I’ve never been a big fan of the rule that you can never wear white before Memorial Day or after Labor Day. A great “winter white” outfit during colder months can be a gutsy thing of true beauty.
When it comes to wearing white — and in the kind of lighter silks, cottons, laces and linens that give us yet another reason to celebrate the balmier seasons, all I can say is: Bring it on once the weather turns warm.
Right now, white’s coming at us in all shapes and sizes.
The white shirt has received a major makeover, thanks to such masterful designers as Derek Lam and Stella McCartney. They’ve taken the basic white button-down staple and rejiggered it, flipping it with asymmetrical shoulder lines, Victorian ruffles and funky ties, all the way to summer-ready spaghetti-strapped tanks and flowing blouses.
Spring’s lingerie-inspired dresses do justice to white — a la silk-and-lace dresses from Alexander Wang and Wes Gordon. Target has followed the trend with such designs as the lace-covered Genevieve Dress and Allen B’s eyelet baby doll dress, both at a fraction of the cost of Wang’s and Gordon’s masterpieces. Yigal Azrouel has even created a moto jacket in gorgeous white lace and leather.
Fringe is keeping up its popularity from fall and winter, now in white. You’ll find it on cotton shirts and frocks, from such houses as Hugo Boss and Prabal Gurung. It’s also big in the new all-white collection at Zara this season, found on the hems of sleeveless shirts and waist-tied blouses, and lace-strewn and crocheted dresses and loose-fitting pants — most of which ring in under $100.
Is there anything better than a simple, easy-to-throw-on-and-go summer blouse? Peter Pilotto has created an off-the-shoulder one in the Petra dress, complete with Mediterranean blue piping that looks straight out of a Grecian isle photo shoot. It’s the kind of piece that signals the start of a new season. Time to get this summer party started!
