A black graphic tee, ripped blue jeans, and Stan Smiths. A floral pink dress, sunglasses, and AirForce 1s. An oversized hoodie, sweatpants, and Fila Disruptors. What’s on your feet today?

It seems that White Shoes^TM  have taken over the fashion industry, but no one seems to understand why. Since around 2016 (yes, three years ago!) #influencers and models began pairing white shoes with just about any outfit, and so we started doing it too. Like all trends, from halter necklines to leather jackets, white shoes should have served their time by now. But even in 2019, white footwear is trending more than ever. 

Admittedly, white does complement every other colour. But as great as that is, that’s where the appeal ends. Theoretically, we should buy one pair of white shoes and label that pair our go-to; it goes with every outfit. But why we own multiple shoes of the same colour, I’ll never know. Other than its ability to match other shades, what’s so great about white shoes? 

Let’s take a look at the facts, shall we? 

#1. They’re the quickest to get dirty.

Why do we voluntarily wear shoes that we need to wash every other day? Sure, all shoes need to be thrown in the machine every once in a while, but white shoes—a whole different story. Coffee stains, mud, rain… You name it, and it ruins anything white in seconds. This is completely disproportionate to the amount of time it takes to actually clean them. Numerous hours of washing and drying in machines, followed by several Lysol wipes, and for what? In the end, new white shoes don’t look so new anymore. 

#2. They’re way, way too expensive.

Pricing differences in shoe models and brands makes sense, but as it turns out, colours affect prices too! White shoes are pricey, particularly for university students (as if we’re not already drowning in student loans, debt and mid-terms that never seem to end). Guess who the main users of white shoes are? You got it: university students! Evidently, the craze is so fascinating that we are undoubtedly splurging $200 on a pair of sneakers, and complaining if our textbooks cost us $150 at the bookstore… 

#3. They’re ‘basic’.

Statistically, according to a totally scientific, highly reliable research study by a University of Toronto student (AKA me), 1 in 4 people wear white shoes, or at least that was my observation on the TTC last Friday, and the day before that, and the day before that. While white shoes remain a social symbol of current fashion, wearing them does make us ‘basic’. If everyone essentially owns the same pairs of shoes as you do, your ‘fit is no longer a fashion statement, but rather a forced effort to fit in. Don’t take my use of “you” as a personal attack (I’m literally wearing white shoes as I’m writing this)—we’re all victims here. Victims of the herd mentality. We can all paint the town red, but here we are, giving in to societal pressure. 

There is no reason to spend this much time and effort on white shoes, and there are a million (yes, I’ve only discussed three) reasons not to. Just because Kylie Jenner can afford to buy a new pair every day without having to worry about cleaning them, doesn’t mean we can too! The glamour of white shoes sounds all fun and games, but for the people who wear them, deep down, we know the pain—financial and emotional—that comes with wearing these shoes. Ultimately, I guess it outweighs the social backlash of not wearing them. 
In 2016, we loved the idea of white shoes; they are conceptually great but practically flawed. In 2019, the question remains: why is this still a thing? Is it because it goes with everything or because it goes with everyone?