THE BIGGEST MEN'S DENIM TRENDS FOR 2021

 

THE BIGGEST MEN'S DENIM TRENDS FOR 2021

There will always be style purists who say that dark, unsullied denim (preferably selvedge) is the only kind worth investing in for versatility and longevity. And while we agree, to an extent, denim has moved on a lot since tailor Jacob W. Davis and dry-goods salesman Levi Strauss patented the rivet in 1873.

The 20th century’s most iconic garment – the blue jean – is overripe for designers to experiment with and subvert. And right now they’re doing it in their droves.

Fear not, the bootcut isn’t making a comeback, but to ensure you’re not lagging behind we’ve spun a handy new-season guide covering the denim trends you need to know for the months ahead.

DOUBLE DENIM

Two words guaranteed to give Justin Timberlake chills right down to the bone marrow. Double Denim isn’t the easiest trend to pull off – and when it goes wrong it, boy does it go wrong – but get it right and you’re looking at a massive pay off. It’s the menswear equivalent of a handstand press-ups or beef Wellington; only the pros can do it.

“If there’s ever a time to go all out with denim, it’s now,” says Farfech menswear editor Tony Cook. “Tackle the tricky trend by matching a [blue] denim jacket with dark, straight-cut jeans for a sophisticated approach, or contrast black skinnywith a blue denim shirt for a more casual take.”

The majority of your efforts should be focused on ensuring both denims are visibly different. Similarly, if wearing two blue washes, break things up with a white tee or grey sweatshirt – for perhaps the first time in menswear history, a blue knit or T-shirt isn’t the safe option here.

NINETIES DENIM

You’d have to have been living under a soundproof rock not to notice that the nineties are all over men’s wardrobes right now. And denim is where the decade is enjoying its second wind most enthusiastically.

“Classic grey wash jeans are back across a range of fits,” says Topman buying director Rachel Morgans, who recently oversaw a relaunch of the retailer’s denim range. “The [wash] lends these designs an authentic, vintage feel.”

The hallmark of this denim trend is a looser fit and a pale finish, so you need to think about the cut and colour of the kit that sits alongside your throwback threads. What this means in practice is that nineties denim jeans feel most at home with colour-block staples like sweatshirts and hoodies, with dark shoes thrown in to add a little visual weight to your bottom half.

WHITE DENIM

White jeans can still fill men with trepidation, especially in the season of barbecues and sitting on grass. But learning how to wear them without looking like a Eurotrash banker will not only save you from sweltering in black during the height of summer, it’ll also enhance any tan you worked on long into autumn.

“White denim is something men tend to stay away from because they can’t imagine how it would fit in their wardrobe,” says stylist  who has worked with the likes of Barbour and Gap. “In fact, it goes surprisingly well with other pieces.”

As well as the fit, which should be neither too skinny nor too wide, the secret to pulling off the look is in seeking out off-white rather than stark shades and steering simple and classic with the rest of your ensemble.

DENIM WITH TURN-UPS

Feeling the heat from athleisure’s blazing success, jeansmakers have been changing tack in recent seasons, introducing cropped styles that give a leg-up to what’s below. Now though, after several years of pinrolled jeans, menswear’s best-dressed are turning to the turn-up en masse, and for good reason.

“By turning up the hem of your jeans, you add a completely different shape to your overall look,” says Abraham. “Because the hem of most jeans never usually sits perfectly above your ankle, a turn-up stops them bunching up above the shoe and exposes a bit of ankle, giving more of a tapered look.” So turn-ups aren’t just an exercise in adding interest to a look, they’ll stop cankles in their tracks, too.

Turn-ups work best on rigid denim that will more easily retain folds. Try it with a pair of indigo  before finishing with rugged worker or while it’s still cold, then sneakers when your ankles can handle the breeze.

DAD DENIM

As with any enduring men’s staple, each season means subtle tweaks to a winning formula. But not even the biggest denimheads saw dad denim coming.

