Lace up these white summer shoes to channel your inner Paul Newman
From a pair of retro-inspired leather trainers to a classic canvas Converse sneaker, these are the best cool white shoes for summer…
- Words by: Jonathan Wells
Paul Newman sure knew how to kick back. The man was the king of the soft, off-duty sweatshirt. He lived on a sleepy estate in a sleepy Connecticut town. And he never said no to a beer (allegedly, he drank a six-pack every day).
But when the actor really wanted to relax — to loosen up and wind down — he’d kick back in his kicks. Newman’s sneaker collection was simple, stylish and expansive. He wore his leisurely lace-ups to the lake, to the movie set, to the race track and around town. They were often canvas, almost always white, and make for perfect summer style inspiration to this day. Below, we’ve rounded up the best sneakers to follow in Newman’s effortlessly cool footsteps….
J.Crew x Vans Premium Authentic Sneakers
Few shoes capture Paul Newman’s particular strain of American cool quite like the Vans Authentic. Simple, low-slung and entirely free of fuss, it is the sort of canvas sneaker the actor might have worn while kicking around a film set or spending a summer afternoon beside the lake.
This exclusive J.Crew edition comes in classic white, with a cotton canvas upper, flat laces and a rubber sole. Old-school, endlessly versatile and better with a little wear, these are sneakers Newman would surely have appreciated.
Converse Chuck 70 Low Tops
A pair of American icons fit for an American icon. Converse has reworked its most recognisable sneaker with a wider silhouette, heavier proportions and a softly aged vintage-white finish that looks as though it has already enjoyed several summers.
The canvas upper and chunky laces draw their inspiration from the 1990s rather than Newman’s mid-century heyday. But the uncomplicated, off-duty spirit remains exactly the same. Wear them with faded jeans, a white T-shirt and precisely no concern for what anyone else thinks.
Superga 2750 Cotu Classics
Incredibly affordable and utterly reliable, there are few white canvas shoes you’d be better off buying than Superga’s simple, effective 2750 ‘Cotu Classics’. They’re built to be extra strong, fully breathable and endlessly comfortable. What more could you want?
The silhouette itself is based on a simple tennis shoe — with a vulcanised rubber sole and pure cotton upper giving the design versatile credentials. And, what’s more, the style has been in continuous production since 1911 — before Newman was even born.
Stepney Workers Club ‘Dellow’ Sneakers
This ‘Dellow’ design from Stepney Workers Club has a secret weapon. Below those vulcanised rubber sole walls sits a concealed, chunky tread — affording the lucky wearer trusty traction on even the trickiest terrains.
Newman would approve. As a keen boatsman himself, the actor surely appreciated the benefits of a grippy shoe. And, with durable cotton drill uppers and stylishly exposed stitching lines, this deconstructed design has everything the actor could want.
Oliver Cabell GAT Sneakers
Newman not only played sports characters better than anyone else in Hollywood (he brought boxers, hockey players and racing drivers to life during his career), he also was a keen sportsman away from the big screen.
And these shoes, Oliver Cabell’s retro-inspired German athletic trainers, would have made the perfect sneakers for Newman. Unlike the canvas kicks above, these are full grain calfskin leather — a luxury touch for a capable, real-deal pair of sports shoes.
Novesta Star Master Mono 99 Sneakers
There was nothing overly polished about Newman’s summer style. His sneakers were practical, relaxed and invariably improved by a little dust, salt or engine grease. Novesta’s Star Master Mono follows much the same philosophy.
Made in a muted beige that sits comfortably alongside the actor’s preferred white canvas shoes, the design is defined by its chunky rubber sole and straightforward, old-school silhouette. They are sturdy enough for the lake, the racetrack or simply knocking around town, which is about as Newman as a sneaker can get.
Want more simple, timeless style? How to style a plain white T-shirt, according to 5 menswear icons…
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