How to wear head-to-toe white – and the pitfalls to avoid
Summer is here, and with it the annual shift to white as our go-to neutral. We may be shrouded in black, grey and navy the rest of the year, but when the sun is out, nothing beats the crisp freshness of white, ivory and cream. It can be bohemian, minimalist, glamorous, edgy; it’s ageless and timeless.
Much of the appeal lies in the fact it looks expensive. Done well, it gives the impression that you don’t have to worry about public transport or grubby children soiling your pristine look. And if anything were to go awry, the cost of dry-cleaning isn’t a worry for you. No wonder personal stylist Annabel Hodin calls head-to-toe white ‘the Monte Carlo uniform’.
That said, it can be easy to go wrong with icy creams, so be aware of the pitfalls before you search for your next summer wardrobe staple.
Hourglass blazer, £246, Frankie Shop; Straight leg trousers, £60, Because of Alice; Leather shoes, £155, Jigsaw
Leather bag, £450, ME+EM; Asymmetric dress, £135, Cos
For white to look right, the fabric needs weight or texture. ‘Avoid pieces that are too tight or clinging as that can look cheap,’ says Hodin. ‘No frills, no lace.’ T-shirts and tank tops are the exception, but err on the side of oversized.
Consider the shade carefully too, she says: ‘Ivory is more elegant for tailoring, while white is better for floaty pieces as it becomes ethereal and delicate. If you’re going for cream, ensure it’s not too yellow – whites should be cool.’
Acetate sunglasses, £135, Jimmy Fairly; Cotton tunic, £97, Arket
Double fabric dress, £99.95, Massimo Dutti; Wide leg jumpsuit, £198, Reiss
Jeans or utility-style canvas trousers are a great gateway into this palette, but anything even approaching jeggings territory should remain a no-go area. Go for a looser straight or wide-leg style with very little or no stretch in it.
Step two is styling it well, and the good news is that you can layer different shades together for an easy, elegant, all-pale look. When it comes to introducing other colours, steer clear of shades that are too saccharine. Hodin likes white with black, tan or navy, plus striped shirts, although she concedes that a jewel-toned court shoe can work.
Cotton skirt, £115, & Other Stories
Most of all, though, success with this look comes down to having the right attitude. ‘Never look as if you are worried about getting your outfit dirty. Wear it and flaunt it,’ says Hodin. ‘A dry-cleaner or a spot of Vanish can resolve problems later.’
Message received and understood. Now where’s that glass of red wine?
Shopping by Nana Kiyoshige
