I recently had a little convo on someone’s blog about my love for summery white dresses in my youth…

(Ugh, my computer is flashing obnoxious messages at me – I’d written this post in advance and had intended to put pictures of my two favorite white dresses from my youth right here….but now I can’t access the computer at all and I’m just finishing this up and scheduling it from my phone, so the pictures are not happening.)

It’s been a long time, though, as I just felt a white dress wasn’t right for my size or shape. White has so many rules around it…”darker colors are more slimming,” light colors jump out at you, seeming larger, versus dark colors which tend to recede…BUT…I’m starting to feel the pull, in spite of those things. Maybe it was Anna’s white dress + black moto jacket look that pulled me back over to the bright side.

So I’ve started looking around online to see if I could find something that might feel right…something easy, not too precious…that I could wear to work with a little cardi and white sneakers or out in the evening dressed up with a pretty sandal.

White dresses can be a little challenging to get just right, so here are a couple guidelines for buying and styling:

  • We’ve discussed quality of fabric before, especially for summer…and I think fabric quality is even more important with white. Check to make sure it’s either lined…or heavy enough material that it’s not see through (unless that’s the look you’re going for). Again, unless you’re going for That Look, keep your ‘wares neutral-toned so they’re not visible under the dress. People sometimes think white is the best color for undergarments under white clothing, but what you see then is the contrast against white bra and skin-toned skin. If your bra is skin-toned, there’s no contrast line and it’s creates a more invisible undergarment look.
  • Like a black dress, a white dress is like a blank canvas and almost anything goes! Black, naturals, neutrals, pastels, hot colors, cool colors…there are limitless ways to style a white dress. Not just as far as bags and shoes, but also jewelry, scarves, jackets, belts.

Here are some white summer dresses I’m liking, that aren’t too fancy/dressy or bodycon (read: tight-fitting):

Women’s Plus Size Eyelet Wrap Dress Ivory from Target

Sharagano Sleeveless Lace Shift Dress (Plus Size) Nordstrom Rack

Calvin Klein Plus Size Cotton Eyelet Trapeze Dress Macy*s

Ny Collection Plus Size Crochet-Trim A-Line Dress Macy*s

White Linen Scoop Neck Dress Zulilly

Inset Crochet A-Line Dress Avenue 

Linen Sleeveless Slip-on Dress Vivid LinenLinen Sleeveless Slip-on Dress

A LWD (Little White Dress) can be just as classic as the LBD. I personally would love to wear it with natural colored accessories…or orange!  How fun for summer, right?? My only concern is SPILLING. I’m the worst. When I eat out I eat like a baby, keeping a napkin hovering under my fork in case I spill. And I still get food on myself! Am I the only one with this problem? I swear I’m going to design an adult bib to take out with me. Why are people only given bibs with lobster? Other things are messy…and stain more than lobster and butter!

Sigh.

Do you love a white dress as much as I do??

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