Last updated on May 26th, 2022 at 10:07 pm
We all know how to wear black, but how many of us know hw to wear white? I think it’s a color that many of us avoid for lots of perceived reasons: we think it makes us look “big”, it’s hard to keep clean, etc. But I don’t think there’s a color that screams summer more than white.
So, to encourage you to consider white, I’ve put together some of the best ways I know on how to wear white. From all white outfits to adding just a touch of white jewelry, there’s a way to add white to your wardrobe, no matter what your comfort level.
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How to Wear White: Shades of White
Another reason I’ve heard for people avoiding wearing white is that they think it’s too stark. While we’ll be talking mostly “white-white” for summer, there are other shades that you can try that might be a better match with your natural skin tone. If you’ve ever had your colors done, then you may already know that a softer white, such as ivory may look better on you.
Here are just a few examples from Old Navy on white vs. ivory dresses.
White Shirts
One of the easiest lessons on how to wear white is a white shirt. This entire blog post could be about white shirts alone, so we’ll keep it to the most summery styles. The last image is more of an off-white, if that’s what you prefer.
White Pants
I wear white jeans the most when I wear white pants. To be honest, that’s mostly because they are the thickest material and you don’t have to worry about them being see-through. But a pair of white linen pants is so classically summer, that I wouldn’t rule them out. (I do have some recommendations for undergarments under white clothes a little further ahead!)
Putting a White Shirt and White Pants Together
I love an all white outfit and the one below is one of my favorites from my closet. I like that the top is somewhat flowy and feminine. I’ve kept my jewelry neutral and added a pop of color with my bag.
White Dresses
This is another category that I could do an entire blog post on. But I did decide to narrow it down to a variety of choices from casual to dressy and from short to long!
White Skirts
If you like the look of a dress, but don’t want to do all white, then a white skirt might be a better option for you. Here are more selections from casual to dressy and from short to long.
White…..
And Black
Black and white is one of the top trends for Spring 2022 and for good reason. It’s a classic that never goes out of style. I love adding a bright bag for a pop of color with a black and white outfit!
And Navy
This is another of my favorite combinations for summer. I especially like a nautical look. I like adding red accessories to a navy/white look as well.
How to Wear White: Accessories
Another way to bring white into your summer wardrobe is through accessories, especially if you are not a fan of wearing white clothes. It’s also another great way to create a black and white outfit. You can wear a black dress with some white jewelry or a white and turn a “winter” color into a summer look.
When I think of white jewelry, the first place I think of is White House Black Market. And when I went to their website, they didn’t disappoint. Here are two looks that I found:
My next “go-to” place for accessories, especially watches is Macy’s. They have a great selection in general, but I love their offerings for white watches.
And here are a few cute options from Nordstrom Rack (the first is actually a set of stackable rings, not bracelets).
As already mentioned, a white bag is a great way to add white to an outfit that’s NOT white. I have two white bags and I actually spent the money to buy a better bag.
That might seem counterintuitive, since you are probably wondering how often you would use it. For me, I spent a little more to get a classic shape, (rather than a trendy bag) and one that is well constructed. This way I will have it for years and not have to re-invest! Here are some of my favorites in all price ranges:
P.S. The Michael Kors bag was on sale for $199 (not $498) which is why I included it. I love it at that price! I would check the price if you like it.
Another great handbag option with white outfits are straw bags. We did an entire post on them that you can check out HERE.
How to Wear White: Undergarments
I did some googling for “best underwear under white pants” and these three kept turning up. As you probably know, wearing nude colors under white is better than wearing white undergarments.
The $50 for the Third Love products is a bundle for five pairs – and you can choose your colors.
Will you be adding some white outfits to your summer wardrobe? Let us know in the comments below!
Interested in more summer looks? Then you might enjoy these two posts:
Summer Sneakers: The Best Fabrics and Colors
The Best Straw Bags for Summer (includes my straw bag shown above).