Your Official Guide to Wearing White Year-Round

With so many mixed messages surrounding how to wear white, when you can wear white, and how you should do it, it’s no wonder that so many of us seek the comfort of a dark color palette. Forget everything you’ve heard about these pseudo-stringent rules ("no white after Labor Day,” etc.), and embrace wearing fresh whites at any point during the year. Yes, summer whites may be the most intuitive, as they include the breezy linens like button-down shirts and the cotton dresses we typically take with us to the beach. But what about winter whites, the more underrated of the washed-out neutrals? We love how layering different shades of white and eggshell make for a fresh combo, no matter which dates our calendars display.

Go on to see how to wear fresh white pieces (and head-to-toe monochrome, if you're so inclined) during every season.

Spring

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(Image credit: @THESTYLEIDEALIST)

For spring, try swapping out one key item for its white versions, like jeans or a blazer.

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

A delicate white dress is a closet staple, and while it's not quite warm enough to wear on its own in spring like it is in the summer, it works well layered underneath a long coat.

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

Ecru jeans and a white button-down should be the easy outfit combination you keep in your back pocket.

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

If you're into the all-neutral look this spring, consider grounding the whites and creams with dark accessories.

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

Try a breezy white top with your favorite blue jeans (or shorts).

Shop the key pieces:

Summer

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

Ah, summer whites. Think breezy day dresses and linen pieces to take you all the way from the workweek to your dreamiest beach vacation.

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

A basic white tank with belted trousers is the easy summer outfit I know I always rely on and wear on repeat. I highly recommend stocking up on the basic tank to see you through the season.

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

Are LWT's (little white tops) a thing? Because they definitely should be.

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A woven basket is just what this summer outfit needed.

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

To take things into a trendier territory, we love the idea of styling a white bra top underneath a boxy blazer.

Shop the key pieces:

Fall

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

A basic white T-shirt works for any season, but we're loving it styled with the suiting trend as seen here.

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

One of our favorite ways to wear white in the fall is through our denim choices. A pair of white jeans—while a standard of the summer months—can be easily styled with knee boots for the fall.

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

Team a white breezy blouse with tailored trousers and ankle boots for a timeless and fall-approved look.

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

White ankle boots can freshen up any look, whether or not it involves other neutrals. Invest in a pair and give your black ankle boots a rest (because we know you probably wear them to death already).

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

The allover neutral look is trending right now, and this is the perfect way to combine fall-friendly layers with variations of white, cream, and beige.

Shop the key pieces:

Winter

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

It doesn't get any chicer—or cooler—than a white winter coat.

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

Wear white boots with your darker wintry looks to freshen things up.

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

File this under how to wear white jeans in the winter.

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(Image credit: SZYMON BRZÓSKA/THE STYLE STALKER)

Slouchy trousers and a simple sweater look so elegant in shades of neutrals.

Shop the key pieces:

Ready to try out a fresh white look right now? Shop the white tops that are on our editors' wish lists right now.

This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.