Unsurprisingly, a lot can go wrong with this trend. Think of that loose, slightly faded pair your old man wears when he’s cutting the hedges and you’re on the right track; think Simon Cowell and you’ve gone one step too far. Rewind immediately.

“The resurgence of dad denim is one that’s been championed by high-end designers – it’s all about an unfussy, unpretentious look, even if the price tag suggests otherwise,” says brand stylist Paul Higgins. Fortunately, the high street has also muscled with , so you don’t have to drop a mint to look intentionally normal.

I with normcore stablemates like boxy overshirts and colour block tees. In short: if it looks relaxed and basic, you’re doing dad denim right. Just leave the dance moves at home.

DISTRESSED DENIM

We have some distressing news (at least for the purists): the distressed trend is sticking around for another year. However, when handled with due respect, it doesn’t have to look like a case of too much money, not enough taste.

“This season’s distressed denim comes in all forms of ripped, bleached and raw edging,” says Hayley Bushell. That’s not your cue to try out every type at once, mind.

Assuming you don’t want to look like Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler circa 1984, avoid well-ventilated examples that are more holes than jeans. Keep everything else simple and balance them out with l pieces up top.

THE BIGGEST MENSWEAR BRANDS OF 2021

 THE BIGGEST MENSWEAR BRANDS OF 2021

If you found yourself gazing down at your mid wash jeans and chunky trainers after the turn of the new year and worrying that maybe, just maybe menswear was beginning to get a little stale again, allow us to put your mind at ease: it’s not.

Far from it in fact, because 2019 promises to be a year of change in the world of men’s fashion. High-profile label hookups, industry shakeups, and a focus on sustainable are just some of the events expected to rattle menswear’s Richter scale for the next 12 months, and it’s all coming courtesy of brands old and new, big and small.

These are the brands that will turn your head in 2019, igniting trends, change and quite probably a purchase or two.

TIMBERLAND

News in October that fashion-week favourite Christopher Raeburn would be taking the reins at American lifestyle brand Timberland may have come as a surprise to some, but for others it made perfect sense. Here were a label and a designer, both with a strong focus on eco-friendly production and purposeful design, both eager to take things to the next level.

And that’s exactly what we can expect over the course of the next year and beyond. Raeburn has made it clear he has big plans for Timberland, saying he wants to stay true to the brand’s iconic image and ethos, while pushing boundaries to their very limits. Think bleeding edge materials, utilitarian design with a streetwear tinge and clothes you can wear and wear. Excited? Us too.

ALYX

If you’d started talking about your “chest rig” prior to 2018, we might have thought you were describing a particularly complex inhaler invented to keep your asthma under control. Now, however, and thanks in no small part to boundary-pushing fashion label Alyx, we know that you’d be referring to your £400, luxury Italian-made harness bag.

But military-inspired receptacles are merely the tip of a very fashionable iceberg. And while the Matthew Williams-led label has been a quietly disruptive force, growing in the shadows for the past few years – Williams has produced bespoke buckles for Kim Jones at Dior, for example – 2019 promises to be the year it emerges fully and plants its flag on men’s fashion. Warcore, anyone?

LOUIS VUITTON

As one of the most historic and respected fashion houses on earth, Louis Vuitton’s appointment of Off-White founder Virgil Albohs as artistic director last year marked the dawn of a new era in menswear.

The 1st January 2019 was the beginning of Abloh’s first full year at LV. And following a debut collection that shook up the fashion status quo, not just in terms of design but also with its efforts to normalise diversity within the industry, this year promises to be a defining one for two of the biggest names in fashion. We’ll also be keeping an eye on Riccardo Tisci and Kim Jones for their first year at Burberry and Dior, respectively.

FILA

Nobody predicted it, but the must-have sneaker of last summer was an affordable Fila design that appealed to both sexes and was easily picked up on the high street. The Disruptor’s success was the centrepiece in a very good year for the retro Italian sportswear label (now based in South Korea).

