The former tennis shoe is a wardrobe essential for literally anyone who wears clothing, and its popularity cannot be understated. Justina Sharp says it’s all about the made-to-order AF1s, which have “become commodified in a way that custom Vans and Converse really haven’t.” She likes them because they’re more accessible than other sneakers beloved by “adults,” like Golden Goose, and adds that AF1 redesigns, especially ones featuring luxury logos, “feed into a very specific part of the TikTok cool-grunge-luxe aesthetic.Don't tell the sneakerheads, but you really need only one solid pair of kicks to make your closet sing-and the best white sneakers are the perfect place to start. When we talked to Gen-Zers about the coolest sneakers among their generation, they, too, co-signed going custom. Now, “I have Rick and Morty ones, Powerpuff ones - I have at least four pairs,” she told us. TikTok star Loren Gray says she didn’t even like the shoe until she started designing her own. They’re so popular, in fact, that they’re verging on ubiquitous - so if you’d like to set yourself apart, consider custom AF1s. “I get a new pair whenever they start to get dirty,” she told us. Model Delilah Belle Hamlin was the proud owner of six pairs when we talked to her about a year ago. Air Force 1’s come up often when we talk to celebrities about the things they can’t live without, too. “The price point is good, and I feel like it’s a quintessential New York shoe and goes with everything I wear,” she says. “They looked cool and unexpected worn with my dresses and nightgowns, and were perfect for dropping her off at day care and then speed-walking to work.” Gia Kuan of Gia Kuan Consulting describes herself as “a die-hard buyer” of Air Force 1’s who must have gone through at least five pairs in her lifetime. “When my daughter was born, I bought myself a pair of AF1s,” Plessner told us. “A staple for sure.” Leigh Plessner, creative director of Catbird (and noted glittery-nail-polish collector) is a fan of the style, too, mostly for its versatility. Personal shopper and stylist Christel Langué, who buys a pair of Air Force 1’s every year, feels similarly: “You can’t go wrong with Air Force 1’s, and as a native New Yorker, I would feel embarrassed not to own a pair,” she says. “They are supremely versatile and a staple piece in my closet,” Silva says. Michelle Silva, co-founder of the Con.cept, says she chooses what sneakers to wear based on her mood, and that her go-to is a pair of classic Air Force 1’s. Otherwise, read on for all of our cool people’s favorite white sneakers (and don’t forget to brush up on our guide to cleaning them if you want to keep those sneakers crisp and bright).įour of the women we talked to named the classic Nike Air Force 1 as their white sneaker of choice. If you already know the style you’re looking for, click on any of these links to jump ahead to our sporty, high-top, low-top, platform, minimalist, fashion-forward, or dance recommendations. We also looked back over recommendations from notable people we’ve interviewed over the years, including cook Molly Baz, yoga instructor Adriene Mishler and environmental activist Erin Brockovich. To get some inspiration for our next pair as open-toed shoe season comes to an end, we reached out to 34 stylish sneakerheads and casual sneaker fans - people like Stadium Goods social director Madison Hartman and artist Shantell Martin - to hear about their favorites.
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Like a white button-down shirt, a just-right pair of jeans, or a perfectly broken in black T-shirt, white sneakers are timeless. But they’re still our go-to for work, errands, going out, and just about any other time we leave the house. The past few years have taken us on something of a white-sneaker odyssey, with the boom of Stan Smiths around 2017, the rise of the ugly dad sneaker in 2018, and Common Projects briefly becoming the ubiquitous shoe of Williamsburg “ creatives.” These days, the dust of the white-sneaker craze seems to have settled somewhat - although hopefully not on anyone’s pristine pair of Alexander McQueen platforms. Photo-Illustration: The Strategist Photos: Retailers