White-shoe Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary (2024)

From the white buckskin shoes once commonly worn by Ivy League undergraduates and considered typical dress of the American upper class

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

From white + shoe; their traditional footwear.

From Wiktionary

White-shoe Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary (2024)

FAQs

What does white shoes mean? ›

adjective. ˈ(h)wīt-ˈshü : of, associated with, or characteristic of the privileged moneyed upper class : upper-crust.

Why do they call it white-shoe? ›

The term "white shoe" derives from white buck oxfords, a men's shoe highly popular among Ivy League students in the 1950s. The term "white shoe firm" emerged in the 1970s. Over the years, a number of white-shoe firms have been acquired by bigger rivals or have gone out of business.

What is a white-shoe in business? ›

used to describe a company, etc. that has been successful for a long time and has a traditional, conservative reputation: She's a partner at a white-shoe law firm.

What are the rules for wearing white shoes? ›

For many years, fashion experts insisted that white shoes should only be worn before Labor Day. The reasoning was that white was a summer color, and wearing white shoes after the end of summer would be considered gauche. However, times have changed, and white shoes are now considered acceptable for year-round wear.

What is the biblical meaning of shoes? ›

shoes is a symbol of conditional and unconditional surrender. '

What are shoes symbols of? ›

Shoes have, for centuries, given hints about a person's character, social and cultural place, even sexual preference. Shoes are powerful “things”, as they take control over the physical and human space in which we live. They allow us to move in and experience the environment.

What color is the shoe explained? ›

Right Brain. The theory is that "left-brained people" see gray and teal, and "right-brained people" see the sneaker as pink and white. The terms "left-brained" and "right-brained" have come to refer to personality types in popular culture, according to the American Psychological Association (APA).

Who started the white-shoe trend? ›

1. The introduction of Robert Haillet (1965) Who invented the white leather sneakers? That title goes to adidas.

Why people use white shoes? ›

Versatility: White shoes can be worn with a wide range of outfits, making them a versatile choice for many people. They can be dressed up or down and can be worn with both casual and formal attire. Classic style: White shoes have a classic, timeless style that is always in fashion.

What is the meaning of white canvas shoes? ›

White canvas shoes can be found under the category of sports shoes, sneakers or casual footwear. They are usually lightweight and are made of synthetic material or canvas on the outside. The sole is made of rubber, and the shoe has a cushioned foot bed. These shoes can be laced or can have Velcro flaps.

Is it a good idea to get white shoes? ›

White sneakers make any outfit (and by extension, the person wearing it) look more refined. This may be subjective, but white sneakers just make entire outfits look more well-thought out as opposed to combinations using other colors like black, blue, and more.

Are white shoes still a thing? ›

Easy to style, endlessly versatile, and somehow always elegant, the white sneaker—in leather, canvas, suede, or even some high-tech knitted fabric—is a year-round staple, and it's here to stay.

When can you not wear white? ›

The old-fashioned decree bans us from wearing white during the winter and spring, from Labor Day in September till May Day (another day designated to celebrate workers' rights). One popular theory dates back to the early 1900s.

What are you not supposed to wear white? ›

How long after Labor Day can you wear white? The rule states that after Labor Day, white should be retired from your wardrobe. Then once Memorial Day rolls around in May, the gates are re-opened.

Can you wear white shoes everyday? ›

A fresh white pair of sneakers goes with any outfit and, for that reason alone, is a must-have in everyone's footwear rotation. Whether you're the type of person to wear one pair of sneakers until it's time to buy another or a collector with many styles and colors already, you can never go wrong with white.

What is the full meaning of shoe? ›

noun. ˈshü : an outer covering for the human foot typically having a thick or stiff sole with an attached heel and an upper part of lighter material (such as leather) : a metal plate or rim for the hoof of an animal. : something resembling a shoe in function or placement.

What is shoe for the soul? ›

Shoes for Souls is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization created in 2016 by Lindsay Sobel as her mitzvah project. Since its founding, Shoes for Souls has donated more than 52,000 pairs of shoes to the homeless and those in need.

What is the soul part of the shoe? ›

The sole of a shoe, also known as the outsole, is the bottom part of the shoe that comes in direct contact with the ground. Shoe soles are made from a variety of different materials, including natural rubber, leather, polyurethane and PVC compounds.

