When In Doubt, Wear White Sneakers

Colourful statement sneakers have their place for sure, but our perennial go-to for menswear magic will always be box-fresh sneakers as gleaming as a Colgate ad. Preferably leather. Ideally premium quality and easy to care for. What more could the contemporary Calexico man ask for?

 

White sneakers are like a blank canvas onto which you can project any persona – whether it’s casual Friday corporate, fun weekend Dad, summer wedding Plus One, cool creative or confident professional who doesn’t do dress shoes. They’re so easy to throw on for a hit of fun and freshness wherever you’re going.

 

Part of the appeal is that white sneakers are endlessly versatile. You can wear them with tailored pieces, chinos, linen pants, lightweight wool suits, boardies and even cycling kit when you need to ditch the cleats.

 

What to look for in a white sneaker

To whittle down our top five white sneakers of 2023, we canvassed the sneaker-obsessive stylists at Calexico Man for their picks. These guys are collectors who keep abreast of sneaker trends globally and have put every pair mentioned through its paces. Their criteria come down to construction, comfort, quality, weight and (subtle) quirky details that set the truly great ones apart.

 

Best For Coffee & Weekend Everything

The idea of ‘lived-in’ as a synonym for craftsmanship can be seen clearly in the Philippe Model PRSX, thanks to the unique patented foxing tape that creates a purposefully imperfect sole. The shield on the side of the shoe features the coat of arms of the City of Paris – the home of the Philippe Model brand. The upper is made from calfskin and suede, with laminated suede inserts and vintage-effect brushed rubber. The laces are a screen-printed white that looks purposefully worn.

 

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Best For Cool Bars & Concerts

These mid-top white leather bad boys from GOAT sneaker-makers Golden Goose feature blue laces, a round toe, perforated detailing, suede panels and a distressed effect to create a classic white sneaker with an edgy twist.  

 

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Best For Corporate Casual

Italian powerhouse Santoni’s iconic sneaker leaves a footprint of unmistakable style with every stride. Characterised by a sporty, robust look, this shoe flaunts the maxi lettering incorporated into the tread, as well as the leather logo patches on the tongue and heel. The side is embellished with a subtle stitch in celebration of Santoni’s signature orange tone.

 

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Best For Sporty Style

This iconic model from the French brand is characterised by a sinuous sole for a vintage running shoe look (think New Balance but elevated) while the upper is made from calfskin and suede.

 

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Best For Dressier Outings

Who doesn’t love a high top? Especially one as tonal and clean as this. You get all the warmth of a boot in a style that’s more relaxed and flexible. This Gianvito Rossi iteration is made of buffed calfskin with zip closure at heel, padded collar and engraved logo.

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