Riding the nineties revival all the way to the bank, 2018 saw collaborations with everyone from Fendi to Weekday via Liam Hodges, and that kind of momentum doesn’t stop with a changing of the seasons. Look out for more MVP  killer collaborations, and don’t rule out a similar streak of good form from Champion or Kappa, either.

BALENCIAGA

There was a time when sending models clad in hoodies, tracksuits and bum bags down the runway would have been a maverick move for a haute couture house – something to ruffle the feathers of the high-fashion purists. Today, however, that couldn’t be further from reality. Garments that once served as tabloid fodder for scaring suburban mums have gone from park bench to Paris Fashion Week to Primark, leaving no wardrobe untouched along the way.

This shift in sartorial norms has freed up a position for a new renegade movement in menswear – one that Balenciaga (rarely a brand that does what anyone expects) has been intent on filling with traditional tailoring. Take a look at the suits from the SS19 collection at the Spanish fashion house: boxy at the shoulders still, but otherwise clean, elegant and mostly neutral. The year ahead could well see men’s tailoring clawing its way back from the abyss – and the label responsible is the same one that made dad style a thing.

NIKE

Love it or hate it, the release of the Yeezy Boost 350 back in 2015 gave rise to a new era of sneaker design at Adidas and beyond. Suddenly, oversized sole units, knitted uppers, sock-like fits and uncaged lacing systems were the new normal. All because of the runaway success of one hyped-up release.

Fast forward to 2019 and after flying off the shelves in record time, fetching anywhere up to £1,000 at resale, it’s easy to draw parallels with Nike’s recent Air Fear Of God 1. If that’s anything to go by, 2019 could be an interesting year in terms of new silhouettes from the Swoosh. And if that means an influx of handsome future-meets-retro basketball kicks then quite frankly we’re all for it.

STELLA MCCARTNEY

You know that monologue that Bane rattled off to Batman in The Dark Knight Rises? “You merely adopted the dark. I was raised by it, moulded by it,” etc etc. Well, you could apply that same concept to Stella McCartney and sustainability.

In the past, McCartney has been ostracised by some of her contemporaries for her unfaltering commitment to – not least her boycott of leather and fur. Today, the designer still has an insatiable appetite for new materials and new ways of doing things – a recent, rather unsung, achievement was a vegan Stan Smith sneaker in collaboration with Adidas. Now the same people who once scoffed are being forced to follow suit, making McCartney look less like an outsider and more like one of the most important designers of 2019 and beyond.

SERAC

The brainchild of Helly Hansen’s former lead technical designer, Serac is a new Norwegian brand set to shake up outerwear in 2019. Utilising a British Millerain shell fabric, which is the world’s first fully-washable and waterproof 3L waxed cotton, the label is on a mission to bridge the gap between fashion and functionality.

This groundbreaking material is highly technical, yet ages and weathers like leather, making each garment unique to its wearer. And while the collection and production of the garments that make it up are still highly limited – each jacket is currently limited to 100 units which take eight hours each to craft – we predict you’ll be seeing a lot more of this breakthrough brand over the coming years.

ZARA

In 2018, “fast fashion” became a dirty word. And given that’s exactly what Spanish retail juggernaut Zara has made billions by pedalling en masse, it’s no surprise that brand has come under scrutiny.

Two quick factoids for you: 1) Zara is one of the biggest fashion brands of the face of the Earth, selling close to 500 million items a year. And 2) The fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world, falling only behind the oil sector. This considered, you’d be right to think that Zara has a clear-cut duty when it comes to making clothing eco-friendly, and while last year saw little improvement, those at the helm of the label have assured the world that change is coming.

Zara has pledged to stop sending all of its unused textiles to landfill by 2020. That’s potentially a very big deal, because the brand’s market-leading position means it also has the potential to lead when it comes to world-changing reform in fashion and retail.

