How to Wear White Shoes

Co-authored by Joanne Gruber and Amber Crain

Last Updated: March 17, 2021 References

White shoes come in all shapes and styles, but most people are still unsure of how to wear them. The key to styling white shoes is identifying the level of formality you're trying to achieve. For casual looks, opt for white sneakers, boat shoes, flats, or sandals. Create business casual and semi-formal looks by wearing white loafers, moccasins, boots, or heeled sandals. For formal attire, go with white brogues, heels, or oxfords.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Creating Casual Looks

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Choose low top over high top white sneakers for versatility. Low tops look good with a wide range of outfits, so you’ll get the most mileage out of them. Their versatility makes them more appropriate than high tops in many situations and settings. You also won’t have to deal with your pants bunching up at the ankles when wearing low tops.^{[1]
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- Go with a pair of classic trainers if you wear jeans and t-shirts often. They also look great with chinos.
- For something edgier, try a pair of low top skate shoes like Converse or Vans.
- Wear canvas low tops without socks for a laidback summertime look.
2
Wear white high top sneakers to create sporty and casual looks. High tops are known for creating cool, casual looks with a street-ready flair. Pair white high tops with wide-leg, cropped trousers so that your awesome shoes are fully visible. Throw on a white t-shirt and a rolled-up beanie to create a classically cool vibe. For a sporty vibe, wear a hoodie or light jacket.^{[2]
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- Avoid jeans with skinny fits and tapered legs with high tops. They will bunch up at the ankle and make your legs look tiny in comparison to the large shoes.^{[3]
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- Pair white high top sneakers with straight leg jeans for a classic and casual look.
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3
Opt for white boat shoes to create a relaxed summertime look. Boat shoes are a must-have for summer. Try a white pair of Sperry’s if you want a stylish pair of boat shoes with a modern design. For a laidback look, wear chinos and a white t-shirt with your boat shoes. Take it up a notch by swapping the t-shirt for a crisp white button-down.^{[4]
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Try white Birkenstock sandals for a laidback vintage vibe. Birkenstock sandals are a great summer shoe with boho flair. You can wear them with denim shorts and a t-shirt for a relaxed look. They work great with swimsuits and wide-brimmed sun hats as pool or beach shoes. Pair them with skinny jeans and a short sleeve button up for a slightly more polished look.^{[5]
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Create a wide variety of casual looks with white flats. They pair particularly well with denim and khaki materials, so try wearing them with a pair of denim shorts or a khaki skirt for a cute and casual look. To spice things up a bit, wear fun accessories like beaded drop earrings, stackable bangles, and a boho necklace. Top it off with a quirky or boho-inspired bag for a great summer look.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Styling Semi-Formal and Business Casual Looks

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Pair white sandals with a white summer dress to look polished. White on white can look very polished, taking the casual look of sandals and a summer dress up a notch. You could also try a white midi skirt with white tie-up sandals with a low heel for something a little chicer.^{[7]
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- Add white accessories, like oversized sunglasses with white frames, white bangles, and a white clutch for a super polished summer look.
2
Wear brogues and ankle boots with tailored or fitted pants. Semi-formal white shoes like Derby brogues and sleek ankle boots look sharpest when paired with trousers that are tailored and fitted. Make sure your trousers are properly hemmed for a sophisticated flair. Avoid dark trousers and go with lighter shades like pale gray and light beige.^{[8]
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- The high contrast of dark pants and white shoes can look unbalanced.
- Avoid patent leather which is shiny and difficult to style. Opt for soft leather with a smooth matte appearance for versatility and easy styling.
3
Go with white loafers to create a range of semi-formal looks. For a more casual vibe, try a buttery leather pair with a minimal design and flat sole. Wear them with chino shorts and a loose button down. For something a bit dressier that you could wear to work, go with a classic design made of a lux material, like leather or suede.^{[9]
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- For dressier looks, opt for a pair with a bit of a heel, as opposed to a flat, rubber soles.
- Avoid square-toed shoes when trying to create a semi-formal look at the office.^{[10]
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4
Try white ankle boots for semi-formal looks with a little edge. Dress boots are very versatile. Pair them with casual suits, tailored trousers, and fitted blazers to create work-ready looks at the office.^{[11]
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Research source} Wear white ankle boots with a smart dress for a business casual vibe. Add a stack of white bangles, hoop earrings, and a light scarf to accessorize the outfit.
- Top it off with a black hobo bag or briefcase and retro-style sunglasses.
5
Tone down a semi-formal outfit with a nice pair of white trainers. If your smart grey blazer, white tee, and slim fit jeans look too formal once you get the outfit on, a pair of nice white trainers can be the perfect solution for toning it down. Choose trainers that have a classic and minimal design, like Converse, to keep your ensemble looking polished.^{[12]
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- Make sure they’re clean, as well! Don’t pair a dirty pair of white sneakers with semi-formal looks.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Wearing Formal Styles

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Create formal looks with white oxfords. White oxfords are less common than the more popular black and brown versions. In some cases, they are the perfect solution to a particular formal look. For instance, patent leather white oxfords look great with wedding attire when the groom isn’t wearing the traditional black tux.^{[13]
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- White oxfords also look great with a light grey suit, as long as it’s well-tailored and neat.
- Accessories like cuff links and a tie-clip will enhance the formal vibe.
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Try strappy white heels with evening wear or for a special event. White heels can work with almost any formal dress, especially in the summertime. Wear a strappy pair of white heels with a white evening dress and silver jewelry for an icy, sophisticated look.^{[14]
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- For a slightly toned down look at a special event, try a calf-length pastel-colored skirt and white blouse with your strappy heels.^{[15]
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Wear white leather brogues in formal situations. Classic brogues are usually considered to be formal shoes, but they can easily look frumpy. Keep your overall look slick and stylish by avoiding brogues with thick soles and choosing a pair with a structured, defined silhouette. Polish the leather and wear them with tailored trousers, an elegant button-down, and a matching blazer for a timeless formal look.^{[16]
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Avoid wearing white trainers with formal looks. You can pull off a nice pair of trainers for business casual and semi-formal looks, but it’s really difficult to wear them successfully with a suit or other formal outfits. If you need to create a dressy look, opt for white loafers, boots, or oxfords and steer clear of sneakers and trainers.^{[17]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What is the most versatile sneaker?

Joanne Gruber
Professional Stylist
Joanne Gruber is the owner of The Closet Stylist, a personal style service combining wardrobe editing with organization. She has worked in the fashion and style industries for over 10 years.

Joanne Gruber

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Everyone needs a sneaker with a crisp, white sole. It adds bounce and polish to any outfit, even if you're just running around town.