There are several fall fashion rules which should never be broken: Leggings worn as pants, black and brown combinations and short and tight everything.
However, some of these style standards waver on the border of acceptable and even outstanding if you can pull it off. We're talking about the perennial wisdom of not wearing white after Labour Day.
Coco Chanel famously wore white whenever she wanted, so why shouldn’t we? It might be because very few of us are fashion icons but that doesn’t mean we can’t carry the spring/summer trend over to fall by mimicking some of our favourite celebrities whose fashion sense we trust.
Celebrities like Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba and Kim Kardashian have all been spotted in fall appropriate ensembles that were either head-to toe white or featured great white pieces.
For those who are convinced that wearing white in the fall is blasphemous, first of all, get over it. White was all over the runway this year at fall 2013 shows for Proenza Schouler and Derek Lam, amongst others. If worn correctly, white in cooler temperatures can really make a statement. Just follow these simple rules to get the look just right.
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Celebs Wearing White
1. Pick The Right Fabrics
Unless you live in Barbados, white linen pants in late September can look off. Choose a heavier textile like white leather or denim. Ali Larter, Zoe Saldana and Cameron Diaz have all been spotted in crisp white jeans that can be great for fall paired with an ankle boot and light jacket.
2. Wear Off-White Instead Of Bright White
A cream or eggshell white will be less blinding than the stark white we often see in the summer months. When in doubt, look to socialite Olivia Palermo for advice. She looked perfect in a cream cowl coat and black leather tights last winter.
3. Wear White Only In The Right Places
White has the opposite effect of black (note: it does not have a slimming effect). Be aware of areas you prefer not to accentuate when selecting white pieces. Canadian actress Rachel McAdams doesn’t have much to hide and judging by her very small margin of style errors, she knows her body shape well; take, for instance, the dress she wore to Cannes 2011 which highlighted her hips thanks to the placement of the matching white flower embellishments.
4. Pair White With Darks And Other Colours
Fall is notorious for bringing out the dark side in your wardrobe but it's okay to pair black, brown, grey and navy with a pop of white to balance it out.
Actress Kate Beckinsale looked pretty inconspicuous but no less stunning last winter in jeans, a grey shirt and white cropped blazer to give the darker outfit a touch of glamour.
5. Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize
All-white ensembles are not for everyone but you can still play with whites using accessories from scarves to bangles to hats to belts and everything in between. "Spring Breakers” actress Vanessa Hudgens looked ready for cold weather wearing a denim shirt and a bright white scarf during an LA winter, which equates to an early Fall in Canada.
6. Select Nude Shoes
Dutchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton knows how to rock a nude pump, with one of her favourites being a pair from L.K Bennett. Prince George's mum is no stranger to wearing white (remember the sexy Roland Mouret gown with a thigh-high slit?) and always looks pristine. Middleton also has the good sense to pair those white dresses with nude or neutral-coloured heels to elongate her figure.
7. White Blazers Are Chic Year-Round
It doesn’t even matter what season it is, you can never go wrong with a white blazer which will make any outfit stand out and look instantly chic. Take the advice of stylish celebrities like Drew Barrymore, Kelly Osborne and Jessica Alba who styled their versatile white blazers to create varying looks.
8. White Pumps Should Be Worn All The Time
They're not just for your wedding day! These days, all the celebs like Angelina Jolie, Kerry Washington and Diane Kruger are sporting the instantly glam heel whether it be on the red carpet or just running errands. And don't believe that you have to wear a dress, nope, they look great with denim too.
9. Make Sure It’s Actually After Labour Day
No explanation necessary! Good luck with your white duds, readers.