Style On The Streets: Dublin Does… White

Each week, we team up with the stylish folks behind Opsh to spot the top fashion trends on the streets of Dublin...

Nothing screams summer chic like an all-white ensemble. Of course, those sophisticated Parisians have the classic look nailed, but we wanted to find out if Dubliners and their innate sense of style could also handle white on white - so we hit the the streets of the capital to snap some stylish fans of the neutral hue. Inspirational? Definitely. Want to follow suit? Sure thing. But Before you throw on your tighty whities, check out Opsh’s golden rules below for wearing white.

1. Don’t Scrimp On Your Basics

The ‘’buy cheap, buy twice’’ mantra couldn’t be more true when it comes to your basic whites, like a crisp white t-shirt or a classic white shirt. Instead of splurging on novelty occasionwear items you’ll wear to that one formal wedding of the year, invest in quality everyday pieces to ensure they hold their shape and colour for longer.

2. Be Fabric-Wise

Probably the most important time to be careful when choosing your fabrics is when wearing white. Lighter fabrics like chiffons, silks and some cheaper man-made synthetics will become easily transparent, while clingy lycras and elasticated cottons will cling to your body, especially in the summer heat. A breathable fabric like rich cotton or good linen will make for a more flattering and practical option.

3. Don’t Settle for Unintentional Off-White

If your whites are looking a little grey since you mistakenly mixed a black sock in with the white wash, then freshen them up by adding bleach to your next load of laundry.

4. Wear Nude Underwear

This one is probably more relevant to the ladies, but ensure you wear nude/skin-coloured undergarments when sporting white clothes - white knickers will show up through lighter summer fabrics.

5. Forget the Seasonal Rules

The ‘’No white after Labour Day’’ American fashion rule isn’t a cast-iron fashion commandment any more - after all, autumn/winter catwalks have been full of white overcoats for years now. White is now welcomed year-round, so invest in quality pieces you can wear now and again at Christmas.

6. Size Up

White can be a less forgiving colour than darker shades, so consider going a size up, especially for covering problem areas - if you’re buying a slim-fitting white shirt or skinny jeans, it’s more likely to show up lumps and bumps.

7. Washed Out

White can be a draining colour on some skin tones, so if you’re afraid of washing out, then avoid wearing white close to the face. Instead, wear your white on your bottom half and try a stronger colour on top. Alternatively, break up the pale shade by adding a colourful neckpiece or a scarf that will bring instant colour to your face.

8. Don’t Wear It To A Wedding

No matter how unconventional the wedding, err on the side of caution and avoid pissing off the bride.

Words:Justine King

Images:Chloë Keogan