Brunello Cucinelli’s low-key approach to luxury lends itself well to the simplicity of white sneakers. Without any bright colours or big logos to distract the eye, it’s the finer details that shine through, such as the subtle stitching and suede heel tabs on the pair seen here. Rock them with the brand’s slouchy tailoring at your next summer garden party.

Recognised globally for its iconic red-soled stilettos, Christian Louboutin also offers a range of men’s shoes and sneakers that range in style from dressy and dramatic – think patent-leather toecaps studded with spikes – to everyday and understated. Seen here is the brand’s most pared-back model, the Rantulow, in a go-with-anything shade of putty that’s straight out of a Farrow & Ball colour chart. It’s not all about neutrals, though, as you can still expect a flash of vivid red on the sole; this is a Christian Louboutin sneaker, after all.

You can tell a lot about a brand from the names it gives its shoes. In the case of Loro Piana, whose range includes the Daily Walk, the Weekend Walk and the nautically inspired Newport Walk, it’s clear that this is a brand intended for the gentleman of leisure. Taking design cues from a retro running shoe, the Weekend Walk is the sportiest sneaker in Loro Piana’s lineup, but don’t be fooled: the refined detailing and luxurious materials are a reminder that these are for sauntering, not sprinting.

Another shoe designer who rose to fame in the Carrie Bradshaw stiletto era, Manolo Blahnik and his eponymous brand have become synonymous with elegant, refined footwear: qualities that are in abundance in the brand’s range of men’s shoes, too. This Semando sneaker opts for a streamlined profile and smooth white leather uppers punctuated by contrasting black eyelet holes for a look that’s just about as smart and dressy as sneakers get.

Common Projects kick-started the trend for ultra-minimalist white sneakers with the Achilles Low all the way back in 2004 and, despite its many imitators, it remains a major player in the market today. Chalk that continued success up to a philosophy of slow, purposeful design that has seen it release only a handful of new silhouettes in the intervening years, one of which, the BBall, can be seen here. An iteration on the classic Achilles design that features perforated toecaps and subtly contrasting panels, it’s a sleek halfway house between traditional sports sneaker and high-fashion crossover. And, just like the Achilles, it looks best in white.