“Now it is worn for just about everything except tennis”- Stan Smith

You can’t call yourself a shoes lover if you don’t own at least one pair of white sneakers.  Lightweight, versatile and with a legacy, modern day sneakers came with a long history. Starting from Adidas, who put white sneakers on the world map, to Gucci, white sneakers have blurred the line between street style and high end.

How It Began

Fun fact- the name ‘sneaker’ originated because of the shoe’s property of remaining quieter than other shoes due to its rubber sole.

• Originally, white sneakers were called plimsolls, as they resembled a ‘Plimsoll Line’ on a boat.
• They were cost- effective athletic shoes with a rubber sole attached to a cheap canvas top.
• But it actually started to gain favour among sportsmen, especially in tennis, after cross-hatching to the shoes’ sole was added, providing more comfort and reliability.
• There was a time called the ‘Tennis Boom’ in 1960’s when everyone wanted to hit the tennis court; and for that they needed the whole attire to be white, including the white sneakers.

Branding

• Horst Dassler, son of Adolf Dassler (founder of Adidas) introduced first ever leather tennis shoes ‘Robert Halliet’, in 1965.
• They were French player Robert Halliet’s signature shoes. And they resembled the classic low-top canvas but was rendered with subtle leather, providing backstop and locking the players foot in place.
• In 1971, after Halliet retired, Adidas needed a new player to represent their brand and that’s how they promoted Stan Smith.
• Rebook planned to take on-board someone who could set trend just by name dropping them, and that’s when they shook hands with Jay-Z, who was obsessed with white-on-white AF1s.
• Air Force 1 by Nike was re-released by popular demand after it got discontinued. Although Bruce Kilgore’s design still remain iconic but the new low-tops in white projected more premium and classic look.
• Then came the Common Projects with their flagship product The Achilles. It was inspired by Adidas’s original classic white sneakers but in a unique way- minimal logo and no branding; just an identification number in gold at the side of the shoes.

Styling Idea

White sneaker has become a must- have wardrobe essentials now. They are comfortable, ageless, versatile and there are plenty of ways to style the sneakers this season.  Check out the list below and get inspired to style them.

For Her

1. Going out with your friends? Pair your Zara white sneakers with F21 mom jeans, a cute crop top or a bodysuit and Dutch braids.
2. Get ready for your Saturday night party by wearing a sequin detailed bodycon dress and a pair of white sneakers and dance your night away.
3. Pantsuits have never looked cooler. Classic pantsuits, tight bun, sunglasses and your Adidas white sneakers–is enough to make you look trendy yet classy at the same time. 
4. Up your oomph factor by styling your palazzo-kurta set with a pair of clean white H&M sneakers and top it off with an oxidised choker.

For Him

1. A pair of well-fitted chinos, polo neck t-shirt, teamed up with white-on-white Air Force 1 by Nike is all you need for your next Casual-Day-Friday in the office.
2. Get your summer vibes on by teaming the white sneakers with shorts or Bermudas and a classic white tee. 
3. How about a denim-on-denim look and white sneakers for your next date? Pair your denim jacket with a pair of washed down denim jeans.  
4. Keep it casual with a t-shirt, denim jeans and top it off with a blazer.

Keeping it Clean

Taking care of white sneakers is not that difficult. So here are some tips that we’ve searched for you to master the art of cleaning.

• Before using your white sneakers spray them with a stain and water repellent spray and repeat the process every week. This will make sure that your shoes are protected from spill and stains not matter what the weather or place is. Another tip is to clean the spot as soon as you see them, otherwise the stain might set in.
• For your canvas white sneakers, all you need is baking soda, white vinegar and a toothbrush. Mix them in a ratio of 1:2 and with the help of the toothbrush scrub them gently. Let them air dry and you are good to go.
• Another most common hack is to use toothpaste. Use a non-gel, white toothpaste and apply it all over your shoes. Let it rest for some time and then wipe it off with a damp towel.

After following all these procedures, we suggest that you reapply at least two coats of waterproofer, which will help in minimizing future stains.