How to wear all-white this summer

The bright hue is super-chic but it can be tricky to pull off

Thursday 26 July 2018 11:38 BST

Slit-Neck Jersey Top, £45, Cos

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A shade synonymous with new beginnings, it seems fitting that your summer wardrobe should be awash with white in all its variations, from ivory and eggshell to magnolia and porcelain.

The prospect of tonal dressing – by which we mean wearing the same hue, or variations of it, from head-to-toe – understandably seems a little intimidating at first, but as you’ll see it’s actually pretty simple to pull off.

The key to curating an exceptionally stylish, high-impact look this season is modern updates in the form of hyper-feminine dresses worn with matching Mary Janes and pearl hair slides at Simone Rocha, while Isabel Marant opted for coordinating separates with puffed-sleeve blouses and trousers of the same shade.

But, while this kind of look might not seem out of place on a bronzed model as they sashay down the catwalk, just how easy is it to master in real life?

The risk of coffee stains and lipstick smudges aside, white is an easy way to put a chic spin on any outfit, especially when it comes to workwear.

Here, simply switch out your all-black ensembles for a white shirt blouse tucked into wide-leg trousers with a slight tonal difference to make the look more interesting.

Alternatively, weekend dressing calls for layering skills and the need to incorporate different textures. So, if you’re wearing white jeans try pairing them with a silky blouse in a similar hue or a chunky knit on breezy evenings.

If the idea of being too matchy-matchy hits a nerve, there are a number of crafty tricks you can use to help break things up.

Etoni, Cropped Wide Leg Trousers, £150, Reiss

You could try adding one item with a subtle print, such as polka dots or checks, or finish your outfit with contrasting accessories, perhaps a pair of statement earrings, to give the minimal look a touch of character.