While sneakers get their fair share of fashion love, there's one from the bunch that stands the test of time as a shoe-rotation regular: the white sneaker. From retro high-topped dunks to luxe-material performance trainers, this classic rubber-soled kick is one of the most enduring footwear trends to date.
Sporting white trainers fresh from the box may feel like a dangerous endeavor, but keeping a new pair pristine is an impossible dream. Besides, any good sneaker will look way better scuffed up with an audacious story to tell of its travels. Click through to see all the irresistible styles of white “tennies” we love along with our best picks across every category — all of which are meant for walkin' and wearin' in.
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Part hiking boot, part raver attire, and entirely on-trend, the foot-swallowing chunky platform sneaker is quickly becoming a must-have. For style-conscious urban trekkers whose footwear must withstand both schlep-heavy day jobs followed by late-night warehouse dance parties, this trainer is the perfect combination of form and function.
Bro: do you even lift… in white sneakers? If your gym look or running ‘fit feels incomplete without a pair of snow-colored kicks, check out one of these high-performance and workout-friendly pairs. They are called trainers, after all.
If you can’t deal with a single bell or whistle on your footwear, may we suggest the white slip-on sneaker? As a foot-cover lacking in frippery, it’s traditionally favored by skateboarding enthusiasts that require a sleek silhouette to prevent trips-up. However, as these things do, the style has seeped into everyday wear, and it’s now a must-have for weekend outings, travel, and if you’re lucky, the office.
If you’re going to wear a classic color like white, you may want to choose an equally classic style — something recognizable from grainy pop-culture images circa 1987 (or, in the case of Chuck Taylors, 1917). This is a tremendously difficult category to narrow down, as the last few decades have seen scores of iconic styles from all around the globe. So consider this an edited sampling of some of our favorite throwback styles that are still very much of the moment.
With a low-cut ankle, a rounded toe, and pin-straight laces lined up in neat little rows, the “minimal” sneaker is favored by the fashion types that globe-trot among capitals of hipness like New York, Copenhagen, Paris, and Tokyo. Choose this style for your next gallery opening or natural wine tasting.
With sneakers fully part of the fashion canon, designer brands big and small are applying their unique point of views to the category. Whether it’s an eco-forward trainer almost entirely free of virgin plastic or a logo-ed Scarpa da tennis from a red-hot Italian heritage brand, fashion sneakers have never been more footloose or fancy-free.
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