White shoes have a reputation for being high maintenance, the sort of thing that looks pristine for one wear and scuffed forever after. I think that's only half true. A good pair earns its stripes because they go with almost everything you already own, but the cheap ones do let you down fast, and that's where the reputation comes from.
On an ordinary day, white trainers or flats sit under jeans, a plain t-shirt and whatever jacket is on the hook by the door, and they lift that outfit without trying too hard. They work under a midi skirt in summer, under tailored trousers for something smarter, and against navy or black they give an outfit a cleaner line than black shoes ever do. Before you buy, check the sole carefully, because a yellowing rubber sole is the first thing that ages a white shoe, and a sole that's already slightly cream in the shop will only get worse. Check the stitching round the toe too, loose threads there mean the upper will separate from the sole within a few months of proper wear, not years. If you've got none in your shoe rack and you're starting from nothing, go for a simple leather trainer or a plain pointed flat rather than anything with mesh panels or fabric uppers, because leather wipes clean and fabric holds every mark it meets. A well made white shoe usually has a smooth, slightly thick leather or good quality leather look upper rather than a thin coated canvas, stitching that's even and tight rather than glued seams that peel at the edges, and a sole with a bit of structure so it doesn't yellow within the first month. Hardware, if there is any, should sit flush rather than looking like it was stuck on as an afterthought, and the inside lining should feel finished rather than rough against the back of your foot, because that's usually the first sign of a shoe that was made to a price rather than to last.
A disappointing pair tends to show its true colours on the very first damp pavement or the first time they go in a bag for a change of shoes, picking up grey smears that never properly come out. The good ones take a wipe and a bit of patience with a cloth and come back looking almost new, wear after wear.
Reach for white shoes whenever you want an outfit to look finished without looking try hard, on days when black would feel heavy and anything coloured would feel like too much of a decision.
