What Your White Sneakers Say About You
You go to private school and Stan Smiths might as well be part of the uniform. (For the record, they do fit dress code.) Or you're a Brooklyn mom riding high on a hot, albeit five-year-old style tip from your college roommate who used to work in magazines.
Adidas Stan Smith Originals, $40; amazon.com
You grew up in L.A. in the '90s, or you're so obsessed with the decade it's like you lived through it. Alternatively, you're a part of a small sect of '80s babes who appreciated Farrah Fawcett's iconic take before Bella Hadid was even born.
Nike Cortez, $70; footlocker.com
Your mom used to teach Step?, so now your feet have carried around a latent nostalgia for that springy, cushioned soul for the better part of two decades.
Reebok Classic Leather, $75; reebok.com
Either Baby Spice was your favorite Spice Girl, or you're too young to know how much Spice World was the best world.
Skechers D'Lites, $48; amazon.com
You're a celebrity or a Balenciaga publicist. No lay person could get their hands (feet?) on these.
Balenciaga Triple S, sold out; balenciaga.com
You're not here for designer dad shoes, so you go straight to the source with Fila's throwbacks instead. "They're way more authentic anyway," you'd probably say. You're also an ELLE.com editor.
Fila Disruptor II, $70; urbanoutfitters.com
You've perfected the Insta-squat. And you've never been triggered more than watching Bella Hadid awkwardly say "homeboy's gonna like, get it" because... he is.
Nike Air Force One '07, $90; nordstrom.com
TL;DR: you know enough to know better. Call it cheap, or call it sensible, but there's no way you're dropping $500+ for the Céline version of a canvas sneaker. These under $100 staples will do just fine, thank you very much.
Tretorn Nylite Plus, $70; tretorn.com
Early adopters probably have a house on the Vineyard. Recent acquirers probably got daring after the J.Crew collaboration and bumped up their order with a Liberty of London triangle top bikini to qualify for free shipping.
Superga Cotu, $65; nordstrom.com
Your bicycle has a straw basket attached to the front, intended for holding daisies, baguettes, and the cute vintage purse you bought the one time you entered a thrift store. 500 Days of Summer is your favorite movie.
Keds Champion, $4o; zappos.com
You're a Fashion Girl and these beauties serve two purposes: They're a marker of your style chops to anyone in the know, plus they're an in memoriam tribute to your forever fashion goddess Phoebe Philo.
Céline Plimsole Laceup Sneaker in Canvas, $590; celine.com
True, White Chuck Taylor's aren't the riskiest sartorial move. But a funny thing happened as they seasoned in your closet: Cool girls started wearing them with cropped jeans, and laces tied around their ankles. Suddenly your play-it-safe sneaks have a new lease (lace?) on life.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top, $55; converse.com
We see your white sneakers and we raise you these scarily accurate demographic sketches.