CALVIN KLEIN

In late December 2018 it was announced that Belgian tastemaker Raf Simons was leaving as chief creative officer at Calvin Klein. After two years that saw the launch of a new luxury line and creative freedom for the former Dior head honcho across all collections, marketing and advertising, everyone was left asking the same question: what’s next for CK?

Who will replace Raf? Will the label even hire anyone in that capacity at all? Will it ship a 205W39NYC spring collection? Can the brand even function without a luxury arm? Right now it’s anyone’s guess, but 2019 holds intriguing answers.

PERRY ELLIS

It’s all change for Miami-based Americana brand Perry Ellis. The tail end of 2018 saw the company go private, in a move its owners say puts it in the best possible position to grow. We think that means taking a leaf from the Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren playbooks, by releasing throwback collections that are frankly far more desirable than its more recent output.

In the short term, however, we have been treated to a revamped collection of streetwear-inflected staples, courtesy of the brand’s ‘America Perry Ellis’ line. Think bleached denim, retro and quarter-zip tops aplenty. To us, it looks like the (re)start of something special and definitely worth keeping an eye on over the coming months.

BARBOUR

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the legendary heritage outerwear brand and it is celebrating in style. Kicking off with a stellar presentation at London Fashion Week Men’s, Barbour announced a limited edition line of hero jackets inspired by its extensive archives, alongside a collaboration – the Director’s jacket – with fellow north-east legend Sir Ridley Scott.

Few if any brands do technical heritage menswear better, so we’ll be keeping an eye on the birthday boy all year long.

HOW TO WEAR A V-NECK JUMPER AND LOOK GREAT

 HOW TO WEAR A V-NECK JUMPER AND LOOK GREAT

The difference between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates was wrapped around their necks. Throughout the 1990s, when the pair were at loggerheads to own the home computing industry, Apple’s impresario presented a succession of groundbreaking designs wearing his trademark Issey Miyake. At Microsoft, Gates wore V-neck knits with all the elan of an Excel spreadsheet.

Thus has it ever been. Fashion loves to keep a man guessing, but for a long time now the one thing you haven’t had to agonise over is your neckline. The rule was simple: crew necks are good; V-necks are bad. Depending on its depth, the V was exclusively for part-time golfers or full-time LADS.

So consider us v. shocked to see the humble V-neck making it presence keenly felt both on the runway and on a slew of male celebrities, including Ryan Gosling and  “Though the crew neck has dominated menswear for some time, we’ve seen a shift towards the V-neckline recently,” says Simon Chilvers, menswear style director at . “Prada and Lanvin have championed this look, worn layered over shirting or simply under a blazer.” Both tapped a change that had been slowly percolating for a couple of years, with Raf Simons’s oversized cricket sweaters and Gucci doing some frankly unwearable things with sweater vests. But suddenly, they’ve become fashion without the capital F.

“Entirely unassuming, but ultra-desirable, the V-neckline is a building block of a classicist wardrobe,” says stylist Eric Down, who has dressed the likes of David Gandy, Tinie Tempah and Chris Hemsworth. Aside from being technically passe, it also embodies that odd tension where something is so unfashionable that it becomes fashionable again (case in point).

“The V-neck reflects a desire for more normcore dressing,” says Down. “In an age of such global political uncertainty, it is unsurprising that fashion turns to the familiar and the comforting.” And nothing’s more comforting than knitwear.

Of course, the risk with the V-neck – alongside corduroy, quarter-zip fleeces and ugly trainers – is that without at least some flair, you risk looking like your dad, rather than being ‘inspired by’ him. Hence why the latest versions of this divisive  aren’t just luxed-up versions of those that fill the fustier sections of any department store.

