The Scottish Mail on Sunday - You
Time to swap your summer florals for bright whites
This satin-silk shirt in delicious blue is my favourite piece from the Victoria Beckham and Mango collaboration. Easy to style with black trousers and heels for an instant sophisticated look.
Lately I’ve had several women telling me online that they couldn’t possibly wear white because they might spill something on it. Another irksome comment I sometimes receive when I wear sandals with an outfit is: ‘Are your toes not cold?’ If I took this ultra-practical and very limiting approach to dressing, I’d be standing here in The Chic List and on my Instagram posts in a bib and a pair of Wellington boots!
I don’t understand why many women have this weird approach to wearing white – thankfully we live in a country with plenty of washing machines and dry-cleaners. And if you do happen to spill something, I can vouch that a squirt of lemon juice, a pump of stain remover and a good dab and scrub with hot water is very effective. (Another tip: whitening toothpaste gets out scuffs on white boots in an instant.) As for cold toes, I don’t even have the energy to address that one!
The bad news for all those worrywarts, and the good news for us white-clothes lovers, is that white is the new floral for frocks and skirts this season. And it won’t be remotely boring, as the latest offerings have so much exciting potential. The catwalks were awash with white dresses for day and night, all with attractive details and twists. There was exquisite draping at Dior; edgy takes on broderie anglaise at Balenciaga; an intricate craftcore edit at Valentino and Gabriela Hearst; and beautiful crochet and appliqué at Simone Rocha and Zimmermann. Plus gorgeous lace midiskirts at Prada.
The high street also has ample updated white pieces. I recently bought a balloon-cut midi from Zara and I love this long jacquard skirt I’m wearing by Sézane. As for how to style the new white incarnation, here are a few tips…
Mix textures. Wear a lace or jacquard skirt with a contrasting silk top for night-time or knitwear for day.
Combine different shapes. The billowing romantic midi is back and it looks great with structured tailoring like a waistcoat or a slightly oversized blazer on top.
The crochet or lace dress looks terrific layered with a blazer or a leather jacket. Feminine with something edgier always makes a fascinating contrast.
Accessorise with wicker and raffia bags, or add a pop of colour with your arm candy. Chunky gold jewellery and a barely there sandal is divine with anything white.
Dark, mysterious sunglasses always offset innocent white beautifully.