Dressing in head-to-toe-white is one of the hottest style trends this summer. Wearing all white can look light and breezy or be a simple way of elevating your look and looking pulled together. (Think of it as summer’s alternative to wearing a sophisticated all-black look in winter.) If you’re wondering how to pull together this look, we can help. For inspiration, we share 12 all-white outfits for every moment this summer.
Tips for wearing white when you’re over 60
- Play with textures and details to add interest to your outfit. A loose knit top with crisp white pants. White linen top and pants with a straw bag. Like that.
- Not all white is white. What we mean is there are more shades and tones than snow white. Mixing these whites can add dimension to your outfit. The secret is to make sure there’s a two-tone or two-shade difference. There are a few examples below.
- Wear casual footwear in keeping with the relaxed vibe of summer. Unless you have a special event–and those do happen in the summer.
- When choosing jewelry to wear with white, let the fabric and formality of the clothing be your guide. Gold or silver tones work with refined looks. Enamel and beads, in colors from natural tones for a subdued look. Black and bold colors, used sparingly, provide eye-catching accents.
- Keep makeup light in line with the nature of the clothing, but you don’t want to disappear, either. Eyeliner (the right color) will define your eyes but copious amounts of eyeshadow will look too heavy. The best lipsticks are reds, pinks, and orange hues–those that look good with your skin tone. “Nude” lips will make you look washed out.
- Carry a small instant stain remover in your handbag to quickly counteract spills like coffee, red wine, and pizza.
Here are some of the all-white outfits that inspire us.
Beach Bound
Whether you call it the beach or seashore, an escape to the cooling breezes of the ocean is one of the pleasures, even necessities, of summer. You may stroll along the boardwalks and dunes, find treasures in village shops, or dine al fresco with the sound of the waves in the background. What to wear in this setting? In addition to a flattering swimsuit and coverup, we like loose linen tops, crops or flood pants, light linen dresses, sandals, and straw bags.
Linen tee with cropped linen pants
FLAX Fundamental linen tee, high hip length, $96, shopflax.com, FLAX Seamly linen pants, tapered at bottom $144, shopflax.com. Summer straw tote bag, $21, amazon.com. Birkenstock Arizona Big Buckle in High Shine Butter, $170, birkenstock.com. Seaside Oasis Bead Stacked Earrings, $29, jjill.com.
White linen dress with nautical blue accessories
FLAX High Line Maxi Dress, $121, shopflax.com. Sakroots Roma Straw Shopper, $98, amazon.com. Straw Boater Hat, Nordstrom, $45.00, nordstrom.com. Beaded Layered Bracelet, Nordstrom, $35, nordstrom.com. Birkenstock Arizona Essentials
EVA, in Ultra Blue $49.95, birkenstock.com.
White linen shorts and top
FLAX Blossom Blouse, $112, shopflax.com. FLAX Sun Shorts in white, $99, shopflax.com. Hand-Woven Straw Large Hobo Bag, $30.99, amazon.com. JJill Marina Slip-On Shoes, $99, jjill.com.
Country House Weekend
OK, maybe we’re fantasizing about a long sojourn at Downton Abbey but in reality we’ll probably visit friends and cousins somewhere in semi-rural locations. Your wardrobe will vary greatly depending on how grand your destination is. White jeans can straddle many social occasions: a casual look paired with a relaxed top, a smart look with a crisp white shirt. Cocktail parties and dinners out may call for a more pulled together look. Accessories can take these outfits from relaxed to cultivated. Whatever you need.
Crisp wrapped shirt with wide leg white jeans
Poplin Wrap Shirt, Zara, 49.90, Zara.com. The Perfect Vintage Wide Leg Crop Jeans, Madewell, $128, nordstrom.com. Bahama Mama Stripe Tote, btb Los Angeles, $132.00, nordstrom.com. VEJA V-10 low top sneakers in white, with yellow, orange, logo patch, $163 (sale price), farfetch.com.
