How To: Wear White
July 11th, 2005
Avoiding white in the summer? Wearing bright whites shouldn’t play out like a chapter in Homer’s Odyssey. Today, we’re sharing some tips so that wearing white doesn’t have to be an ordeal.
Stick to sunny days…
To keep your summer outfit looking clean, fresh and white-hot, avoid wearing white outfits on rainy days. You don’t want to be splattered with muddy water, or, worse yet, caught in a wet T-shirt-esque situation. Need we say more?
Stay dry
Load up on antiperspirant before you get dressed to avoid difficult-to-remove sweat stains.
White goes best with contrast
White goes best with tan (skin, that is). Wearing a white dress is one of the best ways to flaunt a fabulous tan. Accessorize with contrasting colors like beige, browns and metallics.
Don’t commit the ultimate white fashion faux pas
White outfits are fitting for most summer daytime occasions. The exception: Unless you’re the one getting hitched, don’t wear bright white to a wedding. You’ll upstage the bride.
Be prepared for the worst
Oh, no! You’ve spilled mustard on your beloved white pants…or worse yet, barbecue sauce on your brand new shirt. Fear not, for you’ve come armed and dangerous with Shout! Wipes. These individually-wrapped, portable moist towelettes are safe on all colorfast washable and dry-cleanable fabrics, and don’t contain enzymes, so you won’t damage your outfit if you have to wear it for the rest of the day.
While white fabric is probably the most susceptible to stains, those stains are oftentimes the simplest to remove. If your garment is made of a sturdy fabric like cotton, you can try laundering it individually with the recommended amount of chlorine bleach. Be warned, though, that while bleach usually combats even the most stubborn of stains, it is also abrasive to your clothes. For a small spot, I apply a tiny amount of bleach to one end of a Q Tip and then treat the stain individually before tossing the garment in the wash.
4 Comments
1. Steph | July 11th, 2005 at 9:35 pm
Great tips! I can vouch for the wonder of Shoutwipes. We go way back. However, I wanted to bring up a dilemma of mine. This summer, I’ve suddenly been overcome by the desire to wear white pants, but I was brought up in the old school of style that considers white pants as a mortal sin for the full-bottomed type. Any suggestions?
2. Steph | July 11th, 2005 at 9:40 pm
I also wanted to add that summer whites go great w/ all the accessories in style this season…from wood to turquoise and coral. And splash of bold color w/ whites always looks hot!
3. Susannah | July 11th, 2005 at 11:09 pm
Here’s what Trisha, the expert on shape, has to say:
White doesn’t have to be a mortal sin for the full-bottomed. It’s all about how clothes relate to each other. While wearing a white bottom and a dark colored top would draw attention to your bottom half, a more flattering option would be to try a monochromatic look: White or light colors for a top and the white pants.
Alternatively, you could wear an eye-catching top that focuses attention away from your bottom.
As for the fit of the pants, make sure that they’re not overly tight or pulling in any way. Cut out the pockets and sew them up to shed any pocket-based bulkiness.
4. Omiru.com: Style for All&hellip | December 10th, 2007 at 2:25 am
[…] December 10th, 2007 We asked: Is The Color White In or Out?You said: Overwhelmingly in, with 79% of the popular vote.Omiru’s take: It may not be the most slimming color, but The Color White is winning fans this season with its fresh, clean look. We’re hooked too.Style tip? Go bold with white, and make it the dominant color in your outfit. Pair it with a splash of color for interest. And don’t forget to carry Shout! Wipes to help clean up stains. Want more on White? Here’s some more tips on How to Wear White.Next question: We’ve always been a bit weary of plaid (the 90s grunge rocker look is still too fresh in our minds), but recently, we’ve changed our tune. Case in Point: John’s article about How to Wear Flannel Stylishly and Trisha’s How to Wear a Plaid Shirt Without Looking Like a Man. Tell us, is Plaid In, or is it Out? Cast your vote on the sidebar!Pictured: Stadium Cloth Trench Coat| $345 at J Crew. […]