Since fashion’s misty dawn, black has been the default colour of choice: the one to reach for when you want to feel sleek, put-together, and (let’s be honest) skinny. But for me, white has always been the new black; I’ve loved this perfect non-colour ever since I can remember, in all its hues and forms. I had an all-white bedroom with stainless steel accents by the time I was an (admittedly quite precocious) 15-year-old, and I’ve become increasingly confident about wearing it in my daily life in the years since.
Why do I love white? Mostly for its pure simplicity. As an aspiring minimalist, I find nothing more aesthetically pleasing than a fresh white wall, a plush white bed, or a simple white t-shirt on its very first wear. When it comes to my personal style, I find white to be infinitely more modern, and even flattering, than many other shades (with a few notable exceptions - skinny white jeans are no-one’s friend but Emmanuelle Alt’s).
Over the years, I’ve come to learn what works for me when it comes to wearing white – mostly there’s no reason to shy away from it, especially your body size; I’m far from a stick insect. I mostly wear black when I host events with The WW Club (to keep the emphasis on the guest speakers) but otherwise, I try to make white work all year round. As in all matters of personal style, there are no hard-and-fast rules for wearing it: just a few simple things to bear in mind.
Phoebe Lovatt is a freelance journalist and moderator from London, currently living between New York and L.A. She is the founder of The WW Club – a platform created to connect, inspire, and support working women worldwide.
Mix it up
Texture is crucial when it comes to wearing white. I have a slightly silly number of chunky white jumpers in various lengths and knits, and I also love mixing up white and cream silks, wools, and furs. This is a cropped Topshop sweater with really cool eyelets along the side (couldn’t fit those in the selfie frame, sadly) which I’ve paired with a leather and suede cap that I wear to death. A clean and effective look for an autumn day in Brooklyn, where I’m now based.
Keep colour for your face
All-white is a striking look on its own, but it can feel a bit sterile for a night out. Make-up is an easy way to bring some colour to your look without actually having to, you know, wear colour. This picture was taken at a party at my friend’s tattoo studio in east L.A - the red lip and black beanie bring a location-appropriate Chola vibe.
Stay cool in white-hot heat
You wouldn’t catch me dead in a fake flower headband, so this was my take on a Coachella look. White is actually a very practical way to stay cool in the middle of a desert (which is where the festival takes place), and the contrasting black bikini top underneath brings some edge. I’ve never found a white bikini that doesn’t go at least partially see-through in the water - my next challenge, perhaps…
Thou shalt not fear thy dry cleaning bill
If there’s one thing I love more than summer white, it’s winter white: It just feels so decadent and luxurious. I wear this coat on the filthy subway in New York and people look at me like like I’m insane. Maybe I am. My drycleaning bills certainly suggest so.
Monochrome masks a multitude of fashion sins
Let’s ignore my questionable facial expression and talk about the shoe. A white mule! What could be more tacky? Nothing, and that’s exactly why I love them. Sticking to a crisp, monochromatic palette means you can get away murder in the name of minimalism. Or at least that’s what I tell myself.
If you can't wear white, wear almost white
It’s hard to tell in the picture, but this dress is actually a pale blush pink - I bought it to wear at a wedding in L.A., because it was the closest I could get to wearing white without committing a massive social faux pas. I like the old Hollywood glamour of a sweetheart neckline and slinky satin fabric, but the chunky necklace and messy hair bring it up to date. Needless to say, I’m wearing a strappy white sandal just out of shot.
Keep it so fresh and so clean
I’ve never not loved a white sneaker, and I will never not love a white sneaker (google ‘Lauren Hutton style’ to see how I’ll be rocking them in my 70s). For now, you can find me clomping around New York in a pair of boxfresh Nike Airforce One’s - this pair is actually a bit grubby; not my usual vibe, but I’m always sure to add a feminine element to avoid looking like a 14 year old boy. Here, I went for a vintage faux fur jacket and an old pair of Levi 501’s - my other lifelong sartorial love. But that’s the subject of a whole different article...
Looser cuts are your friend
Roadtripping with the London crew in L.A. My car is a ‘90s Merc, but the matching ‘90s R&B girlband vibe was entirely unintentional, I swear! I picked up these vintage trousers for $10 at a farmer’s market (of all places) near my old house in Silver Lake and I’ve worn them about 500 times. The straight cut is really flattering - and better yet, comfortable.
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