I Bought Into This Shoe Trend Years Ago and It's Still Right for Now

Since 2017, the white-shoes trend has been gaining ground. Sure, there are other things that automatically make you look rich—diamonds are a big-ticket item, and wearing taxi heels (you know, the ones you can't really walk in but that can be used with a chauffeur in tow) are all well and good, but nothing beats white shoes. Why? Well, by keeping them pristine, you've nailed an instant status-making way of saying, "I look after my wardrobe and don't run through puddles to get to the bus."

They've successfully ditched their trashy '80s reputation, and now, a pair of gleaming courts, sandals or ankle boots will nicely punctuate any outfit (especially if you're wearing black). They've also received plenty of designer approval from the most revered sources, so you're safe in the knowledge that white shoes are truly sophisticated.

If you needed more proof, the fashion crowd step out in a whole host of covetable iterations almost every day. From mules to spiky stilettos as well as loafers and classic court shoes, we found that every street style star's footwear of choice was of the white variety. Keep scrolling to see these and more white shoe styles in action, and then shop our favourites below.

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(Image credit: @ada_oguntodu)

Style Notes: Trade your go-to heels for a pair of bright white pumps like Ada Oguntodu's. 

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(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

Style Notes: Western boots offer the perfect contrast to floral dresses and ladylike handbags. 

Related: Summer 2019 Fashion Trends: Looks You Need to Know

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(Image credit: @pernillateisbaek)

Style Notes: Pernille Teisbaek tempts us to invest in one more pair of mid-height mules.

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(Image credit: @monikh)

Style Notes: Make white sandals look elegant by keeping hemlines long and silhouettes billowing. 

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(Image credit: @meganellaby)

Style Notes: Upgrade your Chelsea boots by snapping up a fresh white hue, just like Megan Ellaby. 

Related: Finally: The Trainer Trend Petite Girls Have Been Waiting for

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(Image credit: @ropesofholland)

Style Notes: White flats are ideal when paired with a denim mini and a basic tee.

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(Image credit: @tamumcpherson)

Style Notes: Boots don't come much more statement Tamu McPherson's knee-high numbers. 

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(Image credit: @palomija)

Style Notes: Look for cropped or ankle-grazing trouser lengths to show off shoes with statement details.

Related: I Just Found the Best 48 Under-£100 Buys in Time for Payday

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(Image credit: @styleheroine)

Style Notes: If in doubt, white shoes always look excellent paired with grey, black and red. 

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(Image credit: @karodall)

Style Notes: Finish your wedding guest look with a pair of square-toe strappy white sandals.

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(Image credit: @thehautepursuit)

Style Notes: The quickest way to make any print pop? Add white shoes. 

The easiest thing to wear your white shoes with? It has to be jeans. Check out our favourite pairs here...

This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

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Hannah Almassi
Editor in Chief

Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits. Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.