Forget Black—It Girls Have Always Preferred This Rule-Breaking Color Trend

Anyone who drinks as much coffee as I knows that wearing even one white item is intimidating, let alone an entire outfit. However, I'm always in awe whenever I see someone going the monochromatic route and daring to do so with the color white. Yes, it takes guts, but it's flawless when executed well. Just stay away from to-go cappuccinos and dinners served with dark liquids. (Fortunately, martinis are very trendy right now.)
What's great about an all-white outfit is that it has all the same chic, elegant qualities of an all-black outfit, but it's less expected. Anyone can go the easy route by combining a black cashmere sweater with black trousers or a black dress with black boots. It takes more skill and gravitas to do the same thing with only white pieces, knowing all the while that any slip of a grip or clumsy passerby could ruin the outfit in a second flat. Plus, fashion lore would have you believe that wearing white anytime other than the summer is wrong, so doing so during the remainder of the year feels a tad dangerous and rebellious. Consider that a bonus.
If you want to try your hand at wearing fashion's most elegant and rule-breaking color from head to toe, scroll down to get inspired. Eleven all-white outfits await.
What you'll need: white tank top + white midi skirt + black kitten-heel mules + tan shoulder bag
What you'll need: white cotton sweater + white loose jeans + brown pumps + brown tote bag
What you'll need: white double-breasted coat + white V-neck sweater + black belt + white flared trousers + black pumps + black east-west-bag + leopard-print hat
What you'll need: off-white maxi coat + white tank top + relaxed white jeans + black mules + black belt
What you'll need: white long-sleeve maxi dress + white strappy sandals + black shoulder bag
What you'll need: white trench coat + white barrel jeans + burgundy bag
What you'll need: white blazer + matching skirt + top-handle clutch
What you'll need: sheer white T-shirt + white linen pants + white crossbody bag
What you'll need: white blazer + white maxi skirt + white skinny scarf + black heeled sandals + black east-west shoulder bag
What you'll need: white boyfriend tee + white carpenter jeans + black flip-flops + black bucket bag
What you'll need: white blazer + white fishtail skirt + white shoulder bag + oversize sunglasses
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Eliza Huber is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and the intersection of sports and fashion. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 from Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a business degree from the University of Iowa. She's launched two columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top runway trends each season. Eliza lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, watching WNBA games, and scouring The RealReal for discounted Prada.
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