Vogue has selected 20 pairs of white derby shoes for spring 2026, noting their rising popularity from Celine's Michael Rider influence. Seen on street style at Paris Fashion Week and among New York editors, the style blends structure and relaxation. Runway designers including Jil Sander, Lemaire, and Proenza Schouler offer refined versions.
The article, published on March 18, 2026, traces the momentum of white derby shoes amid a modern prep revival that featured sporty jackets, argyle sweaters, and pleated midiskirts last season. Lighter layers like fine-gauge cardigans continue, but lace-up derbies, especially bright white ones, stand out. Celine’s Michael Rider has propelled this trend, making the shoes ubiquitous this season. White footwear suits spring, yet this silhouette—more structured than a ballet flat and more relaxed than a loafer—captures industry attention, often linked to a French-girl effect. Styling suggestions include pairing with easy blue jeans, a crisp button-up, and a printed silk scarf in Celine style, or as a neutral base for bolder looks. Beyond runways, high-street options from Zara and Reformation appear alongside contemporary choices like Jamie Haller’s soft styles, Andrea Gomez’s glove-like pairs, Nothing Written’s calm derbies, and Dear Frances’ mesh version. Heritage picks include Repetto’s ballerina-inspired derbies, once favored by Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin in the 1970s. The curated list features: Celine Lise perforated triomphe shoes; Reformation Buffy oxfords; Jamie Haller The Jazz flats; Wales Bonner Julien slippers; Proenza Schouler glove lace-up flats; Repetto Zizi Oxford shoes; Common Projects Derby shoes; Andrea Gomez Antonia full leather shoes; By Far Prudent nappa leather sneakers; Lemaire Souris flat classic derbies; Caron Callahan Claudette flats; Soeur Orso lace-up derbies; Dear Frances Balla trainers; Jil Sander loafers; Vivaia square-toe lace-up satin sneakerinas; Maison Margiela Tabi jazz lace-up sneakers; and Lauren Manoogian soft banded oxford shoes. Vogue describes white derbies as the footwear equivalent of a fresh seasonal start, blending street style and runway appeal.