Summer White

A Long Time Fashion Favorite

FashionCool off those hot summer days with a wardrobe of white essentials. White really does go with everything! So whether you pair it up with colorful brights, classic black or wear white from head to toe, here are the last ditch summer basics to stock up on now:

The white dress.
This is one of the easiest pieces to incorporate into your everyday wardrobe. There are plenty of options available now for every occasion—from eyelet sundresses to linen tank dresses to silk slip dresses to lace cocktail sheaths and maxi dresses. Just think twice about wearing a white dress to a wedding. No one wants to show up a Bridezilla!

The white shirt.
This is a long-time fashion favorite. It’s on every season’s best-dressed list. For summer, you may want to swap out the office button-down for more of a tunic-style peasant blouse that you can wear with jeans as well as toss over a swimsuit.

The white tee.
The basic that we shop for each summer. The white tee or tank goes under everything and over everything. You can’t lose with this affordable must-have. Look for longer styles for layering, and replace them often.

The white pants.
Another summer essential that lightens up the dark neutrals in our wardrobes that we normally wear all winter long. Find a pair that works for you—jeans, chinos, culottes—and buy them in multiples. Wide-leg palazzos are a great addition for dressed up evenings. White pants will most likely be the foundation of your summer wardrobe, so stock up.

The white shorts.
Another basic if you wear shorts in the summer. You can easily substitute longer Bermudas or capris if you don’t want to wear shorter versions. Just make sure your underwear doesn’t play peekaboo and overpower your whites. Stick to nudes, and leave the black lace bikinis at home.

The white skirt.
Just like the white pants, the white skirt can anchor a summertime look. Skip the slim pencil skirt unless you are going to the office, and opt for the floor-grazing swirl of a longer, softer white skirt that can easily be paired with a long, liquid off-the-shoulder tunic in black for a chic evening out or worn with a casual cropped top for a day hanging out at the beach.

The white jacket.
The white blazer is always a go-to office favorite in the hot weather months for professionals. But this year, the trendsetters are loosening up the structured, tailored jacket in favor of the boxier bomber styles. This new jacket silhouette instantly updates other basics for work days as well as summer evenings.

The white suit.
If you’ve got a special event or party on the calendar this summer, this may be one of the most sophisticated outfits you can wear. Take a cue from celebrities who rock the red carpet in glamorous white satin tuxedo suits.  These stunners have become iconic fashion statements. Or dive into a white jumpsuit for a less formal affair. If you can pull it off, go for it. In a sea of black, you’ll be a stand-out.

The white accessories.
Remember the summer fashion mantra that white goes with everything? It’s even truer with accessories. Think white clutch purses, pearl headbands, leather sneakers and lace-up sandals. Then steer clear of the red wine.

Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association.

Leave a comment

You are commenting as guest.