Hermes Jet Sneaker Blanc H242154Z 90390

The Jet makes no attempt to be subtle, and that is the point. On a 0.87 inch sole with a contrasting panel and an H detail at the side, it is a sneaker that wants to be seen – the sort of shoe you buy when a plain white trainer has stopped being fun.

Nappa leather covers most of the upper, with suede goatskin laid in for contrast, and the effect is a shoe with three textures of white depending on the light. Made in Italy, sizes 36 to 41, with a second pair of laces included in the box.

I wore mine on a long city break where most days started with an hour of walking, and the thicker sole made that genuinely pleasant rather than tolerable. The padded collar held my heel without rubbing, and the nappa softened around the flex point within a week of steady use.

Style-wise it plays best with volume: wide jeans, long shorts, a boxy jacket. Put it under a slim trouser and the shoe bullies the silhouette; give it room and the proportions click, with the suede panel catching light at the outer edge and the sole line adding a deliberate chunk to the step. It also packs down without losing its shape, which is rare for a sneaker this padded.

Two honest notes: suede needs a brush and a protective spray, especially in a pale colour, and the chunky platform is a statement rather than a subtlety. If either of those gives you pause, the Master or Match are the quieter options in the same family.