The right way to wear white
By Pierra Calasanz-Labrador for Yahoo! Southeast Asia
From corporate affairs to cocktail parties, Pinays know they can count on their trusty little black dresses for instant sophistication. While black ensembles are the default style choice, few dare to shine in head-to-toe white. Wish you could look effortlessly chic in the snowy hue without being mistaken for a medical intern? We enlisted the help of Suki Salvador, Mega Magazine’s Executive Creative Director, for some expert advice on wearing all-white with confident flair.
Says Salvador, “Women who wear all-white ensembles are brave and chic because it is a look that many are afraid of. I am a huge fan of anything white because if done properly, it looks clean and sophisticated.”
Forget the notion that only tall, rail-thin runway goddesses can get away with wearing white. “Tall, petite, full figured or skinny, anyone can pull off an all-white look. But like any garment, you will have to match the cut to your body type.” And if you’re scared of a stark, monochrome look, Suki advises, “In some cases, it would be wise to put accent colors simply to break the monotony of white using a skinny belt, oversized earrings, a colorful clutch, or the most common, a statement shoe.”
We’re lucky to live in a tropical country, where wearing white after Labor Day is not frowned upon. But season-appropriate or not, why stick to the norm? “Women should wear white, or whatever makes them comfortable, the entire year. All white ensembles are always refreshing to look at especially in a sea of blacks, grays and browns.”
Raring to rock your white-hot ensemble? Salvador offers these smart styling tips:
• Proportion is key. Salvador shares that a key trend this season is oversized garments, so you might want a certain piece two sizes bigger to achieve the oversized effect; but pay attention to the overall proportion of your outfit. “The old-school thinking that all white ensembles make a person look larger holds true if you don't wear the right size or proportion. Pair a perfectly fitting sleeveless top with white wide leg trousers or a modern oversized top with white shorts. Decide what part of your body you want to show (arms, back, mid-section, legs, etc.).”
• Invest in good fabric. “A lot of all white outfits fail at looking crisp or sophisticated because of fabric choice. When purchasing garments, ensure that the fabrics you are buying are comfortable, look expensive and are pure white instead of off-white. Cream, ecru, biscuit or wheat are siblings of the beige family and oftentimes, white fabrics turn into these colors [which don’t have the same crisp effect]. The perfect white T-shirt is perfect because the fabric used is also perfect. Do not scrimp on the perfect white T-shirt, white buttoned-down and white shorts. These key pieces can be the standouts of your all-white look.” Don’t forget to take special care of white garments when laundering to keep them in pristine condition.
• Play with texture. “There is nothing wrong with cotton-on-cotton or linen-on-linen, but just to keep your all white outfit modern, play with texture. Look for white pieces in leather, perforated material, knits, ceramic, plastic or lucite, etc. These will give your all white look edge and are also a big trend next season.”
• Add the right accessories. “Some women like to keep their all white outfits quiet and let their accessories do the talking. If so, invest in gold, oversized earrings, skinny or wide belts, accessories with studs, spikes or skulls, handcuff accessories and statement shoes. A current favorite is the Valentino Studded Flats or Heels which also comes in a clutch as well as the Louis Vuitton handcuffed bag. These will make your all-white ensemble a statement.”
