Every woman knows that a black dress is a wardrobe essential, but what about a white dress and most importantly the ‘Perfect White Dress’.

The Perfect White Dress has become the go-to staple lately because of its versatility compared to the must have black dress since the perfect white dress is fit for a cocktail party as it is for a weekend at the beach allowing the wearer to telegraph from uptown elegance to downtown cool.

When wearing the white dress must keep in mind to choose a shade of white that suits your skin tone. Not everyone can wear bright, crisp white, and unfortunately, there is no shade of white for every skin type.

Cool skin tones work well with classically bright white and pair well with silver accessories. Bronze skin tones go best with white or ecru, especially when paired with gold accessories. Ebony skin tones are more versatile and work with white or ecru as well as both silver and gold accessories.

Dark skin tones or even pale skin tones go best with cream or ivory whites and either gold or silver accessories. Olive skin tones look best with ecru. If you are not sure what your skin tone is, stand in bright, preferably outdoor light and compare your skin to a sheet of white paper.

Select a solid and opaque white dress since white fabric suffers the curse of being see-through in many instances. When you shop for your white dress, check the transparency factor. To do this place the dress up against the light, hold a hand behind the dress and see if that dress is going to show everything underneath.

Select quality fabric because quality fabrics are less likely to be see-through, some dresses may even be lined. Look for heavier count cottons, linen, and some man-made fabrics.

Compared to its black counterpart white is not a colour that is flattering when it clings to your curves so to make it flattering select white dresses that billow, flounce and flow. White is about summer, freedom and breezes, so make sure that the dress reflects these features well.

White is the color of purity and simplicity, if you want to stand out, you can add red high heels with your white dress, but if you do not want that attention beige, camel, brown and soft grey make great colour choices. Silver, bronze or gold metallic sandals or flip flops are always perfectly fitting with white but avoid wearing white sandals or shoes, as this will create an overwhelming effect.

White is a canvas that will suit many kinds of accessories but a key element is to keep it simple. Never overwhelm the white canvas. Wooden accessories go well, so does any metallic jewelry.

Keeping in mind the above, think it is time that everyone had that perfect white dress in their wardrobe and give that black dress a vacation.  

By Radhi de Silva