A white dress is flattering for every woman – if you follow these rules
The key is choosing the right shade of pale for you
Wearing white can bring fear to a woman’s eyes and I’m not just talking about the threat of stains and ketchup being your mortal enemy. Some among us dread the idea of wearing a white dress come summer. Why? Well, the fear starts with the idea that white can wash a woman out.
From there it progresses to the traditional fashion fears we’ve been brainwashed with over the years. Do these sound familiar – it’s not always appropriate to wear white; all white dresses are see-through; you need tons of colour to balance a white dress?
Let’s wipe the slate clean and start with a simple statement: a white dress is flattering for every woman. The trick is finding the right white for you. As you will find if you are choosing paint, there are myriad shades of white. Generally speaking, stark whites are better for darker skin tones and creamy whites suit a paler skin.
Sadly, I can’t tell you what your perfect shade is, so you’ll have to get out there and put in the effort to find it. When you do, embrace it without a moment’s hesitation. A white dress is a classic, easy-to-wear item that should be hanging in your wardrobe all summer. Frankly speaking, brides shouldn’t be the only ones lucky enough to sport a beautiful white frock in the warmer months.
As for all those fashion fears, let’s address a few. If you’re the type who likes a pop of colour to accompany your white fashion statement, wear a bright scarf or a necklace, throw on a bangle or slip on some contrasting footwear. If you want to break up the white or change the outline of the dress, a belt is your best friend (good for colour, too). As for the sheerness factor, these days, most white dresses are lined or will have a built-in slip.
Now that’s sorted, I fully expect to see you all donning your finest white frocks as the mercury starts to rise. Banish the fear and remember ketchup stains are easily erased with bleach.
The details
- Be aware – you may be showing too much. Check your sheerness. Not all white dresses are created equal and some need a little assistance with a slip, or you’ll leave yourself exposed.
- Add a pop of colour. Break up a white dress with a bold belt. Go crazy with colour or metals to add a bit of flair and fit to any ensemble.
- Thick or thin? Consider the weather when choosing the fabric. Linen is good in the heat; however, a heavily lined dress in high temperatures could break you.
- Get the right white. There is a multiplicity of shades of white. Keep searching and you may find several that suit your skin tone perfectly.
- Don’t gild the lily. Keep it simple! Most white dresses need no help at all. They are easy to throw on and go. Your natural beauty will do the rest of the work for you.
Top tip
The Tide Instant Stain Remover stick is a must-have when I go out in white. It banishes the fear of stains and the stain itself, should the worst happen; £9.99 (amazon.co.uk)
The inspiration
From left: Priyanka Chopra makes jeans and a long-sleeved shirt look fresh in all-over white; Amal Clooney proves white can be for workwear; and Jennifer Garner's shows us there is nothing more timeless than a white shirt dress, pair with sneakers for a casual cool look.
Now make it work for you
