White is the new black

Though winter doesn’t seem to want to vacate the Okanagan, retailers are starting to bring in their spring collections.

And it certainly feels good to put away those heavy dark, winter clothes and bring out crisp, paler hues.

The brightest of them all is pure white.

White gets a bad rap for being hard to keep clean, but despite this tendency, it has become a hot fashion trend in both classic and unexpected ways.

Online luxury retailer Net-a-Porter has even declared the LWD — the little white dress — as a key spring/summer trend for 2019.

Some of the looks I’m loving this season:

A white handbag — Any practical person will tell you to never buy a white handbag, that they are impossible to keep clean. Yet every purse designer under the sun is crafting carryalls in bright white this year. They go with virtually everything and look equally stunning in silver or gold hardware.

You may wish to apply a protectant before using and be especially careful when wearing with dark denim. A pressed saffiano leather will be easier to keep clean than a soft nubuck.

Sneakers — the sneaker trend has been going full steam for a few years and shows no sign of slowing. Crisp white sneakers like the Adidas ones above co-ordinate with so many styles of clothes while providing comfortable wear.

Google “how to keep white sneakers clean” and you will find a million tips depending on the brand and fabric of your kicks.

Booties -—White ankle boots starting appearing everywhere last year. Not sure that I’d have the courage to try this trend — I’d probably have them scuffed within minutes of putting them on — but I must say they look incredibly chic with jeans and dresses.

If you are going for this look, I imagine a white shoe polish is going to be your best friend.

Denim — white denim capris are synonymous with spring in my book. For a new look, get a classic denim jacket or skirt in crisp white.

Hair — as I wrote about last spring, white and silver hair is being embraced by everyone from millennials who are bleaching their locks to seniors who are refusing to dye.

Pearls — these creamy shimmering beads are associated with the 1950s and some still think of them as matronly. But jewellers are coming up with fresh and contemporary ways to wear pearls, such as the Pandora ring above.

Especially for those with a June birthday, a pearl ring, bracelet, or necklace will add meaningful bling to any outfit.

T-shirts — the ultimate classic is a simple white cotton T-shirt. Numerous odes, articles and blogs have been dedicated to this wardrobe staple. Wear with everything from casual jeans to a fancy skirt.

You can still buy a three-pack of Hanes classic tees or you can opt for the pricey designer ones that claim to be softer (a hotly debated topic).

I’m a big fan of the 100 per cent cotton EveryWear line from Old Navy. The weight, drape and cut of these
T-shirts just seem about perfect to me, and they also come in petite, tall and plus sizes.

Tunic — looser and more multifunctional than a blouse, a linen tunic in white has become my new long sleeve staple. It hides any muffin-top worn with jeggings or leggings, can be used over a swimsuit as a beach cover-up, or belted with a skirt for dressing up.

Australia-based retailer Sassind creates a beautiful array of white clothing in silk and linen, such as the ensemble pictured above.

To protect your white clothes, it is best to wash them separately in the hottest water the fabric will stand plus bleach or enzyme alternative.

And take my advice, don’t cook spaghetti sauce while wearing your whites.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.