I realize that sneakers are not very traditional French footwear, as I should be wearing something more elegant like pointy boots or daunting heels. Nonetheless, I take comfort in the fact that my sneakers are not white, which are often associated with American tourists. White sneakers are considered unattractive and are usually designed for practical tasks like yard work or painting.

According to the quote, white sneakers symbolize a casual, American style that doesn't blend well with French fashion. The speaker seems aware of the cultural differences in footwear choices and is perhaps slightly self-conscious about their casual sneakers but prefers them over the stereotypical embarrassing white ones often worn by tourists.