Designers have performed their New Year wardrobe cleanse early, with the international runways filled with dresses, suits and skirts the hopeful shade of a blank canvas at the recent spring/summer collections. After a deluge of deep chocolates, power reds and graphic prints, the crisp and cool whites at Dior, Toteme, Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga were breaths of fresh summer air that sparked joy.

In winter, white represents luxury; you have to be flush to dry-clean a white coat that weathers splashes of mud, red wine and fake tan. In summer, though, white becomes a symbol of carefree ease in light cottons and linens that catch the breeze and can be washed at the first splash of ice-cream or tomato sauce.

All white

Luxury labels lead the way when it comes to dressing in white from top to toe. Summon your inner angel and wear loose-fitting white skirts with pale slides, kitten heels or sneakers. A mix of textures – say crisp cotton shirts with jersey skirts, or drill shorts with knit tops – will create enough visual interest to stop you from being mistaken for a low-flying cloud. Matching a white T-shirt with white jeans takes the edge out of urban wear, but avoid tight jeans unless you’re aiming to look like a Y2K Liz Hurley.

White and black

Black accessories anchor and elevate key white pieces. A black belt, shoes or shacket not only provide contrast, they can take white into the dark of night at restaurants or bars. If your white outfit is of the free and flowing variety, choose accessories with a defined sculptural silhouette to turn the contrast up. Pointed black heels or a rectangular clutch will anchor appraising eyes.

White and colour

If you’re seeking attention, you probably don’t need to be told that red with white (we’re talking a femme-fatale, take-no-prisoners red) will score more goals than the Swans in the AFL season. A red maxi skirt with a white collared shirt or simple tee shows you mean business without going near an office. But if you prefer subtlety to unbridled sensuality, choose pastels; buttery yellow tops, pale pink shoes or bursts of baby blue will keep you looking cool without turning up the heat.

The rules of white dressing

Dial down the make-up. Going too hard with the contour stick or attempting a smoky eye immediately shatters the innocent appeal of white clothing. Less is more.

Dial down the jewellery. Gold and silver are perfect complements to white clothing, but choose fine pieces as chunky chains will weigh down your look. Your cool palette should be the star.

Dial down the fake tan. Worse than lipstick on your collar is a high-tide mark of beige tanning fluid around necklines and skirt hems. If you leave your mark, wash machine-friendly items at the highest temperature recommended on the care label and use a pre-wash treatment. Silk and wools should be hand-washed in warm water with a spritz of dishwashing liquid.

Fashion director: Penny McCarthy. Hair: Keiren Street using Wella Professional. Make-up: Aimie Fiebig using Sisley Paris. Fashion assistant: Abbie Stockwell. Model: Lina at Priscillas.

Stockists: Aje; Field Bar; Matteau; Oliver James Lilos; Oroton; Venroy.

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