how the white trainer took over the world

by Rachel Johnstone

album of all time. In fact, John loved the style so much, he also wore them during his wedding to Yoko Ono.

The world flirted with the white trainer during the decades that followed, but it wasn’t until 1965, that its true place in fashion’s Hollywood walk of fame would be established with Stan Smith emblazoned on his star.

But how did a technical sporting shoe become one of the world’s most popular, and essential fashion items in circulation today?

Society’s love story with the white trainer can be traced all the way back to the 1936 German Olympics, where basketball player Chuck Taylor added the iconic white high top to his collaboration with the ever-popular brand, Converse All-Stars. The shoe was unsurprisingly an instant hit with players, but perhaps more surprisingly, the young, American boys weren’t far behind, quickly donning the item as more of a casual, lifestyle shoe.

Across the pond, a similar trend was in motion, with the ‘Spring Court’ to thank. Launched in Paris in 1936, the revolutionary tennis shoe was designed for play on clay. Distinguished for its unique rubber sole, the style, didn’t take long to be seen off the court and onto the feet of our favourite musicians and artists. John Lennon sported the iconic all white Spring Court trainer on the cover of Abbey Road in 1969, possibly the most iconic Beatles

The iconic Stan Smith (later to be renamed the Adidas Stan Smith), was designed in collaboration with the former world number one tennis star. With two Grand Slam singles and five Grand Slam double wins to his name, this seemed enough to attract both tennis players and fashion followers alike, enticing those who relished the opportunity to adorn the acutely successful athlete’s name. The style achieved instant popularity for both its celebrity status and simple, versatile silhouette, selling a record-breaking 22 million pairs by 1988 – a number assured to increase even today, with the style’s popularity ever-present.

did you know...

The style was originally intended to be named after tennis player, Robert Haillet in 1965, however his retirement in 1971 meant that the style was gifted the iconic Stan Smith name we know and love today.

As part of their growing product portfolio, the ‘superstar’ was another of Adidas’s iconic styles released in the 1960s. First launched in 1969, with the intention of being a basketball shoe, the style quickly became popular among the hip-hop culture before expanding into mainstream fashion by the 1980s.

Perhaps the most notable of the white trainer dynasty, and potentially that image you have in your head when someone says ‘white trainer’ is that of the Nike Air Force One, a style still prominent on our streets today. The very first AF1 was available for purchase in 1982, arriving at the time as an all-white mid-top, with the iconic all-white low-top not arriving until the following year. Designed by Bruce Kilgore – a Nike veteran, the AF1 was the first basketball shoe to feature Air cushioning. The shoe was also unique in its appearance, a recognisable style in the market for its many features, the perforated toe box as well as the rubberised sole captured the attention of many. Despite its growing popularity and original design, rumours of a discontinuation followed, however, these were soon squashed by three Baltimore businessmen, who expressed a demand for producing exclusive AF-1, a conversation which would spark the start of the limited editions of the AF-1, and partly to thank for the birth of the over 2000 versions of the style that exist today, no wonder you can never find your size!

did you know...

The Air Force One is so iconic, it even has its own song! The 2001 hit ‘Air Force Ones’ by Nelly discusses the shoe and his utmost desire to own them.

In 2022, as I’m sure you’ll agree, the marketplace is positively inundated with the white trainer, possibly even reaching that boring stage. Not a shop that doesn’t sell its unique interpretation nor a moment in the street where they aren’t on the feet of younger and older consumers alike. From Primark’s £10 style to Hermès £920 day sneaker, there is something for everyone. The same can be said for the item’s usage, not escaping the pandemic, the white trainer also endured a culture shock during the world lockdown. Society moved to a desire for comfort, and the work from home movement meant shoes were off camera, and the idea of out of sight, out of mind came into play. Already a statement only adorned by the fashion forward (Zendaya and Kendall Jenner to name just a few), the pandemic saw the large flourish of the formal trainer. Disapproved by your oldest relative, the trainer has very much made its way to formal wear. From dresses at weddings, to suits in the office, the white trainer has most definitely become appropriate no matter the occasion.

Having established the white trainer as a staple item and with its ever-increasing usage, it’s understandable when our poor white trainers get a little battered and bruised, subjected to countless trips to the supermarket and brisk walks to catch the last bus. As we evolve in a world with an ever-pressing climate change crisis, it wouldn’t be fair to end the article without telling you all about how to give your favourite white sneaks a little TLC, saving you some pounds, while helping the earth that little bit more.

white trainer restoration:

With the Adidas Stan Smith’s now not even recommended for tennis whilst white now only a required colour at Wimbledon, its longevity on the runway has long outrun its sporting counterpart, a clear demonstration of society’s loyalty to iconic styles.

With highly branded designs at the forefront of society’s mind, the arrival of Common Project’s ‘Achilles’ in 2004 welcomed a much-needed break from the idea of posturing, with founders Peter and Flavio spotting the need for a cool, understated minimal trainer in the market. The inflated price point meant that it easily found its place in the ever-more saturated market. With a devoted focus on high-quality materials, the shoe satisfied a more mature customer.

Many revolutionary releases proceeded in the years that followed, from the Reebok Club C in 1985 to Alexander McQueen’s in 1993, it’s impossible to name each and every movement in the white trainer’s evolution, however, taking a closer look at some of the key trends and design styles which emerged in the earlier decades allows us to understand just how we got to where we are today.

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A quick step-by-step guide. 1 3 4

First things first; take the laces off your shoes, place them in some soapy water and leave them while you prepare to perform lifechanging surgery on your, soon to be, white trainers.

Cleaning the outside with a weak solution of warm water and washing-up liquid or shampoo should do the trick perfectly. Using a soft cloth, rub gently over the shoe in circular motions.

Use the same solution to scrub the bottom of your shoe, however this time with a bristle brush if you have one handy. Using a toothbrush to softly clean your leather can be a great way to take out any stubborn stains. Be gentle though - treat the leather like you would the skin on your face!

To prepare your trainers for more countless hours of fun, finally, stuff your trainers with tissue paper or kitchen roll to soak up any excess water and allow them to air-dry overnight.

So, next time you wear your beloved white trainers, perhaps you’ll think that little bit more about just how much history and evolution has gone into such an ordinary, but classic item in all our wardrobes today.