5 New Ways To Wear White
In years past, getting it right meant channelling The Talented Mr Ripley‘s millionaire playboy Dickie Greenleaf (played by Jude Law). Getting it wrong, by contrast, resulted in comparisons to Colonel Sanders (the infamous moustachioed purveyor of fried chicken). We’re talking about wearing white, of course – one of the most notoriously tricky colours to pull off there is. Yet striking white-on-white looks are set to be a key trend throughout 2015, after taking centre stage at a number of London Collection: Men shows in January, including Joseph and Cottweiler. Not only are we seeing classic pieces being upgraded with the aid of a whitewash, but plenty of new fabrics and contemporary cuts too, making white feel more modern and relevant than ever before. If you, like us, you think there’s more to white than the humble plain tee, take a look at some key ways you can wear your new favourite neutral this season.
The Trainers
Finishing off your outfit with pristine white trainers is no longer the preserve of sneakerheads, who own more pairs than trousers. A key styling technique at the AW15 shows, box fresh sneakers look really sharp, especially when teamed with a dark cropped trouser or tailored jogger. But instead of opting for a pair of ubiquitous adidas Stan Smiths, which fashion insiders have already turned their backs on, try Reebook’s Workout Plus silhouette. This vintage archive style features a tonal rubber sole and clean, minimal finish, making them a killer choice for spring. Just don’t you dare wear them if it’s wet outside.
Image: H&M SS15
Recommended
Reebok Men’s White Workout Plus R12 Sneakers, available at Oki-ni, priced £62.
The Shorts
Take your spring style in a fresh new direction by picking up a pair of white shorts. Now, if this conjures images of stuffy Wimbledon lawns, think again, because this season there’s a plethora of designs available in jersey and even scuba fabrics for a hard-edged, streetwear alternative to the traditional white chino style. Take these bonded neoprene shorts (below) by the king of technical fabrics, Neil Barrett, for instance. The sporty, foamy construction might take a little while to get used to, but once you do you’ll live and die in them. Smarten them up with a polo shirt and a blazer or keep your look firmly sports luxe by layering a longline T-shirt and bomber up top.
Image: Calibre SS14
Recommended
Neil Barrett Bonded Neoprene Shorts, available at Mr Porter, priced £210.
The Bomber Jacket
The bomber jacket shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon – largely thanks to designers and brands producing it in new materials, cuts, colours and prints. Its athletic silhouette makes it the ideal extra-light layer for spring/summer, while its crisp, clean lines look even better rendered in stark white. In place of a blazer, it can be worn open over white shirt and teamed with smart tailored grey trousers for a meal out, or keep things casual by throwing it over a printed tee and jeans.
Image: ASOS SS15
Recommended
ASOS Bomber Jacket In Jersey, available at ASOS, priced £20.
The Jeans
White jeans are not friends of the heavier or more muscular man, as they have a tendency to exaggerate the size of your thighs and calves – and not in a good way. But for guys with longer or leaner frames, a pair of slim white jeans makes for a nice break from your go-to black or blue denims. They are also extremely versatile: they can be smartened up easily with the addition of a linen blazer and chambray shirt, or you could go the other way and use them to anchor a sharp shot of colour up top. This helps draw the eye upward and will make you appear taller.
Image: Banana Republic Pre-AW14
Recommended
Acne Studios Ace Slim-Fit Stretch-Denim Jeans, available at Mr Porter, priced £160.
The Blazer
The first rule of attending a wedding is to never upstage the bride (or groom, for that matter). But integrating a white blazer into your smart-casual wedding guest attire can be done with subtlety if you dress it down with some slim navy trousers and classic brown brogues. If that sounds a little bit too Captin Birdseye for your taste, layer a white blazer, such as this one from ASOS, over a crew neck T-shirt and some dark tailored chinos or jeans. Of course, even if you’re not attending any summer weddings this year, you can still try this look out – but beware of appearing like you’ve just stepped off a yacht. Context is everything.
Image: ASOS SS15
Recommended
ASOS Slim-Fit Blazer In Cotton, available at ASOS, priced £65.
