winter whites

classics, fashion life, style, style file

the 5+ things you need to do to avoid one more wardrobe nightmare with winter whites

 

It's still winter all over except in Miami where we had a 5-day stint of cold front (temperatures in the 60s) in which we had to cram the whole winter wardrobe.  

The thing is simple: there is a right way to do it and a wrong one. when you live in the tropics, or somewhere close the concept of fireplaces, cozy knits, THE coat, winter gear is merely reduced to those above mentioned 5 days when, at the most, people repair to layering those linen shirts and be like "it's freezing bro'. 

it all ends up like walking the rope suspended without a safety net: winter proper or beach party. We don't recreate beach parties in the winter, no, even if we live in the south or wherever people are used to warmth and humidity . 

 

 

Fashion must be an intoxicating release from the banality of the world - Diana Vreeland

There are 

Some myths unraveled:

  1. Labor Day. You got the memo that the 'no white after Labor Day' is so last century, right? So relax: it's just that you must wear the right whites.  How, we'll go through it later. If you live in Europe, the situation is similar - Labor Day is in May, hence you just invert the seasons, 'you don't wear white before May 1st' but the deliberation is the same and it's expired big time.
  2. Linen is a fabric that you must have in your closet, but etiquette wants it strictly limited to summer. This is a rule that will always be valid, opposite of n.1.
  3. White jeans are that chic wardrobe staple, how you pair them is what makes a winter white or not. Boy don't we want to keep them like our life when we land our hands on the perfect pair? Some of 'us' use them as a scale: whether they fit or not there is a nutella crepe or a juice cleanse on the tray.
  4. The white T-shirt There's no way it must be eliminated from your closet, don't store it. I remember my mother would lock them on the hybernating summer side of the armoire with the dismissal "they are cold, in the wonter you don;t wear them". I will contradict that dictatorial motherly discipline (sorry mom) because it takes such a dedicated person to find the perfect white tee that when we have them, no way we will part from them. Winter white etiquette requires tweaks, a sort of Darwinian adaptation that we'll discuss below. 

learn from designers & street-style authorities

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HOW you DO IT 

  1. If you are brave enough to dare the all-white look, monochromatic can be utterly chic if interrupted by cognac brown, chocolate or black suede and silver or Eighties gold in the evening
  2. Accessorize with black suede or leather accessories: it makes your summery white frock lower temperature.
  3. Cashmere, mohair, angora must be profusely used in the winter. In the south just substitute wool with long sleeved tops, crop tops if you can pull them off they are welcome.
  • Switch strappy sandals with some suede boot. if you are of the 'androgynous intellectual' team pull man-repelling brogues or oxfords.
  • White t-shirts are your best friend, but even in the 60s you add a scarf, a (faux) fur stole, a furry vest, a slouchy felt hat, knee boots and a miniskirt, long fingerless gloves and distressed jeans with your moto leather jacket and you got yourself prepped for a weekend sexy outfit. 

 

  • A new trend emerged amongst stylish street-stars: the most delicate all white sheer, embroidered gauze dress on all-black outfits. I find it a fresh take on an otherwise summery dress.

WARNING: this is not for anyone, if, looking at the pictures, you fear you'll look like a mosquito net in the night transfer of a safari, there are good chance you will, otherwise you'd love it at first sight. So I don't recommend any time spent in making this look work. Let me digress for a moment and give you a

style advice 

by yours truly

You know that saying "sink or swim"?

It's doesn't work in fashion.

One of the keys to make your wardrobe work  is to keep in mind your style, rhythms, curves, background, life, taste, features, age, feelings and mix it with a certain level of irony, forward thinking, risk-taking and thrill.

Whatever you decide to buy or to wear must give you the adrenaline surge of a first kiss. Welcome to the palyful world of "closet therapy" [here to register].

 

the dont's (my edna mode alter ego here)

Linen, muslin and crochet bell sleeved tops are to be retired for the winter.

 

Was there anything I missed?