For a start, the V-neck’s shape is more dramatic. That means there’s more wiggle room with what’s underneath; now, you can think beyond shirt and tie for work, shirt without a tie for drinks after. But they’re not deep enough to rival lads-on-tour navel-grazers. “The new V-neck is unassuming,” says Down. “It is simple, considered, with clean lines, in tactile fabrics that state the case for subtlety. Not a word you’ll find on the casting notes for Love Island.”

It’s also effortless. Menswear en masse is loosening up and this reinvention of the V-neck taps into that movement. Just look to the early adopters of anything that’s destined to become a menswear ‘thing’. Gosling wears his V-neck sleeveless over a T-shirt, while Childish Gambino has recruited the V-neck sweater under a suit more times than we can count. Which means it’s settled: the V-neck has been wrought from the clutches of bad taste, maybe for good.

5 FRESH WAYS TO WEAR A V-NECK

The new rule of V-necks is that there are no rules. They’re not just for Bill Gates and golf clubs, or at the other extreme, Michael Douglas gyrating his way around Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct. The V has won an unlikely fashion victory. And the opportunities to wear one are boundless. Here are five of our favourite ways to style them this season.

SUIT UP

Long the go-to for SpAds and the only guy at work who knows how to fix a paper jam, a V-neck is more than just a way to warm up when you’ve got to wear a suit to work.

Just don’t be tempted to colour too far outside the lines, literally – V-necks may come in a rainbow of shades, but it’s best to keep things basic and let the neckline do the lifting. “Classic combos of white cotton shirts and grey or navy sweaters with a well tailored trouser will never fail,” says Down.

THE TIME MACHINE

One of this season’s easiest ways to look fashion-forward is to pair its two trending necklines: the roll neck popped out from beneath a V.

“Anyone can pull this off, but it is quite a 1970s vibe,” says Down. “For a modern take, go full Jil Sander with an icy cream or white colour roll neck under a blue or grey V-neck, without accessories and over grey wool trousers.

For something a bit more tongue-in-chic, clash a mustard roll neck with a maroon V-neck and sling a brown leather blouson on top.” Just be prepared to fend off the odd Alan Partridge comment.

TEXTURE MIXING

If this season loves anything, it’s texture. The best V-necks come in buttery wools that add coziness and depth to an outfit, which makes them the perfect foil for the season’s other trending fabric. “Corduroy is still big at the moment,” says Down, “so try a cord trouser in a soft butterscotch or honey colour.”

If that all feels a little too geographer teacher for you, consider toughening up the V-neck with wool overcoat. The former helps steer the once IT-department staple in a more casual, rebellious direction; while the latter in a houndstooth or check can break up flat colours and add add a touch of personality.

THE CRICKET SWEATER

The V-surgence is at least partly thanks to David Beckham and his co-ownership of heritage brand Kent & Curwen. The British label invented the cricket sweater in the 1930s and kickstarted the first V-neck trend.

Eighty-odd years on, creative director Daniel Kearns has reimagined the OG version in luxury wools with subtly striped collars, both in classic white and, if that feels too fancy dress, deep navy. They look best with tailored trousers or jeans and an overcoat, with or without anything underneath. Consider it athleisure for people who’d never dignify the word.

WITH BARE SKIN

On which note, high-brow designers have rescued the V-neck’s sexier side from the Love Island clones. “It showed collarless, V-neck button-front shirts that looked ultra-modern under blazers and suits,” says Down.

If you’re blessed with Gosling-like looks, then you can steal his Riviera moves and style a V-necked knit au naturel. But to toe the fine line between class and lechery, stick to muted shades and fine fabrics, like wool-silk blends, merino or cashmere. And just take care not to wink at anyone.

KEY PRODUCTS

MERINO WOOL JUMPER

Despite having a rough go of it the past couple of winters, the one thing that has kept the V-neck alive (as far as knitwear goes, at least) is the enduring appeal of merino wool. Soft, lightweight and temperature-regulating, it’s redeeming qualities go far beyond being a more affordable alternative to cashmere.

