Every Outfit Gets Better With a White Shoe
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Jaclyn Alexandra Cohen, PHOTOGRAPHS BY ELLEN FEDORSWed, April 15, 2026 at 8:24 PM UTC
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Every Outfit Gets Better With a White ShoeEllen Fedors
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Spring called, and white shoes answered. Every year, warmer temperatures mean lighter-colored shoes, but this season in particular, white footwear is trending. The cool thing about white is that it reads differently depending on the kind of shoe: It feels jazzy in lace-up flats, laid-back in sandals, and effortlessly modern in little kitten heels.
From top left clockwise: Bazaar’s Sophie Wang, Sarah Olivieri, Claudia Cruz, Jaclyn Alexandra Cohen, Jackie Judd, Rachel Sotto, Jennifer Jenkins and Alice Almeida,Ellen Fedors
Designers on the runway answered the call, too. Take Jonathan Anderson’s white flowered kitten mule from his spring 2026 Dior collection, which could easily spruce up a denim mini skirt for a weekend night out on the town, or Phoebe Philo’s white high vamp ballet flats, which are perfect for commuting to the office.
Below, I break down five categories of white shoes to shop now, including some styles I’m already wearing.
Flats
Jimmy Choo, Phoebe Philo, Bottega VenetaEllen Fedors
From ballet flats to soft loafers to (now trending) jazz shoes, white flats are fail-proof, adding a graphic statement to any of your office looks this spring. They’ll make a simple black-skirt-and-button-down outfit feel more intentional, and make a gray suit feel more fun. On the weekend, go more classic, pairing your favorite barrel-leg jeans or pop-of-color denim with fresh white sneakers for a cool and effortless look.
Sandals
Dior and TotemeEllen Fedors
Maybe your style is minimal and these Toteme contour sling-backs are calling your name. Maybe you’re leaning into the whimsy that is spring and you fancy the clinking and clacking of Dior’s mule, with a sizable floral silk corsage for added drama. Either way, white sandals can take you from a formal evening event (with a bright cocktail dress) to a lunch the next day (with a cool pair of jeans and a white t-shirt).
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Mini Heels
Prada, The Row, JudeEllen Fedors
Perhaps the chicest white shoes on the market right now are the ones that offer a bit of height via kitten heels or mid-sized wedges. These are level-two commuter shoes—they’re not fully in sport mode like flats, but they still allow for ease of movement. Try pointed-toe kitten heels with a straight-leg trouser and sleek button-down to elongate your look, or a dainty wedge with a pencil skirt and t-shirt.
Boots
Loewe and Isabel MarantEllen Fedors
White boots aren’t just for winter—in fact, they almost look cooler when they’re a little out of season. Especially on windier days, trade your socks and flats for a pair of boots to add dimension to classic tailored daywear separates or even colorful jeans with a monochromatic t-shirt. For a weekend day out and about, pairing them with a dainty skirt and shell top gives your look a sophisticated edge.
Sky-High Pumps
Tom Ford and BalenciagaEllen Fedors
White heels feel especially sexy when you use them to create a bit of contrast, whether you pair them with a black suit at the office or black jeans with a lace camisole for a night out. From ankle-strap pointed toe heels to low-vamp pumps like Balenciaga’s, these subtly show skin in all of the right places.
This article appears in the April issue of Harper’s Bazaar.
Photography: Ellen Fedors; Fashion Editor: Jaclyn Alexandra Cohen
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