Sophisticated and inherently chic, white footwear has graduated from a fearless street-style into a wardrobe staple that’s certain to upgrade the most understated outfits.
When Autumn hits, it’s typically time to shed light shades in favour of dark tones of black and brown. But this season we’re embracing the most serene shade of all, white. The colour of perfection and successful beginnings, white shoes and white boots make the perfect blank canvas for new season ensembles.
So, how do you actually wear white shoes and boots? In this guide we turn to stylist Minna Atalla for her failsafe tips on phasing white into your ensembles.
From styling fresh white hiker boots to adding white chunky loafers to your daily rotations, here’s our stylist-approved guide of dressing with the most serene shade of all …
Easy ways to wear white
As daunting as white shoes and boots can be, with a little know-how you can master the art of dressing with white, yes even in cold weather. Whether dressing in tonal shades or introducing swashes of white into darker ensembles, we’re taking our notes from Minna …
Pick Tonal Combinations
While footwear in classic shades of black and brown can ground an outfit, white shades can lift an ensemble, making it more effortless.
“Don’t try and wear them with a dark outfit to begin with, keep it easy by tying them in with other lighter tones in your outfit. This could be your trousers, skirt, dress or top – something to provide a colour connection to your footwear.
Worn with light denim or pale neutral trousers, white boots will elongate and streamline your legs as they won’t create a colour break at your calf or ankle. Instead, they will continue the soft, light tonal colour of your trousers right down to the ground.”
Add Deeper Colours
All white ensembles isn’t your only option, white shoes will always stand out when worn with darker outfits …
“Worn with darker colours, like a darker dress with a white pattern or black trousers, white boots provide a highlight to your outfit”
Darra: White Leather Loafers
It’s been impossible to miss shoes with chunky soles, a returning favourite they’re loved for their eye-catching style and perfectly practical qualities, a ground-breaking trend that’s built to last.
Enter Darra, a chunky loafer refreshed in a cool white shade that’s certain to bring a joyful twist to our sartorial collections. Crafted from supple leather, they boast the familiar appearance of a penny loafer that will be as adept to your workwear trousers as they will your wide-legged jeans.
Head-to-toe colour dressing is the order of the day, and the formula of a successful all-white ensemble lies with co-ordinating (not matching) tones. Adding loose layers of textures and tactile materials will add a certain depth to your outfit without the need for adding colour.
Susanna: White Hiker Boots
Autumnal dressing is back in full swing, but that doesn’t mean practical pieces such as your ankle boots need to be boring. Our Susanna boots are certain to be the focal point to your everyday ensembles, crafted with grained leather they’re propped on a chunky gripped sole (perfect for stomping through autumnal leaves).
Not ready to forgo your summer dresses? Lace these boots up with a mid-length dress in a coordinating tone and slip on some chunky socks for an authentic hiker sign-off. To ground the lightest shade of all; add balance to your outfit by introducing a similar shade, this could be as simple as matching the colours of a print or as bold as a block colour dress.
Susanna
Lala: White Cowboy Boots
Western boots are back - or did they truly ever leave? Lala are the boots of choice this season, styled with minimalist seams and an angular heel, they walk the line between elegance and timelessness, meaning versatile dressing is on the cards.
The mid-heel of these cowboy boots adds height, and the pointed toe elongates the leg, meaning they look the part worn with maxis, midis, and minis. Set the all-white tone by layering with soft knits for an easy outfit that’s suited to autumnal forecasts.
Lanie: White Stomper Boots
Lanie makes a strong case for being this season’s favourite (and most reliable) boots. A timeless alternative to black boots, this leather pair has been updated with an icy shade of white and signed off with a slick black sole.
Chunky boots couldn’t be more versatile, whether slipped on with your faithful denim jeans for an easy daytime look or worn with a slinky slip dress for a casual approach to evening dressing, they’re called do-it-all boots for a reason. For a cosy and comforting approach to autumnal dressing, layer up with soft light knits and woven woollen fabrics, pay close attention to the white palette by incorporating swashes of light tones throughout.