Style

The Best White Sneakers for Men to Instantly Raise Your Shoe Game

They're timeless.

by Donna Freydkin
Collage of four white sneakers for men

When it comes to sneakers for men, there’s no shortage of options. From the classic dad sneakers to laid back Adidas and over-hyped Yeezys, sneakers can reveal a lot about a guy. But whether you’re a sneakerhead or not, a good pair of white sneakers should be a staple in any semi stylish man’s wardrobe. The best white sneakers for men are simple but perform double duty. They can be paired with jeans and sweats, but they also work well with the right suit. There are some rules to keep in mind, however. To offer some guidance on all things sneaker, we turned to stylist Micaela Erlanger, author of How to Accessorize: A Perfect Finish to Every Outfit, who’s worked with everyone from Common to Jared Leto.

Her advice? “Go for all-white sneakers that are plain, with a low-top,” says Erlanger. “The sole should be light. You never want a thick sole, so keep it to probably an inch. That is the requirement.”

The sneaker brand you choose is up to you, depending on whether you want to go more accessible with a pair by Stan Smith (Obama is a fan), or full-on red-carpet with sneaks by Saint Laurent.

“You can dress up any outfit with sneakers. You can wear them with a suit that shows your ankles. That’s my go-to,” says Erlanger. “You don’t want anything super-flashy. Think the three Cs: Classic, clean, cool.”

There’s another C to add to the white sneaker all-star list: Cleanliness. White sneakers quickly show wear and tear, but the best way to clean white sneakers is with a toothbrush, dipping it into warm water and soap, and very gently scrubbing the dirt spots away. Skip the washing machine, which is too tough on delicate white sneakers, and instead, hand wash them and let them air dry. In terms of finding a pair of white sneakers for men, here are our choices.

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