann’s Resort 2027 stripes and denim are the easiest match for the Zyra.