Clearly the old adage “Never wear white after Labor Day” needs to be amended. Both Resort and Spring 2012 collections had model after model striding down the runway in white, proving that we all need to pay attention to this ubiquitous trend.
“Winter white is so classic and versatile that it’s a look we just can’t get enough of,” says Lara Miller, native Chicagoan and founder/designer of the ecofriendly clothing line of the same name. Mary Liz Lehman, owner of Chicago’s Perchance boutiques, agrees: “It’s a fresh neutral that brightens our wardrobes and is becoming seasonless.”
For Resort 2012, Givenchy showed crisp, sexy pantsuits in the hue, while Burberry introduced ladylike dresses and Chanel debuted elegant French Riviera-inspired ensembles, also in the shade.
White was still very much in residence for the Spring 2012 collections, as well, with each designer putting his or her own spin on it. Hermès took us on a tactile journey with soft, fluid silhouettes; Ralph Lauren gave his show a “Gatsby-esque” appeal; and Louis Vuitton had more than its fair share of the shade amid its whimsical lineup.
But until the warmer weather arrives, “Think of winter whites as a juxtaposition, not only in terms of color, but in texture, too,” says Miller. “Pair soft knits with silk pants, chunky scarves with shiny outerwear, or layer your dark colors over a great, sleek white dress,” she says, adding, “A white cardigan is [a great] transitional piece [to] have in your closet. It brings warmth and pop to the typically dark palette we tend to see in the winter.
“There is something so flattering about winter white,” Miller continues. “Whenever I see women wearing it, their cheeks look rosier and their eyes look brighter. They stand out, but not in a flashy way… Winter white is just so pretty, how can you not want to wear it?”