What is the superstition about shoes? ›

There is a superstition that bad luck will come to a person who places shoes on a table. Another belief common in the North of England is that the tradition relates to the coal mining industry. When a miner died in a colliery accident, his shoes were placed on the table as a sign of respect.

Are shoes a status symbol? ›

Shoes have always been an opportunity for people to show off their social status, their style, and the size of their wallet. Scientists believe that humankind may have been wearing shoes as long as 40,000 years ago, and you can spot shoe-wearing hunters in cave paintings from 13,000 BC.

How can shoes show your personality? ›

How your shoes reflect your personality
  1. Flat shoes – A hidden leader. ...
  2. High heels – I'm in charge here. ...
  3. Flashy shoes – An extrovert. ...
  4. Flip flops - Laid back person. ...
  5. Always shiny and clean shoes – Great impression every day. ...
  6. Ankle boots – An aggressive person. ...
  7. Work boots – A good planer. ...
  8. Sporty shoes – A goal-oriented person.
Oct 4, 2019

What color shoes go with everything? ›

What is the best neutral color for shoes? Neutral-hued shoes are fantastic because they go with anything, including all colors, patterns, and prints. In this case, it's best to stick to basics like black, white, cream, beige, brown, and gray, or switch things up and choose navy, which, yes, is considered neutral, too.

Is the shoe theory real? ›

Although the 'shoe theory' is just a superstition, posts about it on TikTok are garnering millions of likes and views across the platform as some users encounter it for the first time.

Why do people see white and gold? ›

So, if you assumed that the dress was in a shadow in natural light, you would see it as white and gold because your brain automatically subtracted blue-ish short-wavelength light. This made the image appear more yellow in hue, hence people saw the dress as white and gold.

What is the white shoe stereotype? ›

White-shoe firm is an American term used to describe prestigious professional services firms that have traditionally been associated with the upper-class elite who graduated from Ivy League colleges.

What is the white shoe ban? ›

NBA policy stated that players “must wear shoes that not only matched their uniforms but matched the shoes worn by their teammates.” That led to the “51 percent rule” – shoes had to be 51 percent white and in accordance with what the rest of the team was wearing. It resulted in a very uniform look on the court.

Will white shoes go out of style? ›

Regardless of your style preferences, white sneakers will always be a key piece in any closet. In fact, they are a sneaker trend everyone will be coveting in 2023. Even if you aren't a fan of a casual look, they can go with almost any ensemble.

Are white shoes versatile? ›

Comfortable and versatile, white sneakers go with practically any outfit. Whether you're wearing a pair of jeans, activewear, or a dress, one go-to pair is all you need.

Do men need white shoes? ›

We're serious: white sneakers are the ideal shoe for any look, be it an all-black fit, or something colorful and graphic. They don't clash with any style or occasion—white sneakers make everything look fresh, even with suits. In other words: they're a menswear essential.

Why are white sneakers fashionable? ›

White sneakers still serve their purpose in a wardrobe—they're simple, comfortable shoe that looks good with everything, including, dresses, denim, and sweats. They're as timeless as sneakers get, and images of Jane Birkin wearing white sneakers in the '70s are ingrained in my memory because of it.

Why is everyone wearing white sneakers? ›

Versatility: White shoes can be worn with a wide range of outfits, making them a versatile choice for many people. They can be dressed up or down and can be worn with both casual and formal attire. Classic style: White shoes have a classic, timeless style that is always in fashion.

What does it mean to wear white? ›

Fashion. In fashion, the color white is often used to evoke a sense of purity, innocence, freshness, or cleanliness. Because white reflects light, it is often worn in the summer months to help stay cool.

Where did white shoe law come from? ›

Origin of White Shoe Law Firm

This expression comes from the white buckskin shoes that students wore at Ivy League schools. Those students often went on to get good jobs in the best law firms. It originated around the 1950s.

What is the psychology of color white? ›

White often symbolizes cleanliness, purity, and safety in Western culture. (For example, American brides typically wear white to represent innocence before starting their marriage.) The color can also represent neutrality or space. In fact, white creates “breathing room” between two or more elements.

What does the color white mean psychology? ›

White Color Psychology and Meaning. White is the lightest color, meaning purity, innocence, and integrity.

What color signifies new beginnings? ›

Green: New Beginnings, Abundance, Nature.

Why do people see different color shoes? ›

Experts say the reason people see different colors in the sneaker is because of lighting, background and light receptors, among other factors. Ivan Schwab, a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, recently explained to Health that we all have slightly different visual pigments in our eyes.

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