Even in 2019, when most old menswear codes have gone out of the window and the spectrum of dressing well is excitingly diverse, there are still a few things that men across the board would be wise to keep in their sartorial arsenal. One of the most obvious of those is white sneakers – obscenely versatile, a good pair of these will be a true wardrobe cornerstone. But, as one reader asked us this week, how does one decide which white sneakers are the right sneakers?

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Which white sneakers do you recommend?

@elchipote.mx via Instagram

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White sneakers have a long and storied history. The sporty shoes, named “sneakers” because their rubber soles made them comparatively quieter than the clompy boots people were wearing, first appeared in Britain in the late 19th century, but really started to take off in the 1920s after they were popularised by tennis players in the 1924 Antwerp Olympics, before civilians began adopting them because of their comfortable “off-duty” charm.

A century, of course, is an incredibly long time in the fashion world. So, the fact that white sneakers have endured for such a while as a wardrobe staple is quite remarkable. But then, nobody has ever invented anything quite as revolutionary since. And with the advent of the ugly sneaker in the past couple of years, and the fact that most sneakers now look like mini jet skis or spaceships that go on your feet, the white sneaker begins to look particularly refreshing again.

As far as which ones you should buy, well, the choice is a tough one. Still, although the charm of the white sneaker hasn’t waned over the past 100 years, the brands who are making them continue to innovate and surprise. To help you out, we’ve picked out five of our favourites below.

Although we understand the charm of an aggressively branded sneaker, sometimes the shrewdest decision you can make with your footwear is something understated. The Larry leather sneakers from Mr P. are certainly that. They come with spare laces to keep them looking box-fresh, but will also look great when they’ve had a bit of wear, too.

Nothing has quite appealed to a broader range of men than the original Achilles sneakers from Common Projects. Satisfyingly minimal, they’ll work well with absolutely anything.

Good white sneakers don’t all have to be plain, of course. If high fashion is your bag, look to this Future pair from Maison Margiela are handcrafted from distressed leather, and have dripping glue details to make them look dégradé, but in, like, a totally contemporary way.

The go-to brand for the sustainability-conscious, Veja has making waves in the sneaker world for its iconic V sign that you’ll spot on the feet of stylish city types. This Campo pair has uppers crafted from corn waste, boasts ethically sourced rubber soles, and are lined with organic cotton.

If you like your sneakers with a bit of historical clout to them, you’ll do no better than adidas Originals. The brand is arguably the most famous purveyor of OG white sneakers – take this Stan Smiths recon leather pair – and its retro 1970s and 1980s styles are instantly recognisable.