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Business News/ Mint-lounge / Features/  An ode to the classic sports shoe
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An ode to the classic sports shoe

White sneakers have gone from being unfashionable and utilitarian to alpha-wear for the style-conscious

Adidas’ Stan Smith, `7,699Premium
Adidas’ Stan Smith, `7,699

If there was ever a trend that transformed normcore to glamcore, it’s the white sneaker. Once associated with nurses, geriatrics, actor Jeetendra, Malayali Gulf-returnees and Bata tennis shoes for schoolchildren, these minimalist trainers have emerged as the alpha-wear of fashion devotees, street-style stars and fashion bloggers alike. While the trend emerged on global runways and retail stores around 2014, it’s still at its peak.

Blame it on fashion’s ever- swinging pendulum of extremes. Given the OTT-ness of sneakers in the immediate past—examples include the Jeremy Scott designed adidas shoes, the rainbow hued Converse, the bright versions of Nike’s Flyknits—these shoes make an anti-establishment sort of statement. Relaxed, non-fussy, they have the ability to lift your entire outfit.

The white sneaker is now a perfect example of form and function, style and simplicity. It was evident in designer Aartivijay Gupta’s collection at the Lakme Fashion Week held earlier this year. Titled My World Of Glass, Gupta’s work was inspired by the intricate artwork of mosaic glass. Her breezy line—dresses, capes, tees, shirt blouses—flounced around with voluminous silhouettes. But what cut through the dramatic prints were the mix of Zara white sneakers (high-tops and regular) that she had paired with the pieces. “The USP of our label is about making art wearable. White sneakers lent the mosaic collection a fun, contemporary vibe, and also a sense of-functionality to the whole look," says Gupta.

Couturier Anju Modi too amped up the perennial classic white sneaker with her version of a white laser-cut, winged, metallic pair for her Autumn/ Winter 2015 collection. She paired it with renditions of Indian wear like churidars, slim pants, saris and ghagras.

Charles Pignal, the fourth generation member of the Bata shoe clan, spent months fine-tuning the vintage tennis shoe at the company’s Batanagar facility in West Bengal. The result: a clean, new, hipster-ish avatar—a romantic remake of the old classic. “We picked this shoe as our first heritage relaunch because it symbolizes Bata’s long history of serving customers and making affordable shoes that have a great local impact around the world. Besides, it looks like a timeless classic," says Pignal. Other favourites include the Stan Smiths, the iconic all-white pair from adidas Originals. Grown from a court-considered tennis model, first made in the 1960s, this old school, universally classic shoe—which was endorsed by the eponymous tennis player in 1973—has never been more popular than it is now.

The updated version has the upper of the shoe rendered in pure-white snakeskin leather while the tongue, toe box and heel-tab are treated with a glimmer of gold and silver. Even Christian Louboutin, the famous shoe designer known for his killer heels with their trademark red sole, made an entry into this territory as part of his Autumn/ Winter 2015 collection. Who would have thought? Louboutin has a handful of supple sneakers in white leather—our favourite is the Guapomio, inspired by vintage lace-up bowling shoes. Its toe-to-tongue laces are complemented by a chic strap overlay.

Nike has reintroduced the Racquette in a sleeker interpretation of the original while Koovs’ Yale Lace Up pair of white shoes, made of canvas, remind you of childhood summer camps. You can also go retro with a pair of white Converse, the ultimate throwback. But for a little sizzle, opt for Isabel Marant’s leather wedge sneakers that add height on the days you don’t want to suffer in stilettos, while H&M has a high-top pair made of polyurethane, better known as imitation leather.

The best bit about white shoes is versatility and crazy comfort. They can be paired with pretty much anything. Wear them with jeans (skinny, boyfriend, whatever you pick), a skirt or a sundress—you get the drift. Go on, get on top of the white sneaker game and make Jeetendra smile.

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Published: 10 Oct 2015, 12:19 AM IST
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