Top Picks: White Trainers

A shared appreciation for the subtle elegance that a well-kept pair of white sneakers can bring to your wardrobe is one that’s really manifested in more recent years. The notion that trainers are only really appropriate for lazy sunday outfit ensembles, suited more for a melancholy stroll to the corner shop than anything else, is a notion that forward-thinking fashion connoisseurs are beginning to abandon. From runway shows, to celebrity red carpets, the increasingly versatile white trainer continues to increase its profile in the fashion universe.

A box-fresh pair of white sneaks is a special thing. Think of them as a blank canvas, a palette cleanser, that enables the wearer to forge a new expression in their own image. Whatever vibe you choose to embody, the correct pair of white sneaks can give you the foundation to assemble your desired look. Rock yours with a pair of stonewashed blue, distressed jeans for a timeless, summer-friendly look. Or be adventurous and accent your casual blazer and trouser ensemble with a crisp new pair of white trainers for a polarity that's bound to get the crowd talking. Whichever route you decided to go down, rest easy in the knowledge that the right pair of white and brights can be as a flexible as your imagination will allow.

Balenciaga White Race Runners with Green Sole

Balenciaga’s increasingly popular Race Runner gets the crisp white facelift fans have been looking forward to. Demna Gvasalia dresses the various panels and trims of this sneaker in a singular white colourway, emphasising the beauty in this unit’s modesty. The white Race Runner’s pure aesthetic also sets it apart from many of its more elaborate brothers and sisters, which often feature multiple, contrasting colours within a single unit. A simple green trim accent provides a punchy exclamation point, whilst fondly referencing a classic tennis trainer silhouette; à la Adidas’ Stan Smith trainers.

Versace Martin White Medusa Crest Trainers

For a maison that has built much of its legacy on the design of bold and opulent graphics, Versace’s white ‘Martin’ trainer offers a refreshing alternative. But while the Martin trainer evidently cuts a more stripped-down figure than perhaps we’ve come to expect from the Italian fashion house, features like the 3-D Medusa head embellishment and silver patent leather side panel stripes ensure they retain Versace’s quintessential flavour of luxe.

Marcelo Burlon Zoku Reebok White Running Trainers

Marcelo Burlon and Reebok’s cross-collab ‘Zoku’ Runner is the latest in a series of sporting collaborations overseen by the Italian fashion designer. Retaining many of the characteristics of Reebok’s original Zoku trainer, this updated style is refined with Burlon’s signature diamond logo branding. It’s a subtle revision that feels honest and natural, as if the two companies have been working together for years previous. Couple this sleek runner (which is also available in black) with the trackwear from AW17’s Marcelo Burlon x Kappa capsule, and you have a winning combination of sports-inspired apparel that gleefully celebrates the glory days of two sporting powerhouses.

Maison Margiela White Low Top Trainers with Spray Paint Detail

This chic low top trainer from Maison Margiela is just another shining example of the maison’s ability and propensity for making fashion functional. The eye-catching graffiti spray paint heel feature, metal lace cylinder and understated logo embossing on the tongue are certainly highlights of the piece. However the sneaker maintains a distinctly rugged feel, personified largely by its chunky, robust sole unit, which will certainly meet the challenges presented by rougher terrain and weather conditions. In short, Maison Margiela presents what is essentially a city sneaker, specced to thrive in environments beyond even the reaches of the city.

Adidas x Kolor Alphabounce White Trainers

Japanese high-fashion label Kolor is celebrated for introducing its unique brand of energy to the Adidas empire with its eccentric colour schemes and silhouettes. So you’d be forgiven raising an eyebrow in the direction of this Alphabounce trainer, which arrives in a surprisingly understated all-white colourway. This choice works surprisingly well however, and in fact profits from its very contradiction to the more zany colours and cuts that are more typical of Adidas x Kolor collections. The blank white colour palette is complemented superbly by a metallic silver heel trim, while the unit is rounded off by Adidas’ patented BOUNCE sole technology and a breathable, sock-style mesh upper. Perfect for those looking for a unique, limited edition pair of kicks in a more refined style.