White on! The classic neutral makes summer clothing pop
Break out your white.
With Memorial Day weekend, it's time for the No. 1 neutral for the summer season, says Gregg Andrews, Nordstrom fashion director.
He suggests pairing white fashions with brights, blacks or pastels.
"White-on-white can work, but it needs to be worn in different textures," Andrews says. "You can add a pop of color to the white-on-white to make it a little more interesting."
Start with a white shirt, because it never goes out of style, Andrews says. A pair of white jeans offers a crisp look for summer, and goes with pretty much anything you already have in your wardrobe. If you are going to choose white shoes or a white handbag, wear them with bright colors for a modern look with contrast. Shoes also should have some sort of architectural design, so they don't look "too precious," he says.
A cropped, white denim jacket over a shift dress looks great, especially if you're out in the evening. And, don't worry about the old rule banning white after Labor Day.
"You can wear white year-round depending on the climate you are in," Andrews says. "As long as the sun is shining, white is a perfect choice. Of course, people in Miami will wear white for more of the year than those, say, in Pittsburgh, because of the temperatures."
You just might want to switch to winter white or cream during the colder months, says Marissa Rubin, senior market editor for People Style Watch.
"In the dead of summer, white feels so fresh, and that is the time women often want to wear white," Rubin says. "A lot of us are afraid to wear white when it's chilly."
White can be added with a fun link necklace or cuff bracelet, Rubin says. Pair a white dress with a nude-color sandal or a neon shoe or handbag, so the bright hue will look fresh.
Pairing white with black is a classic that can never go wrong, Rubin says. Add a pair of red shoes to be adventurous.
"White denim, in my opinion, is the hardest piece to pull off, but if paired with the right items, it will definitely make a big fashion statement," says Marie Kojitani, Zappos.com style editor. "For fall, pair your white skinny jeans with tan knee-high riding boots, and a navy-striped top. Using darker colors will update your white denim for the colder seasons."
White pants can be paired with anything from a simple coral T-shirt to a bold-printed silk top, Kojitani says. White bottoms are the most versatile item a woman can have in her wardrobe; they can be dressed down for a backyard barbecue or dressed up for a date night. White denim is a must-have item.
White is such a simple, neutral color that allows a woman to spice up her look with a printed top or a pop-color shoe.
A brightly colored top can be worn with white bottoms for a fun, daytime look. But for evening, Abby Samet, Macy's fashion director, says she likes shimmer and shine with metallic and white.
"We love head-to-toe white for a really elegant summer look," Samet says. "Texture is important, though -- lace, crochet, pointelle details, airy knits in sweaters."
White is a great way to freshen up your wardrobe. She calls it a necessary neutral that is "seasonless."
Coming clean
InStyle magazine offers tips about how to keep whites bright and handle serious stains:
Food spills: Prompt washing with regular detergent will clear up most food-and-drink-related spots. For best results, pre-treat the area with a stain remover, then launder with detergent and fabric-safe bleach at the hottest temperature allowed on care tag.
Dark dye rub-off: Submerge items in a bath of Rit Color Remover ($3; amazon.com), then wash. (Note: This product removes all dyes, so it's only for totally white garments.) Or, immerse any bleach-safe garment for up to 5 minutes in a solution of 1⁄4 cup bleach per gallon of water. Follow by washing in hot water with regular detergent and 3⁄4 cup bleach.
Makeup: Lift oily cosmetics such as lipstick and foundation by placing shirt (stain down) on a washcloth and pushing mild dishwashing soap into the fabric with another washcloth. Repeat, using a clean section of cloth, until makeup no longer transfers. Rinse with warm water, pre-treat any remaining spots and launder.
Perspiration: Yellow-tinged underarm stains usually are caused by a combination of sweat and antiperspirant. Salvage shirts by soaking them in 3 gallons water plus 1 ounce enzyme-based detergent like Tide Total Care before washing in the hottest water permitted by the care label.
