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The white sneaker is dead. Here's what to wear instead
By now, you’ve heard the whispers at brunch, murmurs at the corner store: the white sneaker, once the MVP of every wardrobe, is dead. And it’s not a gentle passing. It’s the sort of cultural shift that sneaks up on you (no pun intended) until, one day, you look down at your feet and wonder, “How did I get here?”
Once beloved for its minimalist ethos, the white sneaker represented a kind of democratic chic: something that could go from the farmers' market to the boardroom without losing its cool. But democracy, as we know, can only survive so long without reinvention.
The truth is, the white sneaker’s clean-slate appeal became its Achilles' heel. After years of Stan Smiths, chunky Triple S-inspired iterations, and limited-edition AF1s that had Instagram scrambling for a close-up, the sneaker has become the denim jacket of footwear: undeniably classic but painfully safe. You can still wear it, sure, but you’ll have to wrestle with the knowledge that it screams, “I didn’t really think about this outfit.”
So what now? If you’re ready to move on from white sneakers but unwilling to surrender to the tyranny of "proper shoes," here are the contenders vying to fill that void in your footwear rotation:
1. The chunky Mary Jane
Nothing says “I am self-aware of my own aesthetic contradictions” like a slightly absurd Mary Jane. Think retro-meets-gothic silhouettes, chunky soles, and a strap that screams “schoolgirl rebellion” but make it fashion. Wear them with tonal tights or pair them with socks—preferably frilly ones—and suddenly, you’re the main character of a Wes Anderson-inspired TikTok.
Their appeal lies in their duality: feminine but aggressive, nostalgic but forward-looking.
2. The ballet flat, reimagined
The humble ballet flat has spun into new territory: mesh. Think barely-there transparency with an edge of whimsy, like a tutu after dark. This isn’t the Audrey Hepburn slipper; it’s a boundary-pushing take on delicacy, as if your feet just emerged from an experimental dance performance. Pair them with everything from tailored pants to slip dresses—because they’re as much about the suggestion of a shoe as they are about function.
It’s the perfect foil to sharp tailoring or flowing dresses, injecting an ethereal softness into structured looks.
The mesh flat reclaims the ballet shoe from its overly twee past, rendering it dynamic and fresh.
3. Colorful trail runners
If the white sneaker’s appeal was its simplicity, the trail runner offers chaos as its counterargument. Loud colors, too many straps, and the kind of comfort that feels like you’re cheating on fashion. The key is to lean into their utilitarian vibe—wear them with your fanciest trousers and call it a statement, or monochromatic ensembles, letting their chaotic energy shine against otherwise clean lines.
Functional absurdity at its best
4. Clogs (Yes, clogs)
Crocs walked so clogs could run—or, more accurately, clomp. In shearling-lined iterations, platform versions, or painter-friendly monochromes, clogs are unapologetically ugly.
They’re the anti-sneaker, which is exactly why they’re so perfect right now. Couple them with wide-leg pants or midi skirts to anchor their heft with proportionate silhouettes.
Whether rendered in wood, leather, or shearling-lined rubber, clogs embrace their inherent awkwardness.
5. Square-toed loafers
Loafers are nothing new, but the square-toed version feels almost subversive. They’re simultaneously preppy and architectural, giving you the vibe of someone who casually drops words like “bespoke” and “brutalist” without a hint of irony. These are ideal for those who want to telegraph sophistication with a hint of avant-garde sensibility.
Angular, structured, and slightly futuristic, they offer a sleek alternative to sneakers without veering into overly formal territory.
The demise of the white sneaker isn’t really about the shoe itself—it’s about what we demand from fashion. In an era defined by oversaturation and micro-trends, the white sneaker’s ubiquity became its undoing. Not to mention, the broader rejection of “quiet luxury” has paved the way for footwear that feels more specific, narrative-driven, and experimental. So, mourn if you must, but then put on your big-girl clogs and move on.
Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned from fashion’s never-ending cycle, it’s this: what feels dead now will someday rise again. Just not today.
