“I totally get you. Because quite honestly: I also had a love-hate relationship with the color white. Fortunately, I overcame that thanks to various tips and tricks.
In winter it is usually no problem at all, because then white is hardly an issue and it is limited to a single white blouse, which is safe in certain situations. In addition, I never wear white at lower temperatures, except for that one time as a wool-white cape; but in it I looked, in retrospect in pictures, like a terrible snowman!
Even worse was the stark white A-line coat of fluffy faux fur, which I picked up years ago on the chicest shopping street in Düsseldorf and where another lady was lurking while I was trying on. The last copy! She gave me a disapproving look and hoped that I would hang THE coat back so that she could strike herself.
Of course I didn’t and proudly dragged the at least 8 kilo heavy colossus to the cash register. The mild winter that followed, I looked pretty crazy in a jacket that was intended for temperatures from -10. In which I was kept nice and warm, but had the looks of a polar bear. The flamboyant piece of clothing in question still hangs in the attic in the hope that I can really shine in it again… Maybe in the shopping streets of Gstaad or something, when it’s freezing that it creaks?
white fear
How many hippie-esque Ibiza tunics I have bought in white… They are almost impossible to count. They looked soooo attractive on sun-drenched islands, and bronzed I shone in those white items on my way to the beach with a nice flip flop underneath. Once at home, the white robes became a lot less attractive, especially when the Dutch summers were a bit of a let down in terms of weather.
I sometimes tried to combine a lace white tunic with jeans or black leggings, but it never felt like a success. In the meantime I know that I will fall head over heels for a broderie tunic or blouse for the coming summer, in fact: I am already looking for it diligently. Because the nice thing about embroidery is that it has cutouts. The cotton base is so airy because of the holes that are incorporated in it, which makes it a popular summer item.
In the meantime I have decided to combine that white embroidery blouse with a brightly colored top underneath in lime green, fuchsia or turquoise. That also immediately makes the face less pale, as I have been told by various stylists. They recommend that if you have a fear of white, especially to combine white with brighter shades to make the whole less pale and faded.
White dinner party
In the meantime I can start looking for a white outfit, because the famous White dinner party of the Friends of the Brands friends is just around the corner. The evening when no fewer than 50 women from the world of media and entertainment meet one evening and are completely dressed in white.
Previously, this was also sometimes held in the winter months and that resulted in many funny situations. Ladies who plodded in the rain on their bicycles in the city in their white robes or who braved the cobblestones in their white outfits on white heels. Obviously checked by many passers-by who wondered why someone would want to be dressed in white at this time of year.
For years I bought a new white outfit at the end of the summer to look as good as possible during this winter white parade. I even bought white pants, something I hadn’t worn since I was eighteen!
Unfortunately, this year it has not worked out so far, so I have to make do with the ‘white robes’ that I still have in the closet. I have already scored white cowboy boots with cool studs, so the foundation has been laid. And that is also a big exception, because until a few years ago I had really relegated white footwear to a no-go.
But since the white sneakers, heels and boots have made their appearance again, I’ve changed my mind. Friend Ineke even cried to me recently because of her clean-up rage, which involved getting rid of a pair of beautiful leather queenie white boots that would have been so topical by now. I completely understood her!
rest point
White may not immediately be labeled as a real color, but it can also give something extra to a look, I now know. And it is also very trendy this season, especially the embroidery items, so hardly anyone can escape that.
With the tips below it may therefore become a little easier to choose white again! But beware: hardly anyone gets away with a completely white outfit. Or it should be that different materials are involved in one outfit.
With white clothing, it is also important that it fits well and does not slump or wrinkle too much, because that looks shabby. The fit should be good, especially if it’s a little tighter. A lot goes with a tight white jeans! A silk blouse, a smooth blazer or a tight top. Especially if you work with various colors and prints, the white pants can work as a resting point in the whole.
The same goes for a white (broderie) maxi dress. As soon as you combine it with accessories such as a straw hat, brightly colored necklaces and a wicker bag, you immediately have a bohemian hippie look and the focus is much less on the base of the white dress. White also goes very well with natural tones such as brown and beige and that looks instant chic.
Underwear
When wearing white garments, it is very important not to wear too tight clothes and to choose the right lingerie. Don’t go for white underwear, although this would be very obvious, but opt for nude shades such as beige, caramel, gray or skin color.
Even the color red is a great option to wear under white items, which is really less noticeable under white. It is also better to wear a slip dress in beige, skin-coloured or grey. Smooth lingerie is recommended, because that means that every white item falls smoothly over the bottom layer.”
CALL!
Do you also have a pressing fashion question that you would love to know an answer to? For example, how you choose certain colours, where you can go with a size 42 shoe as a woman or which materials are super stretch… Send an email to [email protected] and maybe your question will be discussed in the next Kims Issue.