BLACK may be beautiful, but white is a perennial favourite with fashion lovers? It can be worn by men and women of all ages, combines brilliantly with any colour and above all, looks fabulously cool. You will have to try very hard to go wrong with white.

But then, you also need to be careful with white, as it is not easy to maintain. As a rule, make sure what you buy is easily washable. And remember, the sun is a natural bleach. So hang all your dull whites out in the day and they should regain their original brilliance.

Another characteristic of white is that it cannot take in excesses. At a time when fashion pundits are harping upon ‘less is more’, whites can look appropriately understated, especially in natural fabrics like cotton, linen and silk.

This should not, however, prevent you from coordinating your whites with colourful accessories. Be it gold jewellery, leather belts, bags or a simple tie-’n’-dye scarf or dupatta, colour adds zest to your look. Frosty blues and bright reds are enhanced by white, against the sunlight.

On men, a crisp white cotton shirt can look great for evening wear, when worn with a pair of formal trousers. For a casual look, slip on a white T-shirt with jeans. The days of flashy jungle prints and singlets in assorted colours are over.

Women too are finding the white shirt a great addition to the wardrobe. You can wear it over a swimsuit as a cover, team it with a pair of cotton trousers, and at the office, combine with a summer skirt or wear it over a dress.

And there are lots of white shirts available. Chikan-embroidery shirts are the current hot favourites for the evening, as they are not only classy, but also look formal enough at a social do. You get them in a variety of collars — from boat necks and V-necks to circular bands and crisp flaps.

Silk and cotton shirts are coming in multiple pleats to look more elegant than regular, plain whites. The detailing is all the more pronounced in women’s shirts, to the extent that they are coming with ornamental buttons and beading effects. But contrasting embroidery and designer monograms are out.

White T-shirts are also becoming an essential part of the wardrobe. In any other colour, you might relegate them to casual or home wear. But in white, you need to be careful about the cut and fit, and above all, the quality of the fabric.

A good quality silk or linen T-shirt can be a perfect alternative to a formal 9 to 5 white shirt, especially during the summer. And then, you are no longer restricted by the collared or collarless, half-sleeved variety. T-shirt options range from the sleeveless to the full-sleeved, with and without polo necks.

Of course, each variation projects a different look. Besides, it must suit the body type. For the heavy set and inordinately slim, loose fits are ideal. A white, sleeveless T-shirt can also go well when worn under a shirt as a camisole.

While wearing whites, do not shy away from layering, particularly if you are on the heavier side. Apart from hiding unwanted flab, it adds character to an otherwise plain white outfit. An open shirt can disguise large hips and an out-of-shape stomach.

T-shirt are especially good at hiding a multitude of sins if you choose the right size and shape. In fact, it is the British Navy that is credited with inventing T-shirts when sleeves were added to sailors’ vests to hide their hairy armpits!

But then, the white T-shirt, or even shirt, has its limitations, regardless of the design and material used. For one, it is too simple and plain when you have a party on fire. For another, it could leave you with the feeling of being drab and monotonous if you are accustomed to wearing whites at work during the day.

In that case, try out dresses in light silks or chiffon. Sarees, salwar-kameezes and churidar-kurtas in white chiffon can look quite dressy with minimal embellishments. But avoid lycra and lames as they are no longer as hot as they used to be.

The best way to round off a white evening dress is with open-toed mules or sandals. Get hold of a matching handbag encrusted with pearls or crystal work and for that dash of colour, pick up a silk scarf or dupatta with some bold art work. Now you are ready to stop the traffic! — (MF)