White shoes + Dark Pants
November 9, 2008 7:37 AM Subscribe
Is it EVER okay to wear white shoes with dark pants?
I have seen some otherwise fashionably dressed women on the street wearing white shoes with dark pants (black and brown). Is this an NYC thing? They appear to be ballet flats, not formal shoes. Are they just coming home from work and wearing comfortable shoes? I will note that it is well after labor day. Are white shoes with dark pants ever ok? If so, in what situations is this 'cool'?
I have seen some otherwise fashionably dressed women on the street wearing white shoes with dark pants (black and brown). Is this an NYC thing? They appear to be ballet flats, not formal shoes. Are they just coming home from work and wearing comfortable shoes? I will note that it is well after labor day. Are white shoes with dark pants ever ok? If so, in what situations is this 'cool'?
All fashion is imaginary, driven by advertising and individual whim. Wear what you like; as long as it looks neat, people generally don't think much of it.
posted by sonic meat machine at 8:09 AM on November 9, 2008 [4 favorites]
posted by sonic meat machine at 8:09 AM on November 9, 2008 [4 favorites]
They better be damn good white shoes, because if you're wearing them with black pants, all people are going to be looking at is your feet.
posted by Evangeline at 8:25 AM on November 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Evangeline at 8:25 AM on November 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
All fashion is imaginary, driven by advertising and individual whim. Wear what you like; as long as it looks neat, people generally don't think much of it.
There's fashion and there's style. People notice your style.
posted by Zambrano at 8:32 AM on November 9, 2008
There's fashion and there's style. People notice your style.
posted by Zambrano at 8:32 AM on November 9, 2008
All fashion is imaginary, driven by advertising and individual whim. Wear what you like; as long as it looks neat, people generally don't think much of it.
There's fashion and there's style. People notice your style.
People notice the person in the clothing, and judge the style accordingly.
posted by mpls2 at 8:41 AM on November 9, 2008
Are white shoes with dark pants ever ok?
Only if you are a majorette or a go-go dancer. I'm pretty much against white shoes (unless they are sneakers or on small children) they just make your feet look larger than they are.
posted by pinky at 8:45 AM on November 9, 2008
Only if you are a majorette or a go-go dancer. I'm pretty much against white shoes (unless they are sneakers or on small children) they just make your feet look larger than they are.
posted by pinky at 8:45 AM on November 9, 2008
Your shoes should be an extension of your pants. Therefore, dark pants, dark shoes, etc. It gives you a bit of elongation and polishes the look.
Are white shoes with dark pants ever ok?
Only if you are a majorette or a go-go dancer.
Or a pimp.
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 9:01 AM on November 9, 2008
Are white shoes with dark pants ever ok?
Only if you are a majorette or a go-go dancer.
Or a pimp.
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 9:01 AM on November 9, 2008
Just be ale to back it up with your fists. Then anything goes.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:06 AM on November 9, 2008 [3 favorites]
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:06 AM on November 9, 2008 [3 favorites]
I dunno, I think you could pull it off with a black & white top and/or black & white accessories. However, it would really need to be a special occasion or some kind of situation where you're supposed to look rather avant garde, because otherwise people are probably going to look at you like, "WTF?". This might be a good question to ask on the super fantastic Manolo's Shoe Blog.
posted by fuse theorem at 9:14 AM on November 9, 2008
posted by fuse theorem at 9:14 AM on November 9, 2008
As American culture and dress in general get more casual, a lot of the old fashion rules are becoming more or less obsolete. "No white shoes" and "no white after labor day" are prime examples of this. Younger people, especially, are much less likely to care about or even be aware of these rules and more likely to dress based on what they like, and what they see other young people wearing.
posted by doift at 9:40 AM on November 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by doift at 9:40 AM on November 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
It is never OK to wear white shoes. Ever.
posted by trip and a half at 9:41 AM on November 9, 2008
posted by trip and a half at 9:41 AM on November 9, 2008
Are white shoes with dark pants ever ok?
Only if you are a majorette or a go-go dancer.
Or a pimp.
Or a clown.
White shoes with dark clothes just draws too much attention to your feet. It is a clumsy, garish look. I can't even abide women in white runners on their way to or from work. If you must wear runners, get a darker colour.
posted by happy scrappy at 10:12 AM on November 9, 2008
Only if you are a majorette or a go-go dancer.
Or a pimp.
Or a clown.
White shoes with dark clothes just draws too much attention to your feet. It is a clumsy, garish look. I can't even abide women in white runners on their way to or from work. If you must wear runners, get a darker colour.
posted by happy scrappy at 10:12 AM on November 9, 2008
It is never OK to wear white shoes. Ever.
Oh really? Is that a fact? You might want to tell these folks.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 10:17 AM on November 9, 2008
Oh really? Is that a fact? You might want to tell these folks.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 10:17 AM on November 9, 2008
What? Of course this is fine. I'm a big fan of white shoes - Converses, Onitsuka tigers, whatever. Sonic meat machine is ultimately right, so go for it.