Long open weave cardigan with trim white pants
Nella Crochet Cardigan with Medallion Open Weave, Soft Surroundings, $130, softsurroundings.com. ZARA High-Waisted Pants, $45.90, zara.com. Steve Madden Harlene Slide Sandals, $55, amazon.com. Enamel hoop earrings, J.Crew Factory, $19.50, factory.jcrew.com.
Long linen cardigan with tailored pants
Linen Rich Longline Rib Cardigan, $189, thewhitecompany.com. Linen Tailored Wide Leg Pants, $229, thewhitecompany.com, Poetry Checked Scarf in shell gray, $89, poetryfashion.com. Mara Woven Slip On in Woven Almond, $180, nisolo.com.
Summer in the City
Summer in the city is hot. But it’s also filled with cultural events and restaurants with air conditioning. An all-white look in the city is a brave one, but you can look outstanding in a sea of black and gray (thinking New York City) in your light whites. A day dress is cool for lunching and museum-going. A white suit says sophistication, full stop. This is where accessories make the outfit. Metallics look stunning with a sleek white outfit. You’ll look and feel confident. Just remember to carry the stain remover in your bag.
White embroidered midi dress
Marie Oliver Joanna Embroidered Split-Neck Maxi Dress, Neiman Marcus,
$438, neimanmarcus.com. Women’s Classic Straw Tote, Amazon, $30.99, amazon.com. AQUA Women’s Rays Strappy High Heel Sandals, $78, bloomingdales.com.
White pantsuit with metallic sandals
Slip-On Blazer, White House Black Market, $185, whitehouseblackmarket.com. Slip-On Wide Leg Pants, White House Black Market, $99, whitehouseblackmarket.com. Paul Green Helena Slingback Flats in Mineral Woven Metallic, $355, bloomingdales.com. Berna Embroidered Palm Leaves Straw Clutch Bag, $395, neimanmarcus.com.
White cropped pantsuit with heels
Carson Blazer by STAUD, Nordstrom, $495.00, nordstrom.com. Caleb High Waist Crop Wide Leg Pants by STAUD, Nordstrom, $395.00, nordstrom.com. Enameled Beaded Bracelet, J.Crew Factory, $16.50, factory.jcrew.com. Tassanie Pointed Toe Pump, Nordstrom, $109.95, nordstrom.com.
Everyday Style
What could be easier than throwing on a white linen dress or a white top and pants and heading out the door? Especially in the dog days of August, when even the most delicate colors look garish. These all-white outfits are good for a casual lunch, market shopping, changing the oil in your car. Just kidding. You’ll look pretty swell wherever you go.
Casual linen maxi with a classic Panama hat and fisherman’s sandals
DKNY Linen V-Neck Maxi Dress. Bloomingdale’s, $115, bloomingdales.com. NIC+ZOE
Lightweight Four-Way Cardigan, Bloomingdale’s, $98, bloomingdales.com. Borsalino Claudette Panama Fedora With a Bow Band, Neiman Marcus, $430, neimanmarcus.com. Naot Krista white leather sandals with silver rivets, $149, zappos.com. Lee Gold and Flower Drop Earrings, Baublebar, $44, baublebar.com.
For cooler days, light sweater and jeans
The ’90s Cheeky® Jean, Everlane, $77 (sale price), everlane.com. Cait Linen-Blend Long-Sleeve Sweater in White, Banana Republic, $59.99, bananarepublic.gap.com. Ulla Johnson Georgia Calf Leather Hobo Bag, $450, neimanmarcus.com. Buckled Leather Loafers, Saks Fifth Avenue, $69.99, saksoff5th.com.
Flowing skirt paired with timeless espadrilles
And Now This Smocked Waist Maxi Skirt, Macy’s, $49, macys.com. Short Sleeve Lightweight Uneck Tshirt in White, Lands End, $21.99 – $27.95, landsend.com. Meza Casual Strappy Espadrille, Easy Spirit, $89, macys.com. Nordstrom Beaded Layered Bracelet, $35, nordstrom.com. French Basket, $49, amazon.com.
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