Header Image Credit: Veja
I wanted to love my Air Force 1’s – I really did. I am very much on board with the pair-sneakers-with-any-outfit trend, especially with the straight leg & flowy pant styles as of late. And, I had found the perfect pre-loved pair for 40% off on Poshmark in excellent condition.
Unfortunately, I ended up trying both my true size and a half size down, and neither worked for me. The 7.5 was way too bulky on my already large-for-my-height feet, and the 7s were unfortunately just too small.
Yet I was determined to find a pair of white, leather, slightly bulky and clean silhouette sneakers. While I happily ended up with a pair of pre-loved white Veja V-10s, here are a few I considered along that journey.
Sustainable White Sneakers
Everlane ReLeather Court Sneakers (reviewed here) for $110: I received mine in a dusty blush color right before we started working from home. I started wearing them more frequently this past summer, and they’ve worn in well! They’re a tad stiff to begin with, but become more comfortable with wear. I love that they’re relatively lightweight compared to other sneakers.
Veja V-10 & V-12 for $150: Both similar styles – the V-12 has a more streamlined silhouette with a smooth toebox instead of perforated. These are becoming surprisingly hard to find at the moment, I was very lucky to find mine pre-loved on Mercari. These feel similar to my Everlane Court Sneakers and I really like them. However, the tongue is not padded and does have a tendency to slide off-center – this doesn’t bother me, but I realize it may be important for some! These run true to size – I’m a narrow US 7.5 and purchased these in EU 38.
Traditional Options
For something more affordable, the $70 Classic Reebok Club 85 has seen quite the comeback! And on the other end of the Reebok spectrum, there are the Reebok x Maison Margiela Project 0 sneakers for $300.
These $80 Puma Cali Sneakers look the most similar to AF1 silhouette with a crisp white colorway, slight platform sole.
Honorable Mentions
These are not quite the same silhouette, but still fall into the white sneaker category and are great alternatives.
Rothy’s Lace-Up Sneakers (reviewed here) for $165: I’ve had mine for a little over a year, and they’ve become my go-to sneakers. These are by far the most comfortable sneakers I own – the knit material is soft while still maintaining structure. I’ve washed them several times already with no issue, and they come out brightly white each time. While I wish it came in half sizes, I sized up to a Size 8 with no problem.
Golden Goose PURESTAR for $495: If you’re looking to splurge, these are the option. I have friends who swear by the classic distressed Super-Star and their streamlined silhouette with a hidden inner platform. Admittedly, I’m not a huge fan of the original – but I love the PURESTAR version without the distressing!
Partnership Disclosure: This blog post was not sponsored by any of the brands listed above. As always, all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, in which I earn a commission on purchases.
