Surprisingly, white is at once the easiest and the hardest colour to wear. That is why many men stay on safe ground and keep white for their shirts alone. Yet white is a hidden treasure that rewards time and patience; only then does it reveal its splendours in clothing. The white suits favoured in Romania by a certain type of character, and men’s worry about how easily white gets dirty, have made it the Cinderella of the colour spectrum. Not to mention that in Japan, white is a sign of mourning. This article explains how to wear white like a professional, with no sacrifice at all.
1. White trousers: what keeps them from “shouting”?
The aristocracy once wore white trousers almost exclusively, but men today have dropped the habit for fear of drawing attention. Although white trousers are not meant for a business meeting, they can be surprisingly versatile. A brown, maroon or navy sport jacket can temper their “loud” look and make for a handsome, balanced outfit. As for dirt, white trousers should not get dirty any faster than any other colour, if worn in decent conditions.
2. The white sport jacket: how can it be worn without overdoing it?
One thing is certain about a white sport jacket: it stands out. Paired with tact, however, it can produce a 100% harmonious outfit. The colours suggested above for trousers, such as maroon, brown, navy or olive green, are ideal partners for a white jacket too. A dark shirt under a white jacket, by contrast, can have an incendiary effect. That is why we suggest pale blue or pale pink shirts. If the jacket is ivory, leaning towards cream, white shirts are an equally recommended option.
3. White accessories: which work best?
First on the list, and most important, is the pocket square. Since a pocket square pairs beautifully with the shirt, it is the ideal partner for a white one. Likewise, a white polo neck or a white polo shirt under a sport jacket easily takes a pocket square of the same colour. Second is the tie. A white tie may be controversial, but an ivory tie with regular geometric patterns (stripes, neats), worn against a dark background (a pale blue shirt and a navy jacket), can have a magnetic effect. Third on the list are socks. White socks are generally out of the question, with one notable exception: white trousers. Socks matched to the trousers, whatever the colour, are the secret of a taller silhouette. Ivory or very light grey socks, above all.
4. White shoes: what options are there besides sneakers?
We recently wrote at length about sneakers, which have come to dominate the market in recent years. They are often white and exceptionally versatile. Beyond sneakers, Spectator shoes are a classic option. Made in two colours, usually white and brown or white and black, they are a bold choice, though greatly admired by enthusiasts. They take their name from 19th-century England, where they first appeared: these two-tone shoes were the usual footwear of cricket spectators.
In short, this article has taken the most common pieces of the wardrobe and shown them in a white light. Trousers, jacket, accessories and even shoes look as good in white as in any other colour. Courage, imagination and a playful spirit are all that experiment requires. White, worn like a professional, is well within reach.
