The high-top version is a favorite of artist Shantell Martin - and among Strategist staffers. Walton has worn Chuck Taylors since middle school to feel “a little punk-rockish,” always in the low-profile shape, as she feels she’s “too short to pull off high-tops.”Ĭonverse was just shy of earning that “most mentioned” title, too, with a few other styles coming up in our reporting.

“There’s something inherently cool, nostalgic, and rebellious about Converse,” explains fashion illustrator Jenny Walton. Material: Canvas | Sizes: 5–15 with unisex sizing and wide options | Design: Converse red outlining, All Star “license plate” in back | Price: $Įqually iconic, Chuck Taylors are your best bet for low-tops. “I would feel embarrassed not to own a pair.” Stylist Christel Langué buys a new pair every year: “You can’t go wrong with Air Force 1s, and as a native New Yorker,” she says. Leigh Plessner, creative director of fine jewelry label Catbird, brought hers when her daughter was born - and loved how cool the kicks looked with nightgowns when she started doing day-care drop-off. Michelle Silva, co-founder of content creation agency Con.cept, calls AF1s her go-to. Their versatility is what makes them an essential. I could actually shoot hoops in them if I wanted to, because they have some bounce to them I stuck to sidewalk treks instead and found them endlessly comfortable for thousands of steps. The sneakers also boast supercomfortable cushioning and a breathable toe box with perforation holes in in a sunburstlike pattern. There’s a largeness about them, which made them popular with the basketball crowd from the beginning - unlike shier Supergas and basic Converse. I was curious about the decades-old design (which debuted back in 1981) and asked Nike if I could try a pair to understand the hype. They’re undeniably timeless, with a white-sock-revealing low top and clean lines. They’re also on Nike’s more affordable side, coming in at just a little more than $100. These not only top our list but take the superlative of “most mentioned,” an astounding feat when you consider that we heard about more than 40 pairs when reporting this guide. Unsurprisingly, the sneakerheads we talked to had much to say about the cult-favorite–to–classic Air Force 1.

Material: Leather | Sizes: 5–13 with half-sizes | Design: High-foam midsole, toe perforations | Price: $$ Even if, from a practicality standpoint, white sneakers can be a bit of a chore - especially if you like to keep them as pristine as possible - there’s no denying their appeal. (Like “ It” girl Alexa Chung, I subscribe to the philosophy that you should scuff them up a bit before your first wear.) To find the very best of the best, I turned to sneakerheads and shoe obsessives for their favorite white sneakers, from minimalist low-tops to Tabi-like split-toes. These latest iterations (and the inevitable ones to follow) are further proof of the kicks’ power. Think of the Stan Smiths craze that unleashed many a copycat and the ubiquitous ugly-trainers trend that’s showing no signs of stopping: There are orthopedic-esque Salomons and Hokas out on the streets as we speak (it’s all about comfort nowadays). Hypebeast or not, it’s hard to ignore the white-sneaker boom of the last few years.

Womens hype clothing