The material, shorn from the sheep of the same name, is right at home as a V-neck. Its breathable nature means it can easily slot over a shirt without causing you to sweat through on the commute.

As well as the classic neutral shades, consider giving jewel tones like emerald green a go, which can break up an otherwise unenterprising outfit.

CRICKET SWEATER

Though it may not rank as highly in the world of stylish sports as tennis, cricket’s contribution to the menswear world is no less gratefully received.

A close relation of the (another essential knit for the autumn/winter months), this season the piece has made the transition from the field to the front row.

Styles rendered in thick, insulating wool are perfect for days in the depth of winter, while those spun from lighter weight cotton are ideal for tricky-to-dress-for transitional days or layering over something equally preppy, such as an Oxford shirt.

ZIP-NECK JUMPER

You’d have to have been living under a soundproof rock not to have noticed the rise of men’s wardrobes over the last few years.

A slightly more elevated alternative to the track-top, a zip-neck sweater – ideally in a premium material like merino wool or cashmere – is an ideal way to buy into the V-neck trend without fully committing.

Try yours worn unzipped with a bit of white T-shirt showing or layer under a suit jacket to bring a sporty edge to your office attire.

Tom Banham

Jocks & Nerds deputy editor Tom Banham is an outerwear addict with bylines in GQ, Men’s Health and Mr Porter. He’s fascinated by the collision of high fashion and streetwear, but also knows his way around a soft-shouldered blazer. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter at @banham_tom

THE BEST WHITE SNEAKERS FOR EVERY BUDGET AND STYLE

 THE BEST WHITE SNEAKERS FOR EVERY BUDGET AND STYLE

By now you realise it’s not actually a trend at all, right? White sneakers are so entrenched in almost all aspects of men’s fashion that they are part of the establishment. Ubiquitous. A pair of pristine white feet, cosy under menswear’s top table.

It’s a sartorial paradigm shift few could’ve predicted, but it’s been the norm now for a number of seasons. Crisp white sneakers have become the 21st century’s Oxford brogues – a does-it-all footwear option that can be dressed up or down accordingly.

The relaxing of dress codes over the past few years blessed the plain white sneaker with an almost-peerless versatility. The Type of Shoe that would once have seen you denied entry to even the most questionable of nightclubs is now a common sight accompanying high-end tailoring on the red carpet and beyond.

It goes without saying, then, that a pair of fresher-than-a-pillow-with-a-mint-on kicks is one of the most important items a man can have in his wardrobe. The perfect fuss-free option to pair with anything and everything you own.

A SELECTIVE HISTORY OF THE WHITE SNEAKER

It may have changed the way men dress for good, but the story of how the humble tennis shoe took over the world and became an essential for anything but sport is not one that occurred overnight.

Despite relatively new entries to the market from Common Projects (2004), Alexander McQueen (2012) and Tom Ford (2014) — who previously swore he would never make sneakers — the beginnings of the trend can be traced back through menswear for more than 80 years.

The original Stan Smiths, worn by the man himself

One of the earliest examples of an athletic sneaker to cross over into the mainstream was the white Converse Chuck Taylor, which debuted at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. In the years and decades that followed, crisp white styles from brands like Spring Court, Adidas and Superga found themselves on many a famous foot, Steve McQueen’s included. Fashion types went crazy when, in recent years, tailors started styling their suits with white sneakers, but John Lennon was doing it on the cover of Abbey Road back in 1969.

Of course, like any other area of menswear, Trends come and go. And though Trainers — typified by models like the Achilles Low and Stan Smith — have reigned supreme since the turn of the millennium, in recent seasons the trend has broadened to include both chunky styles and Retro, rendered in a range of materials from luxury Italian leather to run-of-the-mill mesh. However, they all remain linked by their ability to symbolise off-duty cool in a way few menswear pieces have managed to achieve.

