WHITE OUT

WINTER WHITES ARE NOW A MICROTREND, WITH TAILORED, HEAVY CREAMS, OFF WHITE PIECES AND TONAL SHADES THAT CELEBRATE WHITE YEAR-ROUND.

By JUSTINE AMODEO

On the red carpet, celebrities are wearing dramatic white gowns, furs and puffers with no wedding plans in sight. The Fall/Winter 2022/23 runways were full of white statement looks, as well as the recent Golden Globes, where host Jerrod Carmichael’s several changes of clothes included an Atelier Cillian white doublebreasted suit and semi-sheer turtleneck draped with a pearl necklace.

On Instagram, #WhiteOnWhite is trending with white ensembles ranging from flowy hippie chic to structured and formal. And on Tik Tok, “Vanilla Girl” and “wearing vanilla” have clocked up 98.9 million views.

We asked Chantal Hughes, a fashion consultant and personal stylist who works with luxury brands, about her take on the latest white-on-white fashion trend.

“ I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY ALL WHITE SEEMS INTIMIDATING, BUT LUCKILY, WE LIVE IN AN ERA WHERE WE SEE BEAUTY IN DIFFERENT BODY TYPES AND SHAPES.“

— CHANTAL HUGHES

Wearing head-to-toe white in the winter is now considered chic, including this wardrobe staple — a white faux fur coat that says monochromatic luxe.

ESTATE MAGAZINE: Is social media amplifying the trend –“Vanilla Girl” on TikTok and #whiteonwhite on Instagram is trending in the millions?

CHANTAL HUGHES: Social media definitely amplifies fashion trends. I think tonal dressing in general is very chic, no matter what color — beige on beige, white on white, black on black. A head-to-toe white look in colder months is fresh and portrays a feeling of hope and elegance, or even coziness. It is a style both fashion forward and less fashion conscious people alike can attempt with ease. Whether you’ve got tens of millions in the bank or not, you have to be smart with how you dress, and white is like black, a non-color that really elevates a look if you wear it head to toe. It’s an easy way to look polished, thoughtful and fashionable.

Peter Do

“Peter Do knows how to create a monochromatic look that is anything but boring. This look is perfect for a man or women looking to stay cozy in all beige, but breaking away from a traditional sweater silhouette,” says Hughes.

EM: What happened to the no white after Labor Day rule?

CH: That’s been thrown out the window. I think it’s a trend that’s so wearable it’s now a staple year-round. Just look at the Fall Winter 2022/23 and Spring 2023 runways in Paris and New York. White, white and more shades of white.

EM: What’s the best way to wear all white?

CH: It depends on the silhouettes and the fabrics you are wearing. Tonal white, where there are variations, is easier to wear than a true white head-totoe look, which is harder to pull off. A sweater on top of a white jean where the shades slightly vary, where one shade is a little more eggshell and one is a little more snow white, is a good look. I recommend adding a bit of color with a shoe or handbag or scarf. I’m also a fan of lots of white with black to break up the look.

MALENE BIRGER

“Consider trading in a traditional khaki colored trench for a whiter shade,” says Hughes of this Malene Birger trench coat.

“White accessories are so fresh, especially when given this type of rich texture,” says Hughes of this Bottega

Top Handle in chalk.

EM: Is this a unisex trend?

CH: I’ve seen the same variation of white in a suit set that can look equally chic on both men and women. The white on white look is extremely global, there is something very jet set about it. Both men and women are going to fit in in Miami, Dallas, New York, any global city really, and it’s also a very friendly color when it comes to shopping across a diverse budget. You can get the luxury white shirt or achieve a similar look from a more mainstream brand. A crisp white shirt is still a crisp white shirt.

EM: Is white unforgiving?

CH: I can understand why all white seems intimidating, but luckily, we live in an era where we see beauty in different body types and shapes. The all-white look can be appealing on any body, whether you’re a size 0 or a size 18. The key is to find the silhouette and fabrics that suit your personal style and figure.

EM: I know you’re friends with John Gomes. Would you dress him in white?

CH: OMG he’s a prime candidate. He has his own immaculate sense of taste and style. He has the most beautiful glowing skin and can carry off a bold statement look. Our fashion sensibilities often mesh because we both like going for something bold but making it feel effortless.

DOLCE & GABBANA

“White linen tailoring, who could resist?” says Hughes of this Dolce & Gabbana Deconstructed linen jacket from The “Corallo” Collection.

Maria Mcmanus

“Maria McManus is a designer who emphasizes less water, less chemicals and creating less waste.

It’s exciting to see luxury fashion giving us all the style, but with less harm to the environment,” says Hughes.