Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Get White Hot: It's All In The Mix
Lovely reader and Wear It Well client Michele asks me today: "Karen, can I wear a white jacket with white pants?" Thanks Michele and lets get to it.
Yes, I say! White on white is as chic and cool as is black on black, and it's GORGEOUS in the heat of summer! Here's a few guidelines to make it easy and interesting:
Mix hues of white. ivory, blush, blue/white, cloud--go ahead. You don't have to match whites unless you are buying a suit or modeling in a Ralph Lauren equestrian lifestyle ad. Then you can match your white jodhpurs to your pinpoint shirt and hacking jacket.
Mix fabric textures: A white denim jacket on white denim pants could be iffy; Instead mix a twill or lined brushed cotton blazer with your denim trow. See the illustration above for examples. As when mixing colored patterns, remember to vary scale of your white patterns and textures. Tiny sequins on a tank looks perfect with a larger scale white lace skirt.
Mix fabric weights and transparency:
Don't be afraid to put a heavier, stiffer twill over a light linen pant. Same goes for the other way; top a thick denim or twill with a gossamer organza jacket or wrap.
Keep the interest with details. Pockets, epaulets, white embroidery, creative seaming, unfinished edges, buttons, zippers and tabs all add visual interest and texture to white outfits.
Add contrast with accessories.Tan leather looks great with whites, as does colored canvas or leather. Mixing in a little contrast keeps you from looking like Mr. Clean. Metallics look great with white--soft gold to warm it up, or cool silver to ice it down further.
Undergarment hint: When fabrics are more see-through,make sure your undies match your skin color. White will show right through, and you want to feature your creativity and skill with your clothes, not your knickers and bras.
P.S. Sorry I did the Polyvore on a white background. Now I know better!
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7 comments:
For the same reason your Polyvore does not show up, all white looks less appealing on very white skin. Persons of colour or those who will risk a light tan, or the olive-skinned look much better in all white than, well, all-white people.
Duchesse, right! Good thing real people aren't the color of a Polyvore background or we whitey's would be gonners! I like a soft white on top for me, cooler whites for light, cool people and warmer whites for warmer toned lighteys. Everyone can wear it, just like any "color", it's a matter of the shade, hue, tint or intensity.
Karen - I'm having my 25th class reunion next month -- need ideas on what to wear. I'm 5'4, a size 14, with a curvy hourglass, 3-mos postpartum figure. Don't want to look like I"m trying too hard...
Karen, I once took a modelling course (when I was very young) and I remember a sheet that the teacher gave us with photos of models wearing different hues of white, according to their skin tone. It was very interesting. I remember I was supposed to wear stark white. I also remember her saying something about white picking up the color in a scarf or necktie of some description so all we needed to do was wear a little of a very flattering color right next to the face, in order to wear any shade of white. This sounds confusing...sorry. New puppy kept me up all night. Anyhow, do you agree with this? I love Polyvore. Could play for hours...
I never thought of mixing my whites. Good post!
Also remember to pick your most flattering white - for many it's a slight off white, unless you have really cool skin when a bright white looks great.
I love the different textures together - it makes pattern and interest without colour. http://www.insideoutstyleblog.com/2008/10/how-to-choose-your-perfect-white.html
For the reasons Duchesse mentioned, I don't wear all white. I still remember a picture of me at high school graduation in a white floral sundress. With my very pale skin and dark hair I look like a white blob with a dark mop on top. Now I always combine white with colors.
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