How to wear: White
Crisp, cool and clean, white has long been one of the definitive colours of summer. The best white evening dresses exude classic Hollywood glamour mixed with elegant purity and understatement. If you get your whites right, you’ll steal the show at a party without even looking like you’re trying. Here are a few of our favourites…
This stunning Grecian evening dress from Lipsy hardly requires any accessorising at all to turn heads for all the right reasons. The embellished harness is a beautifully distinctive feature and the elegantly draping skirt creates a floaty effect that’s perfect for garden parties. You’ll be relieved to note that the cleverly disguised underskirt will protect your modesty if you have an unexpected ‘Marilyn Monroe’ moment.
The glamorous cascade of a maxi dress is perfect for a lighter base – where heavier colours might be a little overpowering. But all-white can look a little plain on a full-length evening dress, so look out for stylish summer print like this AX Paris Floral Maxi Dress.
A common complaint about wearing whites is that they can create a ‘visible underwear’ problem. The best way to minimise this effect is to go for lingerie with simple, smooth lines – leave your frills and laces for fuller, darker outfits. Slips and camisoles are also a good choice, as they’ll help stop your dress from looking too clingy. Just make sure they’re nice and light to avoid overheating. A visible bra is probably preferable to an unanticipated sweat patch!
Finally, if you’re wearing new shoes it might be best to ensure they’re a matching white or cream, as the colours can rub off onto the hem of a full-length dress, creating unsightly stains that are difficult to get out.
