The early 2000s had a fashion dilemma. The greatest ordeal of the decade was perhaps the impractical shoe choice that had women tripping over staircases and getting heels trapped in sewers. The legacy of Sex and the City, Mean Girls, and other television hits washed over the fashion industry in a flurry of stilettos, chunky heels, and platform wedges. Fashion icons such as Victoria Beckham and Paris Hilton’s circle of friends reinforced the power of a couple of extra inches. But at the turn of the decade, everyone’s preferences switched to flat-soled sneakers.
Celine made the bold move of featuring women’s sneakers on the runway through Phoebe Philo, whose minimalistic silhouette painted in dark shades and a clean white shoe made headlines on fashion editorials. The new era of footwear closes the gap between athletics and fashion — a shimmer of athleisure that fits into even the most tailored fits. The styling options of a pair of white women’s sneakers are limitless. Here are some outfits ideas to help you emulate a powerful vibe.
Grown-Up Minimalism
For a long time, sneakers were a favourite among children and teenagers and eventually replaced with heels as a rite of passage to adulthood. But now, everybody, from mothers to models, first ladies, and nobles, can be seen out and about in a clean white pair of canvas or leather soles. A pair free from over-the-top branding and embroidery creates a beautiful visual appeal when worn with cashmere sweaters and long pencil skirts. Choose clothing in an array of monotones, such as greys, blacks, and nudes, which will give you an effortless, mature look.
A tip is to make your ankles visible by wearing short socks and tailored trousers to subtly show off some skin. It will elongate your legs and give you a cleaner and more put-together vibe, making sneakers a style option for even the classiest 30-year olds.
Vintage Vibes
The reinvigoration of vintage elements came in the late 2010s when thrift stores started seeing faster inventory clearouts due to younger shoppers piling carts full of clothing. Some attribute the industry’s astronomical growth to the aesthetic boom, which brought throwback elements such as ’90s fashion back to life.
With a wardrobe full of vintage band tees, oversized denim jackets, and mom jeans, a pair of chunky sneakers can tie-up your looks to give them a youthful flair. Chunky heels are bold and eccentric, a homage to the dad sneakers that once were reserved for, well, dads. But now, they are the ultimate fashion statement that will — quite literally — elevate your outfits and take you on a time machine to the ’90s.
Hypebeast Essentials
Among the decade’s most used words are “sneakerhead” and “hypebeast” which point to a culture of shared interest through clothing. What defines these subcultures are in-your-face branding, authentic pieces, and bold self-expression through the most popular brands on the market. The more fashionably-empowered ones chase less mainstream options, such as women’s sneakers from lesser-known but equally-hyped labels.
Pair your one-of-a-kind outerwear with logo tees and beanies, and accessories from your favourite jewellers. On your feet, sport a pair of clean white sneakers to give the positively chaotic vibe a sense of control. If you are up for a creative challenge, then you can always bring out your paint brushes and give your sneakers a hydro dip.
White sneakers are the decade’s most worn pair of shoes, an essential that you can find on almost every closet across the globe. But who would not enjoy a clean finish that pairs well with any outfit, occasion, and material? It is the shoe of the masses, the high society, and the powers of the world — the bridge between every human being through fashionably-forward footwear. So on days when you have no idea what to wear to protect your toes, the answer is always a pair of white sneakers.
