For the love of white…
When I think about wearing white, I see myself running barefoot in a corn field wearing a white floating dress, striding though Paris in a sharp fitted suit or at a beach party in Ibiza wearing a white crotchet two piece dancing under the full moon. These are all dreams in my head and quite definitely haven’t happened…. yet!
The above are all on my bucket list but aside from not making my dreams a reality, when it comes to wearing white, I approach it with excitement and caution. Two reasons; the obvious practicalities and the fact that lots of shades of white don’t suit my skin tone. I do feel that I have missed out so this summer on the ‘white dress front’ so I am going to find something fabulous in the right shade for me and will try and find a corn field. I promise to send some pictures…
So a few considerations when choosing your white clothes.
Which white’s suit you?
Its Colour Analysis again! You need to consider the following points. I am sorry, I am almost boring myself but its SO important!
Undertone
Do you have a warm or cool undertone? If you have a cool undertone then choose a pure white. Soft white, Cream and Ivory, if you have a warm undertone. As an example, if you have cool colouring and the white has a yellow tone, the garment will tend to look dull and possibly dirty. It has the opposite undertone to you. Easy! The lady below has cool colouring and looks amazing in the bright white.
The red lips add extra contrast resulting in a totally striking look
Clarity
Do you have clear and sharp characteristics (like Claudia Winkleman) or soft and slightly muted characteristics (like me) or Carrie Bradshaw? We are much the same. With clarity we are talking about the degree of brightness or dullness of the white. Intense and bright forms of white are best for those of you clear characteristics. Softer, muted shades of white are for individuals whose characteristics demand, softer, less bright shades of white. Soft white and ivory perhaps. See the picture below for whites which suits a softer complexion.
She has a soft shell colour near her face as the bright white would be too much. The bright white is perfect for the bottom half here.
Contrast
When white is worn above the waist and as a solid colour next to your skin, some people need to add an additional colour close to the face (earrings, jewellery or a scarf) to stop the white draining them. The lady above is fine as she has brown eyes to add some punch to her look. Its very clear when you look in the mirror with white next to your face if you are one of these people. I am! I have to work really hard to get white to work for me unless sequins are involved and then everything falls into place.
Sequins aside, the great thing about white is that it comes in all sorts of shades, unlike black. Pantone Inc. estimates that white has more shades available commercially than any other colour. Whites come in a variety of shades from the purest, brightest whites to off-white, magnolia and ivory. So there is a white for everyone. You just need to get your undertone right (warm or cool) and then chose the white which matches you.
Pros of White:
White is seen as a summery, youthful, sharp, clean, open-minded, efficient, and open-minded in the western world.
Since pure white can often be bleached to restore its original brightness, it is easy to keep clean. Extra tip (Napisan)… my boys are 11 and nearly 13 now but its amazing stuff!
Similarly to black, it coordinates with all other colours and is a superb canvas for accessories of all kinds.
Whenever you go shopping, you will find an abundance of white. Its a quick find in the stores. If you are cool and clear; lucky you. If you are soft dominant and the white Halloween sheet for a Ghosts costume sends you in full mask mode, then don’t worry. I will be back be with more advise on where to find soft white clothing without having to forgoe your kids lunch money.
Cons of White
In the absence of accessories or embellishments, white can appear unimaginative, (unless you are Kate Moss) so a little styling can take your look from ordinary to original in a flash.
A high quality, opaque fabric is required to make white look its best since it is notorious for being see-through. That could be the look you are aiming for! Why not. I cast no judgement. I love a mermaid / fish tail, net skirt covered in sequins! Moving on, check the sheerness of the fabric by holding it up to the light and avoid trousers or shorts with pockets unless they are sewn shut.
