There is nothing quite like a box-fresh pair of white sneakers. From glistening new Stan Smiths to blindingly bright Nike AF1s, it’s a feeling of a brand-newness that is universally satisfying (new shoes!) and grabs the eye.
But lately, that same crisp feeling is being captured by designers outside of the athletic space. One gaze at the runways at Off-White, Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton, and it would appear that white is the new black.
Call it a blanc slate. Unexpected pops of the palest shade in the Pantone book cropped up for fall ’17 straight through to spring ’18, with the look continuing to gain momentum.
Footwear News took the trend to Miami to pair all manner of minimalist white women’s shoes with their absolute contrast: maximalist statement dresses in searing shades. The combination spells lively, Instagram-ready modernity.
Exhibit A: Robert Clergerie’s lace-up combat boots, which appear to be dipped in white paint and are a stark counterpart to the handkerchief flow of Sies Marjan’s voluminous aqua tent dress.
Watch on FN
Or Malone Soulier’s burst of white ostrich plums, which give simple stilettos feather-duster charm.
Contemporary label Frances Valentine updated the tried-and-true Chelsea boot in slick white patent, which begged for something the opposite of paired down: Christopher Kane’s sequin tiger lily sheath.
And Ellery’s neon inkblot pouf dress is suddenly mod with Laurence Dacade’s over-the-knee go-go boots.
And the perfect mismatch to Aluzzara’s fit-and-swish polka dot dress? Alexandre Birman’s sharp high-vamp stilettos.
From pumps to mules and boots, click through to see the season’s best white shoes.
Want more?
Emily Ratajkowski Does Date Night in On-Trend White Boots
Bella Hadid Wears the White Boot Trend With a Shorter, Redder Hairstyle in New York