Love your Summer whites!

The flowers are in full bloom, the grass is long and luscious and summer wardrobes are in full swing around Southern New Brunswick. One of the most coveted and popular looks each and every summer is the beautiful, crisp, clean look of white. From dresses, to blazers to jeans, white makes an appearance each and every summer and is guaranteed to make an impact. 

Women often fear white… for numerous reasons. Whether it is because you’re a mom with sticky 5 year old hands at your side all summer long, or a busy woman who often forgets she’s got a full coffee in her hand while running to catch the elevator, white can be tough. The key is to keep them white by investing in great fabrics, key pieces, proper undergarments and a great stain remover. White can be a bit high maintenance to wear, but the payoff is great and sure to turn heads all summer long.

White instantly turns skin, fair or bronzed, into radiant and healthy looking. Admittedly a white dress looks fabulous on sun braised skin, but those who don’t worship vitamin D on a regular basis shouldn’t be afraid. The key is to pair white properly with other colours to avoid the washed out look. Try a white pant with a bright blouse to keep some colour close to your face. If you’re planning on wearing a white dress to the upcoming family reunion, be sure to watch your accessories. Try adding bright coloured jewelry, like turquoise or coral. Avoid wearing white shoes and a white bag and instead try metallic and browns to bring out the white without being too matching.

When shopping for whites, be sure to notice fabrics and their transparency. A good white dress should always be lined for protection against very sunny afternoons. Check to make sure the white pants are thick enough to hide undergarment lines. Look for heavier fabrics that hang on their own without clinging too tightly to the body. Fabrics like cotton stand a better chance at fighting against ketchup stains and can be bleached if needed. 

Be sure to have the proper undergarments on hand when wearing white. White will often show up under a white dress. Your best bet is to find skin toned undergarments with soft seams to make sure you’re not showing more than you anticipated. You may need to bring the garment with you when lingerie shopping to make sure the coverage is there. 

If dresses and jeans are too daunting, try a white blazer. It’s a clean and effortless look over a nice blue denim jean. Pair with a jewel tone or a pastel coloured top and you’re all set! A white bag can be crisp and be just the piece to bring an outfit together. Just be sure to watch it around dark denim and pens!

Depending on what colour white is paired with, different looks can be achieved. Black and white is a classic staple that is rich, professional and always in style. White and neon colours (like yellow or hot pink) can be bold and certainly make a statement. White and brown is casual and refined. White and pastel colours can be soft, calming and easy to wear. Try all different tops with your white jeans, and don’t be afraid to throw a coloured cardigan atop of your white dress! 

Remember that white is the summer’s go-to neutral colour, so embrace it and don’t forget your stain remover! 

This article, written by me! (Kiera Fraser), appeared in KV Style on June 8, 2012.