The best white shoes to buy this summer – and the £3.50 hack to keep them clean

This summer has seen a plethora of footwear trends dominating street style, from the divisive mesh ballet flat to the sturdy fisherman’s sandal. But if neither of these are for you, then never fear – you can’t go wrong with summer’s forever favourite shoe – the flat white sandal.

It was Jackie Kennedy who first made them a wardrobe staple of the jetset, when she brought home a pair of white sandals with whipstitch details from Capri, asking her cobbler Jack Rogers to recreate them for her. Sure enough, the entirety of her international circle was soon replicating the look.

It’s easy to see the appeal. White is famous for looking great with suntanned skin, which most of us aim for in the summer months. They are also a great neutral accessory, which works particularly well with the season’s go-to colour palette, whether you’re in the pastels or brights camp. And they look just as chic with cropped trousers or floaty dresses, or even simply a swimsuit.

As with most white clothing, there’s an undeniable “monied” appeal to white sandals, as the assumption is that they are unlikely to get dirty. “White sandals are not meant for walking, they are meant for looking pretty with a cocktail in your hand,” says Vogue luxury editor Milena Lazazzera. “They are to be kept in a bag and worn only at the right time and right place - especially if they are in leather and by Hermès.”

But that’s not to say you can’t make them your everyday shoe, whether you’re on the beach or in the city. After all, the style is versatile enough that it works with office wear just as well as resort wear, and can be particularly smart when paired with cropped trousers and shirts. A word of caution though: as Lazazzera says, white sandals aren’t really meant for getting your 10,000 steps in, thanks to their propensity to show up dirt, but if you simply must pound the pavements, then try a sturdier and sportier pair, à la Katie Holmes in her Chloé x Tevas, which will not only be more comfortable but will clean easier.

The secret to keeping them clean

The real danger of wearing your white sandals in the city – and in the UK – though, is the weather. And while of course you might check the forecast before you go out, you never can guarantee that you won’t get caught in a sudden downpour. If you do find yourself ankle-deep in rainwater or with bus-splattered spray, then don’t despair – there are numerous ways to resurrect your favourite pair, with a lot of the products you use to clean your home working a treat.

“I mix Vanish Oxi Action Crystal White powder [£3.50 for 470g at Asda) with a little water to make a paste and then use a toothbrush to clean,” shares fashion editor Gemma Louise Deeks. “An all-purpose cleaner that you spray on and wipe off after wearing will keep them looking good as new,” adds Cat Anderson, stylist and owner of boutique store, Treen. “Good old baking soda and vinegar mixed into a paste should lift any marks and stains on white sandals, and keep them cleaner after applying. And you can’t go wrong with toothpaste – particularly on white soles. Rub the white of the toothpaste on, leave for 10 minutes then wipe off. Ta-da!”

Extra care has to be taken with suede shoes, which can be trickier to keep clean, and easier to inadvertently ruin. “Cleaning suede footwear requires special care to avoid damaging the delicate material and keep them looking their very best,” explains Marcus Fairfax Fountaine, co-founder of the Norfolk accessories brand Fairfax & Favor. 

“Start by brushing off any surface debris before utilising a suede cleaner in gentle circular motions to spot clean any light marks. If you’re dealing with any oily stains, sprinkle a small amount of talcum powder onto the stain and leave overnight for the powder to absorb the oil. In the morning, simply brush off the powder with a soft brush and the mark should be gone.”

And a final word of caution: “Remember, we want gentle and light cleaning only. Don’t go submerging your sandals in water as that can lead to irreversible damage.”

Of course, many of these white sandal styles are timelessly chic, so if you’re hoping to wear the same pair year-in, year-out, then it’s worth considering how you store them during the winter months, too. “If you regularly leave your favourite pair of white sandals in pride of place in direct sunlight, you may actually be contributing to fading and deterioration of the material, especially with leather shoes,” shares Fairfax Fountaine. “In the winter months, we would suggest investing in storing your footwear in a dedicated shoe storage cabinet or keeping pairs of sandals in individual boxes in a cool, dark space to prevent light and heat from damaging the material - storing footwear this way also ensures you can select your shoes with ease every time.”

Five of the best pairs to buy

Leather slingbacks, £295, Camilla Elphick

Leather sandals, £170, A. Emery

Leather Mary Janes, £350, ATP Atelier

Leather fisherman sandals, £140, Camper 

Leather heeled sandals, £69, Marks & Spencer