It shouldn't work but it does: no, not your latest romantic dalliance but this season's infatuation with head-to-toe white. A gold mine for dry-cleaners and a nightmare for those of us who lack the ability to spot a cringingly obvious VPL, perfectly pristine white is a must-have for the high summer and the shops are brimming with it.
White clothes have long been a fixture in our summer wardrobes but rarely has the trend been taken to such extreme, outfit-encompassing lengths. It has been championed by Ralph Lauren, who teamed white shorts with white shirts and blazers at his spring/summer show, and by Donna Karan, who paired slim-line cigarette trousers with sculpted jackets in the same colour. In Milan, Bottega Veneta opted for a looser, less structured take on the look by creating beautifully feminine dresses from soft white gauze and, in London, Antonio Berardi sexed up the virginal shade by adorning body-skimming shift dresses and jackets with sparkling details.
One of the most flattering colours around by virtue of its light-reflecting properties, white works wonders on tired-out skin, makes for nonchalantly smart office-wear and, of course, serves as the perfect cover-up when it comes to concealing the signs of a stinking hangover. But how do you wear it from head to toe?
The key to wearing white on white is to opt for tailored pieces. While this is a high-summer trend, it doesn't encompass flimsy beach dresses and daywear, so restrict it to smart occasions.
And be wary of anything that's cut from cheap fabric: try to recreate this decidedly sophisticated look with a see-through pair of trousers from Primark and you will be doomed — and that's long before you drop a glass of red wine down your front. Playing with fabrics and texture is also a good idea — a sheer or transparent camisole will add a touch of glamour to a stark white suit, while an embellished white dress will be complemented by a flowing silk jacket.
And while white is all over the high street at the moment, summer's love affair with the colour centres around one garment — the shorts suit. From Zara to Wallis and even M&S, every store, it would seem, has created its own version. The perfect alternative to a tired-out cocktail dress, try teaming one with a pair of vertiginous stilettos for a glamorous garden party or, for a more effortless effect, some white roman-style sandals. And if you're worried about looking as though you belong in a dental surgery, mix in a few accessories.
A simple tan belt will detract from the glare on a dazzling white suit, while an ivory or beige tote-bag will add a warmer edge to an otherwise clinical-looking white dress.
