The Tamesis
Tennis shoes—I call them “tennis shoes,” despite the fact that no one actually wears them to play tennis—have evolved a lot over the past few decades (case in point: there’s a pair from the 1910s that now sells for hundreds of dollars on Etsy).
In the 1930s, people wore them as “sneakers.” In the 1970s, people wore them for skating (although by then, thanks to Vans, they already had a thick, rubbery soul and were more sneaker-like). And, by the late 1980s and 1990s, espadrilles (especially white ones) had become a casual staple in line with the era’s minimalist tastes. Take a look: Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Jessica Parker and Julia Roberts, all fans of wearing white espadrilles with blue jeans or leggings.
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barry king
Those like me who are old enough to remember the indie music era will remember that white espadrilles were a big thing back then. All of which is to say: It shouldn’t come as a surprise that they’re back again. With sneaker trends moving ever more towards slimming down, coupled with a cult-like preference for all things simple, classic, and ’90s-inspired, it was only a matter of time before the fashion world dabbled in these retro silhouettes.
See also: Prada Spring/Summer 2026 collection, where white espadrilles dominated, or the similar white derby shoes seen on the Celine Spring/Summer 2026 show. British FashionJulia Hobbs, senior contributing editor at Fashion Features, even thinks the sneaker is “on the verge of disrupting the ballet slipper,” citing Prada’s Drill fabric sneakers and the classic white van.