Due to its light colour, white it is generally not slimming. Its a pain but don’t let that stop you. Bulky black isn’t flattering either. Here are some tips for wearing white below your waist if you are full figured (full hour glass) or larger below your waist (maybe a pear);
# Draw the eye upwards with a top that has some volume and is coloured.
# Choose a style without cuffs and with a sturdy fabric. Minimize clinging in the wrong places.
# Consider finding a top which covers your bum, if you don't feel comfortable with it on show.
# To create a longer neck-to-hem silhouette, wear a white open blouse, jacket, or a vest underneath a coloured top.
Some tips for styling white…
1) Start with the perfect fit
The foundation of any great outfit is a well-fitted garment. When choosing a white dress an a example, pay close attention to the fit. Go for a silhouette that complements your shape. Whether you prefer a strappy white midi dress, a tailored mini dress, or a breezy shirt dress, opt for a style that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Read my blogs on body shapes for more about this.
2) Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise
Making your white outfit of choice stand out from the crowd starts with the right accessories. Don't be afraid to experiment with accessories to make your look more personal and unique. Statement jewellery or understated and elegant, the choice is yours. To complete your look, add a stylish handbag, an oversized sun hat, and oversized sunglasses.
3) Layer wisely
You can add depth and dimension to your white clothes by layering them. Wear a lightweight denim jacket or linen blazer for a casual daytime look. As well as adding visual interest, layering also allows you to adapt your outfit as the weather changes. Keep warm in the evening with a cosy cardigan by layering up.
When you are not raving at an Ibiza style party and and your thinking more, look good for the hot guy at work, you can elevate a white dress by layering it with a vibrant blazer. A pop of colour adds sophistication and personality to an ensemble, whether it's a bold red, peachy tone, or electric blue. As well as giving a wardrobe staple new life, this combination also offers endless styling options.
4) Playing with textures and fabrics
The best way to lift your white dress outfit is to experiment with textures. You can create visual interest and dimension by mixing and matching fabrics such as lace, linen, and cotton. Embellish the dress with embroidery, ruffles, or eyelet details to give it a feminine feel. Textures can help you create a unique look by adding depth and complexity to your ensemble.
5) Putting your best foot forward
You can make or break your white dress outfit with the right pair of shoes. Dress down your daytime look with comfortable pumps, sandals, or trainers. Besides keeping you comfortable, these options add a relaxed vibe to your look. Adding a touch of glamour and sophistication to your outfit with strappy heels or sleek mules is ideal for more formal occasions. But don’t treat shoes as an afterthought. They can be a statement piece.
6) Embrace Versatility
One of the greatest advantages of owning a white summer dress is its versatility. With the right accessories and styling techniques, you can effortlessly transition your dress from day to night and from casual to formal occasions. Whether you're running errands, meeting friends for brunch, or attending a special event, your white dress can adapt to any situation with ease. Okay, so i will fess up. I don’t have one and am very anti ‘Fake Tan’…. so when i find my perfect dress, i promise, it will be on my squares.
7) Offset your white with other colours
I think we all so used to the combination of white and navy that we have been a little blindsided to options such as a very pale shell pink, gold and white. How stunning! White combines beautifully with all colours, just try and get the ‘undertone and clarity’ of the colours to match the ‘undertone and clarity’ of the white to be picture perfect.
It's all about creativity, confidence, and personal flair when it comes to styling white clothes. With these top tips, you'll be able to create effortlessly chic outfits for any occasion. It won't matter if you're lounging by the pool, exploring a new city, or attending an event all summer long, a white dress is your go-to wardrobe essential. Take advantage of this season's crisp, clean white clothes, and let your style shine bright.
Some styling ideas for inspiration…
Add a simple hat to add to the beach vibes but also to lightly style the dress
White and Bright!! A more casual look for a summer party at first glance but she has cleverly layered if the sun shows up!
Two different shades of white teamed with matching accessories. The choice of shoes could turn this look from day to night!
Its a wrap…
The great thing about white is that it comes in all sorts of shades from the purest, brightest whites to off-white, magnolia and ivory. There is a white for us all. When we talk about white often the image of a wedding dress springs to mind but for every day use, white can be an easy to wear, versatile colour. So get creative and be bold while the sun is still shining! White might take a little extra thought but you know what takes a star to shine, an overload of darkness! ENJOY! X