It all began in 2010 when the designer at the time for Chloé, Phoebe Philo, took a bow at her runway show in a pair of white Adidas Stan Smiths teamed with black work pants. Since then the monochrome casual sneaker has been picked up by street style stars and celebrities and redesigned by designers including Alessandro Michele of Gucci. With comfort and an urban edge, the humble sneaker is still gaining traction as a must-have accessory.
One brand that has always known the appeal of the sneaker is ECCO. The company has been making – and re-making – its Soft 8 sneaker for over 35 years. In the latest issue of Simply You,, the head of ECCO’s Concept Lab in Denmark, Niki Taestensen, was quizzed on the Soft 8; their latest and most sophisticated take on the sports-luxe sneaker yet. He says the sneaker, which is available in white or black, is still popular today because “the combination of unbeatable comfort combined with Scandinavian minimalism appeals to consumers worldwide”.
Impressed by the clean cut and effortless cool of the new go-to sneaker, our editor Naomi Larkin and fashion editor Lousie Hilsz road tested the new Soft 8 designs, each with their own unique style.
Naomi Larkin, editor Simply You:
Inspired by her high-tops’ minimalist Scandinavian design, Larkin dresses-up her sneakers with an equally sophisticated silk skirt, while adding a white and blue patterned top to play-up the crisp white of the leather.
“I’m into detail and exquisite materials so a casual white sneaker has to be more than just a throw-on shoe for me,” says Larkin.
High-top white sneakers are most flattering when worn with skirts and dresses with calf-length hems. They add a sense of playfulness, not to mention practicality, to a daytime look so be prepared to style them with new and interesting outfit combinations.
Louise Hilsz, fashion editor Simply You:
“I have a fun approach towards fashion but I try not to follow trends,” says Hilsz.
Teaming her shoes with a matching ECCO white leather backpack makes a statement out of an otherwise simple and refined shoe style. Pairing her accessories with a bright striped skirt and pink bow blouse is a way to stay true to her sunshine fashion state-of-mind.
White sneakers are the perfect trans-seasonal footwear choice as they add a nostalgic charm to summery outfits, while also playing up winter-white aspects of outfits as the temperature drops.
Words: Jessica-Belle Greer, Simply You
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