Absolutely sexy. Effortlessly stylish. When she stood on the streets of Saint Tropez in 1971—when she married Mick Jagger in her white tuxedo-style YSL jacket, plunging neckline, and silk-lined skirt—Bianca Jagger instantly changed our view of white.
The white, no longer virginal, was suddenly voluptuous, seductive, and powerful. And never more than a seductive tuxedo.
I’ve always been the tuxedo type. I love the reassuring tailoring ease that radiates personalization. For as long as I can remember, it’s been my favorite look both day and night when I want to feel strong and cool at the same time.
As a designer, it has always been very important to me to break the fine line between masculine details and beautiful cuts that reinforce the feminine shape.
Cream dress, tank top, bracelet and necklace, by Amanda Wakeley. Black platforms, Prada (photos)
A summery twist to this look is to wear white and give yourself an instant turbocharger in a modern Bianca Jagger in the process.
You don’t need the physical attributes of a high priestess in a white suit to achieve a similar effect.
Believe me, the model figure is not necessary. A white pant suit can pamper women of all shapes, complexions and sizes.
In an interview with singer Adele and TV presenter Oprah Winfrey, they both wore white dresses and looked stunning. Adele’s bright white number perfectly accentuated her pale skin and caramel hair, while Oprah’s ivory dress was the perfect contrast to her warm tones.
dress and bag, both by Amanda Wakeley. T-shirt, £90, Rag & Bone ragbone.com. Sneaker, £75, Stan Smith adidas.co.uk
There are few other garments that give such prestige. Emerald Fennell chose a dazzling white pant suit with beautiful bell sleeves, an outfit she immediately bestowed upon the actress for her reunion with the Duchess of Cornwall, whom she portrayed on The Crown earlier this year, an appropriate and domineering look.
So don’t be afraid to welcome white into your world. Instead, take these images as a starting point for inspiration and let me give you some helpful tips on how this shade can make you gorgeous, attractive and wonderfully confident.
While wearing white, ivory and cream can be extremely flattering as it adds a beautiful glow to your face, keep in mind that the same is not true for how lightweight fabrics fit the body. So pay attention to the fabric, cut and sew, especially to the leg seams on light-colored trousers. Wrinkles can sometimes give the impression of an uneven skin tone underneath. No thanks.
Likewise, the things with which you will combine your dress can be transformative. A tank top can make the night look effortless, while a tie-dye blouse can make it look more professional, as beautifully exemplified by the Duchess of Cambridge in a white Alexander McQueen gown she wore on her recent tour of Jamaica.
Coat, chains and bag, Amanda Wakeley. Jeans, £230, Donna Ida, donnaida.com. American vintage t-shirt. Instructors, £105, The White Company, thewhitecompany.com
And of course you can also complete the look with a tee and sneakers, one of my all time favourites.
I have long loved the versatility of the white pant suit and have personally found one for every occasion, from the Royal Ascot and Chelsea Flower Show to Wimbledon and even weddings.
In fact, the only white look I think is acceptable to wear at a wedding is a white pant suit, especially if there are contrasting embellishments or accessories. However, as this look is becoming increasingly popular with modern brides who don’t want a fully patterned dress, it’s worth checking if the bride isn’t planning on wearing a dress on her own.
White custom pieces are also a good option, quadrupling the number of looks you can create.
Remember that cool white jeans can effortlessly elongate your white dress look – my summer staple this year will be these Donna Ida wide-legged white jeans worn a size or two larger (just cut the size tag), because when does white jeans tend to be more flattering? easier to wear.
White dress and chiffon top, both by Amanda Wakeley. Leopard sandals, by Gianvito Rossi. Leopard print handbag, Dolce & Gabbana
And if you’re not brave enough to go all white, you can always enhance it by wearing a white jacket over your shoulders and pairing it with black or navy blue basics to create a super chic look.
Be careful though: Not all jackets fit snugly over the shoulders. A fitted cut is usually not that comfortable, and the last thing you want is for your sophisticated jacket to fall off every five minutes, so make sure the jacket has a slightly more generous cut.
Alternatively, you can start by limiting the white to the lower half and pairing white pants with a dark blazer for a nautical look.
There’s a plethora of white dress options on the High Street this spring, so if you’re looking for something to cheer you up, I highly recommend stepping out of the black and navy comfort zone and giving it a try.
There is nothing so timeless and sophisticated. Enjoy the journey with the white dress.
Our top pick on the main street
Blazer, £59.99 and pants, £32.99, zara.com (left) and linen blazer, £200 and pants, £110, jigsawonline.com (right)
Jacket, £34.99 and pants, £29.99, hm.com (left) and jacket, £238 and pants, £168, reiss.com (right)
Blazer £149 and pants £69.95, massimodutti.com (left) and Blazer £103.20 and pants £63.20, coastfashion.com (right)
Ivory jacket, £299 and trousers, £229, whistles.com
Source: Daily Mail