THREE KEY WAYS TO WEAR WHITE SNEAKERS

For all their versatility, white sneakers still require a dash of styling nous to obtain best results. Someone who has plenty of that is Harrikot, a stylist who has dressed A-list celebrities for everything from magazine covers to red carpet events and has worked for leading brands including Levi’s. Below is a clean sweep of her best tips.

SMART

Back in 2004, Justin Timberlake appeared in the music video for Signs, footing his already misguided white-suit-yellow-shirt combination (shudder) with a pair of Adio skate shoes. At the same time, self-respecting men everywhere swore a silent oath never to make the same mistake. However, it’s since been proven that, when done right, sneakers and tailoring can be rocked to glorious effect.

“Teaming a suit with sneakers is a great way of being smart without it being a chore,” says Byczok. “Try a textured suit in a navy or grey and enjoy being comfortable. Add a white T-shirt tucked in with a belt for a look that’s become borderline iconic in the modern day.”

River Island

ATHLEISURE

For a long while, ‘athleisure’ was the industry’s most prolific buzzword, tossed around by fashion editors like a stylish hot potato. While this tends to mean something that is going to be short-lived, a few seasons at best, here we are several years later with the sporty, casual style still very much a thing, and white sneakers have a big part of play.

“The booming trend of athleisure has long been taking over weekend wardrobes,” says Byczok. “Get even more wear out of your white sneakers by adding a pair of knitted luxe Joggers, a crew neck jumper and a dressier jacket or coat into the mix. Balancing out sports pieces with classics gives a look that is neither too smart nor casual.”

Zara

CASUAL

White sneakers are, by their very nature, casual, whether you chalk it up to their beginnings in the world of athletics or their adoption by the hip-hop scene in the 1980s. In either case, it makes sense to wear them as such.

“Any casual outfit should be effortless,” says Byczok. “Throw on a pair of jeans or chinos, then add a neutral sweatshirt or T-shirt depending on the weather and finish with an or casual jacket. Ultimately the aim is to let the sneakers speak for themselves.”

F&F Clothing

THE BEST WHITE SNEAKERS OF ALL TIME

ADIDAS STAN SMITH

If the little green face of former pro tennis player Stan Smith that peers up from the tongue of his eponymous sneaker could talk, it’d tell tales of an epic rollercoaster ride from court to catwalk.

Before 2014, the shoe first launched as the Robert Haillet hadn’t been truly huge for Adidas; so much so that the sportswear giant even considered pulling it from shelves. However, after an aggressive marketing campaign and a few high-profile endorsements, this now-iconic white shoe was suddenly everywhere. And, truth be told, it’s never really gone away since.

BUY NOW

REEBOK CLASSIC

Launched all the way back in the early 1980s, when the company was still owned by the Foster family who started the firm close to 90 years before, the Reebok Classic certainly lives up to its name.

What started life as the brand’s very first edition of a leather running shoe, the Classic soon become a staple of streetwear culture, where it has remained ever since, gaining co-signs from the likes of Jay-Z and Travi$ Scott along the way. Though it’s available in a range of colourways, it goes without saying that it runs laps around the competition in white.

BUY NOW

CONVERSE CHUCK TAYLOR ALL STAR 1970

We could go on all day about how much of a game changer the Chuck Taylor All Star was. Or how it’s one of the most popular sneakers of all time, with one sold every 43 seconds. Or how it’s remained virtually unchanged in over a century because of its sheer timelessness and brilliance. Or… well, you get the idea.

The fact of the matter is, you already know all of that stuff. So just let the shoe speak for itself. Leaf through the countless variations and collaborations on the market today and it’s not difficult to see why this is one of the greatest white sneakers ever created.

BUY NOW

ADIDAS ULTRA BOOST

More than six years after the first knitted trainer was unveiled at the London Olympics in 2012, the game-changing trend hasn’t tired one bit. Along with the Nike Flyknit Racer, it was the Adidas Ultra Boost that started the race.

