With Memorial Day behind us and the summer season practically here, it’s time to start thinking about the fashion statements you’ll make for barbecues, beach trips, vacation outings, and long days of warm sunshine. While trends come and go every year, there’s one color that’s always a reliable summertime favorite: white. But white can be a trickier color to pull off than you might expect, and even trickier to care for if you want to keep it looking its brightest and cleanest.
You might have even heard the fashion “rule” (though, truthfully, it would be more accurate to consider it a tradition) that you should wear white only between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Wearing white in the fall or winter would be a faux pas. But this tradition has root that hint at elitism—it began at the turn of the 20th century when wealthy Americans would spend their summers in resort areas and wanted to distinguish themselves from the working class, who would have had trouble maintaining perfectly clean, white clothing.
It likely goes without saying that this style choice had its practical purposes, too. While summering in these resort towns, the wealthy vacationers usually opted for clothing that was light not only in color but often in weight—linen and cotton were the norm, while heavier clothing (along with darker colors) would have been reserved only for cooler months.
Over the years, the elitist notions behind this tradition faded away, and wearing white during the summer became just another tradition, like fireworks on Fourth of July. Today, very few people strictly adhere to the notion that white should be reserved for the months between Memorial Day and Labor Day, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t opt for white if you like the way it looks and feels on a hot summer day.
How to Pull Off White
Wearing white makes you look stylish if done right; however, it can make you look awkward or boring if done wrong. Here are the best ways to make sure you’re doing it right:
Choose high-quality fabrics, ideally something like cotton, linen, or denim, which are sturdy and durable. Although you don’t want your fabric to be too heavy in the summer, you want to avoid fabric that is so light it will be see-through.
If you want to pull off an all-white outfit without having it appear boring, mix and match textures to add a layer of interest.
Add a pop of color to a white outfit by incorporating bright, bold accessories. A colorful bag, shoes, or statement jewelry will stand out nicely.
Recognize that white comes in different shades, and you shouldn’t be afraid to incorporate different shades into the same outfit. For example, you could pair a crisp white shirt with a pair of off-white pants.
Another way to give your look some variety is to vary your proportions. A loose, flowy top will look great with a pair of slim-fit pants, or a closely tailored shirt can be worn with wide-legged pants.
When in doubt, just keep it simple. A plain white T-shirt with white jeans, or a white dress, can look classy and effortless.
What Looks Best with White?
Sure, white on white always looks great and gives off a nice summer vibe. But what if you want to pair your white with a little bit of color? Here are five color options to try:
Navy blue: Combining white and navy is always timeless and classy. It also gives off a nautical vibe that is perfect for summer.
Black: Is white with black accents simple? Maybe. But the contrast still manages to make a statement. Better still, a black-and-white ensemble is easy enough to pull off in casual and formal settings alike.
Pastels: White looks soft and ethereal when you pair it with pastels like light pink, baby blue, and mint green.
Brights: On the other hand, if you don’t want the softness of pastels, you could opt for bright colors that will look playful and fun for summer, such as hot pink, electric blue, lime green, and sunshine yellow.
Earth tones: You can never go wrong with pairing a natural, earthy color like tan or moss with white. It’s subtle and lends itself well to summer or to pretty much any season.
Take Care of Those White Clothes!
As good as white can look, it can be a nightmare to keep clean. So, if you’re going to be styling yourself in white all summer long, it’s best to brush up on these laundry tips to ensure your whites stay crisp and bright.
Start by sorting your whites from black and colored clothing, as these can bleed with every wash. Even if it’s not noticeable at a casual glance, this can dull your white fabric over time.
Wash white clothing in hot water to remove dirt and lift stains. Hot water doesn’t lend itself to every type of fabric, so always defer to the laundering instructions written on the tag.
Although chlorine bleach does a great job of removing tough stains, it can also be harsh on the fibers of your fabric. Use bleach very sparingly—only if you must.
Drying your white clothes for too long can turn them yellow and dingy. If you have the option, let your whites hang dry.
Finally, launder your white clothing after each wear even if it doesn’t look or smell dirty. Elements like dust, oil from your skin, or even sweat can build up over time. This buildup isn’t easy to see on dark clothing, but it can create set-in stains on your whites.
