Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

The Manual’s Guide to Wearing White

By

Here at The Manual, we’re not much for following other people’s style rules. In fact, we much prefer to make our own set of guidelines for how to dress and look damn good doing so. Sure, there are some classic styling tips we stick to so we can look our most dapper selves, but rules are no fun if you can’t break a few. With spring in full swing and summer on the horizon, we got to thinking about the color white. Crisp and light, this warm-weather neutral is a great way to refresh your wardrobe for the new season. But don’t think we’re waiting until Memorial Day to wear this hue – that’s one style rule that’s meant to be broken. But just because we’re giving you permission to wear it earlier than historically acceptable doesn’t mean a head-to-toe getup is the way to go. Check out our guide to wearing white and you’ll be looking fresh way before summer’s kickoff holiday arrives.

Start from the ground up There is nothing better than a brand new pair of white sneakers. In fact, they almost have a glow about them we can’t quite explain. Sneakers are a great way to work white into your wardrobe without making any risky style moves. Whether you want to wear them with denim or shorts, they can make any outfit look new from the bottom up. We’re all about a throwback which is why these PONY TopStar Hi-Tops are at the top of our list. Standing for Product of New York, PONY has been on the scene since 1972, way before some of your favorite sneaker brands were even an idea.

Recommended Videos

When it comes to warm-weather footwear, we can’t think of anything better than the classic boat shoe. Comfortable and versatile, you can wear them with everything from shorts to linen and seersucker suits. And because they bring major nautical vibes to any look, we’re all about this classic pair from Sebago. A single piece of hand-sewn leather wraps the foot for a fit that feels custom-made.

Related

Keep it tailored Sometimes the best way to introduce a new piece into your wardrobe is to do it with something tailored. Nothing says summer quite like a white blazer, especially one that is altered to fit you perfectly. It brings to mind ship captains and Old Hollywood’s leading men, two style icons we don’t at all mind emulating. Whether you want to go for the full white suit or just rock the jacket, we love this lightweight piece from Zara. But remember, a blazer purchased off the rack should always be taken to a tailor unless it truly fits you perfectly.

Do it with denim Here’s the thing about white denim – it’s dangerous if not styled correctly. The key to wearing white jeans is simplicity because they make a statement on their own. For example, pairing them with gold chains and an overly colorful graphic tee would take your look straight to the Jersey shore where people are beating up the beat. If that’s your thing, don’t let us stop you from doing you, but there is a better way to wear them. We like white denim with a simple tee, whether it’s plain black topped with a leather motorcycle jacket or a bright solid that offers a stark contrast. Pair them with those white PONY sneakers we were talking about and you’ll look effortlessly cool. Want to dress them up a bit? Grab a light blue oxford shirt and navy blazer, slip on a pair of boat shoes and you’ll be sending handsome nautical vibes that will draw the ladies forth like a lobster trap. We like the slim but not-too-tight fit of the AG Matchbox jeans, available at Scoop NYC.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Amanda Gabriele
Amanda Gabriele
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Amanda Gabriele is a food and travel writer at The Manual and the former senior editor at Supercall. She can’t live without…
Florsheim Steps Into the Future with Bright and Iridescent Oxfords
florsheim fuel reflect capsule collection launch profile light iridescent

A lauded heritage shoemaker is looking toward the future with its latest release, one that’s sure to liven up any tailored holiday ensemble you can dream up. Florsheim — long a brand focused on classic, timeless men’s dress shoes, sneakers, and boots — just dropped the Florsheim Fuel Reflect Capsule Collection, a fashion-forward capsule designed to offer plenty of comfort and eyecatching style through the end of the year and the holiday season.

Florsheim’s Fuel Reflect Capsule Collection (available through both Florsheim
and Zappos
) takes the classic elements of Florsheim shoes — the sleek, dressy wingtip design — and updates the timeless silhouette in an unexpected way. The capsule features iridescent reflective materials in a series of bold colorways, from a striking silver option (wearable with your sharpest black suit) and a bold, highlighter yellow-esque offering (sure to liven up dark blue denim and a classic white Oxford shirt). Other color options include a seasonally friendly red, a perfect pairing for some tan corduroys and a blue chambray shirt. 

Read more
What exactly are limited edition watches?
Know the buzz word before you buy
Citizen watch in ground beans

Have you ever watched a movie and wondered why the rare piece of art could ever be worth the obscene amount of money the debonair art thief claims it's worth? It is simple, really. It comes down to the fact that it is rare. A truly original piece of art masterfully created by the very hand who conjured it up in their mind is something that cannot be recreated. The same kind of rare value exists in the watch world, too. There is an entire industry of limited edition watches that claim rarity rivaled only by the masterful artwork of Renaissance artists who can no longer create original pieces.

But what does it really mean to say that a watch is a limited edition? Does it truly mean that there is little chance of you walking into a party or a bar and running into the ever-embarrassing moment when your "rare" watch sits on the wrist of another...in the same room? Or does it mean they just want you to buy it quickly because they have numbers to make before the shareholders' meeting? Both are possible. As usual here at The Manual, we did the legwork to make sure are armed with the information you need before you click the BUY button and invest in a limited edition watch.
The parameters of limited edition

Read more
A day at the races: How to dress for the Kentucky Derby
Let your colors and patterns fly at the Kentucky Derby
Men's Derby Fashion with Bowties

Thanks in no small part to social media, The Kentucky Derby has become more than a horse race, becoming a major annual fashion event. Horse races have historically been social events that encouraged spectators to dawn their most spectacular finery going back to Victorian England. That tradition carried over to the States, and three races of the Triple Crown have been fashion events for America's upper class for well over a century. As a social engagement, the greatest of the three big races is The Kentucky Derby, and the greatest part of the race is the Kentucky Derby outfits. Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, becomes the fashion capital of the South for one weekend every May.

The rise of social media and "fit" culture have led to a boom in Kentucky Derby parties across the country over the past ten years. An event that used to be a niche interest to horse racing and gambling enthusiasts, along with the few people wealthy enough to attend the event, has become a national fashion event. People who have no interest in horse racing and will probably not even watch the race (there are a number of races happening all day, culminating in the actual headline race) gather together over their shared love of dressing up and partying. It has become an occasion to be seen, both #IRL and on every social media platform.

Read more