And if you need evidence of it looking "cool" (whatever this really means): here are some examples to look at from the Sartorialist.
posted by suedehead at 11:00 AM on November 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
And if you need evidence of it looking "cool" (whatever this really means): here are some examples to look at from the Sartorialist.
posted by suedehead at 11:00 AM on November 9, 2008 [1 favorite]
I have wanted a pair those side-lace shoes on the cover of Look Sharp since the day I bought the album. Sad fact is I probably wont ever find them or look sharp if I do. I had a pointy shoe period (ending in a "dude...your shoes....what about them...there fuckin pointy man" that coincided with my mullet and purple tinged round glasses.
From one mefite to another, and for the good of the country, I beg your forgiveness.
posted by timsteil at 11:49 AM on November 9, 2008
From one mefite to another, and for the good of the country, I beg your forgiveness.
posted by timsteil at 11:49 AM on November 9, 2008
I do it sometimes when I feel like it. Usually all black + white shoes or mod dress, dark socks, white shoes. I mean, it definitely is a look, but when I wear it that's the look I want. So I guess my answer is it's okay as long as you look like you are doing it on purpose. At least in Brooklyn.
posted by dame at 2:59 PM on November 9, 2008
posted by dame at 2:59 PM on November 9, 2008
Are white shoes with dark pants ever ok? If so, in what situations is this 'cool'?
It's very cool if you're wearing white pumps, black leggings, an oversized top, and sunglasses with white plastic frames.
Oh yeah, it should also be 1982.
posted by dogmom at 3:55 PM on November 9, 2008
It's very cool if you're wearing white pumps, black leggings, an oversized top, and sunglasses with white plastic frames.
Oh yeah, it should also be 1982.
posted by dogmom at 3:55 PM on November 9, 2008
Are white shoes with dark pants ever ok?
Only if you are a majorette or a go-go dancer.
Or a pimp.
Or a clown.
Or PeeWee Herman.
posted by LuckySeven~ at 4:33 PM on November 9, 2008
Only if you are a majorette or a go-go dancer.
Or a pimp.
Or a clown.
Or PeeWee Herman.
posted by LuckySeven~ at 4:33 PM on November 9, 2008
I have white peep-toe ballet flats which i wear with tight dark jeans regularly. When I do this, I get lots of compliments on them, because they are excellent shoes. Fashion is totally not about following the rules. And I don't live in NYC.
posted by dizziest at 7:55 PM on November 9, 2008
posted by dizziest at 7:55 PM on November 9, 2008
As American culture and dress in general get more casual, a lot of the old fashion rules are becoming more or less obsolete. "No white shoes" and "no white after labor day" are prime examples of this. Younger people, especially, are much less likely to care about or even be aware of these rules and more likely to dress based on what they like, and what they see other young people wearing.
exactly - we see this in all parts of culture - the rules of polite society are not just no longer necessary but very often no longer even familiar to younger people. In the 60/70s, people rebelled against them; in the 80/90s people mocked them; but now, mainstream culture has splintered in so many subgroups that plenty of people just aren't even aware of what the so-called rules are. So sure, within a particular subgroup there may be a rule against white shoes, but there's really no way to claim it's universal anymore.
I wear white sneakers all the time, but that's no fashion statement; i think the main problem with white shoes is that they get dirty easily...
posted by mdn at 9:53 PM on November 9, 2008
exactly - we see this in all parts of culture - the rules of polite society are not just no longer necessary but very often no longer even familiar to younger people. In the 60/70s, people rebelled against them; in the 80/90s people mocked them; but now, mainstream culture has splintered in so many subgroups that plenty of people just aren't even aware of what the so-called rules are. So sure, within a particular subgroup there may be a rule against white shoes, but there's really no way to claim it's universal anymore.
I wear white sneakers all the time, but that's no fashion statement; i think the main problem with white shoes is that they get dirty easily...
posted by mdn at 9:53 PM on November 9, 2008
You can wear any shoes with any outfit. Disregard ALL "fashion" rules, whether written or unwritten.
posted by davidmsc at 10:05 PM on November 9, 2008
posted by davidmsc at 10:05 PM on November 9, 2008
Are white shoes with dark pants ever ok?
Only if you are a majorette or a go-go dancer.
Or a pimp.
Or a clown.
Or a time bomb. But don't forget the black coat, black hat, and Cadillac.
posted by owtytrof at 8:10 AM on November 10, 2008
Only if you are a majorette or a go-go dancer.
Or a pimp.
Or a clown.
Or a time bomb. But don't forget the black coat, black hat, and Cadillac.
posted by owtytrof at 8:10 AM on November 10, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by carsonb at 7:53 AM on November 9, 2008