White Haute
Getting Noticed—A White Story
Marilyn Monroe may have been plagued with problems; going unnoticed, however, was not among them.
When this icon wanted all eyes upon her, she turned to one color: White. Not winter white, not ivory, or something between creams, but pure unadulterated white, like the snowflake she was. It never failed to garner her rightful attention.
Stars shone bright in white at the 84th annual Academy Awards, though none can compete with the magic of Marilyn.
Gwyneth Paltrow wore Tom Ford, above left, while Rooney Mara, right, donned Givenchy…
…Jennifer Lopez in a Marilyn-inspired Zuhair Murad gown…
…Milla Jovovich, above, looked coy in a beaded Elie Saab, and the list went on…
Fashion designers are bringing white to the majority because it looks great against all skin tones and carries a crisp freshness in a sea of basic black and commonplace colors, but be prepared to eat with caution and launder often.
Pulling off white doesn’t have to be tricky. Here are some of my favorite whites, with ideas on how to wear them.
Off The Chain
The Kay Unger Chain Belt Dress above, $330, looks elegantly appropriate for any occasion when paired with metallic Jimmy Choo sandals, $695, both available at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Calvin Klein’s Chain Strap Ruffle Dress, $138 at Nordstrom, is fresh and innocent with Giusseppe Zanotti flats, $595, below, from Neiman Marcus. What a welcome departure from shorts!
Texture Tactics
Lace and crochet dressing is white hot, as seen in this little silk Sangallo lace number by Giambattista Valli, $3,285, above and below, from Bergdorf Goodman.
The Crochet Shift Dress by Stella McCartney, below, $1,325 at Neiman Marcus, can travel from day when worn solo, to night when worn as a tunic over leather leggings.
The Naked Shoe
Valentino’s Cotton Bow Dress, $1,980 at Saks Fifth Avenue, above, needs no further introduction, or embellishment for that matter.
That’s where the Naked Shoe comes in. It’s an important player in fashion now because it looks super modern with any color–from black to white–while elongating the leg at the same time.
Every girl needs a flesh-toned Naked Shoe, like the Christian Louboutin Marpletown Platform in patent, above, $865, at Saks Fifth Avenue. So sexy with a fresh pedicure and a day dress! Ooh la la.
