You can wear classic white sneakers with everything, from joggers to satin skirts. It was a street-style trend well before the pandemic, and now that we’re merging back into normal life, it’s become a staple of our new, more casual culture.
Recently a popular LA-based blog I follow did a round-up of classic white sneakers for women, and their recommendations were bananas. Of the six options they featured, not one was under$200, and the most expensive was over $500.
Like I said, bananas.
Prices that are outrageous for the sake of being outrageous bothers me. And I’ve spent a ridiculous amount on shoes before, but it certainly wasn’t for sneakers.
In many cases, after you hit a certain threshold of price point, the item is expensive purely for vanity.
So I decided to create my own list of white sneakers that I love for those of us with a more modest budget.
Tips for Wearing White Sneakers:
Consider these “dress” sneakers. Please do not take them to the gym, and do not try to wear your gym sneakers in their place.
You want them to be all white. Avoid bright logos and accents. We want these to look fresh and crisp.
Pair them with any bottom except bootcut jeans or pants. Bootcuts look best with a heel. They need a heel to help elongate your leg. If you wear bootcut jeans with a sneaker or flat of any kind, you’ll look frumpy and dated.
You want a slim and low profile. Avoid anything too clunky or heavy. You want these to feel light, so look for a thin sole and a silhouette that skims under your ankle.
Have fun with them! Pair them with printed skirts and silky dresses; you can wear them with jeans, a tee, and a blazer, and depending on your style, you can even wear them with a suit.
Classic White Sneakers for Women
I originally set our budget to $150 but I didn’t need to go that high. With the exception of one pair below (Clarks for $130) all of these chic options are under$70.
Classic: Cole Haan
Cole Haan, $80
These Cole Haan tennis sneakers are my personal favorite. I wear them all the time. They are the perfect white sneaker for the season: comfortable, polished, slim and at a fantastic price for the quality.
Trendy: Tretorn
Tretorn, $52 – $75(depending on retailer)
Tretorn sneakers are super polished and will go with anything. These are especially nice with jeans and a blazer. The contrast between the formal feeling blazer and the athletic inspired sneakers looks so cool. They get rave reviews for comfort and style, so much so that retailers like Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and Neiman’s can’t keep them in stock.
Shopbop currently has a selection of small sizes (4.5 – 6.5) here.
Zappos has a slightly better inventory.
Sporty: Nike
Nike, $47
For a classic, sporty style for under$50 Nike makes a leather sneaker that will work with leggings, ankle length jeans or casual dresses. They are ideal for weekends, or busy casual days. On sale at Nike for under $50 in all sizes.
Comfort: Clarks
Clarks, $130
The most expensive sneaker on the list is this slip on style from Clarks. If you are looking for the kind of comfort you can spend the day walking in, these are it.
Timeless: Superga
Superga, $65
Kate Middleton, known for a stunning wardrobe of couture and high-street brands, made Superga’s famous. They are cute, comfortable, and under $70. (Royals, they’re just like us!) And because the Duchess and I are practically twins, we both like to wear them with skinny jeans and a striped boatneck top. They’re just a great everyday sneaker.
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Is this a style saved for younger women? I will be 70 this summer and would like to wear them….at least, the more conservative Keds style.
Go for it Connie!
I have a pear shape and heavy legs. Bootcut jeans are the best fit for me. Straights are too tight through the lower leg. I’m 5’9” with a 34” inseam. Heels are not an option as I have had knee replacement surgery and anything over 1-1 1/2” throws my knee off balance. What footwear do you suggest? Thanks!
You are so right about the boot cut with sneakers looking frumpy. I wore Keds with boot cut jeans around Savannah out of necessity. I did not like the photos of me in that combo at all. Even a sandal with a little heel would be preferable.
Hi Megan
I was inspired to put my black Nike’s away for the summer and switch to some all white sneakers. I tried on everyone I could find at DSW. Purchased the Adidas Grand Court for $59.00, they are so cushy like walking on clouds. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks so much for coming back to tell me! 🙂
I purchased some last season which were way ore expensive than I would usually pay. I like them but still haven’t mastered the art of keeping them clean.
That can be a pain in the neck. Depending on the material, I’ve been known to take a magic eraser to a pair to quickly clean them up.
I wear a pair of Lacoste all white tennis shoes & I love them. I must say,they are a little heavy,but so classy.
Which ones are the ones in the picture on this page?
Hey Megan, that is just a stock photo. Unfortunately I’m not sure what brand they are. This is why I don’t love using stock images, so we are slowly replacing them with our own photography 🙂
My question is always, what socks do you wear with these? None? Funky? I have yet to find no show socks that don’t actually show with this lower cut, and don’t create a rub between the shoe and my heel (= blisters). Maybe a post on socks is warranted ? 🙂
Love this blog! For white sneakers, I’m not sure why you subbed the Cole Haan man made for the Mindi Lace Up? Unless your reader wants to go Vegan, the Mindi Lace Up is a better shoe. . . IMHO. 😉
I purchased the Mindi when you highlighted them in your Perfect White Sneaker post and they have become my go to. Leather instead of plastic for starters. They clean up great! Comfy! Cute! Low profile. Lightweight.
In fact, I just purchased 2 more pair because my original ones are beginning to show sole wear and I don’t ever want to be without these shoes again! I think they are superior to the classic Cole Haan.
It’s just another option. I have both. The Midi Lace Up has a tan detail, while the tennis shoe is all white. Both are nice quality and comfortable and yes, some readers like seeing none leather alternatives.
I love a white sneaker for spring and summer, but I find most brands only offer medium width. Taos has been good for my difficult feet, but I’d love any other options you know. Wide width shoes that are cute are sooooo hard to find.
The timing of your article is funny…I just pulled out my new all white classic Keds out of the closet and have been wearing them almost non-stop! And I think they are so darn cute!!!! And comf! They make me feel young again!!! I’ve had them almost 2 years and didn’t wear them because I didn’t want to get them dirty…LOL…but now I’m hooked. 🙂
I have very narrow feet. I found cute and reasonably priced sneakers from Naturalizer. They are the “Jane” series. I bought 3 pairs at about $70 each. Shoes are tough for folks with narrow feet, especially sneakers. Nordstrom and Zappos carry naturalizer brand.
I love the white sneakers and I’m excited to start wearing them this year. Thanks for this!!