The Verdict on White Shoes

White shoes have always been difficult to pull off. For one, they get filthy, fast. Secondly, white shoes have the unfortunate tendency to look a teensy bit trashy. I don’t know why, but wearing white shoes, particularly pumps, is the equivalent of serving deviled eggs at a black-tie wedding.

Then again, I’ve never been one to care about protocol.

Some of my white shoes. From left to right: Pierre Hardy; Converse; & Other Stories
Some of my white shoes. From left to right: Pierre Hardy; Converse; & Other Stories

To that end, I’ve been loving white shoes lately. I’ve been trying out every shape and heel height, including the three versions above.

Usually, the white shoes are among the least popular, so you can often find them on sale. Hey, that’s great for me. But I started thinking: Why aren’t white shoes more popular?

I think the general populations distaste can be traced back to dyeable prom shoes. Remember those? Most often a pump, dyeable shoes are usually made from a glossy, white fabric that looks vaguely flammable. They’re, to put it mildly, the worst.

Tawny Kitaen in Whitesnake's "Is This Love?" video.
Tawny Kitaen in Whitesnake’s “Is This Love?” video.

For an example of how cheap and dated white shoes can seem, look no further than the footwear in any Whitesnake video. (I included a couple screenshots from the “Is This Love” video above, and yes — these are as high-res as I could find.)

If the shoes don’t seem hopelessly dated, they can look like part of a nurse’s uniform (or worse, a sexy Halloween costume).

Finding a timeless pair is a delicate dance.

Keri Russell in white pumps.
Keri Russell in white pumps.

Keri Russell wore a white, pointy pump with jeans and a leather jacket. It was incongruous but managed to stay on the right side of class, thanks to the subtle shape of the toe box.

Last year, I experimented with a similar shoe, but with less success.

White shoes: Dolce & Gabbana
Photo From Summer 2014. White shoes: Dolce & Gabbana (Consignment)

Unlike Keri’s pumps, mine are from the late 90s. I’ve dubbed that era’s unflattering stiletto shape the “dragon lady,” due to a toe box that is long and pointed like a talon. I’ve experimented with other white shoes in softer silhouettes, like these chubby, cream booties.

Photo from this past winter. White Boots: Zara
Photo from this past winter. White Boots: Zara

The boots were comfortable and cute, but once again, they proved to be quite tricky. If you wear them with pants, you’re solid. As soon as you wear them with a skirt, you’ve entered Dallas Cowboy cheerleader territory.

But there is one style icon who has mastered the white shoe with aplomb:

Vogue's Grace Coddington in white Celine ballerina flats. (The pajamas are by Michael Kors.)
Vogue’s Grace Coddington in white Celine ballerina flats. (The pajamas are by Michael Kors.)

Unlike the potentially cheesy pump, these white flats have a refreshingly eccentric shape. And thanks to the leather construction, no one will confuse them for a dyeable.

You tell me: What do you think of white shoes? And how do you wear them?