Fresh kicks: The best white trainers for men
Step out in style this season with a pair of pristine white trainers
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I can count on one hand all the different styles of shoes I witnessed my dad wearing as I was growing up. Admittedly, while he isn’t quite a maven of menswear, he certainly knows how to dress, but what springs to mind most frequently – other than steel-toed work boots, golf shoes and sandals with socks (no judgment) – is his proclivity for dress shoes no matter the occasion. It was with shock, then, that I recently received a call from him, asking for my advice on which pair of men’s white trainers he should buy this season.
Once relegated to evenings and weekends in favour of loafers, brogues and Oxfords, the white trainer has become a hero item in men’s wardrobes over the last few years, breaking down the barriers of office-appropriate dressing and entering firmly into the smart/casual lexicon of menswear. This has only been accelerated by the pandemic as remote working upended any established notion of at-work attire and ushered in an era of casual as king.
And why not? Comfortable and chic, the white trainer truly does make a perfect finishing touch to almost any outfit. Whether you’re pairing yours with a classic jeans and white tee combo, or dressing down a suit, it’s hard to get it wrong. So with that, why not give it a try? From stand-out styles by sneakerhead heroes like Nike and Adidas to low-key takes by classic cobblers, these are the best white trainers for men this season.
Adidas Samba OG trainers
While a bit overdone, Adidas Sambas don’t seem to be waning in popularity with everyone from the style set to the prime minister. This classic retro-style pair is wrapped in leather with a rubber outsole and features inky purple stripes and logo detailing. Wear with everything and anything this summer and beyond.
Reiss Ashley leather low top trainers
Nail off-duty style with Reiss’ Ashley trainers. A low-top, rounded silhouette crafted from supple white leather and featuring subtle suede accenting and chunky soles, lace up and wear from the office to the pub. Versatile and crisp white, they pair perfectly with your favourite denim and smart tailoring alike.
Burberry leather and check trainers
Burberry has amped up this pair of white trainers with supple calf leather, suede panels and a signature Burberry check trim. With a low-top style and raised monogram lettering, you’ll be putting your best foot forward whenever you step out in these.
Ferragamo panelled leather trainers
Ferragamo’s calfskin leather trainers are a streetstyle take on classic skate shoes with a leather insole and ultra-light rubber sole for maximum flexibility and comfort. Crafted from smooth leather with a perforated design and embossed bright suede panels, these stylish sneakers look just as good as they feel.
Common Projects Achilles trainers
Epitomising the notion of stealth minimalism, Common Projects’ pristine Achilles sneakers are the ideal everyday white trainer. Entirely white, save for a gold foil serial number embossed on the side, these simple sneakers really do prove that less is more.
Hogan H580 low-top trainers
Highlighting the brand’s contemporary and modern design codes, Hogan’s low-top trainers are every part as swish as we expected. Cut from soft white leather with a tan trim and memory foam insole, the simple style is ideally understated and will pair just as well with a suit and tie as with jeans and a tee.
Giuseppe Zanotti frayed-edge trainers
Giuseppe Zanotti’s frayed-edge trainers take the trend for casual luxury up a notch. Crafted from white cotton with a canvas lining, side zip fastenings and the brand’s logo plaque, these kicks are so much more than meets the eye.
New Balance 990 V6 sneakers
A favourite of Gen-Zedders and ultra-hip lefties across the capital, New Balance has eschewed its reputation as a tried and true dad brand, ushering in a new era of ugly-chic dressing. These classic ‘V6’ suede and mesh trainers may look like they’re for running, but you’re guaranteed to spot them everywhere from bottomless brunch to the beach club this summer.
Nike Cortez leather trainers
The OG when it comes to cult-favourite sneakers, Nike rarely misses the mark. These retro Cortez trainers celebrate the brand’s heritage design by drawing from the first Nike track shoe ever released. Crafted with soft white leather and set on ‘see saw’ soles, this modern take will look great on and off the track.
Veja V-15 CWL trainers
Over the last few years, B Corp-certified trainer brand Veja has become as much a part of the London experience as overpriced pints and oat flat whites. Crafted from Amazonian rubber and bovine leather sourced from Uruguay, the brand’s classic V-15 hi-top sneaker is a true staple of inner-city dressing.
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