One of the shoe’s biggest fans at the time of release was Kanye West, and given his inexplicable status as a style icon at the time, it’s little wonder the model took off in a big way. Unlike the shutter shades and that diamond-encrusted mask, the Ultra Boost has shown it has staying power, making it one of the world’s most hyped sneakers to this day that just happens to look killer in white.

BUY NOW

NIKE AIR FORCE 1

‘Air in a box’, promised the marketing slogan for the Air Force 1 when it was first rolled out in 1982. And the team at Nike wasn’t lying. There was air in the box, but there was also a very nice pair of shoes. Shoes that would go on to become a sneakerhead favourite.

The model has since served as a source of inspiration for infinite rap lyrics, graced the feet of all the biggest stars, and, perhaps most importantly of all, has earned itself a place in this roundup in the process.

BUY NOW

COMMON PROJECTS ACHILLES LOW

It doesn’t claim to be the comfiest shoe in the world. Nor are there any bells or whistles or future-shaping technology or anything like that. But dear God, does it look good.

The Achilles Low from Common Projects was the shoe that started the whole luxury sneaker thing, and it’s often still the first choice when it comes to picking a white leather kick. Simple, versatile and handcrafted with the same care as a Northamptonshire Oxford Shoe from only the finest materials. What more could you want?

BUY NOW

GUCCI ACE

If the thought of dropping triple figures on a pair of luxury Sneakers makes you involuntarily clench your buttocks, suffice to say Gucci’s near-ubiquitous white leather offering is not for you.

No, the Ace model from the Italian fashion house is not the cheapest shoe on the planet, but they are some of the coolest. Embroidered detailing on the sides adds a splash of colour to what would otherwise be a relatively dull affair. However, with such an outlay, deciding whether you want a bumble bee or a snake is going to be a major, major decision.

BUY NOW

VANS AUTHENTIC

From carving up empty pools in the 1970s to leaping off stage at the brand’s own travelling rock tour – the Vans Authentic has always been the go-to shoe for alternative lifestyles. Which is a bit of a paradox when you think about it. After all, how can a shoe with such mainstream appeal be deemed alternative?

Somehow it is. The Vans brand identity is just that strong, meaning it doesn’t matter whether you’re a punk rock drummer or a maths teacher – this skater staple will always bless you with a touch of California cool.

BUY NOW

MAISON MARGIELA REPLICA

Say what you want about war, it’s been very kind to fashion. Military garments have been inspiring designers for centuries, and Belgian tastemaker Martin Margiela wasn’t immune to their allure either.

The cult brand’s Replica sneaker is an update of the German army trainer (or GAT) originally designed by brothers Adolph and Rudolph Dassler in the 1970s. Reimagined in premium materials such as supple Italian leather and suede, it’s a basic concept, but one that has proven hugely popular.

BUY NOW

FILA DISRUPTOR

The general consensus in women’s fashion at the moment seems to be that if Britney Spears would have worn it circa 1999, then it’s a goer. Bizarrely, this trend appears to be spilling over into the world of menswear too, thanks in no small part to the emergence of a male version of the bold and bulky Fila Disruptor.

Riding on the wave of chunky sneakers generated by the likes of the Balenciaga Triple S, this modestly-priced all-white stomper is a great way to experiment with the look if you don’t feel like skipping this month’s rent. They’re called Disruptors for a reason…

BUY NOW

SUPERGA COTU CLASSIC

Along with knitted trainers and lifestyle running shoes, canvas sneakers aren’t the best choice for footing tailoring. But for everything else, a plain white pair is a safe and stylish choice. And they don’t come much plainer or whiter than the Superga Cotu Classic.

Invented in 1925 and prized for its vulcanized rubber soles, this unassuming kick has been giving people a reliable alternative to the more mainstream canvas plimsoll options for close to a century. A shoe built for summer and about as unoffensive as it gets.

BUY NOW